How Coleman figures into the mix at safety
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How Coleman figures into the mix at safety
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
We all know the Eagles' second-round selection of Temple safetly Jaiquawn Jarrett affected one veteran more than any other: Quintin Mikell.
With Jarrett in the fold, it seems unlikely (although not impossible, depending on how the labor situation is resolved) that Mikell will be back with the Birds.
But another Eagles safety probably also took notice: Kurt Coleman.
When Nate Allen was sidelined last year, Coleman was called on to fill in. I thought he played OK in fairly limited action. Remember, Coleman was a seventh-round pick out of Ohio State and got a later practice start than his peers because of NCAA regulations.
Recently, Pro Football Focus released a list of the best-tackling safeties in 2010. They found that of all the safeties in the league who attempted at least 15 tackles last season, only three never missed a tackle. They were the Rams' James Butler, the Bears' Major Wright and Coleman.
Per PFF's numbers, Coleman had 23 solo tackles. ESPN.com had him down for 31, but eight of those were on special teams.
While the fact that Coleman did not miss a tackle is impressive, it's important to dig a little deeper into the numbers.
I went through the play-by-play data to break down those 23 solo tackles. Actually, I included the playoff game against the Packers too so we're dealing with a total of 29 tackles.
AGAINST THE RUN
Fourteen of Coleman's 29 tackles came against the run. Of those 14, five tackles came within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, and two were within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage. And one tackle was for loss.
On average, running backs picked up 8.93 yards on carries where Coleman made a tackle.
The point is not to rip Coleman, but rather to get a better idea of his role when he was on the field. On many of those plays, Coleman was the last line of defense, where runs of 12 and 13 yards could have turned into runs of 30 or 40 yards if he didn't make a play.
But as the numbers indicate, for the most part, the Eagles did not count on Coleman to play up in the box and make plays at the line of scrimmage against the run.
AGAINST THE PASS
Fifteen of Coleman's 29 tackles were on pass plays. The average completion on a pass play in which Coleman made a tackle was 16.4 yards, although that number is inflated because of a 76-yard gain against the Redskins. Again, not altogether surprising, considering he was playing safety.
Of those 15 completions, 13 went for first downs, and five were third-down conversions.
As a team, the Eagles allowed 54 pass plays of 20 yards or more last season, fifth-most in the NFC. Part of that was on the corners, part was on the pass-rush (or lack thereof), and part was on the safety play.
We know the Eagles' pass defense has to better in 2011, but given the way the draft played out, we'll have to wait until free agency/the trading period to find out what their plan is.
OVERALL
Coleman's career can go in one of three directions once football resumes.
1. Maybe he competes for a starting job and beats out Jarrett. Remember, the longer the lockout continues, the more difficult it will be for rookies to contribute right away. Coleman could have a leg up in that respect.
2. Maybe he doesn't start, but makes the team as a backup. Coleman was a contributor on special teams last season. He ranked fifth on the team in special-teams points, and only Akeem Jordan and Moise Fokou had more special-teams tackles.
3. Or Coleman could be one-and-done. This is unlikely, but remember, Macho Harris started his rookie year and was gone the next season. The comparison loses some relevancy, considering the Eagles tried to switch Harris from cornerback to safety, back to cornerback and then back to safety, while Coleman's been at one position the whole time. But the point is, there is always competition.
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Comment removed.
Good analysis. Way to create some news when nothing is going on. We need more of this.— tripleplay83- There is absolutely zero chance that Coleman is a one and done, so the third choice isn't even worth adding. He'll either give Jarrett the fight of his life and start or he'll be the 3rd safety, one capable of backing up either the FS or SS spots. That's an incredibly important position considering how prevalent injuries are in the NFL.— PhilaPhans
- Macho was no good. Coleman is a player. He'll probably start if nate allen isn't ready.— beerflow
- Especially given his special teams play, I think Kurt Coleman is your third safety for the next five years or so. Generally Reid only like to carry three safeties so that third safety has been quality. Remember, Mikell was that guy for several seasons until he worked his way into the starting lineup. *IF* Allen fully recovers and *IF* Jarrett works out you've got a young core totally solidifying the safety spots for the next half decade or more. Coleman's done nothing to deserve comparisons to Harris--much more like a young Q.— thefadd
Coleman Starts and they have 3 Safety's— Kevinmac- And what a dramatic difference -- missing no tackles versus Assante Samuels' "OLE!" cape-waving non-tackles!— tomvallar
- tomvallar, stop hatin on asante's tackling, if you watched him last year you would have noticed it improved.— beerflow
- Thanks, I did notice, but I still begrudge him that insane salary for the amount he contributes to the overall "D". — tomvallar
- It improved alright----improved so much he hurt his shoulder and was limited for the last 3/4 games. And then he does the infamous 'horsecollar' in the Vikings game. — Romus
- Actually his sprained knee kept him out and that wasn't a horsecollar. 9 mill sounds about right. check out football outsiders and they break it down I think it was like 2 yac on average he gave up for the season. coulda used him for da bears game tho. — beerflow
- Coleman needs to be in the fix and see playing time. He did not hurt himself or the team on field last year.— 76er
- SK---lets not forget WIll Demps---he started in the NFC Championship game against the Cardinals--and helped seal Larry Fitzgerald's Hall of Fame selection.— Romus
- quentin demps, he didn't start the game, just played 3rd safety and fell on his face. — beerflow
- Coleman was All American at Ohio State. The kid from Temple hasn't played a snap yet in the NFL. I hope the kid is great. I hope Q comes back and plays strong, too. I hope Allen is the real deal, what's wrong with having depth at safety?— Paul SoTX
- I think Coleman starts at either one of the safety spots. Why else would they let Mikell go. I hope Coleman ends up being a 7th round gem.— urbnasty
- Coleman should be there at least for 1 more year, if for nothing else as a failsafe incase Allen isn't 100% to start the year or if Jarrett isn't ready to start because of the lockout. Hate to see 'Q' go but the Eagles don't want to pay for someone who hits age 30. That's when, in their view, a player starts to decline in ability.— paulNC
- Let's put it this way: I'd rather have Mikell starting than either Coleman or Jarrett. Consider this position another "hole".— p-diddy
- Won't Coleman play FS and Jarrett SS?— Phront_Runner
- Coleman will be an Eagle this year, and maybe for the next ten. Hard to say if he'll start or be a backup. Hard to say how well he'll perform, but there's no doubt he's aiming to start and be a Pro Bowler. He's not all that big or fast, but belongs in the NFL.— armchairGM
- I am not sure QM is as gone as he thinks and the fans think. His leaving is predicated on the idea that someone else out there is going to pay him salary that is considered a decent investment. That is no given. And if his bets offer is just average, don't be surprised if he stays an Eagle.— ccheung
- Why all the negative comments??? Why Why Why The safety position can be an asset this season. Their is a lot of young talent
— RichieAshburn - Like Coleman, but there are reasons he was a 7th rnd. pick. So, let's not act like the guy's a stud.
QM won't stay. If he doesn't get big $$ elsewhere he'll still leave for pride's sake. If birds make him an offer it will average dollars & 2 yrs. at most.
It would be wise to keep him . . . time for Allen to heal, Coleman & Jarrett to learn. But, Andy won't keep 4 safeties. Maybe, if Allen really isn't ready.— wordsword
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