Got 2 Try A New Position: Safety

Will Allen: Allen was a weak link in the secondary last year, but he stepped up his practices for training camp. He is still a better coverage safety than a run stopper and his tackling skills need to be sharpened.

Tanard Jackson: Jackson has been consistently improving since minicamps and his preseason game against Jacksonville gave evidence to the amount of progress he has made. He broke up touchdown passes and had nice stops inside the 5-yard line.

Donte Nicholson: Nicholson seems to have good anticipation, but can't seal the deal. Against Jacksonville, he closed on George Wrighster in a hurry but completely missed the tackle. In practice, Nicholson drops interceptions as if the ball is made of... I don't know... something unpleasant. There are currently six safeties on the roster and the team will probably keep five. Nicholson is probably number six.

Kalvin Pearson: Pearson has shown some good hustle in camp, but his biggest asset is his textbook tackling. He hits very hard. I also noticed that he was used as a rusher in a fake punt, for what it's worth. He is also a huge special team contributor and that can't be overlooked. Pearson definitely beats out Nicholson for the last spot.

Jermaine Phillips: Phillips, like Allen, is trying to make up for past mistakes by putting extra effort into this season. It has paid off to a degree and it looks like Phillips will be able to hang onto his starting job for a while longer. Phillips has probably benefited more from Raheem Morris's return than anyone else. Some guys just need a kick in the ass to get them straight.

Sabby Piscitelli: Piscitelli has had one of the best camps of any player. He has fantastic coverage skills, great speed and soft hands. He tweaked a hamstring toward the end of camp and had to sit out a bit, leaving room for Phillips to showcase why he should be the starter. It's only a matter of time, though, before Piscitelli takes over permanently.

Making the team: Allen (starter), Phillips (starter), Jackson, Piscitelli, Pearson.