Defensive Backs going forward

Domina Nostra

Domina Nostra

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We definitely need another full-time free safety moving forward, and I'm surprised Kelly hasn't already moved someone. I know some of this was discussed in another thread a week ago, but here are the guys who aren't moving, or aren't suited for it, IMO:

FS
Studstill 6-0/198 FR

CBs
Pride Jr. 5-11/180 FR
Crawford 5-8.5/185 SO
Coleman 5-11.5/195 SO

SS or LBs
Perry 6-2/204
Tranquill 6-1.5/225 JR
Morgan 6-1.5/200 FR

So here are the legitimate options:
Watkins 6-.5/200 JR
White
Love 5-10.5/190 FR
Vaughn 6-2/200 FR
Elliott 5-11.5/195 FR
Fertitta 5-8.5/185 SO
White 5-11/195 SO

I don't think Fertita is the answer, but may as well have him learn the position as well.

As others have said in other threads, Watkins makes a lot of sense since he's out anyway and he could learn while he's recovering. Love makes sense because he knows the position a little and like to hit. Vaughn and White makes sense because they have size. Elliot is already a safety, so the transition is smaller.

I think they should go with White or Coleman since Studsill seems like the starter, and we are talking about a guy likely to be a backup. However, I would start training Love there until either Coleman, White, or both were back with the team at full-strength.

I would only move Vaughn if it looks like he's too long to play CB. I think we need Elliot concentrating at SS.
 
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dwshade

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Kelly already stated in his last conference that they are fine what they have at safety going forward with Elliot and Sebastian as primary backups. No one is moving from CB.
 
Domina Nostra

Domina Nostra

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dwshade said:
Kelly already stated in his last conference that they are fine what they have at safety going forward with Elliot and Sebastian as primary backups. No one is moving from CB.
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Not sure I believe him, plus someone might get hurt.

In any event, what would that mean for next year?
 
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bluengold4732

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You already have 6 safeties for next year. Tranquill, Fertitta, Studstill, Perry, Elliott, and Morgan. 7 corners as well. Watkins, Crawford, White, Coleman, Pride, Love, and Vaughn. Add Adebo and Robertson and you have 8 Cb's and 7 safeties. You could see some position switches like S to LB and CB to S, which I would like because it improves overall team speed. But like it was mentioned before BK said he doesn't see anyone moving, doesn't mean he changes his mind though
 
stlnd01

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I'm sure they moved him back to offense for a good reason, but Justin Brent seems like a lost opportunity back there at this point.
 
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bluengold4732 said:
You already have 6 safeties for next year. Tranquill, Fertitta, Studstill, Perry, Elliott, and Morgan. 7 corners as well. Watkins, Crawford, White, Coleman, Pride, Love, and Vaughn. Add Adebo and Robertson and you have 8 Cb's and 7 safeties. You could see some position switches like S to LB and CB to S, which I would like because it improves overall team speed. But like it was mentioned before BK said he doesn't see anyone moving, doesn't mean he changes his mind though
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I agree with this 100%. A lot of players make HUGE strides between freshman and soph years and I love the ability and potential of our freshman DB's.
 
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EddytoNow

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Does anyone else find the title of this thread humorous "Defensive backs moving forward"?

Doesn't that sum up the problem our defensive backs have had, first with Diaco and now with Van Gorder? They seem to keep getting caught moving forward for run support and then find themselves out of position to make a tackle or getting burned deep when a wide receiver blows right by them. In other words they don't understand when they should and should not be moving forward vs. moving backward or maintaining their position.
 
Whiskeyjack

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EddytoNow said:
Does anyone else find the title of this thread humorous "Defensive backs moving forward"?

Doesn't that sum up the problem our defensive backs have had, first with Diaco and now with Van Gorder? They seem to keep getting caught moving forward for run support and then find themselves out of position to make a tackle or getting burned deep when a wide receiver blows right by them. In other words they don't understand when they should and should not be moving forward vs. moving backward or maintaining their position.
Click to expand...

BvG is planning to unveil an innovative new position-- the Defensive Forward, a 7-foot tall athlete who starts at the line of scrimmage and immediately moves backward looking for a rebou... err, interception.
 
IrishLax

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Been saying it since last season when the depth chart became perilously thin... we needed to move White, Butler, and/or Watkins to FS. Ironically, all have questionable availability right now, but in the spring you had to move a veteran body back there to at least cross-train looking at depth chart... no clue why they didn't.
 
Sherm Sticky

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IrishLax said:
Been saying it since last season when the depth chart became perilously thin... we needed to move White, Butler, and/or Watkins to FS. Ironically, all have questionable availability right now, but in the spring you had to move a veteran body back there to at least cross-train looking at depth chart... no clue why they didn't.
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I wouldn't have moved Watkins. Still think he has a chance to become a really good corner. If he was healthy I'm not sure Crawford would have won the starting job over him.


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dwshade

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stlnd01 said:
I'm sure they moved him back to offense for a good reason, but Justin Brent seems like a lost opportunity back there at this point.
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I bet they saw the same thing in Brent that they saw in Prosise. Not a defensive mind set therefore he belongs on the offense. BTW Brent has a Lisfranc injury so he wouldn't be of use anyway.
 
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stlnd01

stlnd01

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dwshade said:
I bet they saw the same thing in Brent that they saw in Prosise. Not a defensive mind set therefore he belongs on the offense. BTW Brent has a Lisfranc injury so he wouldn't be of use anyway.
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That could well be. And true he can't play right now regardless. But he's never going to see the field on offense. It's just too bad. Seems like Montelus is in the same boat on the line.
 
Domina Nostra

Domina Nostra

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stlnd01 said:
That could well be. And true he can't play right now regardless. But he's never going to see the field on offense. It's just too bad. Seems like Montelus is in the same boat on the line.
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Like Redfield...

I agree we have decent numbers at safety, but we need more speed. It's like we have 5 SS and only one FS.

This is not an area where I trust VG at all.
 
BleedBlueGold

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IrishLax said:
Been saying it since last season when the depth chart became perilously thin... we needed to move White, Butler, and/or Watkins to FS. Ironically, all have questionable availability right now, but in the spring you had to move a veteran body back there to at least cross-train looking at depth chart... no clue why they didn't.
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I was on this bandwagon too, although I don't think I would've wanted them to move Watkins. I figured they'd move Butler a long time ago and they never did. I'm trying to do some digging, but I could've sworn when they recruited Ashton they said he'd make a great safety (yet he's been at corner since his arrival). Color me confused.
 
IrishBroker

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dwshade said:
I bet they saw the same thing in Brent that they saw in Prosise. Not a defensive mind set therefore he belongs on the offense. BTW Brent has a Lisfranc injury so he wouldn't be of use anyway.
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Agreed. You either have it or you don't.

And WR's, typically, aren't the most defensively minded. RB's are of a different mindset.
 
NDdomer2

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ACamp1900 said:
quiet little man.
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were-not-worthy.gif
 
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