Jonathan Banks to CB - thoughts?

[Irondawg]

I trust the coaches but seems a bit odd considering how good he was at S for us last year and how good Broomfield was at CB last year. So you would assume he'd take Langston's spot maybe.

I haven't been at practice to see how the 2nd string Safeties or CB's have looked, but this surprised me.

 

[8dog]

so I think its a pretty good experiment.

 

[Smooot2]

... that Nickoe Whitley has been looking good, then I love it...

It also allows Banks to play Nickel as well.

 

[DGdawg.sixpack]

Yeah I was wondering the same thing. We will see what happens though........... in due time.

 

[Irondawg]

I agree that it's easier to find S than corners but it's also tough to find playmaking safeties and Banks made a ton of big plays here last year.

Guess we'll just have to see if he can play corner as well as he could play centerfield.

 

[EClass04]

I think this move says a number of good things........

1. I think this was intended to be his original position, but injuries and natural talent allowed him to move over to safety and make some plays last season.
2. We must have some other guys that are really doing well if the coaches feel comfortable moving a starter that played as well as Banks did to another position.
3. We will have many wrinkles in the new defensive schemes coordinated by coaches Diaz and Wilson.

 

[kired]

I trust he can play CB, but who takes his place at S? We know Mitchell will have one spot, and sounds like Whitley is coming along well. But who else can we play there other than freshmen - Bonner, Zach Smith? I don't consider either of those good options.

Where has Thames been practicing? Do we have any offensive guys or CBs that have moved to S? I always thought Karlin Brown would make a decent safety. He's got good speed and is a hard hitter... just a few inches too short.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

If Whitley or Thames is forcing the move, then I think it is a great move. I will be fine if Bonner never sees the field again. He can always shift back.

If it is because our corners are looking suspect again, it scares me. It is probably a slight combination of both.

I know one thing, a corner with his size and speed is rare. We are going to be playing a lot more man this year, so I am sure the coaches are thinking it would be nice to have Banks matched up with the other team's outside receiver to counter jump balls, deep routes, etc. Let Mitchell play center field and allow Whitley/Thames and Co. play more of a run-support/attacking role - very uncomplicated and aggressive.

Mullen also mentioned that since the 3rd LB hasnt settled itself yet, we may be playing nickel more - not sure if this was just coachspeak to get the LB competition fired up or what, but I think D. Anderson, Langston or even Z. Smith could be good in a nickel role.