The problem is if the free safety is always deep cover then depending on where he lines up you know where there’s going to be help. Both safeties have to be able to help out corners deep. Whether they do so we’re not in the assigned scheme for the play is another matter

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It all depends on system and talent... you're correct that in theory if they're that talented then it doesn't matter... but where your old school thought loses out is that they're not making Safeties like they used to. I don't think I could find it but 5 years ago there was this GREAT article which basically broke it down that the college (and highschool) spread systems are killing the talent and development at the Safety position.


The old school way was there was 2 WRs, 2 CBs and 2 S... and the natural progression of trying out talented guys (still) goes start at WR ... if they didn't make it there, more to CB, and if they didn't make it there more to S. And there was more talent than there were positions, so talented guys (like Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, LeRoy Butler etc) would get spread out to the Safety position.

Now with the spread systems there got 4 WRs, 4 CBs and 2 S... and with the natural progression of WR, CB then S.... less talent is getting to the Safety positions (so yes it might be more pigeonholed or specialized at the Safety position now). So there is less talent getting to the Safety position and superstar FS.... and even Nick Collins was a CB in college.

But the 'pigeonholed' or specialization, is more about can you play CB or LB? Because in todays football sometimes a Safety needs to be able to cover a WR one on one, or charge up and basically play LB against a big physical RB. I call Reid a SS because I don't think he could cover a WR one on one that well and because he has literally play 4-3 LB when injuries killed the LB core. I called Vaccaro a FS because he has covered WR well in one on one (mainly the slot) but has also down field.


The spread system is also killing Safety development in another way... according to former Safeties, it's supposedly extremely easy to mentally read to the spread system, it's more about physically reacting to it... but get in the pros and they're using less spread and more pro-style and there is supposedly so more more to mentally read that mentally guys are struggling more especially since the NFL has more complex systems and smarter QBs and the safeties are mentally further behind than where Safety rookies 10-20 years ago would of been starting.

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Yes, but not pure speed (like 40 time alone)... it's about mental quickness to read what's happening and physical reaction quickness... but yes speed does play into that as well.

Also it depends on what system you're using... like I believe in Pettine's system they really need two FS as Pettine likes to go high risk and leaving the coverage in one on one man coverage... and below part as well.

Your right, and as Pettine mentions the offense can somewhat dictate which Safety is gonna be the FS ... so you need two just in case. And I wonder if that's why they're keeping Josh Jones at Safety hoping someday he'll develop that FS skill... as he has the physical talent... just need to work on mental and maybe foot quickness.

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OK then, who on the roster is currently capable to play free safety? If we have to have two, and we knew with Pettine scheme we were going to have two, then we either should have them on our roster, acquire them for our roster, or be able to quickly develop them from our roster.

Do we have a disconnect between front office and coaching staff?

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lol it's been less than half a season man lol...

the world isn't perfect and that doesn't mean their is a disconnect... the team had a lot of holes to fill, and just because every single one isn't filled doesn't mean the sky is falling. Personally, if you told me in February that we would lose Randall, Rollins, Nelson, Ryan and wouldn't be complaining too much about CB, WR or ILB... I wouldn't of believed you!

A lot of good has been done... I can't tell you what the Packers were thinking... but I'm thinking/guessing they were hoping one of these young Safeties would step up... especially between Brice and Jones.... and so far it's Whitehead who has stepped up! Though the coaches still seem to think Brice is better.

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Tramon Williams, Raven Greene, Breeland, House might be better at S, did they IR him?

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PFF ranked teams pass coverage so far... and the Packers ranked 6th overall (good news)

Of course, we're about to face two of the top three teams in back to back weeks (so could be very bad)

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nerd and beast...ty...I appreciate your oponions/observations

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