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Steelers sign S Daimion Stafford

This signing might stick on the 53. As he looks ST and FS capable,
 
We really needed some depth at S so I'm looking at this a potentially solid move by Colbert. I'm actually a bit shocked this kid was just hanging around as a FA.

No Joke: Safety Daimion Stafford Emerging for Titans
http://www.titansonline.com/news/ar...r-Titans/f1af6c2c-e8e4-4959-8226-e885d3b10354

“He has really had a good year, a really a good year,’’ coach Mike Mularkey said of Stafford, who has 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass defensed in the first three weeks. “He is playing good football. And to be voted captain, it shows you teammates recognize he is doing things the right way.

“I just think he is all business now. I think early on he was happy being in the NFL, at least that was his body language. But when he comes out here now, it is all about working and getting better. He still has fun, there is no doubt he is having fun. But it is a different kind of fun the way he approaches things.”

Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau also raved about Stafford recently, praising his work ethic, and his play. LeBeau said Stafford made a lot of big plays in the team's Week 2 win in Detroit.

"I can think of a lot of game-deciding plays that he made,'' LeBeau said of Stafford. "Coverage in the end zone, a big tackle. ... He just made a lot of key plays. He just played outstanding in that game."

Stafford cut his weight from roughly 235 pounds last year to around 215 this season. He feels faster on the field, and better off it.

Now in his fourth NFL season, Stafford said he feels more comfortable in the defense than at any time in his career. Stafford said he learned from veterans like Bernard Pollard, George Wilson and Michael Griffin earlier in his career, and now he’s taking advantage of the veterans around him like <nobr>Rashad Johnson</nobr>, <nobr>Jason McCourty</nobr> and Searcy.

But he admits he also got more serious, and put in more time for himself.

“I had bad eyes, not looking in right places, not knowing the right checks to put the team in,’’ Stafford said of his early days in the league. “Now I pride myself in doing that right.

“And I feel like I am getting older and the game is slowing down for me. Things are slowing down and when I study the game I am able to put myself in a better position.”
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bermudasteel said:
He's already better than Shamarko...
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And at 6-1, 218 he offers great size and strength, particularly on special teams, which will go a long way in determining his status on the roster.

Stafford has an impressive build for the safety position, which allows him to be physical at the point of attack. He plays downhill and loves making plays at the line of scrimmage. He's at his best when playing in the box. While not a shutdown, man-to-man cover guy, Stafford was able to hold his own in man coverage, particularly against running backs.
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As a rotational safety playing mainly in the box, Stafford has the tools to be effective early in his career. At 6'0" 221 pounds, Stafford is built like a small linebacker, rather than a safety.He lacks ideal speed and agility for the position, but his 21 reps on the 225-pound bench press prove his above-average strength.
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Stafford, being as big and physical as he is, excels as a run defender. He can be used effectively as an extra run defender.Not only is he typically a sure tackler, but he's capable of delivering the big blow and forcing fumbles. Stafford forced three fumbles in the past two seasons.
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ng-report-nfl-outlook-for-the-nebraska-safety
 
competition for Golden and Dangerfield, he might make it
 
ExUSAF said:
Yes, I agree - how did this paragon of virtue manage to get cut by LeBeau? Did he only line up 9 yards from the line of scrimmage?
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He didn't his contract was up and he became a UFA.

More notables:

* I think I read that he was the **** ST captain.

* Also he got a little chunky and the Steelers had previously had a look and told him to lose that weight and come back. He did, then they signed him.
 
I don't know how good this guy will be but I like to see some moves like this in the defense of backfield. And I can't wait for camp to open.
 
bermudasteel said:
He's already better than Shamarko...
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I don't know berm. Some of these traits are one and the same as Shamarko's

Stafford is limited as a pass defender. He has stiff hips and isn't particularly quick to recognize route combinations. He shows inconsistency when judging the ball in the air.

His aggressive nature in the run game sometimes causes him to over-pursue and give up cutback lanes.
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Stafford often lined up near the line of scrimmage in Nebraska's 4-3 scheme. He was rarely trusted to play in single-high coverage but held his own in two-deep coverage.
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Tracking the ball in the air is one of Stafford's biggest inconsistencies. He had four interceptions this past season, but he could have had several more if he was consistent when playing the football in the air.
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I think his mark will be on ST's, we don't need another pure " in-the-box" safety except maybe the goal line/short yardage team. There's a reason he's not playing for LeBeau.
 
Reason he isn't playing for DL is he became a free agent and wasn't resigned.

But it isn't that the Steelers run the same scheme as DL.

Just because a player doesn't fit there, doesn't mean he won't fit in Pittsburgh.
 
AggieSteel said:
We got that $backer downhill safety type you Peppers lovers wanted. Maybe he'll stick!
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maybe.. according to this statistic he has a fighting chance
DBHNGp4XkAAryuM.png
 
He very well could be a cheaper version of Mike Mitchell. I think at the very least he pushes Golden to earn his 53 man.
 
FordFairLane said:
He very well could be a cheaper version of Mike Mitchell. I think at the very least he pushes Golden to earn his 53 man.
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or knocks Dangerfield off the roster..
 
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