Bob Magaw
Footballguy
the answer is... it depends of course, but you should consider both (pedigree & opportunity shouldn't be overlooked, either)...to illustrate, take probable starting IND safeties bob sanders & mike doss.i think sanders will stay at more natural position of SS & doss will play somewhat out of position at FS, despite fact that coverage is not a strong suit for doss & he already proved himself effective at SS his rookie year b4 last year's injury-marred effort... also, sanders may be even more athletic & might be not only NOT a liability in coverage, but actually good at it.but because he started over doss at end of season when latter was healthy (with bashir at FS), & i think he can be a bigger difference maker in run support than doss from that position... they are similarly athletic, talented in run support and almost certainly the two most talented safeties on roster (despite similar phyical traits and skill set)... it make sense to get them both on field & deploy them with doss at FS.that said, EVEN IF sanders ends up at FS with doss at SS... until i saw how it actually shook out, i would not rush to trade sanders for doss b4 first game.the hit man is so gifted he could imo still outpoint doss from FS... even if at times doss were to cheat up closer to LOS as SS (& many times in cover two they line up about same level in deep halves formation). doss ran a 4.4 at pro day, but he seems to play more like a 4.5 (not to dis doss... he was a three time All-American & was often called a coach on the field for his almost ed reed-like football IQ & leadership)... sanders was easily fastest safety at his combine following year with a sub-4.4 & he plays like a 4.3 speed merchant... he compensates for sub-5'9" ht with 40"+ hops.sanders has telepathic instincts & run/pass read & recognition skills, & has a good chance to get to the spot first consistently. he is a playmaker & has been a johnny-on-the-spot too long in college & so far in the pros to be random or a fluke. he gets to the ball carrier, & if he can stay healthy could put up some massive, monster numbers (especially from SS as expected).sometimes when looking at IDPs & trying to parse the talent & scheme divide, break down a player (really at every position) by their instincts, first step, do they avoid false steps & are they generally flowing in the right direction... do they take good pursuit angles... can they sift through traffic... do they have the burst, suddenness & explosiveness to close on the ball carrier... can they break down in the open field, wrap up & finish the deal?if the answer is yes to a lot of these questions, talent may supersede & take primacy over scheme...this is why ostensibly sack challenged DT position wouldn't prevent snaring kevin williams or rod coleman at certain point.an exercise to think about is DJ williams, recently thought of as one of the brightest IDP prospects from class of '04 but suddenly many are down on him due to move to SLB... could he outpoint ian gold, back from TB exile & a season more removed from '03 knee injury... himself a physical specimen (was faster pre-knee injury with reported blazing 4.4 speed), great athlete (though not the pedigree of DJ... former USA TODAY national player of the year as LB & 40 TD+ TD scoring FB... who madden once said was the only prep he ever saw who could go directly to pros) and seemingly favored scheme-wise & better positioned to rqack up a lions share of tackles, getting to pursue largely unchecked from weak side, while DJ has to cover TEs & fight through more blocks?* edit/add - it would be good to think of other examples around the league to sharpen some of these distinctions, & add to the collective repertoire of examplars & the old principle tool kit, by which & with which to attack similar problems & positional conundrums in the future.
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great linky... i double checked FBG team report & ourlads depth chart... that is first mention i have heard of sanders at FS (guess my post is more relevant & less speculative based on latest news)... this could bump up doss, who i guess i might say his talent makes his production more scheme-linked, dependent or driven.good examples with davis... he is so talented i almoost don't care where he lines up... my druthers would be WLB, SS than SLB... but he is so gifted i think he will be a beast among boys even as a rookie & will get his no matter what.also nice with wilson/williams... that dude got a sack or INT every week for about half the season (along with punching out 6 solos per game like a time clock) when pressed into action with almost immediate stoutmire/williams injuries... b4 he himself got injured. if they turn him loose, he has the speed, instincts & sense of blitz timing to get 4+ sacks & be among DB leaders... also the aerial skills & ability to make plays on the ball to enable 3+ INTs a season... in big play leagues he could be a serious weapon... the lengthy stinger injury (ended his season & he missed almost half i think) & fact that his value was high anyway allowed us to parlay him (& butler) for witherspoon... gotta like young stud LB, but if wilson can stay healthy that could be a pretty even trade. i could easily see wilson outpoint williams even in redraft leagues, & with age disparity wilson much better dynasty prospect.strong side 3-4 OLB julian peterson could definitely outpoint his weak side counterpart jamie winborn.SLB dansby might be more valuable than whoever lines up at WLB for cards. if WLB brookings numbers stay the same as last season, demorrio williams could be huge value if he wins falcons SLB position... he has the talent to put up comparable or better numbers... could be a smaller, derrick brooks-like voracious open field tackler.at certain point in the draft, antoine winfield out-tackles many LINEBACKERS, let alone DBs. stud MLB usually outpoints stud WLB in many schemes, but briggs plays brooks-like role in ex-TB coach lovie smith's iteration of dungy/kiffin'scover two... he could come close to uhrlacher (not inconceivable he might outpoint him) & probably be available later.FS sean taylor could definitely outpoint SS bowen if he gets enuf INTs... this could still make bowen better value if he racks up tackles & can stay healthy.DJ might outscore bell even if he plays SLB.brodney pool looks like such an impressive playmaker & tackler i would have no reservations getting him as the #2 safety in this class after thomas davis but ahead of atogwe and bullocks.pollack could rack up a lot of points from SLB if he is as good as advertised?
With Minnesoya D looking to be much improved and better LB play, Winfields numbers may decline, but will still be very good.I really like Pollack, he should be a very good scoring SLB.I also like rookie Lance Mitchell of Arizona. Think Green stole him in the 5th round.would not be surprised at all to see him start at MLB at some point this year.Ruud is another rookie I like alot, along with Thurman (if he can stay out of trouble). Tatupa has a great opportunity, just has to beat out Niko, and I think he will.
Carry on…
explains some of the confusion. This almost sounds like a variation of the 46, into a 45 defense? Maybe they plan on having Lynch do some blitzing from there?
