CornerBack to Free Safety Conversions

Snake Eyes said:

I hear this guy was pretty good too.

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Ronnie Lott, I will admit I had no idea he was a CB, good pickup.

Woodson doesn't count, he was one of the best CBs in NFL history and then played his final seasons as a Safety on a great defense. He wasn't some snot nosed college kid.

Ronnie freakin Lott, now that kid was great.

Wilfork#75 said:

My personal favorite is Deunta Williams from UNC. He does need some coaching to improve some aspects of his game, but he would be a likely IR candidate, so he has time to improve his game without taking up a roster spot. Safety isn't an immediate need, even if we were to trade Brandon Meriweather, so taking the risk on a guy and allowing him to develop for year could be a good option.

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Great call on Deunta Williams!! I love it when a viable Top 64 guy rolls into the abyss because of the Gold Fish Attention Span of most decision makers!! There's always PLENTY of room on the Iced Rookies roster.

reamer said:

Ras-I Dowling is ideal for this conversion, although I think he can play corner, too. Dowling had a heck of a pro day with a 4.34 40, a 38 inch vertical, and a "terrific" showing in drills. I have been a fan of his for years now, and if fully healthy he might end up being the best defensive back from this class. He's got exceptional ball skills, and hits like a linebacker. I would not complain if we took him as early as 33; I think he can instantly become our second-best DB behind only McCourty (and he has the potential to pass him).

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He certainly seems better fitted for Free Safety, doesn't he?

Metaphors said:

Maybe the problem is with the supporting cast...similar to why I believe Rashad Carmichael isn't rated higher.

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Ah!! One of my favorite Corners!! Looking like a 5th Rounder!! Great Call!! :rocker:

cstjohn17 said:

Can anyone name any successful CB to Safety conversions?

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VERY good question...

patchick said:

Besides this guy?

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GREAT answer!! :rocker:

cstjohn17 said:

Ronnie Lott, I will admit I had no idea he was a CB, good pickup.

Woodson doesn't count, he was one of the best CBs in NFL history and then played his final seasons as a Safety on a great defense. He wasn't some snot nosed college kid.

Ronnie freakin Lott, now that kid was great.

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Yeah, he was amazing.

And, true: Woodson doesn't count: We're talking about converting right out of College.

cstjohn17 said:

Woodson doesn't count, he was one of the best CBs in NFL history and then played his final seasons as a Safety on a great defense. He wasn't some snot nosed college kid.

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Ok, so you want to ignore examples if they don't support your stance? You didnt specify that it out to a conversion right out of college, so Woodson's fair game.

The fact that you're now talking about someone right out of college instead of a seasoned pro like Woodson, did you think that could actually help the conversion process? If a guy has less "corner" wiring in his brain he might be able to pick up the "Safety" wiring quicker, teaching an old dog new tricks and all.

There's also the ego factor, no one wants to look bad in front of others, and if a guy had success as a corner but switching to safety means he goes through a learning curve where he struggles, he might quit on it for that reason alone.

So, if Troy Brown can go from receiver to defensive back I think the right guy with the right coach can make the switch from corner to safety.

Snake Eyes said:

Ok, so you want to ignore examples if they don't support your stance? You didnt specify that it out to a conversion right out of college, so Woodson's fair game.

The fact that you're now talking about someone right out of college instead of a seasoned pro like Woodson, did you think that could actually help the conversion process? If a guy has less "corner" wiring in his brain he might be able to pick up the "Safety" wiring quicker, teaching an old dog new tricks and all.

There's also the ego factor, no one wants to look bad in front of others, and if a guy had success as a corner but switching to safety means he goes through a learning curve where he struggles, he might quit on it for that reason alone.

So, if Troy Brown can go from receiver to defensive back I think the right guy with the right coach can make the switch from corner to safety.

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I often use stats to help my arguements and avoid them if they don't help... this is a draft thread, so I was looking for examples of college CBs that have converted to Safety. Ronnie Lott was a damn good example. Eugene Wilson has also a very good examples, if anyone has other examples please speak now.

