Rookie safety Jamarca Sanford said Wednesday after practice that he didn't know if he will come off the bench, start or split snaps again with Tyrell Johnson in Sunday's playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sanford said he played about 20 snaps while alternating with Johnson in the regular-season finale against the New York Giants. Sanford would give the secondary a bigger physical presence than Johnson, who has missed a number of tackles this season. Sanford had a big tackle for loss in his first series against the Giants. "Big hitting is something I love whether I'm doing it or see someone else do it," Sanford said. "It gets me going. Flying around, making plays, throwing your body around, there's nothing like it." The coaching staff clearly has more confidence in Sanford now as he's adjusted to the system and his assignments. He said he has a better understanding and feel for the defense and what is expected of him when he's on the field. "I've come a long way," he said. "I remember the second game of the season Madieu [Williams] had gotten banged up on one play and they asked me to come in. I was like, 'Who me?' Now I'm ready and I'm prepared. My confidence is up and at the end of the day it's still football."
