Should Cissoko move to safety?
With Woolfolk moving over to Cissoko's corner spot and our safety play being (let's face it) abysmal, is it a good time to shift Cissoko to safety. This could potentially provide several advantages.
Currently our safety play has been decent against the run, but just awful against the pass. Cissoko has the experience of covering recievers and the ability to read plays, but lacks both the necessary height and speed to be an elite corner. If he plays at safety he's be playing farther back, keeping opposing recievers in front of him and allowing him to utilize his coverage skills. At the same time this would also, to a degree, keep opponents from taking advantage of his size/speed (see: ND and Floyd).
In my mind this is an obvious move, helping improve our secondary while allowing Woolfolk to continue to play corner (which I feel he does better than Cissoko at this point).
What do you think?
Currently our safety play has been decent against the run, but just awful against the pass. Cissoko has the experience of covering recievers and the ability to read plays, but lacks both the necessary height and speed to be an elite corner. If he plays at safety he's be playing farther back, keeping opposing recievers in front of him and allowing him to utilize his coverage skills. At the same time this would also, to a degree, keep opponents from taking advantage of his size/speed (see: ND and Floyd).
In my mind this is an obvious move, helping improve our secondary while allowing Woolfolk to continue to play corner (which I feel he does better than Cissoko at this point).
What do you think?
October 27th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^
He's even small for a cb, he isn't physical enough in run support. I still prefer Woolfolk at cb regardless.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
True, but Kovacs is pretty small too at 5'10 194 lbs. Cissoko is 5'9 177 lbs, so he gives up some weight, but his coverage skills are far far better than Kovacs'. Kovacs would be much better suited for the Quick, IMHE.
EDIT: height/weight are according to mgoblue.com
EDIT: height/weight are according to mgoblue.com
October 27th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
I think you are getting confused with the Spinner position. Don't think you want 194lbs. Kovacs playing on the D-line.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
I'm lost on the terminology I guess. Not Deathbacker I'd rather see him as a backup to Brown than a safety.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:03 PM ^
At least coming out of high school. Even though he's tiny, he's got a mean streak, and isn't scared of contact. Still, he should stay at corner, he still can be very good there. His problem seems to be technical, and not athletic, so hopefully he can work it out and become useful player.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:18 PM ^
^^^^
i think this is exactly right. Boubacar is physical, unafraid of contact, and great inside 10 yards. He does a good job bumping at the LOS and breaks up a lot of intermediate routes.
Boubacar has problems with his technique running with the WR and adjusting to the ball in the air.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^
this question gets asked a lot and the answer is no. he's too small. yeah, bob sanders and all, but booboo is even smaller. and most everyone who has met him says his listed height and weight is generous.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
large compared to Cissoko. 200 lbs-ish. He's like a Mike Hart body type playing safety.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
Just to small. It's been talked about.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
I figured it probably had been already dicussed, but after using the "search" function and coming up with no board topics about it (at least in the first 8 pages or so) I figured it was safe. I'll be more diligent next time.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
I don't think Cissoko is much smaller than B. Harrison, who was moved to Safety early on.
thing is, I don't think I'd like to see Booboo as the last hope to tackle a good TE in the open field.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
5 foot nine and 200+ lbs, much more physical than Booboo.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
If Cissoko would be anything resembling competent at safety. I don't watch him practice, and I don't assume that CBs can all move to safety, or vice versa. Hence, not sure how this is "obvious." I'm sure the staff will do it if they think it would work - G-Rob isn't afraid to move positions around, obviously.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^
Not gonna happen..move along
October 27th, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^
If Boo did start at Safety we could start a new tradition; You know how at Iowa the TE always stand up? Our Safety could stand there with his arms crossed.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:42 PM ^
If it's "an obvious move," the coaches would have done it already, yes?
His talents are best used at CB. When he's healthy and back in the swing, hopefully we'll see improvements. Let's not forget he's only started 3 or 4 games as the starting CB, zero of those with two functioning shoulders.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:44 PM ^
Well that's why I said the words "in my mind" in there as well. I'd make the move in a second, but the coaches disagree. I was more looking for some general e-pinion on the subject.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^
e-pinion:
Cissoko should be given more than 4 games before it is decided he should be moved from the cornerback position.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^
I think at this point, and I agree with the OP, it's about getting your best athletes on the field. Woolfolk seems to be a better option at CB. Kovacs seems to be pretty good in run support. What about replacing Williams with Cissoko? Williams has seemed lost at times, and his tackling against PSU was awful. Let Cissoko go out there and hit someone. He's a pretty physical guy despite his size. IMO, I think it's worth a shot. My opinion doesn't matter much, but I'd like to see him out there.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:33 PM ^
I don't believe the move from CB to Safety is as easy as going in the other direction. There are a lot more reads for a safety to make. If Booboo is struggling with the mental and technical part of the game at CB, I think his issues would only be worse at Safety.
