Question on Jamoris Slaughter

[IrishLax]

Could've put this in his thread, but this is sort of a multi-part discussion on Jamoris and the safety position on our team.

So we have two guys in Jamoris and Zeke that were both highly rated coming out of high school. Like actually really highly rated, consensus 4 types if you go look a their profiles. Both have 2 years of eligibility left. Zeke is bigger and slower... more of an athletic, undersized linebacker. Jamoris is more of a true DB at 6' 190 lbs.

What I'm wondering is:

1) Should we all be expecting more of Jamoris? Is he poised for a big year if he stays healthy? Should we be expecting him to be the nickel back over, say, Lo Wood or Bennett Jackson (and then Zeke would come in and play safety)?
2) Can someone explain the difference between what position Harrison plays and the one Jamoris/Zeke are play? Can we expect Zeke to shift over and play Harrison's position after he graduates?

Gracias.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

1) Should we all be expecting more of Jamoris? Is he poised for a big year if he stays healthy? Should we be expecting him to be the nickel back over, say, Lo Wood or Bennett Jackson (and then Zeke would come in and play safety)?

Yes, Slaughter is poised for a breakout year if he stays healthy. I expect him to remain the #1 SS all year and to make some huge plays. The nickelback will be whichever SS isn't currently playing, which will likely be Motta more often than not.

2) Can someone explain the difference between what position Harrison plays and the one Jamoris/Zeke are play? Can we expect Zeke to shift over and play Harrison's position after he graduates?

Among Safeties, SSs tend to be bigger and stronger while FSs are smaller and faster. SS is sort of a hybrid DB/ LB who frequently plays close to the LoS and offers run support. FSs are pure DBs who are generally the farthest back from the LoS, putting them in an ideal position to watch the play develop and call for shifts in coverage. Just as the Mike LB is the QB of the linemen, the FS is the QB of the DBs.

Slaughter is smaller, faster, and more athletic than Motta, so I fully expect him to take over as the #1 FS next year. Motta is a prototypical SS, so he won't be moving.

 

[rtrn2glory]

from my understanding, the staff likes zeke at the nickelback position because he gives them a better chance to stop the run while they are in the nickel package...like you said his size gives the impression that he is an extra linebacker with safety skills.

in regards to jamoris i would hope he's due to breakout this year. He came in as the starter at the beginning of last year, which makes it two years in a row he has beat out zeke for the starting nod, which shows how valuable the staff must view his speed defending the pass.

 

[Freeman Ara]

Here is a freebie from ISD kind of explaining what is expected of Slaughter and Motta at this point. Also goes into more depth as far as where McCarthy and Collinsworth stand at the moment.

Safety In Numbers