[News] Lardarius Webb: I'm A Free Safety Now

[BR News]

The veteran defender said he’s making a permanent move to safety after seven years at cornerback.

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[Purple Dawg 96]

This is why I wanted the #1 pick in the draft last season be a CB and make Webby the next Ed Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeed! It will work plus he returns kicks like Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeed, fields the ball inside the 20yd line!

[The Greek]

can 2 of these guys solidify the safety spots please. time to man the back end and force turnovers.

Edited January 6, 2016 by The Greek

[757RavensFan]

I like the move.  Obviously, I don't know this to be a fact, but Webb seems like a very intelligent player.  I'm very comfortable with him calling out the schemes for the defense.  Webb and Hill have the potential to be a great safety tandem.  

Edited January 6, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[Tank 92]

He hasn't been very good as a CB since 2011  and getting paid, so hopefully we get something from him as a safety. 

[Ravensfansince03]

This seems like a move of desperation if you ask me. I guess our staff has lost hope on getting a true Safety. I hope not. But either way I hope it all works out for the best. Regardless we have 7 months to get through before these guys are back in action lol, so I am pretty sure there will be a lot of changes coming before that time.

[eek]

move webb to the starter role and get rid of kendrick lewis, that guy was a disaster all season

[ajf3030]

Ravensfansince03- what is a 'true safety'?

[JoeyFlex5]

Ravensfansince03- what is a 'true safety'?

range, instincts, top end speed to span the whole field with ease, not overly aggressive to bite on double moves and play action, filmroom junkie, its a broad term but it is a real thing. while i love this move and think its by far the best option for both the team and for webb, the jury is still out on whether or not webb is a true safety or just a db who cant find a full time spot anymore... lets hope its the former

[trevorsteadman]

He needs to earn the job. I see Kendrick Lewis playing at a higher level year two in a complicated, but effective 3-4 hybrid defense. But if he can play both it could benefit the lack of turnovers problem. Think of Webb in the slot and switching Hill right after the snap which brings Webb back and Hill into the slot. If the quarterback tries to hit a slant the potential of those two guys being in about the same area along with a possible linebacker would be amazing. Could help against the Patriots who throw only short passes. Maybe also would open up our inside linebackers to rush more. The more versatile our players can be the better so I am not against this.

[balfan23]

This is coming from Webb - it will be interesting to see if the team agrees. I think Webb knows that he's in a bit of a precarious position, given his current contract and his level of play at the CB spot (not as tragic IMO as some portrait, but not up to what we'd expect). So I feel like he's also trying to show himself to be a team guy and state he's willing to do whatever it takes to find a niche and stay on this team. Just one of many difficult decisions this team needs to make this offseason.

[crazyboutravens]

We are the ones who decided to make him a corner rather than a safety. He played safety his entire

college career. We decided to play him out of position then want to criticize his performance.

[Militant X 1]

Webb learned a lot from the great Ed Reed and I'm pretty sure that he'll be in touch with him during the offseason as well to fine tune his "ballhawking" skills. I like the move. I just want some big, fast and physical CB's and a very hard-hitting SS to compliment Webb cause he's kinda light...

[Dorota]

Glad to see him make the move and I can imagine him thriving there. He has the athletic skills, the confidence and definitely the communication skills. He'll do well making the calls, of that I'm sure. And with AJ Green's TD Sunday, he didn't even seem that slow. He outran the corner (can't remember who it was at the moment, Shareece Wright?) and got at least a hit on AJ, unfortunately, too late. His speed isn't what it used to be, but safety should fit him. And he's a fan favorite of mine. Kendrick Lewis improved as season progressed, but I expect Webby to beat him up in competition. Might not always be the case in the future, but at this point in time, Webb is the better player. Matt Elam is a strong safety. (I'll refer to his rookie year and pretend year 2 didn't happen) He does well in the box, but not in free space and is a hard hitter, but not a ball-hawk. Elam can back up Hill if he can prove that year 2 was a freak year.

