Lardarius Webb Position Change In The Future?

[Yatagarasu]

As our safeties Haruki and Zibby are nursing their injuries, I was thinking about giving more reps to Lardarius as a safety because he is considered our best blitzing CB. Also, looking at his ball skills and coverage, I think he could be our future safety after Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard moves on. He can play roles like Antrel Rolle, where you have a Safety that can do CB work. That type of versatility can really help him excel in this defense because he can move around a lot. However, I do feel a concern that he's a bit small especially for the safety position, but if he gains like a good 15 lbs and still have that quickness, he could really excel.

Webb is looking like one of the versatile CB in the league, like Charles Woodson.

[BloodRaven]

Not if he remains our best CB.

[T-ray]

Webb, as I predicted during the offseason, has improved after a full year of rehab from injury, plus the tutoring of not only Pags, but also a very underrated DB coach in Teryl Austin (coached Rodgers-Cromartie when he was a very great corner during his first years with AZ, then he started slipping in fundamentals after Austin went on to Florida). Webb has all the makings of a Pro Bowl player, who with Smith/Williams shutting down the opposing teams best recievers, can pretty much freelance and do what he does best; make plays. I think he'll be a hybrid corner/safety during the length of his career due to the fact that not only is he good in coverage, but he also can make big tackles and dynamic game changing plays like he did against NJ last week. He is definitely one of the most versatile players on our D, and I'd even go so far as mention him as the most versatile in our secondary.

[Natty Boh]

Good CB's are scarce in the NFL. If Webb can keep it up at CB, he will stay there. Safeties are usually safeties because they are too slow or not good enough to be CB's.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='Natty Boh' timestamp='1318087345' post='818762']
Good CB's are scarce in the NFL. If Webb can keep it up at CB, he will stay there. Safeties are usually safeties because they are too slow or not good enough to be CB's.
[/quote]that's a bit disrespectful to safeties, I'd Love to hear ed or troys reaction if you told them they were only a safety because they weren't good enough to play corner..

[The Raven]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1318087626' post='818765']
that's a bit disrespectful to safeties, I'd Love to hear ed or troys reaction if you told them they were only a safety because they weren't good enough to play corner..
[/quote]

Obviously, there are some safeties that are great at what they do. But, there is a great amount of safeties who play safety because they weren't quick enough to play CB at the NFL level.

Webb will not be playing safety. There is a reason we moved him from safety to CB. He played safety in college, why would we change him to CB where he has excelled at times, just to move him back to safety? Makes no sense. I also don't understand the logic of giving him reps at safety because he is "our best blitzing CB". What does that have to do with playing safety?

[colljb9]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1318087626' post='818765']
that's a bit disrespectful to safeties, I'd Love to hear ed or troys reaction if you told them they were only a safety because they weren't good enough to play corner..
[/quote]

That actually describes troy perfectly. Troy is a great blitzer and playmaker but he is absolutely terrible in coverage which is why he plays safety. In my opinion if Troy played corner he would get burned by good wide receivers. Go back to week 1 where Dickson burned polamalu for a touchdown because he wasnt fast enough to keep up with Dickson's acceleration...and Dicksons a tight end

[Militant X 1]

although Webb played some saftety in college, he is beasting right now as a CB on the pro level. let's leave him alone. lol

~Mili

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='colljb9' timestamp='1318187423' post='819411']


That actually describes troy perfectly. Troy is a great blitzer and playmaker but he is absolutely terrible in coverage which is why he plays safety. In my opinion if Troy played corner he would get burned by good wide receivers. Go back to week 1 where Dickson burned polamalu for a touchdown because he wasnt fast enough to keep up with Dickson's acceleration...and Dicksons a tight end
[/quote]he's more a undersized lb than slow cb if anything

[Guest RBates]

Position change= how about permanent starting corner.

[Free Agent]

I like Webb at corner. With Jimmy and Cary on the outside, Webb would be a beast at nickel corner. Let's draft Ed's replacement when the time comes, and Pollard or Zibby can be our long term strong safety.

[CapoRocky]

I must say that the interception for a TD was great. Still, we need to start Williams and Webb at CB until Smith gets healed and up to game speed. Pollard and Reed are the starting safeties. Depth is key to making a deep run in the playoffs.

[J-man]

Possible Reed replacement .... ? Hard to think about, but possible.

