Upon learning that my flight to the frozen tundra of Dallas-Fort Worth was cancelled, I thought if only there were a place where you could be guaranteed of 75 degrees and sunshine. Oh, wait. There is. San Diego. ...
FIRST DOWN:
The Associated Press' NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award began in 1971, the year Vikings Hall of Famer Alan Page won.
In the award's first 33 seasons -- 1971 to 2003 -- only two safeties won the award. Dick Anderson of the Dolphins won in 1973 and Kenny Easley of the Seahawks won in 1984.
In the past seven seasons, however, three safeties have won. Ed Reed of the Ravens won in 2004, Bob Sanders of the Colts won in 2007 and Troy Polamalu of the Steelers won this week.
It's a reminder that in order to have a truly great defense in today's NFL you must have an elite playmaker at safety. Reed is the ultimate ball-hawk with ball skills and unmatched return skills. Sanders, when healthy, is the powerful force against the run. Polamalu is, well, everything. Playmaker, run stopper, master at disguising coverages, fast enough to give a run-support look, drop into coverage and make a pick.
For the Vikings to reach the highest level defensively, they need an elite young playmaker at safety. It would change the entire look on that side of the ball. And they need to get one while they still have an elite pass rusher in Jared Allen.
SECOND DOWN: