position changes in secondary

[Eric]

http://m.ajc.com/news/sports/college/position-changes-in-tech-secondary/nkfbK/

 

[jeffgt14]

Perhaps Nobles' weight was the reason he didn't see the field much last year?

I'm not a fan of Lynn at nickle either. I'm fine with him in coverage but he seems like a liability in the run game and we know how bad we were last year against the spread option.

 

[Leonard Larramore]

We are all entitled to our opinion but I think Lynn is better in run support. if you review comments made by coaches and players, Lynn was labled as a big hitter. This is why after being moved to CB, several comments were made about him returning to safety. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Go Jackets!

 

[augustabuzz]

We are all entitled to our opinion but I think Lynn is better in run support. if you review comments made by coaches and players, Lynn was labled as a big hitter. This is why after being moved to CB, several comments were made about him returning to safety. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Go Jackets!

Count me as a fan of Lynn Griffin's tackling ability. This is the main reason I thought we would see him at Sam vs spread teams.

 

[UgaBlows]

I think that I like that they are getting Demond out of the hybrid linebacker spot, he honestly didn't impress me there last season. And I am really looking forward to seeing Lynn Griffin get his chance at Safety, I believe he's going to bring the wood and open some eyes this year, breakout player potential.

 

[deeeznutz]

Why not move Noble into that hybrid nickel spot? I doubt he's lost all his speed and he can probably deliver a pretty decent hit.

 

[InsideLB]

Is it that Noble is out of shape or is it that he's just grown out of being a defensive back? His physicality has stood out to me so I'm kind of hoping he's beasted-out and can bring the pain as an LB. Should be a good covering LB too.

 

[Leonard Larramore]

During Roofs interview yesterday he stated that because of Nobles size he is a better fit at Linebacker. He continued by stating that he would have to go on a crash diet to get back into the position of a DB.

 

[Architorture23]

I guess I like Demond better at Safety... but I like him on the sidelines better.

 

[Leonard Larramore]

I guess I like Demond better at Safety... but I like him on the sidelines better.

Awww come on bro!

 

[augustabuzz]

I guess I like Demond better at Safety... but I like him on the sidelines better.

I thought he was growing into the role as the season progressed.

 

[Boomergump]

Demond completely turned some guys loose last year at nickel. Now, I think he has the coverage skills to stay with them, but he just had the tendency to put his eyes in the wrong place and lose his man at nickel. He will be better at safety where you can do that (have your eyes in the backfield) a little more.

FWIW, I think Griffin is best suited to play at the back end of the defense too. His greatest strength is attacking plays in front of him aggressively and his greatest weakness (not a big one) is flipping his hips and turning his back in coverage. Personally, I think Griffin is a pretty physical and agressive player who really wants to put a hat on somebody. CB isn't for everybody. It doesn't make him a bad person. While I think Griffin is athletic and agile (enough to cover), I think we need guys who are fluid hipped burners at CB, especially considering how much we will need to blitz to get pressure. Gotta have that speed to handle being on an island against the WRs we have in the league. I have never timed LG in a sprint, but I feel pretty sure he would be behind both Milton and White at the finish line. Maybe Nickel spends a little less time chasing the deep balls (playing the slot) and it will be a good fit, but I like LG at safety. In the end, I trust the coaches.

Regardless, the back end will be the strength of the defense once again. You have to like the talent pool and the experience we have back there. Those kids watch film and they are smart. We have never had the kind of speed we have now at both corners, AND safety is well stocked. Golden is smart and instinctive, if not punishing and the other options at safety have already been discussed.

 

[augustabuzz]

Demond completely turned some guys loose last year at nickel. Now, I think he has the coverage skills to stay with them, but he just had the tendency to put his eyes in the wrong place and lose his man at nickel. He will be better at safety where you can do that (have your eyes in the backfield) a little more.

FWIW, I think Griffin is best suited to play at the back end of the defense too. His greatest strength is attacking plays in front of him aggressively and his greatest weakness (not a big one) is flipping his hips and turning his back in coverage. Personally, I think Griffin is a pretty physical and agressive player who really wants to put a hat on somebody. CB isn't for everybody. It doesn't make him a bad person. While I think Griffin is athletic and agile (enough to cover), I think we need guys who are fluid hipped burners at CB, especially considering how much we will need to blitz to get pressure. Gotta have that speed to handle being on an island against the WRs we have in the league. I have never timed LG in a sprint, but I feel pretty sure he would be behind both Milton and White at the finish line. Maybe Nickel spends a little less time chasing the deep balls (playing the slot) and it will be a good fit, but I like LG at safety. In the end, I trust the coaches.

Regardless, the back end will be the strength of the defense once again. You have to like the talent pool and the experience we have back there. Those kids watch film and they are smart. We have never had the kind of speed we have now at both corners, AND safety is well stocked. Golden is smart and instinctive, if not punishing and the other options at safety have already been discussed.

I agree with most of your analysis. I still would've liked to have seen LG at Sam last year. I cannot recall seeing anything that revealed LG cannot turn and burn without the extra step.