With all the sub defensese versatility is key, look at Chung he plays some traditional Safety and also acts as a slot CB. Having a player that can move around helps the overall depth, especially when more than 1/2 the time the defense has 5+ DBs on the field.

cstjohn17 said:

This is a draft thread, so I was looking for examples of college CBs that have converted to Safety.

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Exactly!! And the OP question WAS:

"What attributes of a prospective Corner recommend him for conversion to Free Safety?"

cstjohn17 said:

Ronnie Lott was a damn good example. Eugene Wilson has also a very good examples, if anyone has other examples please speak now.

With all the sub defenses versatility is key, look at Chung he plays some traditional Safety and also acts as a slot CB. Having a player that can move around helps the overall depth, especially when more than 1/2 the time the defense has 5+ DBs on the field.

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Indeed...I have a SERIOUS Jones for the talents of DeAndre McDaniel.

He's called a Strong Safety, but I think he could step in at Free Safety, as well...

And I think he would be a MONSTER as the ~ well ~ the MONSTER in the 425!! :rocker:

Off The Grid said:

Exactly!! And the OP question WAS:

"What attributes of a prospective Corner recommend him for conversion to Free Safety?"

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Yeah, I don't remember my comment being directed at the OP, cstjohn17 wanted to know of a successful C to S conversion and I gave him one, and there are others mentioned as well. If you or him want to make the argument learning a new skill is very possible for a seasoned pro but impossible for "some snot nosed college kid", despite the PLETHORA of conversions done all the time, be my guest.

Woodson is yet another data point that such a conversion is possible.

Off The Grid said:

Exactly!! And the OP question WAS:

"What attributes of a prospective Corner recommend him for conversion to Free Safety?"

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Snake Eyes said:

Yeah, I don't remember my comment being directed at the OP, cstjohn17 wanted to know of a successful C to S conversion and I gave him one, and there are others mentioned as well. If you or him want to make the argument learning a new skill is very possible for a seasoned pro but impossible for "some snot nosed college kid", despite the PLETHORA of conversions done all the time, be my guest.

Woodson is yet another data point that such a conversion is possible.

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Good LORD, man.

The question clearly addressed the OP, and you simply misunderstood, because you obviously didn't bother reading the OP, to learn the context of the question. No big deal, but now you're embarrassed, and rather than admit your error like a gentleman ~ or even silently note it ~ you're having a tantrum, lashing out at both of us, and attributing quotes and arguments to me that I have absolutely nothing to do with, per your usual modus operandi. That is shockingly childish.

Off The Grid said:

Good LORD, man.

The question clearly addressed the OP, and you simply misunderstood, because you obviously didn't bother reading the OP, to learn the context of the question. No big deal, but now you're embarrassed, and rather than admit your error like a gentleman ~ or even silently note it ~ you're having a tantrum, lashing out at both of us, and attributing quotes and arguments to me that I have absolutely nothing to do with, per your usual modus operandi. That is shockingly childish.

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cstjohn17 said:

Can anyone name any successful CB to Safety conversions? Most CBs are not physical enough or don't have the right make up to mix things up like Safety has to

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Yeah, I probably misunderstood, when he wrote "does anyone know of..." I should have known he was addressing the OP instead of just anyone, as he wrote.

I'll make more of an effort in the future to address what people mean as opposed to what they actually write, which is probably extremely presumptious of me.

Snake Eyes said:

Yeah, I probably misunderstood, when he wrote "does anyone know of..." I should have known he was addressing the OP instead of just anyone, as he wrote.

I'll make more of an effort in the future to address what people mean as opposed to what they actually write, which is probably extremely presumptious of me.

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Remedial telepathy, I highly recommend it.

Snake Eyes said:

Yeah, I probably misunderstood, when he wrote "does anyone know of..." I should have known he was addressing the OP instead of just anyone, as he wrote.

