Al Afalava

Last week against the Rams he started Kevin Payne and Al Afalava at the safety spots because they're best against the run. That would come in handy against Steven Jackson (who still ran for over 100 yards). Despite having switching safeties multiple times during his tenure, Smith for some reason feels a need to keep it the same this week, even if Payne and Afalava are exposed in pass coverage. I assure you, they will be, and that is squarely on Lovie's head. Danieal Manning, while certainly more suited to play the nickel position, should be back at free safety in order to put the best coverage men on the field. Stopping the Packers' aerial assault should be Lovie's main concern, but he's not putting his team in the best position to succeed at it.

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interceptions in his time under center, causing concern for his future on the team.

Rookie safety Al Afalava started the game, and all but cemented his spot on the roster by finding and planting the ball-carrier on a regular basis. He left the game late with an injury, but word is he’ll be just fine. In an uncertain secondary, Afalava may have earned his right to compete for a starting job.

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