 

[Leonard Larramore]

Great analysis but LG has not played enough for me to completely agree with your analysis. If you trust the coaches then you know that Lynn was opposite of DJ after the spring game and into the fall. But fell due to the suspension. During this time he had minimal reps in practice and little reps in games. He spent several practices simulating a RB because this is what the young man played in high school. Now don't get me wrong, Chris developed into a heck of a CB during the season and He and DJ were clearly the best two DB but it is difficult to evaluate both Lynn and Durham with little to no quality reps. I know we often try to simulate other teams offenses in practice but I am a firm believer that game time is a little different. I.E. When I was with the Bills, we had a pre season game against Atlanta. Now in practice I would go head to head with Bruce Smith and you know this dude was a beast. Well when we got to Atlanta I went up against Lester Archambeau. This dude was a monster and much better than Bruce at that time. Everyone has their opinion but I believe game time reps is a little different. You deal with the other elements of the game. As far as speed, DJ and Chris are faster. Each are true 4.4 guys. They are also faster than:

Richard Sherman
Clinton Dix
Brent Grimes
Joe Haden
Alterraun Verner
These guys are all top DB's in the league but their 40 times are 4.5 and higher.

I can recall Isaiah Johnson coming back from his injury. He seemed to be performing well in practice but it took a few games before he could really get back to playing at the level he was previously playing. Same with one of my favorite return guys. Big J. Golden. It took him some time to return from his injury. Now just think of our young guys with only minimal reps and then you're playing a position where you can't cover your mistakes. (CB)

I am not stating you are totally wrong but it is hard to give such a detailed assessment without actually seeing consistent game reps.

I can't wait to see what we accomplish in 2015. Go Jackets.

 

[Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau]

I thought he was growing into the role as the season progressed.

Being coached up?

 

[Boomergump]

Great analysis but LG has not played enough for me to completely agree with your analysis. If you trust the coaches then you know that Lynn was opposite of DJ after the spring game and into the fall. But fell due to the suspension. During this time he had minimal reps in practice and little reps in games. He spent several practices simulating a RB because this is what the young man played in high school. Now don't get me wrong, Chris developed into a heck of a CB during the season and He and DJ were clearly the best two DB but it is difficult to evaluate both Lynn and Durham with little to no quality reps. I know we often try to simulate other teams offenses in practice but I am a firm believer that game time is a little different. I.E. When I was with the Bills, we had a pre season game against Atlanta. Now in practice I would go head to head with Bruce Smith and you know this dude was a beast. Well when we got to Atlanta I went up against Lester Archambeau. This dude was a monster and much better than Bruce at that time. Everyone has their opinion but I believe game time reps is a little different. You deal with the other elements of the game. As far as speed, DJ and Chris are faster. Each are true 4.4 guys. They are also faster than:

Richard Sherman
Clinton Dix
Brent Grimes
Joe Haden
Alterraun Verner
These guys are all top DB's in the league but their 40 times are 4.5 and higher.

I can recall Isaiah Johnson coming back from his injury. He seemed to be performing well in practice but it took a few games before he could really get back to playing at the level he was previously playing. Same with one of my favorite return guys. Big J. Golden. It took him some time to return from his injury. Now just think of our young guys with only minimal reps and then you're playing a position where you can't cover your mistakes. (CB)

I am not stating you are totally wrong but it is hard to give such a detailed assessment without actually seeing consistent game reps.

I can't wait to see what we accomplish in 2015. Go Jackets.

Hi Leonard, I will say, as a coach, there is a HUGE difference between game action and practice reps. I admit TOTALLY, that I make my comments based soley on watching scrimmages and the like. So, I appreciate where you are coming from. However, I will also say, based on what I have seen during open scrimmage time, I stand by my last post. I like LG at safety. I just do.

He may end up moved back to CB. If that happens, probably only you will be rooting for him harder than me.

It is funny, as a coach, you have to base who plays on how they do in practice much of the time. However, I have been surprised, so many times, how some players come inexplicably alive when it is true game action. I can't explain it but it happens. LG will get his chance, and when he does, we will all see what he has to offer under the lights.

 

[alaguy]

Hi Leonard, I will say, as a coach, there is a HUGE difference between game action and practice reps. I admit TOTALLY, that I make my comments based soley on watching scrimmages and the like. So, I appreciate where you are coming from. However, I will also say, based on what I have seen during open scrimmage time, I stand by my last post. I like LG at safety. I just do.

He may end up moved back to CB. If that happens, probably only you will be rooting for him harder than me.

It is funny, as a coach, you have to base who plays on how they do in practice much of the time. However, I have been surprised, so many times, how some players come inexplicably alive when it is true game action. I can't explain it but it happens. LG will get his chance, and when he does, we will all see what he has to offer under the lights.

as a true FR ,LG did not impress me in tackling nearly as much as PDavis,so he is not a natural but doesn't mean he can't be ok anyway
I predict that one of the new FR will impact by '16 big time-start

 

[Leonard Larramore]

lol. Amazing.....natural...
Lol lol. You win Coach AlaGuy. Hey I guess we will have to wait until the season begins. side note. PJ does have a great motor.

 

[Eli]

Lynn Griffin could possibly be our best DB. Imo he has all the physical tools and I can't wait for him to get a shot.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

However, I have been surprised, so many times, how some players come inexplicably alive when it is true game action.

As a youth coach I can say the opposite happens, too, unfortunately.