Best Safeties Ever – #2 Ed Reed
#2 – Ed Reed
There was no better player at reading the Quarterback in the passing game than Ed Reed. It was uncanny his ability to distinguish who the Quarterbacks main target was. He would let route runners go past him as he jumped the actual route.
He is the best playmaker ever at the safety position currently sitting 7th all-time in interceptions as well as recording 9 defensive touchdowns. You would see him intercept the ball in his own endzone with the coach yelling “just go down”. Then it would transform from “NO ED, NO ED” to “YES ED, GO ED GO!” He was always leaving you on the edge of his seat as he was always looking to turn interceptions into points. Reed holds not only the record for longest interception return ever taking it back for 108 yards, but he also holds the record for second longest as well.
Ed Reed was as much of a leader as Ray Lewis for the defense first Ravens teams. There is a very short list of players in the secondary who have won the Defensive Player of the Year, and Ed Reed is one of them.
Many recognize his greatness as a ball hawk, but forget how physical he was over his career. He was the jack of all trades at the safety position and it needs to be acknowledged that he was one of the hardest hitting safeties ever. His versatility went past plays on defense. Ed Reed also blocked 4 punts over his career taking one back for a touchdown. When he didn’t block the punt, he would circle back and look for a demolishing block on his next victim. He had a relentless desire to win.
Best Safeties Ever – #1 Ronnie Lott
#1 – Ronnie Lott
I have mentioned a few Safeties on this list who could do it all, but Ronnie Lott is the gold standard when it comes to an all-around Safety. He went from an All-Pro Cornerback to an All-Pro Safety with ease, and what a move it was for the 49ers.
Thinking about the players who left everything on the field, Ronnie Lott was it. This isn’t a subjective point either, he literally gave up his finger to continue playing. When given the choice to take a few games off or amputate his finger, Lott chose the latter. I don’t know about you, but i’d rather keep the finger.
This is the kind of guy you want leading your defense. He could have been considered a top 10 Cornerback ever because of his coverage skills and his 63 career interceptions (8th all-time) put the icing on the cake. But that’s not it.
Ronnie Lott was a destroyer. Some players do anything to secure a tackle and Ronnie Lott would do anything to hurt you. He wanted your entire family to think about whether or not you were good once you got hit. That was his style of play and that is why the 49ers faithful were able to attain 4 Super Bowls under his leadership on defense.
