Wilson among league’s most lethal safeties

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, June 15, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Arizona Cardinals
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The NFL's best safeties are often thought of as players like Roy Williams, Troy Polamalu, Rodney Harrison and Sean Taylor. However, rarely is the Arizona Cardinals' strong safety, Adrian Wilson, counted in that esteemed list. Given his production, it's a wonder why he isn't ever mentioned as a premier performer.

The likely reason is, that the Cardinals have been a lousy, unappealing football team for a long time. Nevertheless, that era seems all but over, so it's time to give Wilson the recognition he deserves.

Last season, Wilson piled up 109 tackles from his position, and that's obviously an impressive number. The stat that stands out the most is his eye-popping amount of sacks, eight. Only one-of-a-kind defensive backs are able to accumulate such a vast amount. Many of the league's paramount defensive linemen didn't even get to that number in 2005, such as Carolina Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker, who had 7 ½ sacks. The Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney had 11, which isn't a far leap from Wilson's total.

One of the most noticeable aspects of Wilson's career has been his durability. In fact, he's played in 48 straight games in the last three seasons. As a rookie in 2001, he appeared in all 16 games, then missed a pair in his second year. Amazingly, those have been the only two contests the 26-year-old hasn't appeared in over his five-year career. Thus, out of a possible 80 games, the former NC State standout has played in 78; not bad at all.

Throughout his career, Wilson has been less a turnover-maker than a tackling machine. He's picking off 10 career passes, including a personal-best four in 2002. However, he's tallied 411 tackles, which averages out to just over 80 per season, and that includes a 32-tackle rookie season.

Prior to last season, Wilson, a former third-round pick, was never a sack-artist. He had only three quarterback takedowns in his first four seasons, but Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast found a better way to use him last year.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys' Roy Williams--a strong safety--Wilson has emerged as a legitimate pass rushing dynamo from the secondary. Pendergast enjoys utilizing him as a blitzing threat on passing situations.

When Wilson plays his best, the Cardinals win. In 2005, he accumulated seven of his sacks in the team's five victories; but when Wilson was shut down by the opposition, he had just one sack, and the Cardinals lost 11 times.

Many have predicted a playoff season for the Cardinals this year. If they do, indeed, wish to make the postseason for the first time since 1998, they better hope Wilson performs up to task once again. He was one of a few bright spots on a bad team last year. Now, the Arizona Cardinals are hoping he'll be one of many bright spots on a contending team in '06.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Adrian Wilson at Realfootball365.com
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