How do you best control a free safety?

[Furq]

In football games in the past I've always played as a defensive tackle, I dont "cheese" I just like to be the tackle because I can try getting to the ball first and then switch to another player if the play goes past my player.

I'm now trying to play as my free safety as I have Ronnie Lott, but I've found it difficult so far. I usually can tell where to go on a play, but a lot of the times when going to defend a pass my player will do various animations perhaps due to the physics of the game which makes me move extremely slowly for a second or two and results in me getting beat badly on long passes. Whats the most effective way to play as a safety or even any player in the secondary?

[Nirvana]

1. Turn off Auto Strafe. Unfortunately you can't do this online, but it helps.
2. Take your read steps.
3. FLY UP if its a run (obviously) but if its a pass, focus on the left receiver.
4. Run Cover 2 most of the time.