Defensive secondary question for next year.

[MetEdDawg]

I know it seems as though Justin Cox is going to play CB for us next year. My question is, if we get a JUCO CB good enough to start next year, would it not make a bit more sense to let Cox play free safety, move Whitley to SS, then have some combination of Love/JUCO CB/Jiles/Redmond play CB? Would this be something Wilson would even consider?

Maybe I'm totally off base here, but here's how I see it. Slot receivers had good success against us this year for the most part. Typically we had either Nickoe or an OLB matched up with with other teams slot receivers. By moving Whitley to SS and putting Cox at FS, I think that gives us a more physical SS to either blitz or give better run support, and we would have a guy like Cox who is much better suited to man up on slot WRs or even a team's #1 or #2 guy like we tried to do in the Egg Bowl with Nickoe.

This was just a thought I had going into next year considering our secondary may be the biggest question on the team going into next year. I guess if we were to somehow get Conner this might alter our approach too, but I was just curious to see what others thought.

 

[chew1095]

"Making sense" and this staff seem to be mutually exclusive right now.

 

[esplanade91]

The way I understand FS and SS is FS has the ability to roam and do exactly what you suggested Whitley should do while completely messing people up while the SS sticks to coverage and zone. Could be wrong, but either way Whitley is where he needs to be. If anything Cox would take Broomfield's position. Whitley had a down year, but not only is he coming off of a serious injury and ZERO spring or summer practice, he didn't have another good safety there with him all season. Poor guy got picked on.

I'd personally like to see Whitley and Market back there. Cox, Whitley, Market/Arrington, Calhoun/Jiles/Redmond sounds pretty good to me.

 

[kired]

In 2010 / 2011 Whitley looked great out there just making raw plays in the secondary. Taking people's heads off, extremely athletic INTs - the guy looked like a stud. Totaled 7 Ints in his freshman & shortened soph seasons.

This year he just didn't have it. That first big pass of the egg bowl would've been a pick by the 2010 / 2011 Whitley. We also put him in man coverage at times & he got picked on - that's not what he does. If he can get back to his previous form, FS is the position for him.

 

[engie]

I wouldn't count us out on getting an elite hs CB and/or a borderline elite JUCO. We're after a couple guys right now that could play immediately...

 

[chew1095]

Could being the operative word. Remember, we redshirt almost everyone and completely under-utilize the ones we don't.

 

[esplanade91]

Could being the operative word. Remember, we redshirt almost everyone and completely under-utilize the ones we don't.

We lost a lot of SP/T players after 2011. Like a lot. No one seems to mention that on here, but Bure was out best player. If you're referring to Jiles, we needed guys. He filled that role and I believe the thought process was that he could provide a segway between losing our starters and finding new ones next season. Our defense sucking and him not getting to play because of that and his injury really backfired on that plan.

Broomfield and Banks were 4 year starters. I think Calhoun/Jiles/Cox/Redmond has a lot more talent in it than our situation back in 2009. If there is any sure fire coach on our staff it's Smith.

 

[MetEdDawg]

From what I understand, Ramsey and his parents absolutely loved their visit.

They want him in a small town and really like the coaches. I think that would be a huge get for us. And he's not a CB, but I think Myles Jack, the OLB committed to UCLA, is taking only 2 visits. One has already been to UCLA and the other is to us very late in the process. Those would be two big time gets by Mullen and Company.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

He let the Arkansas W/R get behind him in the '10 game which probably cost us the game. As I recall, it right after the Relf fumble starting the 2nd half when we were down on their 15 yard line.

 

[engie]

They want him in a small town and really like the coaches. I think that would be a huge get for us. And he's not a CB, but I think Myles Jack, the OLB committed to UCLA, is taking only 2 visits. One has already been to UCLA and the other is to us very late in the process. Those would be two big time gets by Mullen and Company.

Your catching onto what I was implying...

Also have a highly ranked JUCO CB (Arky commit) giving us a serious look now. If he visits, there is an excellent chance we get him.
http://247sports.com/Player/Carroll-Washington-21197

 

[biguglyjoe]

Marvin Bure was the best ST guy that I've seen in the Maroon and White.

 

[kired]

Yeah, a few plays after he made one if the nicest picks you'll ever see at Scott Field.

 

[esplanade91]

Marvin Bure was the best ST guy that I've seen in the Maroon and White.

Bure was an absolute beast. Seemed like he absolutely knocked the return guy out on every play. Wonder what he's up to. Surely someone signed him to a minimum contract just for special teams.

 

[FISHDAWG]

I like Whitley but something happened after the injury and I'm not sure he will get it back by next year ... his coverage was so bad this year I hope we have a serviceable replacement for him by next year

 

[00Dawg]

The way I understand FS and SS is FS has the ability to roam and do exactly what you suggested Whitley should do while completely messing people up while the SS sticks to coverage and zone. Could be wrong

SS is your run support/blitz guy, a la Charles Woodson, and will frequently match up with slot receivers. The FS is almost always your extra help in deep pass coverage.