[BmoreRavens732]

No1 could ever replace reed but I see what y'all r saying lol

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1318084560' post='818737']
As our safeties Haruki and Zibby are nursing their injuries, I was thinking about giving more reps to Lardarius as a safety because he is considered our best blitzing CB. Also, looking at his ball skills and coverage, I think he could be our future safety after Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard moves on. He can play roles like Antrel Rolle, where you have a Safety that can do CB work. That type of versatility can really help him excel in this defense because he can move around a lot. However, I do feel a concern that he's a bit small especially for the safety position, but if he gains like a good 15 lbs and still have that quickness, he could really excel.

Webb is looking like one of the versatile CB in the league, like Charles Woodson.
[/quote]


I read or watched somewhere he was a Safety in College so it wouldnt something new to him. Also i think we are and he is better off sticking to the CB position. We already have Reed and Pollard and Zibby should be healthy for Houston and Nak. will be back by the end of the month. Like i said, i like Webb at the CB position , especially after this season with him being so dam physical , it amazes me how hard he is hitting now. Its like McDonalds, Im Loving It. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/wink.png[/img]

[Ravensstrike4424]

he is good at cb,he shall stay

[PeRK82]

Im probably going to catch some flack for this but why does everyone keep bringing up Jimmy Smith like he is the Second coming, Yes im excited that we got him but he has yet to prove himself as a CB in the NFL. Keyword (YET), i think i saw him deflect one pass in the preseason but i saw him get burned multiple times in the preseason, so until he has proven himself, Id much rather have Webb and C.Williams at the #1 and #2 CB positions. I think it would be messed up if you took either one out for J.Smith, who i might add will be a bit slower and not up to speed when he returns for the first 2 games or so.

[wayne]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1318229656' post='819878']
Im probably going to catch some flack for this but why does everyone keep bringing up Jimmy Smith like he is the Second coming, Yes im excited that we got him but he has yet to prove himself as a CB in the NFL. Keyword (YET), i think i saw him deflect one pass in the preseason but [b]i saw him get burned multiple times in the preseason,[/b] so until he has proven himself, Id much rather have Webb and C.Williams at the #1 and #2 CB positions. I think it would be messed up if you took either one out for J.Smith, who i might add will be a bit slower and not up to speed when he returns for the first 2 games or so.
[/quote]


Link please b/c I watched every preseason game also and I didn't see this. I seen the one miscommunication on the Moss TD and the back shoulder pass caught by Bowe with Jimmy blanketing him ( just didn't turn his head around ) which neither one of those count for him getting burned but other than that, I don't know what you are talking about.

People, slow down with the verdict on Webb. Yes, he's been playing good but the pass rush has helped tremendously. Having a bunch of tackles by the CB doesn't mean they are having a great season also . I can see him as a safety but I can see him as a good slot CB too as well as a aight #1 CB and good #2 CB.

[PurpNBlack22]

Jimmy Smith can be a beast and I don't think we're expecting to much in saying he will be #2 corner if not #1 before end of season. He has all of the physical attributes of a great physical shutdown corner 6'2 210 lbs did 24 bench reps at combine and ran a low 4.4 I mean he is a physical freak. I think he is a top 10 corner in 2 years easy take my word on it that's why I put his number in my name broski.

[The Raven]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1318229656' post='819878']
Im probably going to catch some flack for this but why does everyone keep bringing up Jimmy Smith like he is the Second coming, Yes im excited that we got him but he has yet to prove himself as a CB in the NFL. Keyword (YET), i think i saw him deflect one pass in the preseason [b]but i saw him get burned multiple times in the preseason[/b], so until he has proven himself, Id much rather have Webb and C.Williams at the #1 and #2 CB positions. I think it would be messed up if you took either one out for J.Smith, who i might add will be a bit slower and not up to speed when he returns for the first 2 games or so.
[/quote]

By who? Dwayne Bowe?

[indianstick]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1318234795' post='819893']



Link please b/c I watched every preseason game also and I didn't see this. I seen the one miscommunication on the Moss TD and the back shoulder pass caught by Bowe with Jimmy blanketing him ( just didn't turn his head around ) which neither one of those count for him getting burned but other than that, I don't know what you are talking about.

People, slow down with the verdict on Webb. Yes, he's been playing good but the pass rush has helped tremendously. Having a bunch of tackles by the CB doesn't mean they are having a great season also . I can see him as a safety but I can see him as a good slot CB too as well as a aight #1 CB and good #2 CB.
[/quote]

Having a lot of tackles as a cb usually isn't a good thing cause it would mean that he is getting caught on (Carr last season) but in the case of Webb in the first 4 games, he has been all over the place, swarming to the ball. His coverage has been good too and the pass rush has def made his job a lot easier.

