The value of flexibility in the secondary

[D-train]

PC is absolutely jacked about this but I have questions. What is the true value of it?

1. Can move guys around if there are injuries.
2. Multiple looks that offenses have to be prepared for.
3. Opposing offenses have no idea what you are going to do even when they seen the personnel on the field just prior to the play.

What do you guys think?

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1763890/ ... attribute/

[Donn Beach]

There isn't a downside is there, yeah it runs through the safeties too. In terms of matchups seems handy.

[D-train]

There isn't a downside is there, yeah it runs through the safeties too. In terms of matchups seems handy.

Only downside I can see is lack of specialization. Guys have to learn multiple positions and responsibilities and will likely be pretty good at them all but great at none of them. Henry Ford would not be a fan.

Henry Ford brought much practical advancement to the economic theory regarding specialization of labor. Ford is known as the father of modern assembly lines and mass production. He created a business environment where individuals could produce large amounts of vehicles through consistently repeated actions.

[Donn Beach]

Other than Witherspoon they aren't on the process of teaching anybody. It's more taking advantage of what they have. Speaking of Witherspoon, was he maybe not that necessary?

[D-train]

Other than Witherspoon they aren't on the process of teaching anybody. It's more taking advantage of what they have. Speaking of Witherspoon, was he maybe not that necessary?

I assume Witherspoon will be expected to play outside as well as slot and Coby is now considered both safety and slot corner. Love is expected to be a traditional safety and play close to the LOS. Adams story is well documented. A lot going on...

PC is 10000x more qualified to comment on the the cost/benefit analysis and he is jacked so I will defer to him in this case.

[Donn Beach]

Article on Tyrann Mathieu, he is considered more valuable because he can play at both safety and slot corner. Witherspoon isn't a safety but he does play like a safety and him and Mathieu are around the same size.

as offenses evolved and started moving their top receivers and athletic tight ends in the slot to create mismatches, defenses responded by turning the slot corner into a roving weapon, moving him around the field like a queen on a chessboard. The modern slot corner may be asked to guard a shifty Julian Edelman or a monstrous Rob Gronkowski. He may contribute in the run game. Or blitz the quarterback. On any given play, he may have to act as a pass-rusher, a linebacker or a shutdown corner.

Again, with how physical Witherspoon plays it could make sense to have him in the middle of the field

https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/09/29/slot- ... len-ramsey

[D-train]

Yep, just need to get the little bastard healthy. lol

[Donn Beach]

If you have Adams healthy at safety and Witherspoon at slot. That would complicate defending the pass rush. That could be a real headache

[SeattleAddict]

I'll tell ya the value of flexibility - if a guy likes Adams gets injured on the first play of the season, your entire off season strategy doesn't have to be thrown out to readjust if multiple people can do the same job.

You are right to say you will lose some specialty, but if you do it right, you won't really. Say you have a guy that does something really well (we'll take Adams as an example again and say it's blitzing), you can have him in there doing that like 15 snaps a game, and can rotate somebody over to cover his job in the secondary without tipping your hand or losing significant skill level.

If you have a CB that can play a little safety and a safety that can play a little CB, you essentially create an extra roster spot that can be used for a specialist, an extra player at a position group, or to a guy you are scared might get poached off a practice squad.

[D-train]

I'll tell ya the value of flexibility - if a guy likes Adams gets injured on the first play of the season, your entire off season strategy doesn't have to be thrown out to readjust if multiple people can do the same job.

You are right to say you will lose some specialty, but if you do it right, you won't really. Say you have a guy that does something really well (we'll take Adams as an example again and say it's blitzing), you can have him in there doing that like 15 snaps a game, and can rotate somebody over to cover his job in the secondary without tipping your hand or losing significant skill level.

If you have a CB that can play a little safety and a safety that can play a little CB, you essentially create an extra roster spot that can be used for a specialist, an extra player at a position group, or to a guy you are scared might get poached off a practice squad.

Good stuff. Thanks! Just one follow up question. Do you see this playing out THIS season or NEXT season???