The safety combines with he cornerback to compose the defensive secondary. Usually these players line up in the middle of the field and are the furthest players back on defense. In some cases teams will play the safety at 'center field' where they are essentially given free reign to make a play on the ball regardless of where it will be thrown. Ed Reed, pictured left excels at this style of play. The safety may also be played closer to the line in order to assist in preventing the offense from running the ball, but due to the high amount of passing players who specialize in this style of play have largely disappeared from the NFL.
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