Kurt Coleman is listed as a safety starter preseason. Anderson Russel is apparently back from his torn ACL of last year and is expected to man the other safety position.

Regarding Russel, this opinion is our defense suffered without him. Hopefully for him and us, he is back.

Coleman doesn't have possibly the now prototypical safety size, but comes into camp with the reputation of being a playmaker. Certainly willing to see him back there. My expectation is he will be fine.

On the outside looking in is Jamario O'Neal. O'Neal didn't impress me last year. On the contrary he appeared to be a problem. From my untrained eye it appeared to me that taking advantage of O'Neal was part of Florida's plan last year. Having sat through that crap, I would still like to know if O'Neal was hurt coming into that game. He seemed to be a liability. In the past I have seen certain players in certain situations get their chance and if for some reason they don't take advantage of that chance, they may not get another one. Certainly O'Neal has time to meet his hype, but if he truly comes into camp 2nd string, who knows? Remember Nick Patterson started at safety at the start of last year, and doesn't seem to be in anybodies plan now.

Now the discussion is about safety, converted from linebacker, Tyler Moeller. Apparently, he has been mentioned a a nickel back. Prior to hearing this, my understanding was Moeller was considered a coverage liability. He probably remains a coverage liability but when he is mentioned also comes the mention of OSU reverting to a more attacking defense this year as opposed to last, with Moeller being part of a blitz package from the nickel position.

I prefer watching attacking defenses, but we have to remember, last year we started the season with practically a new defense. With a year of seasoning under many of their belts it is easy to see how and why a more aggressive style could be in the works.

To play aggressive, corners have to cover, and safeties have to make plays. It will be interesting.

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