03-06-2016, 09:58 AM
I've said in another post/thread that I think we have been really fortunate with the quality of our safety play considering the ridiculously low investment we made for Nelson and Iloka (cheap trade and 5th round?).
For the past 3 playoff seasons the pair of them have virtually been ever -present and productive.
Personally I'd love both of them to be back.
On the surface Iloka should be the priority - younger, room to improve, and theoretically less injury risk (Nelson has been bomb proof for years though).
HOWEVER....whilst everyone says Shaun Williams is a ready made replacement is that not only true for Iloka??
I know Marvin Lewis says theres no such thing for him as a strong/free safety but the fact is on every obvious passing down Reggie is the deep center fielder, over the top cover and getting INT's.
Iloka seems to be in the box more and smacking anyone crossing the middle....that seems more akin to Shaun Williams to me.
Anyone an expert on FS.vs.SS play??? to my mind Williams is more a replacement for Iloka so if you put a gun to my head, on that basis, I would go with Reggie if we only kept one. If Williams has the range for deep center fielder then fine...we're good letting Reggie go.
For the past 3 playoff seasons the pair of them have virtually been ever -present and productive.
Personally I'd love both of them to be back.
On the surface Iloka should be the priority - younger, room to improve, and theoretically less injury risk (Nelson has been bomb proof for years though).
HOWEVER....whilst everyone says Shaun Williams is a ready made replacement is that not only true for Iloka??
I know Marvin Lewis says theres no such thing for him as a strong/free safety but the fact is on every obvious passing down Reggie is the deep center fielder, over the top cover and getting INT's.
Iloka seems to be in the box more and smacking anyone crossing the middle....that seems more akin to Shaun Williams to me.
Anyone an expert on FS.vs.SS play??? to my mind Williams is more a replacement for Iloka so if you put a gun to my head, on that basis, I would go with Reggie if we only kept one. If Williams has the range for deep center fielder then fine...we're good letting Reggie go.
