Thomas Davis (1 Viewer)

[Weiner Dog]

Panthers | T. Davis to Begin at Safety - from www.KFFL.comSat, 28 May 2005 17:01:11 -0700Carolina Panthers coach John Fox said rookie S Thomas Davis will indeed begin training camp as a safety. Fox did indicate there may be some formations where Davis would slide over to linebacker. At 230 pounds, he has the size to play either position, but at this point he appears to be more comfortable at safety.

 

[Bob Magaw]

nfl.com's pat kirwan wrote this the other day... makes sense..."I had a chance to talk with Carolina head coach John Fox about his top draft pick, Thomas Davis from Georgia. NFL people were split on whether Davis was a safety or a linebacker, so I asked Fox what the plan was for the sure-tackling Davis. Fox will use him at both spots, and right now it appears like he's a safety on running downs and a linebacker in passing downs. The best of both worlds for Mr. Davis; sounds like a guy who will not come off the field."

 

[flooredyas]

So if this last scenario holds true, would it be realistic that he is the #1 rookie IDP in this years draft? Both SS and WLB are strong fantasy point players in most leagues and his situation seems better than anyone else at this point in time.

 

[Weiner Dog]

If Fox is true to his word, I also wonder which LB will be bumped from the nickle package to make room for TD (assuming the nickle corners are Lucas, Gamble, and Manning)......Morgan or Witherspoon??

 

[Bloom]

So if this last scenario holds true, would it be realistic that he is the #1 rookie IDP in this years draft? Both SS and WLB are strong fantasy point players in most leagues and his situation seems better than anyone else at this point in time.

he was the #1 IDP in dynasty rookie drafts this year whether he was a SS or LB.

 

[Bob Magaw]

in the pre-season ear to the ground installment I i just turned in bloom,i put thomas davis at #1 in DROY meter...this is obviously preliminary without even been to camp or pre-season yet...i think concerns over DJ are overblown, but his athleticism could make him like julian peterson... so gifted as far as being able to turn & run with RBs and WRs he could be a natural fit at SLB... but if he is saddled with a lot of coverage reponsibilities his tackles stats could be muted.ruud will also probably be SLB (in '05) if he starts...thurman, crowder & morrison might not start.pollack and dan cody have to get adjusted to new position (also SLB).probably a DT won't win...so if a darkhorse DE doesn't emerge... erasmus james could but DEs haven't fared well in rookie season since peppers & freeney...that might leave davis... rest of safety crop pretty thin... i like pool but he may not start... if he does, he is talented and could be a viable ROY candidate... atogwe might be one of few other starters from that position... he could be a darkhorse...CB like rolle could also be leading candidate... dunta robinson almost nosed out vilma last season... i like jackson & rogers next best among CBs... i think pacman might get a few bonus return points but hard to bank on that... TEN hasn't been a good place for monster CB stats... i think he will be more of a coverage ace.

 

[Toads]

Nice thread.

Tuned in.. ..looking for an answer.. ..and it's right here.

Thanks.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

 

[Weiner Dog]

Sounds like a "win-win" situation for Davis. According to the link below...if TD is moved to LB, he could replace Witherspoon as the team's WLB. Witherspoon would then be moved to SLB.

link:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3649662

Davis = SS or WLB

 

[MrNiceGuy]

Sounds like a "win-win" situation for Davis.  According to the link below...if TD is moved to LB, he could replace Witherspoon as the team's WLB.  Witherspoon would then be moved to SLB.

link:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3649662

Davis = SS or WLB 

I agree, WLB is probably the easiest of the linebacker positions to learn.The MLB makes the defensive calls, and the SLB has many more coverage assignments playing over the TE. The WLB mostly plays in space and generally depends more on reaction and speed.

Case in point, Cato June (also a former safety) couldn't pick up playing the strong-side last year, so they played him at WLB - with amazing fantasy results.

I see the same for Davis.

Remember, the reason why they want to make Davis a LB is because of his limited coverage skills.

Edited for grammar.