In the early days of free agency, there was wide-spread panic that the Redskins didn't address the safety position. While we can't depend on them yet, we have Bacarri Rambo and Phillip Thomas waiting in the wings and added Ryan Clark recently. Still, Redskins nation has not stopped bringing up the safety position as a major area of need. I've seen a lot of mentions of Calvin Pryor, HaHa Clinton-Dix, and Jimmie Ward as players that would look good in burgundy & gold, but there is an uner-the-radar guy I'd like to talk about: Terrence Brooks.
While a little under-sized at 5'11" 198 lbs, he shows the physicality to play bigger than his listed size. He also has the versatility to play as a slot CB and as a single-high safety (this draft lacks single-high safeties). Let's take a look.
:03 Plays in the box as SS. RB falls down. Non-factor.
:10 Plays as the single-high FS. QB makes a poor decision and a poor throw deep up the left sideline and Brooks is able to run over and make a diving interception. Brooks shows great range here.
:45 Plays over the slot WR in a zone coverage. Read-option play, Brooks a non-factor.
:55 Plays as the single-high FS. Read-option play, Brooks a non-factor.
1:07 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. NCS throws to opposite side of the field, Brooks a non-factor.
1:14 Plays in the box as SS. Brooks plays a short zone coverage, non-factor as pass goes deep.
1:24 Plays on punt return. Brooks signals to PR to come his way and makes a powerful block to spring the returner.
2:02 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. Brooks starts in a Cover 2 shell but as NCS has a WR fly-action sweep, Brooks comes sprinting into the box from 12 yards deep as he becomes the "contain" man. QB hands off to RB, Brooks a non-factor.
2:15 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. NCS runs the WR sweep again but this time they hand it off to the WR. Brooks comes down again like a bullet and meets the WR 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Brooks wraps him up and forces a fumble.
2:52 Plays over slot WR in man coverage. NCS throws a RB screen but it's inaccurate. Brooks a non-factor.
3:02 Plays in Cover 2 shell. Brooks runs a delayed blitz from deep-half. QB is sacked before Brooks gets there.
3:11 Plays in Cover 2 shell. NCS break a big run, Brooks meets ball-carrier but goes for the strip instead of the tackle.
3:35 Plays over slot WR. Brooks' WR does the sweep-motion away so Brooks drops deep. A non-factor on run play.
3:44 Plays as the single-high FS. Lamarcus Joyner tips a pass intended for a WR running a hitch route and Brooks is a few steps late on being able to pick off the pass off the tip.
3:56 Plays over the slot WR in a zone coverage. NCS runs away from Brooks, a non-factor.
4:04 Plays as the single-high FS. Run play up the middle gets bottled up before Brooks gets there.
4:15 Plays in the box as a SS. NCS throws a swing pass to the RB which falls incomplete but again you see the closing speed and range of Terrence Brooks.
4:30 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. NCS throws an interception. Brooks, a non-factor.
4:57 Plays as the single-high FS. Florida State blows up the run play in the backfield. Brooks, a non-factor.
5:06 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. Florida State again blows up the run in the backfield. Brooks, a non-factor.
5:16 Plays in a 3-deep safety look. QB scrambles around and dumps if off to the RB on opposite side of field as Brooks. Brooks, a non-factor.
5:32 Plays in the box as a SS. Brooks comes on a blitz but gets picked up by the TE. As the QB scrambles in the backfield, Brooks is able to disengage block and comes into the backfield like a missile to break up the QB's desperation dump off to the RB. Brooks almost picks off the pass.
6:05 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. NCS runs a flood, sprint out into Florida State's Cover 2 (which is a Cover 2 beater) and complete a pass between the CB and Brooks.
6:16 Plays over slot WR. Brooks plays a zone and NCS runs a run-play to the opposite side.
6:26 Plays in the box as a SS. NCS runs a play and Brooks takes on block by the FB. Florida State plays get to the RB ans Brooks still shakes off block from FB and gets into the melee to take down ball-carrier.
6:36 Plays in a Cover 2 shell. Florida State runs a Cover 2 man. NCS throws a slant pass that gets knocked up in the air and Brooks again close to intercepting the tipped pass.
After running a 4.42 at the combine, Terrence Brook's speed is undeniable. While some may see his size as a deterrent, once you put on the tape and see how physical he plays, it should quiet those concerns. He uses his speed to bring more power to his game. Add that into the fact that he plays over slot WRs, plays in the box, and plays deep with sideline-to-sideline range, and you have a safety who provides tons of versatility. With all he brings to the table, his name should start entering the conversation for the Redskins.