Atari and Rouse have had shining moments over the past two season and both have struggled at times over the span..

Injury can be pointed to as the reason for Bigby struggling this year and Rouse wasn't the model of health either this season.

Assuming all have complete faith now in Collins as the starter at FS.. what is your view upon the SS position as a whole?

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I am not sold on either of them at SS. Bring in 1 more player to fight for SS, a three way battle. If Rouse wins, then 1 or the other two is cut. If Rouse does not win, Peprah goes.

Rouse was the #1 backup at both safety positions this last year.

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I like them both because they are both tough and hard hitting safeties.

One of the things I recall McCarthy pointing out in '07 was that he wanted to establish this team as tough and physical.

These two guys play that way. They may not always be in the right position on a pass play and may miss a tackle here and there but they are out there looking to knock somebody's head off.

I hope a new DC can recreate that "chip" on the shoulder get after it attitude that was there in '07. The swagger and flying around hitting people defense began to evaporate with every blown loss. Remember Bigby flying in there and going over the top of a RB landing on the QB?

That's what I want to see but you have to have a guy that will cut them loose.

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I have no faith in either, and neither should McCarthy. Bigby is too inconsistent and Rouse is too pedestrian.

Now, with a new def coordinator (and likely a new scheme) that may change. Under Sanders, there was (supposed to be) no difference between SS and FS. Either one could be called upon to stuff the run or cover a receiver on any given play. Nice theory, but you have to have two really exceptional safeties to make it work. Maybe under the new DC, they can get back to their more traditional roles and play to their strengths.

Either way, bring in a new guy or two. Open competition is the only way to ensure your best players get on the field.

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I like both - Bigby's an enforcer, and Rouse is a bit more of a ball hawk. I like that Rouse seems able to backup both safety positions as well.

And as with a number of players, I just am not willing to say someone doesn't have it or is a bust with so little evidence to work on. Bigby just started to come on last season and was essentially injured all this season. Rouse was known to be a project with huge upside, was also hurt a fair bit, and still he looks to have made more strides this year so who's to say what he can yet achieve?

There are enough areas where we have definite need on the roster, I don't see any point in even thinking of re-tooling areas that could well be in good shape.

If both of them suck it up next year then maybe it'll be time to address the safeties, but I'm confident that if they're healthy our group's a good one.

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Happy with what we have there. both are still young, both hit hard, both have had moments as ball hawks. Good luck finding a Safety in the league that doesn't miss assignments every once in a while.

they will bring in some UFA sure for camp and maybe a draft pick... but Collins, Rouse, Bigby and Peprah all healthy in camp i can't imagine any of them losing out.

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I am not sold on either, I say bring in Mr. Loehnard he hits people and wraps up the player. I have noticed that alot of secondary players don't use their arms to tackle anymore. If you watch alot of them just throw there body at the other player hoping to knock them over. I remember seeing our LBs doing that alot also this year. Bigby seems like he is hurt alot or he is blowing a coverage or getting a PI. Sure he throws his body around but doesn't seem to get the tackles. You watch the Ravens or Steelers defensive players and when they hit they are wrapping up the player at the same time.

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I think atari will bounce back, if healthy with another year of OTAs and all of that, i think he will improve, you saw his growth at the end of the 07 season and i really think the defense missed his attitude and ferocity when he was hurt in 08. He isn't the most assignment sure safety in the league, but he makes up for it IMO with the level of intensity that he plays at.

Really i would like to see some more players on defense that are intense as him, Bishop anyone? I really think our defense lacks those players that opposing offenses are scared to get hit by. Remember the playoff game in Seattle? Atari had the entire Seattle O running scared, afraid to take another brutal hit.

IF he can stay healthy, and improve his fundamentals, i think he has potential to be a very good player.

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Both are young. Both have upsides.

Remember just last year, a lot of us (myself included) were anti-Collins. Then Collins led the NFL in INTs returned for TDs and is in the Pro Bowl.

I think both Atari and Rouse had bad years but I have faith they'll both bounce back. I like the way Rouse is a ball hawk and Atari's hits remind me of a certain 49er Hall of Fame Safety.

I agree with IlikethePackers.

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I believe both Bigby and Rouse, while having some nice qualities to their game, lack sufficiently in other areas as to make it a position of concern this off-season.

Bigby hits and plays in the box well, but lacks in coverage. Rouse, while a ball hawk and willing in run support, gets out of position far too....allowing big plays for the opposition....to be trusted at this point.

As someone said earlier, I like the idea of checking into Jim Leonard as he is a free agent this year. Just like at Wisconsin, all the guy does is play smart, physical football...and is always around the ball for some very big plays. Size, schmize.....he plays VERY big for his physical size, has good speed, and a heart as big as the Grinch's, post-revelation to the joys of Christmas.

Taylor Mays is a guy Ted Thompson should investigate at #9 if he is not satisfied with our current safety spot across from Collins. Due is a BEAST!

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