Are High Tackle Numbers for Safeties a Bad Thing?

It depends on the production from the D-Line. If those tackle numbers comes with 4+ sacks from the front 4 than these stats would not mean TOO much. But if some 2nd string running back racked up 140+ yards on us...

Than this means we have problems.

This could also show that the player in particular may be HIGHLY aggressive and a ball hawk. So that could reflect positives as well. For instace, if Sean Taylor (RIP) were to average 10 tackles a game. We would all know that there were at least 4 hitstick moments..

ive always figured safeties with huge tackle numbers means that the linebackers and dline arent making plays, and they are tackling after a 10 yard gain a lot. look at archuleta with us, he had tons of tackles when he started but most were way downfield after the guy caught it on him

Another interesting point to follow this argument is if a S has alot of tackles should that be viewed positively for Probowl selection?

A similar method is used for kickers, and usual the "best" kickers are those on teams that kick a lot, which may not be a good thing.

A S making a lot of tackles isn't necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on how the safety is used. If he is brought down into the box constantly because the opposing team runs a lot than he should have a lot of takles or if the D Coordinator like stunts like bringing Safety blitzes. The bad time may be when you safety is told to play deep coverage and is still making a load of tackles. That either means the Safety isn't following the play or you defense is getting owned.

Except that was close to true in 2005 only, not even remotely close in 06 or 07. In 2005, it appeared to not be a huge factor for total defense, but in 2006 and 2007, it was a statistically significant trend

what are you talking about? 6.0+ tackles were 3/6 and 4/8 teams in the top 16 which is 50%, which is a random sampling, and not statistically significant in any way at all.

that means your own conclusion only covers one of the three years you've included in your first post.

As a rule in general, when your safety is leading your team in tackles it is not a good thing because the rbs are getting to the second level or the receivers are making catches in the secondary. Either way, the opposing offense is moving the ball and sustaining drives. Last year I would be willing to bet that the redskins were one of the worse teams when it came to getting the opposition off the field on third down. I loved taylor and he was my current favorite redskins player, but I don't think that your safety leading your team in tackles is a good thing from the standpoint that he is your last line of defense and the rest of team is being sliced and diced apart.