Perhaps I am too old school, but it doesn’t seem to me that it should be that hard to play either/both safety position(s).
I mean, are these guys pigeonholed that tightly… seriously?
Originally Posted by: KRK
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.