Why this years secondary could be better then the 2002 secondary

Why this years secondary could be better then the 2002 secondary

Brian Dawkins, Al Harris, Bobby Taylor, and Troy Vincent or Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Asante Samuel, Nate Allen and most likely Kurt Coleman which is better? There was a lot to like about the 2002 secondary. I think there could be even more to like about this years as long as they work well together which i think they will. They most likely will cover better but wont be quite as physical.  Nnamdi might be this best shutdown corner in the league and he is also a big hitter. There has been talk that he will be used like Charles Woodson which is a good idea because that means he is on the oustide sometimes and plays like a safety role sometimes or can lineup in the slot when needed. He will be an effective blitzer and slot corner because his size and physical ability. Another asset he will provide is leadership. They can afford to use him in the slot because DRC is also a really good cover corner to go along with Asante who i think will end up staying here. DRC has great size at 6'2' ' 192 and top speed and leaping ability so he can match up with anyone. Outside of last year he has proved to be a top flight cornerback who is also commited to improve his tackling by gaining weight and working on his technique. On the left side Asante Samuel is an established playmaker. He is one of the most feared players in the league. Every time the ball is thrown his side he is a threat for an interception. Last season he has 6 INTS on 36 throws. This year he will likely get more throws with DRC and Nnamdi to help him. Joselio Hanson will likely be released assuming Asante stays. So that means Trevor Lindley and Curtis Marsh will likely fight it out for the 4th CB spot.

The saftey spots are not quite as strong as the Cb's. Nate Allen will definetely be starting at FS and i think he will continue to develop on a solid rookie season. He has very good instincts and ball skills and will succeed in coverage. But he is only an average tackler and not a big hitter and lacks experience. At SS the starter right now will be Kurt Coleman. He also lacks experience but has been playing very well in camp. He will provide a physical presence who is very good against the run. But he lacks strong man to man cover skills. I think he could develop into a solid presence since he wont have to be used as much in deep covergae because of the CB's and Nate Allen's skills. The backups are rookie Jauquwan Jarrett who was a 2nd round pick. He has very good potential and is also physical and a good tackler and Jarrod Page who will provide depth and a veteran presence. I wish he would be the strarter because he has more experience and when healthy has potential to be one of the better safeties in the league. In his best season 2 years ago he has 80 tackles, 4 INTs and 4 forced fumbles. He is also a big hitter who could help the young guys as long as he is healthy.

I think the safety positions are not quite as good as the 02 team. Dawkins is one of the best ever and Allen, Page and Coleman are not on his level but do have very good potential. But at CB Nnamdi, DRC and Asante are better cover CB's then the 02 team had. They are not all quite as physical as what we saw in 02 but will create more turnovers and shutdown receivers even more. If Allen develops his cover skills which should happen and either Page starts and plays like his 09 form or Coleman is ready and provides a big hitter in the middle this secondary is going to be even better then 2002. This team will also benefit from having a dominant front which is more effective then the 02 front for sure.