Stewart Schwiegert

Unless you watch the religiously or search the phone book for tongue杢wisting names, chances are you haven't heard the name "Stuart Schweigert."But heading into the 2006 campaign, the name will come to mean more for the than meets the average Joe's eyes. At the age of 24, Schweigert will be a "veteran" starter in a secondary made up of a group of sophomores and juniors. Fellow defensive back, Nnamdi Asomugha is the closest starter in age, as he was born just two weeks after Schweigert. And although Asomugha has one extra year of experience under his belt, he has just recently jumped into a consistent starting role with the team. Schweigert, on the other hand, became a full-time starter after just one season with the club.Schweigert was drafted early in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Purdue. In his rookie season, he saw time sparingly, posting 52 tackles and three pass deflections. However, as he headed into the 2005 minicamp, Schweigert was pressed with very little competition and easily took over the starting free safety role alongside Derrick Gibson. In 2005, Schweigert started all 16 games with the team and racked up 87 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.Did I mention his two interceptions led the team in that category? Shocking.But what's even more surprising is that Schweigert's role in 2006 will be one that encompasses more than in increased interception total. Schweigert will now become the hawk's eyes of the secondary-looking over the backs of 24-year-old Nnamdi Asomugha, 22-year-old Fabian Washington, and 22-year-old Stanford Routt. Adding to the responsibility-barring a Michael Huff draft acquisition-Schweigert is the best and most reliable safety on Oakland's roster. Derrick Gibson has done little to demonstrate that he even deserves a starting role; and Jarrod Cooper has proven himself as an outstanding special team's man and a reliable backup at safety, but nothing more.So who will be directing the youngsters when Ashley Lelie and Rod Smith are lined up on a single side, directly next to each other? Warren Sapp won't be too instrumental in the process; and Danny Clark will be focused on the tight ends and running backs. The guy left with the bird's-eye view of the situation: number 30.Last season with the , Schweigert was run of the mill in terms of coverage ability, but he struggled immensely in open-field tackles. More often than not, Schweigert would attempt a low, trip-up tackle that the offender would easily dodge and run clear of. The problem with that is that all of the lineman and linebackers are in front of him, leaving nothing but green beyond the missed tackle.A perfect example of this Achilles' heel came in week 17's matchup against the New York Giants. Eli Manning darted a quick pass to Plaxico Burress behind the Raiders' linebacking front, leaving Schweigert face-to-face with Burress. In what could have been a mid-ranged pass and catch, Schweigert overplayed the tackle, missed the receiver's legs, and Burress sprinted 78 yards down the field for six points. On many other occasions throughout the season, the same happened on relatively smaller scales-but the fragments of small yardage add up to first downs, and first downs add up to points.The 2006 season will be a critical year for Schweigert to show his true colors. He is no longer a rookie, no longer a sophomore-but a trusted defender in a young secondary. If the 6'2 safety can prove to be balanced in terms of both reliability and playmaking, all of the youngsters in front of him will flourish.Did I say "flourish" in an article about the ?