That being said, I'm not a coach or anything. Anyone with better knowledge on the subject's input would be appreciated.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:36 PM ^
The CB depth isn't very good right now either. Bringing him in for obvious passing downs and shifting Woolfolk to safety seems like a decent option right now.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:41 PM ^
How few corners do you want remaining on the roster next year? Warren is probably leaving and Cissoko should move to safety?
That leaves us with Woolfolk, Floyd, T. Jones, and Turner next year (in addition to the incoming freshmen). Except for Woolfolk, YIKES!!!
Also, Kovacs should NOT move to SAM. I don't know what you've seen this year that makes some of you think Kovacs could play that position, but a big part of Steve Brown's job is covering slot receivers. Have you seen Kovacs run? If he switches to linebacker, it should be WILL. If he's in man coverage against a slot receiver, you might as well chalk up 6 points for the other team.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^
I had the exact same thoughts when reading posts that said to move Kovacs to SAM. Thinking of him covering anyone is a scary thing. No offense to him, I applaud what he has accomplished but that is not a good fit at all IME. WILL, maybe.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:42 PM ^
I agree that he is too small, I think he should be used as a nickel corner. The problem for me though is the scheme. Robinson needs to put him on the field and use his physicality to jam a receiver at the line.
I was watching the Sunday Night game and Steve Smith from the Giants was lining up in the slot almost the entire game when they went to 3 wide. Arizona was very aggressive with him, they brought a guy up to the line and jammed him on almost every play. I know the college game is different from the pros, but Cissoko's greatest asset is his ability to be physical. The slot receiver is usually a smaller, quicker guy that Cissoko could be physical with.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:46 PM ^
It's easier to move from CB to S than the other way around. Woolfolk was able to make a smooth transition because he played CB his first two years on campus. But most safeties aren't well versed in man coverage and/or don't have the hips to play CB.
To others:
Cissoko's big strength coming out of high school was his backpedal, his breaks, his physical play at the LOS, etc. Moving him to safety would basically negate all of those strengths. What's hurting him, in my opinion, is a) his attitude and b) the coaching staff not allowing him to play press man coverage.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
Harrison played S as a freshman, played slot corner as a sophomore and junior, and then moved to S again as a senior. I've said before that I'd be okay with Cissoko playing slot corner, but that position doesn't seem to exist in this defense (or if it does, it's occupied by Steve Brown).
October 27th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^
I have really tried to avoid posting about this, but there is one answer that I really hope isn't true.
Booboo had great potential, and is regressing instead of progressing. That usually happens for one of three reasons:
1. Coaches become familiar with your play, develop a "book" on your tendencies, and you don't adjust.
2. Playing over hidden injuries.
3. "Party-itis."
I hope it isn't number three, but his suspension for "violating team rules" does make me wonder. He certainly wouldn't be the first athlete to make "partying" a higher priority than playing his sport.
I am hoping it is a combination of one and two, and that next year is a better year.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:20 PM ^
I'd say it's a combination of #2 and #3, although I'm not sure how "hidden" a shoulder injury that everyone knows about can be.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^
Becasue thats what i would do to him.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
A) I wish more parents would stop smoking crack when they're pregnant.
B) I wish more parents would stop feeding their children paint chips.
C) I wish more parents would stop dropping their children on their heads.
All of these apply to your miserable existence as a human being.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
are a dumbass. Why don't you just shut the fuck up and go back to mlive?
October 27th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
I don't really think that he should move. Like many people have alread said, he isn't really quite big enough, and I don't really think that he's a good enough tackler.
Also, I think that Cissoko getting suspended might end up being a good thing. He might feel more motivated to prove that he is a real CB. We'll see...
October 27th, 2009 at 5:22 PM ^
I guess i wouldnt cut him. We can use him as practice to throw jump balls agaisnt for our wide outs. Cause god knows we need help with that. Our giant wide out in odoms. Another great RR find. What is RR trting to do, See if he can have the smallest D-1 team in college football.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
since cissoko has apparently been removed from the team on the same day
October 27th, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^
Why, is his dorm room on fire?
October 27th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^
Maybe a move to safety patrol?
October 27th, 2009 at 8:28 PM ^
yeesh.