"Give me athletes": Position switches

especially Moore and T-rob. Neither of these guys seem to be close to seeing the field at their respective positions right now. Obviously a lot can change in a season and both are capable of becoming big time players, but perhaps they would have a better chance on D. I dont think I would move Roundtree (pretty impressive in spring game and at least has played this year) nor Webb (dropped two big passes, but is a terrific blocker and already splitting time at TE with Koger). Although I think it makes sense to see how other guys could do, I do not think it would help the team this year. It takes time to learn assignments, schemes, tackling technique, reads, etc. Even if they are great athletes, there would be too many mistakes if they played. Thats why, I believe, Turner has not yet seen the field. Physically he is more ready than a Floyd or Kovacs, but mentally he is not. It is easier to live with the lack of physical skills than it is to live with the lack of mental preparedness. While Kovacs may get outrun by an rb from Indiana, he also made a ton of plays supporting the run and in coverage that helped the team win. If a player does not have the ability to know what they should do, they will get smoked more often than a player who does know but lacks the physical giftedness. So for the future, I say try out everyone who is not close to playing at their current position. But for this season, play the guys that are ready.

Say, I've got two examples of it for ya: Obi Ezeh and Morgan Trent. I guess you could say, "John Navarre, dickhead" and I might go, "oh...yeah" Fact is, position switching is a year or two of re-learning the game. Expecially offense to defense and vicey-versace. It'slike a redshirt without saving the year of eligibility. Of course, the player has to agree to it. WRT to some of the possibilities mentioned: Cam Gordon is a Big Man, and physical. I believe he played linebacker in high school, and during his tours of camps, wowed them with his defensive play. But the problem is: Cam wants to play receiver. What do you do? Terence Robinson: Uh, no. Another 5'9 (on his tippy toes) cornerback? I like speedy midgets as much as anyone, but we need some height and physical play in the defesnive backfield (the biggest knock against offense to defense switcheroos is that offensive guys are kind of, well, ghey compared to their defensive counterparts. They don't have the 'Tude). No thanks. Martell Webb at LB: Maybe three years ago. And on a sidenote, a whole lot of the dorks at Scout were yelping for Koger at DE. Huh? Koger is a weapon on offense, and the only way that makes sense is if this staff can't figure out how to get him more touches (which may be the case. I am still dubious about the future of the TE at UM under Rodriguez, even Koger's). I don't favor it unless you have an athlete who has the mad skillz on both sides of the ball and has shown them in the past. I just don't understand why this staff should have trouble recruiting defensive players who have PLAYED defense in high school. Oh wait--maybe I do. Gerg and Tall don't recruit. Hopson is, well, Hopson. That leaves the DB coach (can never remember if it's Dews or Gibson) as the lone defensive recruiter (if in fact he does recruit). And oh yeah, this staff has one less defensive coach than the usual. So yeah, maybe the position switching, as opposed to recruiting, is the answer for these guys.