Almost done with the positional breakdowns!

2011 - S's

Quintin Mikell:
16 G, 91 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 5 FF, 2 INT, 5 PDF

Darian Stewart:
14 G, 84 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 11 PDF

Craig Dahl:
16 G, 61 tackles, 0.0 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 1 PDF

James Butler:
16 G, 11 tackles, 0.0 sacks, 0 FF, 0 INT, 0 PDF

Safety was quietly one of our better position groups last year. The addition of Quintin Mikell was a big one. He played excellent ball all year. He forced several turnovers, and was a sure tackler. Darian Stewart improved once again, and looks to be a breakout candidate for 2012. He was a solid tackler as well. It seemed like he was always around the ball, and his pick six on Drew Brees helped seal our first win of the year. We didn't really get much out of Craig Dahl and James Butler.

2012 - Projections

Quintin Mikell:
16 G, 87 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2 FF, 3 INT, 9 PDF

Darian Stewart:
16 G, 91 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 INT, 13 PDF

Matt Daniels:
16 G, 58 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 4 PDF

Craig Dahl:
16 G, 14 tackles, 0.0 sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT, 1 PDF

I predict that our starting safeties will be Quintin Mikell and Darian Stewart. I also think that our 3rd hybrid safety will be Matt Daniels, rather than Craig Dahl. Mikell is a veteran and has been steady, I can see another solid statline by him. Stewart is on the rise and I think he will seperate himself this year. He is a terrific talent and will show it. Matt Daniels is a hard hitting, in-the-box SS type of safety. Rookie out of Duke. I can't wait to see him play the hybrid LB/SS position. Dahl is a ST player only next year.

"The Edge"

This one is actually close. I'll still slide with the 2012 crew. Stewart gets another year of experience under his belt, the addition of Matt Daniels is going to pay dividends not needing to see Dahl out there.