Minter

Dude, why are you LYING when I just quoted a place where you specifically said it was indicative of him not being strong? You said, "yeah, I wondered a little about that, too. I was never worried about the speed, but whether it's relevant to play or not you don't want to see a 225 lb safety that's not strong."

Don Banks just stated in his training camp postcard that he spoke to Panthers officials and they said that they view Thomas Davis as settling at linebacker rather than safety. That means that unless they lied to Banks, they see him as a weakside linebacker more than a strong safety, but we have WW right now and can't exactly take him out of the lineup for Davis. I also find it interesting that the Panthers feel Davis is a better fit at linebacker than safety, yet they're not giving him any reps at all at SLB. Granted, I'm biased, but I'd say that's a pretty strong indication that they mean WLB and not SLB.

No, he wasn't. He was our best linebacker in 2002, but not in 2004. Moreover, as great as his 2002 season was, he had even better seasons at WLB for the Saints.


Black&Blue:
Short should be adequate, but previously Magnus and I had both agreed that Short has been an enormous disappointment since coming from NY, and neither of us had felt that he displayed the same level of play here as he had there. If he can regain that, we should be fine at SLB. And as for Draft, he is better than Favors. But what we're doing is going from one of the best SLBs to someone mediocre at best. (interesting to note that Fields as one of the best SLBs made far fewer plays in terms of tackles and turnovers than WW last year, and Spoon is not one of the best WLBs). I think when Thomas Davis settles at WLB - if he's as good as I think he can be - everyone will see how much of a difference a top of the line WLB can make (WW isn't bad, but he's only solid).

After seven seasons at WLB, that's true. Fields was always bigger and stronger than Davis is, but he wasn't moved to SLB until he was viewed as less productive than he had been previously. He wasn't moved to SLB until he had lost a step and was no longer considered a dynamic playmaker. Obviously his 2002 season makes it look like those thoughts were premature, but the fact is that when people thought Fields was at his athletic best, they felt like he would make more of an impact at WLB.

As for whether or not Davis could ever play SLB. I don't know that I can say where a player will line up seven years from now when he's significantly slower and less athletic than when coming out of college, but it's worth reiterating that Fields always had a much bigger frame than Davis. I can't see Davis ever being 245, no matter how many seasons he wanted to spend trying to add weight. Hell, I can't ever see Davis getting to 240. But if you want to say what might happen seven years from now, I can't exactly quibble with that. I can say that Davis at SLB right now, or in the near future, would be stupid.

 

I agree, totally. With that said, I don't think it's a significant concern, considering the shit we used to get by in 2003. But you are correct - not having Fields, a healthy Fields with flashes of 2002, does hurt. And knowing that he'll probably never play at that level again, due to something totally out of his control, just fucking sucks.

Still, I look at what Flajole said recently and I can't help but read into it. If it was Rod Perry or Trgovac, I wouldn't think much of it. But coming directly from the LB coach, I find it interesting.

I'll admit, that could simply entail defending the TE from the nickle, and not from the basic strongside position. But we'll see, I guess.

 

Yeah. In base defense, if there is man coverage on the TE, it's almost always going to be with the SS. Note that Fields didn't drop into man coverage much for us (in fact, New Orleans stated that his decline in coverage ability was one the main reasons they let him go). In nickel, however, if there is man coverage on the TE, it's usually going to be with the LB who lines up on him. Of course in nickel defense, the linebacker on that side has no engagement responsibilities, unlike a base 4-3 SLB (who has that as his #1 priority). Note also that Fields came off the field in our nickel, as base SLBs rarely play nickel defense.

 

collin

based on your conclusions on TD, which i'm not thrilled with but only because it seems to force an unhappy result, and what the team officials are reportedly saying, it sounds like WW is soon to be history. or, could he move to SLB? i don't see him as an effective MLB and since we generally agree i'm expecting you to say the same. since the team is eyeing TD for WLB, in your view, do you think that they are priming Branch to be the starting SS ... and not just a spot holder? i always thought that Branch would do well there.

you're very very good when you being good. it can be a struggle to behave on this board and as you know i too have struggled and have let you and mags knock me off kilter a time or two. good luck with your efforts to deal with your problem.

all i can say about Branch's 40 time is wow. i gotta agree with mags that i've never seen it on a football field that i can recall.

 

So you feel comfortable with Minter at FS? I know that you haven't been too hot about it. If it gets TD on the field, I think we're a better defense. Not to say that Minter will be great for it, but it shouldn't be a huge weakness. I'm assuming that's also your general opinion.

 

WW, I think if I live to be 100, when I see WW in a football related thread I will first think of Wesley Walls. I do it each and everytime.

 

Actually, I can see it being true, even though I've never actually seen it on paper. Speed isn't Branch's problem, deciding what to do when he gets to the ball has been. I've defended Branch, several times. But he's not great, and a 40 time alone shouldn't make or break his role on the team.

 

this Collin guy sure is full of himself...my guess is that any geek who can waste that much time on FF could stumble into writing something somewhere

 

i'm not as down on him as most. we started to see some good things from him late last season. in fact, i think it possible that he could make a very good SS. i just never thought he had the range needed for FS as i didn't see him getting there soon enough. but 4.4 is damn fast (fast as Grant?). i'm surprised i didn't see some signs of it. maybe he lacks the anticipation or reaction to be a good FS?

 

maybe he can't run anywere near a 4.4 with pads on
maybe they need to do these tests in full gear