Move Webb to Free Safety?

[Cillmatic]

Safeties are statically less likely to get injured than Cornerbacks. As Webb ages he's become worse in worse in man coverage but has done quite well in cushion zone. We've seen once great corners convert to safety and excel(Charles woodson, Rod Woodson etc.) it's obvious we need a free safety and a new corner. We move Webb to FS and draft a cornerback we solve both issues and allow the rookie and Melvin time on the field to hone their skills. Is this a viable option?

[GrimCoconut]

I'm not sure it's an option, but I suppose it could always be attempted. He used to play safety at least. I'd rather him stay at CB, but of all our CBs he has the most knowledge of our system so in theory, yes he could help with the communication on the back-end. 

[rmw10]

The yearly thread has risen!

[rmcjacket23]

Not sure what problem this solves...

[GrimCoconut]

The yearly thread has risen!

Lol, it's part of the off-season ritual. 

[Mt. Crushmore]

Comes up every year. No

[The Raven]

Webb might make a better free safety at this stage in his career but I'm not sure. His knees are shot and he can't backpedal, turn, and run the way he used to, so he might be better off at safety where he's primarily in zone. The problem with that is that he lacks the size I'd like in a safety, his tackling has declined, and his knees still might not hold up there.

 

I think I want to keep him at CB for now, but he's turning 30 this year, and he's had two ACL injuries. In a season or two he needs to either play safety or hang up the cleats. He's declining quick, and I don't know how much juice he has left. Hate to say it too, because he was becoming one of my favorite Ravens back in his prime. He played fearlessly and tackled as well as I've ever seen a corner tackle. Definitely played bigger than he was.

[Militant X 1]

Webb might make a better free safety at this stage in his career but I'm not sure. His knees are shot and he can't backpedal, turn, and run the way he used to, so he might be better off at safety where he's primarily in zone. The problem with that is that he lacks the size I'd like in a safety, his tackling has declined, and his knees still might not hold up there.

 

I think I want to keep him at CB for now, but he's turning 30 this year, and he's had two ACL injuries. In a season or two he needs to either play safety or hang up the cleats. He's declining quick, and I don't know how much juice he has left. Hate to say it too, because he was becoming one of my favorite Ravens back in his prime. He played fearlessly and tackled as well as I've ever seen a corner tackle. Definitely played bigger than he was.

 

My thoughts on Webb as well. He played some safety at Nichols St. and a move to safety could preserve his career due to those ACL injuries.  All of the stopping on a dime, cutting, twisting and then planting your feet and bursting puts a strain on those knees over long periods of time.

[jimjim5]

I hope I'm not mixing message boards up, but wasn't this presented earlier?  .....

 

and at the beginning of the 2014 football year .....

 

and the year before that...?????

 

Ha.

[Pirate88]

Playing Webb at FS is asking for more injuries. Leave him playing corner. His speed was back down the stretch and he played better each week through the playoffs as he looked more fluid and flexible every game he played. If there is any questions of his speed just watch his coverage on Edelman and even Antonio Brown. Then there was a play in the charger game where he changed direction in a flash and ran down a speedy player to prevent a TD. My 12 yr old nephew who plays cornerback and QB called showed me the replay cuz he was soooooooo impressed with Webb's speed. As long as he stays injury free he will play cornerback at a very satisfying level!! Many analysts commented on Webb's play and how much better he got down the stretch and began to look like his pro bowl alter ego. More than one commentator was impressed with Lardarius Webb by playoff time. He completed the season with no injuries and has the off season to get the rest of his athleticism back. If he is a hard worker this off season he will be a valuable player on defense. My opinion is he has a great year next year!! There was no question his 4.3 speed was back the way he turned and ran down a fast WR and prevented a TD. Best case is he takes a slight pay cut and saves similar or maybe even more $$ than cutting him would. A Webb pay cut, N'gata trade or release and Pitta retirement saves about $13 in cap charges if I'm correct. A couple draft busts like Gradkowski is another $2-3 which Gives the ravens bout $20mil in cap space. A yanda restructure could bring it up to $23mil or more in cap space. Honestly I would like to trade the aging Daryl Smith as well for a Round6-7 draft pick to free up $$ and sign a younger physical and explosive ferocious hard hitting ilb with safety speed and cover skills like Weatherspoon Washington or Willis or Bowman if released. Having 2 physical smart ILBs that have speed to help in coverage on throwing plays on level of a strong safety bugs QBs and his weapons as much as a lightning fast rush does while it allows for more blitzing as well cuz its like having 2 extra strong safety's on the field.

[JoeyFlex5]

its officially the offseason

[MrPlankton]

Pls no

[ellicottraven]

Make Hill a CB then?

[The Raven]

Make Hill a CB then?

 

Nope

[redrum52]

Let's try Elam at left bench and Flacco at corner. Tall corners are the new trend right? He has the height and route knowledge...

[Tru11]

ah a classic

[JoeyFlex5]

Let's try Elam at left bench and Flacco at corner. Tall corners are the new trend right? He has the height and route knowledge...

sold!

[BirdWatcher]

It's not that hard to find the previous thread, though it's been "dead" since October.

http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/60406-webb-for-free-safety/?hl=webb