I have thought about webb at safety a lot and he uses a lot of those skills when he plays corner. Right now he needs to stay at corner, and I think he fits best at slot. It's hard to see what will happen in the future but if we need Webb more at safety than cb than it makes sense

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1318084560' post='818737']
As our safeties Haruki and Zibby are nursing their injuries, I was thinking about giving more reps to Lardarius as a safety because he is considered our best blitzing CB. Also, looking at his ball skills and coverage, I think he could be our future safety after Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard moves on. He can play roles like Antrel Rolle, where you have a Safety that can do CB work. That type of versatility can really help him excel in this defense because he can move around a lot. However, I do feel a concern that he's a bit small especially for the safety position, but if he gains like a good 15 lbs and still have that quickness, he could really excel.

Webb is looking like one of the versatile CB in the league, like Charles Woodson.
[/quote]

My thoughts exactly , Corvus. We will see , I suppose , but I'm predicting we increasingly see practice and even game-time snaps for Webb at safety as the year progresses and management begins to ponder the eventual exit of Ed Reed.

I think Webb would jump at the chance to be an understudy to Reed , and it would give him much more job security.

[BmoreRaised]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1318234795' post='819893']


Link please b/c I watched every preseason game also and I didn't see this. I seen the one miscommunication on the Moss TD and the back shoulder pass caught by Bowe with Jimmy blanketing him ( just didn't turn his head around ) which neither one of those count for him getting burned but other than that, I don't know what you are talking about.

People, slow down with the verdict on Webb. Yes, he's been playing good but the pass rush has helped tremendously. Having a bunch of tackles by the CB doesn't mean they are having a great season also . I can see him as a safety but I can see him as a good slot CB too as well as a aight #1 CB and good #2 CB.
[/quote]why slow down? he was playing great before he got injured... hes finally getting a full season and looking good so whats ur point? remember last year he came back without any ota's or pre season off an injury!

[wayne]

[quote name='BmoreRaised' timestamp='1318388101' post='821250']
why slow down? he was playing great before he got injured... hes finally getting a full season and looking good so whats ur point? remember last year he came back without any ota's or pre season off an injury!
[/quote]
I don't know about him playing great before his injury, he was playing good/solid but I wouldn't use the term great. Slow down b/c we need to see how he plays when the pass rush isn't doing so great like the Tennessee game for example. Also, during preseason he wasn't looking too hot either even getting turned around on one play that would have been a TD or a long gain if not for the QB throwing the ball terribly. I want him to be everything we all feel he can be but just hold that thought, that's my point.

You people crucify a player when he has a bad game then say he's the best thing since slice bread when he has a good game, like the waves in the ocean!

[Natty Boh]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1318087626' post='818765']
that's a bit disrespectful to safeties, I'd Love to hear ed or troys reaction if you told them they were only a safety because they weren't good enough to play corner..
[/quote]
Hey I didn't make it that way. That's just the way it is.

[SideStep77]

We have a huge range of Corners from Webb, Williams, Smith, and Carr. Knowing he played safety in college I could possibly picture him in that position given his skills as a CB. However, not anytime soon because we have Ed Pollard and Zibby right now.

[The Raven]

So, this guy is arguably our best CB, and we're seriously considering moving him to safety?

[3-4ravdef509]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1318459463' post='821984']
So, this guy is arguably our best CB, and we're seriously considering moving him to safety?
[/quote]

In the future if we gain more depth at CB, maybe. Right now, we need him as you pointed out.

[The Raven]

[quote name='3-4ravdef509' timestamp='1318459976' post='821992']

In the future if we gain more depth at CB, maybe. Right now, we need him as you pointed out.
[/quote]

I don't know why we'd move him in the future though. By then, he'd presumably be even better at cornerback, and why would we move such a good CB to FS? I understand the reasoning, I just don't like moving our potentially best CB to FS regardless of the circumstance.

[3-4ravdef509]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1318470958' post='822103']


I don't know why we'd move him in the future though. By then, he'd presumably be even better at cornerback, and why would we move such a good CB to FS? I understand the reasoning, I just don't like moving our potentially best CB to FS regardless of the circumstance.
[/quote]

I see your point. We don't know if he'll get better at CB though. He might Max out and putting him at safety might be beneficial. Its up in the air. I see both sides