Ball Hawk is a word we hear quite a bit when we talk about the play makers in the NFL.
“The great thing about him, is that hes a “ball hawk” ,you will hear some analysts say. What does that mean? Simple, it means someone makes plays on the ball when the opportunity presents itself.
This is a great quality to have as a defender, however not every defender has the gift of being a ball hawk. While players may knock down passes, which is a good thing, making interceptions and causing momentum shifts in your teams favor is what makes players great.
Enter former Florida Gator, Safety Ahmad Black. Black was known as a fierce competitor and leader for the Gators. Despite his 5’9” 190 lb frame, in his career, Black totaled 237 tackles, 13 interceptions, and 3 tds. He also led the Gators in tackles his senior year with over 100 stops.
Black shows that he not only can deliver a good pop to the ball carrier, but he has a knack for being at the right place at the right time with his 13 ints.
If it wouldn’t of been for Blacks measurables, he would of been drafted much higher and in my opinion, was the best safety by far in this years class. His ability to make plays on the ball and turn them into interceptions will be welcomed by Morris and the Buccaneers secondary that is already filled with young instinctive safeties such as Cody Grimm and Larry Asante.
During the 2010 season, defensive backs everywhere were stepping up and making plays for the Bucs. I tribute much of that sucess to Morris and his ability to put players in position to use their strengths to the best of their ability. Black fits what Morris is about and what hes looking for out of his players; leadership (Black was a team captain for the Gators), a competitor, someone who is driven and plays smart, fast, and physical, a theory that Morris is always preaching.
Black may not of measured out great at the combine, but that’s not what football is about. Ive never seen a bench wrack score a touchdown nor a scale make a tackle. He does what the great defensive players in this league do and that’s be a play maker on both the run and the pass. I can see him starting from day one and never looking back.
It’ll be exciting and intense competition in Tampa this summer among safeties Cody Grimm, Larry Asante, Ahmad Black, and Cory Lynch. All four have good instincts and can contribute in some fashion even if its on special teams. I believe the top three safeties Morris will use will be; Black, Asante, and Grimm with Lynch being more of a special teamer, but whoever does start will have definitely earned it.
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