Jeremy Clark: Sixth-Year Safety?

Submitted by Moonlight Graham on

Just listened to the podcast and was heartened by the quick summary of our depth chart for '17. At the beginning of this season, it looked like 2016 had to be "the year" because we were going to be so young in '17, but watching players like Bredeson, McDoom, Evans, Higdon, Gary, Asiasi (the list goes on, really) this year gives me greater hope that next year can also be special and go into a very interesting matchup with OSU at the Big House. 

On that note, Brian mentioned that Jeremy Clark would be back(!) which I previously understood was still iffy. In that wonderful turn of events, could Clark possibly play safety? I thought that's where he started his career. I was thinking that might be the weaker spot in our back four, unless Hudson is going to play there. Would be Lavert and Long at CB's and Kinnel and Clark at the safeties, with Hudson and Furbush rotating in the Peppers role; or Hudson/Kinnel are the safeties and Clark goes to CB, with Long and Lavert rotating like Clark and Stribling did last year. 

Either way, I was glad to hear Brian thought Jeremy would be back, and hopefully will be at full strength. I wonder if he's heard more news about the application procoess moving forward based on his recovery and desire to come back, etc. 

jimt1023

November 28th, 2016 at 5:46 PM ^

I'd start him at corner, because I think having two great corners is more important than 2 great safeties.  Once you settle on your top 2 corners you let the guys who could also play safety compete there as well.

I believe thats the general way the tweeners in the secondary are approached.

TruBluWolv55

November 28th, 2016 at 6:51 PM ^

I don't think experience is as important as it once was. If you have a lot of talent and great coaching even younger players can perform at a high level. They get plenty of practice going against 4 and 5 star players every day. Didn't OSU have all freshman on their team this year?

Ali G Bomaye

November 29th, 2016 at 9:14 AM ^

I think our corner/safety depth and experience are similar. Kinnel looked good in the playing time he got, and Metellus and Hudson are promising. At corner, Hill and Long look like they'll be great.

So it comes down to where Clark is more valuable. And at this point in his career, he's been a very good corner and a meh safety. So I say keep him at corner.

CriticalFan

November 29th, 2016 at 9:37 AM ^

you can kiss Jeremy Clark goodbye, because the powers that be won't want to help Harbaugh any. And obviously don't care about the kids (ours, anyway).

We'll probably get more NCAA penalties for stretching if JH makes a peep.

And have Dick Bavetta assigned to EVERY ONE of our games, maybe. Already have basketball refs doing side judging anyway.