Conference Championship Memo: Receivers Should Watch for The(ir) Safety

Wide receivers are sometimes thought of us glamor boys. Showboats. Big contracts and even bigger mouths. Yet, when we sit to watch each Sunday there are few moments that cause us to shield our eyes from the violence of pro football more than seeing a receiver cross the middle while a defensive back locks the poor soul singularly in his sights.

This weekend there will likely be a few hits that cause us to cringe, while possibly gaining a bit more respect for those same pass catchers bearing the crushing blow. For this weekend, there are four of the most terrifying hitters in football all on the field. They may share the position of safety, but the word safety isn’t one that comes to mind when opposing wideouts venture into their territory.

Troy Polamalu. Brian Dawkins. Ed Reed. Adrian Wilson. Think about that for a second. Nightmares for receivers. Some of the most intimidating defenders in football. All four got mention on my world-famous NFL All F-U Up Defensive Team this past fall — which means you know they bad-as-hell. Oh yes, each has also been invited to that Pro Bowl thing for 2009.

So, all you wideouts running crossing routes this Sunday may want to keep you head on a swivel. Fans shouldn’t be surprised to see cases of alligator arms increase from Arizona to the ‘Burgh. Here’s a brief reminder why:

Troy Polamalu
Pro Bowls: 5
Nickname: The Tasmanian Devil
Trademark: Long, flowing locks

Adrian Wilson
Pro Bowls: 2
Nickname: A-Dub
Trademark: Sick vertical

Brian Dawkins
Nickname: Weapon X
Pro Bowls: 7
Trademark: Faceshield

Ed Reed
Pro Bowls: 5 (2004 AP Defensive Player of the Year)
Nickname: The Godfather (according to me)
Trademark: Face shield, 100-yard (plus) interception returns

By the way, you could put highlights of eight-year olds making tackles in Pop Warner and set the video to Requiem for a Dream, and it would get me fired up. Best big hit montage music ever.

So, who’d be the one to make you most nervous about your personal safety, assuming, you know, you were an NFL receiver?