2010: turning our 2008 Stevie Brown clone into 2009 Stevie Brown
Someone mentioned this on another thread and it seems like a good idea in theory: why not move Williams to SB's position in 2010? Williams, like 2008 Brown, has decent speed but is completely lost at safety - bad in coverage, out of position, etc.
The problems I see are that we already have a lot of tweener types (more coming) and few true safeties.
Assuming we made this switch, what does our safety depth chart look like next year, including current and likely future recuits? Is it completely unworkable?
November 1st, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
Hard to figure out how to shuffle things and move guys around until the season ends and see what DB recruits we bring in. If no one steps up at safety during the spring and fall camp, we'll be stuck with Williams again next year. Pray that Emilien and Turner will be ready to go for next season.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:22 PM ^
hope MRob has the speed to remain at safety. We really need guys that know the psoition mentally. We seem to have *recruited* enough speed on defense, but people are constantly lost out there mentally. At this point I will take a couple people that are a step too slow but know the schemes and won't be out of position. Giving up a few extra yards due to slowness >>>>>>> giving up 2-3 huge plays a game due to mental failure.
November 1st, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
By all accounts M-Rob is destined for the Stevie Brown position. Whether he actually ends up there remains to be seen, but he's said multiple times that's where he is headed.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 AM ^
Full disclosure, I watched up until about 10:00 left in the third. Mercifully Halloween festivities put me out of my misery.
From what I saw though, Williams seemed to have trouble when playing in the box. He whiffed on a few tackles and seemed to have trouble following the play. It's too bad Brown is graduating, he's found a perfect position. I'm hoping that either Hawthorne, Jones, or Smith can step up next year.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 AM ^
You want to play a safety who cannot make tackles near the line of scrimmage, and who has never failed to be driven backwards on contact, to play linebacker?
Stevie Brown is a big, fast dude, which is why he has fit in nicely at that hybrid spot. Williams is slower, smaller, and weaker than even a traditional FS should be. He would be an absolute disaster at that spot.
Mike Williams' best position is kick coverage. It's unfortunate, but he does not have the physical ability to start at this level.