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Panthers FS Godfrey Proves His Value - Part 2

This is the second part of an analysis I started earlier regarding the 2008 performance of Panther then rookie FS Charles Godfrey. In the first post I compared Godfrey's rookie performance to the rookie performance of the five safeties taken in the 1st round the previous two drafts. Basically it showed that in most areas Godfrey's performance was in-line with those draft picks, essentially showing that Godfrey brought true ‘value' given he was a 3rd round pick. So far a very nice pick by Fox & Hurney.

In the subsequent comment thread I was asked a couple questions that I thought were good questions. First, how did Godfrey compare to the top safeties in the league as opposed to just those specific players? Please refer to the table below where I have listed the performances of the top free safeties, at least statistically speaking:

Player

Tackles

Pass Def'd

INT

Comments

E. Reed

41

25

9

No. 1 in INT's & PD

N. Collins

72

22

7

No. 2

M. Griffin

75

18

7

No. 3; Drafted #19 overall in ‘07

O. Atogwe

85

10

5

No. 4

J. Page

85

16

4

No. 5

E. Weddle

127

6

1

No. 1 in Tackles for a FS

A. Bethea

101

6

2

No. 2 in Tackles

C. Godfrey

61

6

1

Drafted #67 overall in ‘08

 

I think it's pretty safe to say the Ravens Ed Reed is the top free safety in the league but its interesting how few tackles he makes. My guess is that the Raven LB's are so good he has fewer opportunities to make tackles. Now compare that to the Chargers Eric Weddle who logged an astounding 127 tackles at free safety. Does that likewise say something about the Chargers LB's (that maybe they suck?) You can't blame it on the defensive system since they both play a 3-4 defense. But I digress.

 

 

Star-divide

I don't think it takes much analysis to conclude Godfrey has a ways to go to be considered one of the top players at his position. The number I want to see increase drastically is passes defensed. Sure, INT's are sexy and can be game changers but for a guy in his second year I want to see him breaking on the ball quicker and use that closing speed. If there is one guy I expect new DC Ron Meeks to have an impact it's Godfrey.    

So what might we expect from Godfrey in his second season? That leads us to the second good question I was asked. Here's what the aforementioned four safeties did in their 2nd year:

Player

Tackles

Pass Def'd

INT

Comments

L. Landry

65

11

2

Moved from SS to FS in 2008

M. Griffin

75

18

7

Tied for 2nd in INT's for FS in ‘08

R. Nelson

54

4

2

Missed 3 games due to injury

B. Meriweather

83

13

4

Moved to SS in 2008

AVG

69.25

11.5

3.75

So the question remains, what might we expect from Godfrey in his second year? Let's not concern ourselves with the number of tackles as that is not the FS' primary skill. Besides, Godfrey has shown a penchant for making big hits, the kid is not afraid to tackle.

Instead I think we can agree we want to see more passes defended from Godfrey. I don't think we should be concerned if he doesn't increase the INT's much. Sure we will take as many as we can get but I would rather see the rookie react better to the ball and show more recognition and anticipation of the WR's route. If we can get 12-15 passes knocked down by Godfrey that is the type of improvement that should signal the rookie truly has what it takes to play FS in the NFL. Throw in 4 INT's and we should all be convinced. Only then can we say that Fox & Hurney got a true value pick in Godfrey in the 3rd round. Any other predictions?

Hat tip to r3 for the prodding to dig a little deeper!

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I loved the pick when I first heard it last year. I like Godfrey and I hope his production goes up from here. Good point about Meeks hopefully improving his game (lets just hope Fox lets him do his job).

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Apr 7, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Like it.

Godfrey has nowhere to go but up after his rookie year.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Apr 8, 2009 12:38 AM EDT reply actions  

Frankly, I was never all that impressed...

Maybe Godfrey was struggling to adjust to covering in zone rather than pressing guys M2M off the line, but the kid sure did seem to blow a lot of coverages over the course of the year. Much of Lucas’ supposed “downfall,” I think, should be blamed on both his and Marshall’s inability to provide their proper support roles in the secondary.

by MichaelProcton on Apr 15, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions  

He did struggle at times for sure

and didn’t make many ‘big’ plays. I think the jury is still out

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Apr 15, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

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