Any that you're keeping an eye on?

I've got one in particular that I'm watching, in DC, where Chris Horton is about to lose his free safety spot for good.

Because Chris Horton could play here, if he's healthy.

In fact, since they've got three guys going for that free safety spot, their loser can come here.

What are you watching?

Got an eye on Seattle, Deion Branch in particular as his roster spot is no longer a certainty. I think he would be a great addition to the Browns WR core.

I'd love Branch. I have no idea on his contract situation, whether he'd be a straight up cut or if they'd look to trade him...

I'm not super familiar with that situation up there - is he a potential victim of a salary cap squeeze? You'd think Pete Carroll has plenty of experience sliding cash under the table if need be. Is he losing a step?

Tye Hill, although injured for on and off for a good part of the last 2 years seems to be a nice fit at safety if Jeff Fisher gets sick of his mug on the sidelines. I know the Titans signed him to a one year deal, but.. man... He was lightning quick coming out of Clemson, if he's still got 90% of that left, he'd be an instant upgrade. Both him and Horton could be gotten on the cheap, i think, too.

Now that Josh Cribbs' smiling mug has been seen at the back of the secondary, I'm more adament than ever that we get that deep safety spot figured out. Yesterday.

More Free Safety Battles as I read about them....

New Orleans -

Darren Sharper (PUP)
Malcom Jenkins
Usama Young
Chip Vaughn (2009 4th round pick, spent 09 on IR)

Sharper was hurt last year, and is supposed to be back for second hald of training camp. I'm not sure if he's really recovering, or if this is a *nudge nudge wink wink* no need to burn your 35 year old self out in training camp type of thing.

Jenkins we're all familiar with from his time at corner for OSU. He's been converted to a FS by the Saints. Didn't knock socks off at combine last year. 55 tackles 1 pick, 2 FF in 2009.

Young you may or may not be familiar with. 3rd round pick out of Kent State in 07. 50 tackles and 2 picks 2 years ago before disappearing a bit last year. strictly a backup in NO, only 3 starts in past 2 years.

Vaughn I'm not familar with, so here's what I've found... 2009 draft pick out of Wake Forest, 6'1 221 coming out of Wake. Seems like a strong safety type, but ran a 4.51 40 at the 09 combine (by comparison, Eric Berry 4.47) -
From NFL.com - A two-year starter who earned All-ACC accolades, Vaughn has averaged 90 tackles and has developed a reputation for making big plays in crucial situations. Blessed with rare size and hitting ability, Vaughn is sure to intrigue teams looking for an enforcer and in-the-box presence at safety. Teams hoping to improve their pass coverage, however, might be forced to look elsewhere.

So, seems to me like the kind of guy who you could bring up in a 4-6 scheme, but not the deep safety valve you need when your linebackers inevitably bite on the Carson Palmer play action.

I have no idea where the Saints sit on this, and if all 4 are legitimate DB candidates for their 53 man, but that's 4 players, all of whom have at least a good shot at being as good as what we have in depth - at the bare minimum. Vaughn's scouting report sounds a lot like Ward, quite frankly. Except he's taller. And faster (Ward 4.56 combine). And bigger.

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Added - pulled this off NFL.com....

According to Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune, the team also hasn’t ruled out placing Sharper on the reserve PUP list to start the regular season. The move would keep Sharper out for the first six weeks of the season, with the opportunity to be fresh for the final 10 weeks.
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Well, if they can hide Sharper there for a month, they could make room for all when the injury bug hits... but still, how many DB's can a team carry?