I'll make more of an effort in the future to address what people mean as opposed to what they actually write, which is probably extremely presumptious of me.

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My bad, I should have added the following "Can anyone name any successful college CBs to NFL Safety conversions?

There has been a few good examples presented, mostly veterans but the point was made.

This is an interesting discussion because in the new NFL FS is more important than SS. The slow 220 pound SS is a thing of the past. Havings DBs that can play multiple positions helps depth and helps in sub packages.

cstjohn17 said:

My bad, I should have added the following "Can anyone name any successful college CBs to NFL Safety conversions?

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Yep!

After 18 consecutive posts that all dealt exclusively with college CB ~ NFL FS Conversions, clarification was certainly needed...for some!!

cstjohn17 said:

Ronnie Lott, I will admit I had no idea he was a CB, good pickup.

Woodson doesn't count, he was one of the best CBs in NFL history and then played his final seasons as a Safety on a great defense. He wasn't some snot nosed college kid.

Ronnie freakin Lott, now that kid was great.

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How about Geno Wilson? We won two Super Bowls with him at converted safety and I thought he was near Pro Bowl level his first two seasons before heading downhill after that. He is playing adequate, not great, still at safety for Houston.

J D Sal

Corey Chavous was also a college corner who played mostly safety in the NFL and pretty well at the height of his career.

J D Sal

JDSal45 said:

How about Geno Wilson? We won two Super Bowls with him at converted safety and I thought he was near Pro Bowl level his first two seasons before heading downhill after that. He is playing adequate, not great, still at safety for Houston.

J D Sal

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Yup, but the downhill slide continues - Houston cut him before the new season started.

Off The Grid said:

What attributes of a prospective Corner recommend him for conversion to Free Safety?

I get the basics: Fluidity. Hips. Turn and Burn. Read and React. Lateral Agility. Range. SPEED.

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You are forgetting the most important skill a safety needs; tackling. Missing a tackle for a safety can be disastrous. If you watched closely you might have noticed that Eugene Wilson was a super tackler in his rookie pre-season with the Patriots and had good cover skills; a great combination for a safety which is where he ended up. Did Ty Law ever play safety? He was also a sure tacker...

JDSal45 said:

Corey Chavous was also a college corner who played mostly safety in the NFL and pretty well at the height of his career.

J D Sal

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Yes but I do not like him as a draft analyst; maybe it is his manner but I just do not find him pleasant to watch. Maybe just because he is wicked ugly...don't know...

Off The Grid said:

What attributes of a prospective Corner recommend him for conversion to Free Safety?

I get the basics: Fluidity. Hips. Turn and Burn. Read and React. Lateral Agility. Range. SPEED.

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FredFromDartmouth said:

You are forgetting the most important skill a safety needs; tackling.

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You're mistaken, a common condition when one assumes.

I forgot no such thing, my friend.

A Safety is a FootBall player that plays Defense.

Ergo: Tackling is important.

This kinda goes without saying, don't you think?

You don't bother saying that a Teacher needs to be able to teach, or that a Gardner needs to be able to garden.

I was highlighting my understanding of the skills that are especially emphasized in the Secondary, you see.

Off The Grid said:

You're mistaken, a common condition when one assumes.

I forgot no such thing, my friend.

A Safety is a FootBall player that plays Defense.

Ergo: Tackling is important.

This kinda goes without saying, don't you think?

You don't bother saying that a Teacher needs to be able to teach, or that a Gardner needs to be able to garden.

I was highlighting my understanding of the skills that are especially emphasized in the Secondary, you see.

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OK OK no big deal; I see your point but my point is still valid--a safety has to be the best tackler on the team. He cannot miss or whiff. I should have said something like "able to catch and tackle guys in the open field" or something like that.

FredFromDartmouth said:

OK OK no big deal; I see your point but my point is still valid--a safety has to be the best tackler on the team.

He cannot miss or whiff.

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Absolutely valid. Sir, we are in agreement.