Ronnie Lott Defined the Safety Position, but Don't Forget Chuck Cecil

Here's a great article from Saturday's San Diego Tribune about the evolution of the safety position. When you think about players who defined the position, Ronnie Lott is usually the first name that comes to mind. Interestingly, the article cites another, lesser-know-but-just-as-ferocious player: Chuck Cecil. Remember that guy? He was actually on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1993 with the caption, "Too Vicious for the NFL."

When he was asked if he could play in today's NFL he answered with a resounding "No":

Cecil pointed to rules changes that opened up passing games and improved player safety. The adjustments forced clubs to rethink their attitudes toward safeties. It was no longer good enough to have miniature linebackers on the back end of the defense. Safeties also had to be athletic and fast enough to cover downfield.

Titans head coach and former safety Jeff Fisher agrees:

"No question, those things changed the safety position... The play-action game, the vertical game, has redefined the position. The days of the old neck-roll strong safety are over. That guy's now a linebacker.

First of all, I can't believe Fisher was an NFL safety. That just ... well, defies logic. Second, in addition to neck-rolls being phased out, so too have the mustache-mullet combo Fisher sported. And this is a good thing. Seriously, Ronnie Lott paved the way for guys like Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Sean Taylor. But we shouldn't forget about Chuck Cecil either.