Donovin Darius

   In 2004, Darius led the secondary in tackles for a seventh straight season and posted career highs in forced fumbles and interceptions. His season ending injury in 2005 stopped his consecutive start streak at 37.My blog this week is on Donovin Darius, also known as "Double D". Darius played for two years at Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, New Jersey. Before transferring in his junior year to Woodrow Wilson in Camden, New Jersey. Darius played at Syracuse University, setting the team record for tackles by a defensive back with 379. He was a Big East All-Conference player in 1995 and 1996, and also lettered in indoor and outdoor hurdles. Donovin graduated in 1997 with a degree in exercise science and a minor in coaching.


    But he wouldn't become the one coaching, he would be the getting coached in the NFL by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Darius was selected 25th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the highest pick ever by the team for a defensive back.

   He was named to the All-Rookie team and led Jaguar defensive backs with 108 tackles in 14 games. In 1999 he switched to strong safety and continued to sharpen his skills as a defensive force. In 2004, Darius led the secondary in tackles for a seventh straight season and posted career highs in forced fumbles and interceptions. His season ending injury in 2005 stopped his consecutive start streak at 37. In 2006, Donovin broke his leg, the Jags decided to rlease him that season.
Donovin was picked up by the Raiders, but he was released in the final roster cuts. He was signed by the Dolphins, but was released again in October.
Donovin decided to sign a one day contract with to Jaguars, so he could retire with them. So i chose Donovin because I think he is one of the best safeties that ever played, and he has an old school attitude, which made him who he is.

Ed Reed

My blog this week is about Ed Reed. Reed attended the Destrehan High school, in Destrehan Louisiana. During high school he was an All-state defensive back and kick returner. His speed and field awareness put him above most of his competition.
    He totaled 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes deflected his senior year while also seeing action at running back and quarterback. He also returned three punts for touchdowns. As a great player in High school, Reed was a top college prospect.
    Reed decided to to attend the University of Miami, where he was a stand out defensive player, right away. At the University of Miami, Reed was a three-time All-American in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he led the nation with 9 interceptions for 209 yards, which was a school record, and had 3 touchdowns. In 2001 Reed was one of the reasons why Miami won the National Championship. Reed graduated in 2001, and was inducted into the sports Hall of Fame. After having an amazing college career, Reed had his sights on the NFL.
    Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (24th overall pick) of the 2002 NFL draft.  Reed started in all 16 games and finished his season with 85 tackles and five interceptions. The following year he finished the season with 71 tackles and seven interceptions and was voted to his first Pro Bowl.
In 2004, Reed was named the NFL defensive player of the year by the Associated Press. In addition to his record return, in 2004 Reed set an NFL record for most interception return yardage in a season, he had 358 return yards on 9 interceptions. Also in 2004, Reed became the only player in Pro Bowl history to block a punt and return it for a touchdown.
In 2005, Reed only played in ten games due to an ankle injury and finished the season with 37 tackles and one interception. In 2006, Reed had 60 tackles and five interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl. In 2007, he made 39 tackles and seven interceptions. Reed is still playing with his aggressiveness and allusiveness today, he is still on the Ravens and is making many big plays for them. This is why I choose the one and only ED REED!!

T.J. Ward

 My blog this week is on one of my favorite safeties in the NFL, T.J Ward.  Ward is a very aggressive and versatile player which makes up for his small size.
 Ward played high school football at  De La Salle, during their 151 game winning streak an injury early in his senior year pushed many scouts away, Ward decided to walk-on with the Oregon Ducks. After redshirting in 2005, Ward earned not only a scholarship, but the starting cornerback position.
 Unfortunately, another knee injury robbed him of most of the 2006 season and depth in the Oregon secondary kept him mostly on special teams in 2007. In an attempt to get their four best athletes on the field, Ward was moved to free safety, resulting in a breakout 2008 season. He lead the Ducks with 101 tackles, chipping in 5.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups to earn honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors.
  In the 2009 season Ward had another ankle injury, which took him out of five games. Even though he missed a chunk of the season, Ward was drafted 38th overall by the Cleveland Browns. He started all 16 games of his rookie season, recording 123 combined tackles and 2 interceptions. Ward is currently still on the Browns, and is tearing it up on the field. The thing I like most about Ward is that he never backs down from a challenge just because of his small size. This is why I choose T.J. Ward as this weeks top NFL safety.