Demar Dorsey's Position
I think half the threads on the front page have the words "Demar Dorsey" in the title, but, this one actually has to do with football.
Forgive my ignorance on this... But, I'm wondering if someone can explain why RR wants Dorsey to start at Corner.
To me, in my limited football knowledge (esp. regarding defense) it seems it'd be better to have him at free safety, with his speed and hitting ability, it seems like we'd want him in the position to A) prevent any deep balls b/c he can get to the play quickly q/ his blazing speed, and, B) If it's a run he can come up and make the tackle.
Is my logic flawed? If not, then why does RR want him at corner rather than safety?
February 5th, 2010 at 3:37 PM ^
What hitting ability are you referring to? Right now he is a skinny, skinny dude. Not sure he can lay much lumber yet; I think he needs some serious Barwis treatment before playing safety.
His speed is unquestionable, though.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^
Dorsey is extremely skinny and can't tackle all that well, which is something a safety must be able to do. You can get away with that more as a corner. Once he puts on weight and becomes a better tackler the coaches will most likely move him back to safety.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
That makes sense.
I'm mainly basing the hitting ability on the ESPN article (yes, I know...) quoted in the "Hello" post.
Makes sense though that he needs to bulk up.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
I'd be really interested to see what he could do as a KR/PR guy with that kind of speed. Not that Stonum isn't a very good option, i'm just curious to see how he would do.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^
IMO, we already have a smallish fast safety in Woolfolk. Let Dorsey play CB for now. If he bulks up a bit, than make the switch to safety. But even that depends on how the recruits pan-out at the DB positions.
I would like to have that fast guy on the corner blitz who likes to hit. Its been since Woodson, since that corner blitz worked well.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:00 PM ^
RR knows he's missing a corner with a good combination of length and speed. Outside WRs keep getting taller and more athletic, and M's current and incoming corners don't match up particularly well. Dorsey's coverage skills need work, but that can be coached.
If he went to a school with more ideal corner prospects, he'd stay at safety.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^
It can vary by defensive system, but generally, CB is a much easier position to insert an inexperienced player into. Safety tends to be much more about reading plays and making decisions on the fly. To some degree, its similar to being a QB or a RB. Its a lot easier for a true freshman to play RB because he just has to hit his hole and block, while a QB needs to read defenses, audible, make decisions, etc.
Dorsey could play CB for a season and get the basics of the defense down before moving to the "defensive QB" position at safety.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^
Cornerback is an easier position to just play than safety--evidence is the last few years at safety. Safeties really need to understand what the offense is doing. A corner in man coverage can just play much more easily and the penalties for mistakes in zone are probably less severe than getting lost as deep safety.
Those are my thoughts, not gospel.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
Not that I'm saying that ESPN is automatically more accurate than other observers, but their analysis of his tackling abilities differs a bit from yours, FWIW:
"Dorsey is a remarkable athlete that has a great combination of athleticism and toughness... As a defensive back he is the entire package; a great blend of skill and natural talent. Very fast on run support with excellent closing speed. Gets to the ball carrier in a hurry and delivers the wood when he hits. Really explodes on contact and drives the legs throughout he tackle; really punishes the ball carrier."
February 5th, 2010 at 4:12 PM ^
I'm not sure that his tackling technique is all that good but his ability to hit people is evidenced here (free link - and, sorry, I don't know how to imbed a video into a post):
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/943194.html
At about the 1:30 mark of the video he clocks a few guys pretty good.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
I think once we heard that Dorsey would be playing corner, that the coaches are going to move Woofolk back to safety for this season. Which is great. Ultimately, I'd like to see Dorsey play the strong-safety position, but not for another year or two. The kid is a stick.