Some consider Jets free agent addition Dane Belton a good backup safety and core special teams player.
But did you know that even though he started just 22 of 66 games during his four seasons with the New York Football Giants, he had six interceptions?
Nobody in the Jets’ safety room had a pick last year, and they played a myriad of different players back there.
So, not making Belton into Troy Polamalu, but he’s a guy with his ball skills who can certainly help the Jets’ secondary, and should challenge for a starting job.
He’s also a very good tackler, who amassed a career-high 120 tackles last year, so he’s not just a good coverage safety, but very good in the box.
He will also help the Jets on special teams. He was a standout for the Giants last year in this area with 19 special teams tackles.
The one area you need to be careful with him is having him play deep centerfield a lot, but playing him mainly closer to the line in a lot of zone pass coverage and in run support, and as a core special teams player, they could get a lot of bang for their buck with this signing.
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