[Dorota]

move webb to the starter role and get rid of kendrick lewis, that guy was a disaster all season

I thought he was a disaster at the start of season, with a couple holding penalties and plenty errors, but he HAS gotten better towards the end. I think Webb is the better player though. He seems to split fans between those who dig him (like me) and those who think he should get cut. If there's anyone who outcompetes him for the free safety position in training camp, then we should obviously go with the guy who's the biggest asset, however, I think there is an upside to him in experience and leadership. Even in points, when he's banged up and could do better, if he's willing to mentor younger and more physical players who will eventually grow to take his position, he could be helpful for us. Without him in the secondary we truly have no seniority at all.

[757RavensFan]

Webb learned a lot from the great Ed Reed and I'm pretty sure that he'll be in touch with him during the offseason as well to fine tune his "ballhawking" skills. I like the move. I just want some big, fast and physical CB's and a very hard-hitting SS to compliment Webb cause he's kinda light...

 

You don't like Will Hill at SS?

[cobrajet]

Before his injuries, Webb was a shutdown corner. I swear I am glad they are getting rid of that turf at Ravens Stadium.

[Raven_Don]

Playing Safety is more of a mental aspect than anything else... you have to recognize route combinations and formations... tendencies... then you gotta make the right checks in coverage to adjust with how the offense is trying to attack the defense... I don't think that Kendrick Lewis was given a fair shot.. his play was up and down yes but a good secondary comes from chemistry... so I feel that he will play much better this year.. I think Elam is gone... and Brooks will see more snaps... I like him in the slot as well..

[sami]

Webb is a little light for a safety. He might have to add some muscle but I think he could be a good one. Be nice next yr if we could get Ed Reed in here as the DB coach.

[Purple Hazard]

That just means he makes the switch to stay with the team. They might have told him that they would release him otherwise. But I'm quite certain that this is the end of Lewis. Webb might add some weight but that shouldn't be the problem. I like him as a FS.

[spitfire418]

Looks like Terrence Brooks and Matt Elam officially have no shot at becoming starters for us now since I don't see us benching Webb or Hill, plus who knows if we keep Lewis. Sucks to waste so much potential from those two players. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see how either of them have any chance now. Guessing we won't be spending a high draft pick on a safety now also.

[NCMan]

I agree that he's a bit light for the position, but if they can make it work, I say keep what's working. Hanging around and picking the brain of the GOAT Ed Reed will be great, at least for the mental part of playing at that position.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

This is a good way to kick off the 2016 off season!Hearing Webb will be our new FS is great news.I think he's going to dominate the position.

Edited January 6, 2016 by HomeoftheBRAVENS

[sflegend89]

Looking more and more like we'll take VH3 or Ramsey if one of them makes it to us

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

Webb an Hill are going to challenge Thomas and Chancellor as best saftey tandom in the league.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

Looking more and more like we'll take VH3 or Ramsey if one of them makes it to us

 

 

Ramsey won't make it past Dallas or Jacksonville and I don't think Hargreaves is that great of a player,so I hope we don't take him.We'd be better off picking up a legit starting corner(not another guy like Arrington) in FA after we cut a few players and re work Flacco's contract and then draft Treadwell.Hargreaves has the potential to be a bust in my opinion.Treadwell on the other hand looks like the next Dez Bryant.

[law215]

Ravens need to just swallow their pride and admit they miss at safety. Hill, Lewis, Elam, Trawick, Levine, Brooks, and now the Webb experiment. How many saftety they want on the roster that can't make an impact. Webb has 2 bum knees putting him in space where he will have to tackle TEs and come up for run support at 186lbs. He will be injured by week 4. Webb is done. Trade or cut him. The secondary is a mess just own it.

[757RavensFan]

Before his injuries, Webb was a shutdown corner. I swear I am glad they are getting rid of that turf at Ravens Stadium.

 

I can't remember, do they practice on grass at the castle?  If so, I would think they would want consistency and have the practice and game field the same. 

[OzzieBisciotti]

Web "I'm a free safety now" --- Bye, bye Matt Elam... Whatever happened with the Terrance Brooks experiment? He saw more sideline than field... Webb is a solid guy, but he lost a step a couple of years ago due to injuries- it's a shame because he was one of those rare, late round finds. I hope he finds better success as a safety.

[NNITRED]

Now that it's official Kendrick Lewis is likely looking for his fourth team. He was here primarily because we were broke and he was cheap. I think Webb will flourish once his ego heals. OTOH I don't think anyone will ask him to take another pay cut. A restructure maybe, but there's no way he reduces his pay a second time voluntarily.