Playmaking safety vs. Shutdown corner

[Alo]

During yesterday's presser, Mangini was asked which one he'd rather have. His answer:

Originally Posted by Eric Mangini

With corners, they're kind of like left tackles: they're getting challenged every play. And when they give up a play, it's usually a home run: similar with left tackle - when he gives up a sack, it's usually a strip sack.

But the playmaking safety - those guys can really impact the game too. And they can save a lot of touchdowns. They can generate a lot of plays: whether it's blitzing, coming down in the box as an eight man.

Both have value, and I'd truly like both.

YouTube- S E ric B erry Highlights/Lowlights 2009 T ennessee

YouTube- CB J oe H aden Highlights/Lowlights 2009 F lorida

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Alo

During yesterday's presser, Mangini was asked which one he'd rather have. His answer:



YouTube- S E ric B erry Highlights/Lowlights 2009 T ennessee


YouTube- CB J oe H aden Highlights/Lowlights 2009 F lorida

Great stuff - thanks Alo! BOTH kids look like gems for the teams they fall to. I'd be happy with either kid - maybe even more so than my offensive favorite at this time.

It's so nice to have 11 picks again to go with the addition of Heckert.
- Tom F.

[hiwaygal]

Who was it that said one position could make the adjustment to the other position easier? (I think it was Solon).

Is it easier for a CB to 'transition' to S if needed or is it easier for a S to transition to CB if needed?

No idea who will be available or who is better...personally, I'd like to see a strong CB and get Coye Francies out there as a S.

[DieselPusher]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

Who was it that said one position could make the adjustment to the other position easier? (I think it was Solon).

Is it easier for a CB to 'transition' to S if needed or is it easier for a S to transition to CB if needed?

No idea who will be available or who is better...personally, I'd like to see a strong CB and get Coye Francies out there as a S.

I'll speak for Solon, he said he'd rather have a CB drafted and moved to Safety, rather than a Safety moved to CB.

It's early and I haven't had my coffee, but I think Solons reasoning was the defensive backfield is moving more towards a coverage game ( also expressed by Holmgren last week) and a good CB can cover better than a safety

And I think you will see Francis moved to Safety

[Inspecta]

You guys know I'm firmly entrenched in Camp Berry, he's the safest pick at 7. Yes Haden is great, but if you look at the likes of Pitt and Balt, they have dominant safeties, not corners, and dominate on defense as a result.

[Solon16]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

Who was it that said one position could make the adjustment to the other position easier? (I think it was Solon).

Is it easier for a CB to 'transition' to S if needed or is it easier for a S to transition to CB if needed?

No idea who will be available or who is better...personally, I'd like to see a strong CB and get Coye Francies out there as a S.

It is much easier for a CB to transition to Safety than moving the safety to outside...traditionally Safeties are slower than Corners

[Enigmatic Evil]

Im preferential toward Berry as well, but he seems driven to prove he's the best player avaliable in the draft. If he shines at the Combine I've doubts we will have much of a shot of getting him at #7, but you never know.

Haden is similarly, a driven player who has no problem pushing himself. I would be happy with either player, I think both would be able to come in and instantly make an impact on our D and improve it.

I don't know much about Coye Francis other than what I saw of him in last years pre-season. He made a couple poor coverage decisions that resulted in us getting burned for big passing plays. Would he be a better option for us at Safety than Pool or Elam (given how I'm not sold on Abe, that's saying something). I guess it boils down to, would he be better at coverage than Elam, I don't think he's as good a tackler.

[Sez.EJ]

I can see us obtaining both a new starting safety and Corner.. whether draft or F/A.. I think we will see both drafted..but certainly one..(maybe even both) will be a top pick..

I have no preference.. just upgrade the spots.. if we do that..i don't care about the names, draft, F/A... .. just make plays

[mz.]

Originally Posted by Inspecta

if you look at the likes of Pitt and Balt, they have dominant safeties, not corners, and dominate on defense as a result.

I would make the argument that Baltimore's D was MUCH better when they had McAllister and Rolle (Pro Bowlers) playing CB, instead of Walker and Washington (two scrubs). I'm pretty sure the numbers would support this.

[ramrod]

This to me is a no brainer. Shutdown CB all day. Dont get me wrong the Ed Reeds and Polamalu are great. But a CB is so much more important to what you do. I would take Revis any day over those two.

[Sez.EJ]

If Berry is a hitter.. I mean a real beast.. I have to lean that way..nothing would make me happier to have a guy to bust mendenhall and holmes in the mouth/ or in half twice a year... I want an enforcer in the middle of our D again.. Don Rogers we miss you..

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

If Berry is a hitter.. I mean a real beast.. I have to lean that way..nothing would make me happier to have a guy to bust mendenhall and holmes in the mouth/ or in half twice a year... I want an enforcer in the middle of our D again.. Don Rogers we miss you..

That's a great job by you Sez! Don Rogers was special! Eric Trurner too! Remember when ET shut out Ben Coates in a playoff game?

Berry is really instinctive and it was good for him to have a year with an NFL DC like Monte Kiffen coaching him up.

I think Haden or Berry is a terrific pick for us.
- Tom F.