Hale Moving To C

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

Looks like O lineman David Hale is moving to center. I wonder if he will be the backup over Chester. Hale is a former Tackle so he would be a monster center at 6'6'' 315. Has there ever been a center that tall? Most centers are shorter and strong at the point of attack, so Hale better be strong enough in the lower body to avoid getting pushed off his tall frame. Birk is tall for a center at 6'4'' so hopefully he can help Hale with the transition.

[url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/05/position_change_on_offensive_line.html"]http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/rav...nsive_line.html[/url]

[MKdave]

6'6" I think is too tall for a C. It's not too bad when Flacco's in because he's tall enough for that not to be an issue, but if Smith has to come in, then he's going to have difficulty getting it over him in the middle ,andGaither and Oher at tackles. They're all so huge. Ben Grubbs is no midget either.

However, 315 is enough bulk to deal with Casey Hampton and Shaun Rodgers, so I guess you could look at it either way.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='MKdave' post='196061' date='May 30 2009, 04:37 PM']6'6" I think is too tall for a C. It's not too bad when Flacco's in because he's tall enough for that not to be an issue, but if Smith has to come in, then he's going to have difficulty getting it over him in the middle ,andGaither and Oher at tackles. They're all so huge. Ben Grubbs is no midget either.

However, 315 is enough bulk to deal with Casey Hampton and Shaun Rodgers, so I guess you could look at it either way.[/quote]

Troy Smith doesn't throw the ball over offensive linemen. He finds passing windows, at only 6'0 its hard for him to pass over any olinemen because most of them are 6'3 or above.

Having a 6'6 C would give Joe a good comfort zone, i would imagine. Joe had to squat down really low last season with Brown, and it took Joe a half step longer to get to the top of his drop, and i beleive that lead to some missed opportunties down field.

Now with Birk being a little bit taller then Brown will help. Now this might not have much to do with the success of Joe and the passing game, but having your starting QB comfortable is always a good thing

[#1 D]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196066' date='May 30 2009, 05:02 PM']Troy Smith doesn't throw the ball over offensive linemen. He finds passing windows, at only 6'0 its hard for him to pass over any olinemen because most of them are 6'3 or above.

[b]Having a 6'6 C would give Joe a good comfort zone, i would imagine. Joe had to squat down really low last season with Brown, and it took Joe a half step longer to get to the top of his drop, and i beleive that lead to some missed opportunties down field. [/b]

Now with Birk being a little bit taller then Brown will help. Now this might not have much to do with the success of Joe and the passing game, but having your starting QB comfortable is always a good thing[/quote]
Yeah, that actually makes some logical sense...but i would only think any missed opportunities he would have had is the quicker throws.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196066' date='May 30 2009, 05:02 PM']Troy Smith doesn't throw the ball over offensive linemen. He finds passing windows, at only 6'0 its hard for him to pass over any olinemen because most of them are 6'3 or above.

[b]Having a 6'6 C would give Joe a good comfort zone, i would imagine. Joe had to squat down really low last season with Brown, and it took Joe a half step longer to get to the top of his drop, and i beleive that lead to some missed opportunties down field.[/b]

Now with Birk being a little bit taller then Brown will help. Now this might not have much to do with the success of Joe and the passing game, but having your starting QB comfortable is always a good thing[/quote]
But since Joe is 6'6" himself, wouldn't it be harder for him to look over the middle?

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='196089' date='May 30 2009, 07:30 PM']But since Joe is 6'6" himself, wouldn't it be harder for him to look over the middle?

“David Hale was one of our ‘Red Star’ guys this year,” said Eric DeCosta, Ravens director of college scouting. “David is a right tackle who can play tackle and guard. He’s a very physical, mean, tough, nasty guy, in the same mold as a guy like [current Raven G/T] Marshal Yanda and [former Raven T] Tony Pashos. He’s that type of player – a very physical, in-the-trenches-type guy. I think he projects very well inside and at right tackle, and we feel very good about David.”

Do you ever wonder why they don't use gold stars?[/quote]

Uh.....Cuz the red is more intimidating than the gold?

EDIT: and to add, do you guys think that Hales is for the future?

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196066' date='May 30 2009, 05:02 PM']Troy Smith doesn't throw the ball over offensive linemen. He finds passing windows, at only 6'0 its hard for him to pass over any olinemen because most of them are 6'3 or above.

Having a 6'6 C would give Joe a good comfort zone, i would imagine. Joe had to squat down really low last season with Brown, and it took Joe a half step longer to get to the top of his drop, and i beleive that lead to some missed opportunties down field.

Now with Birk being a little bit taller then Brown will help. Now this might not have much to do with the success of Joe and the passing game, but having your starting QB comfortable is always a good thing[/quote]

That's not a bad point. Sometimes it looked like Joe was taking a dump in the woods when he was getting the ball from under center.

[lowrider]

I dont know about you all but if the man can block, he can be a little bit taller.Or if he is short and he can block then i dont really care either. I dont know anything about this guy but it looks like ozzie is looking for youth to replace Birk eventually. Gotta love that. Thinking for the future already.

[Sizzle]

You know what i like it. If he gets to 330 or even 340 he would be great. As you know this is the North its Defense and Running the ball.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='196089' date='May 30 2009, 07:30 PM'][b]But since Joe is 6'6" himself, wouldn't it be harder for him to look over the middle?[/b]
quote]

I would say no. Because as a QB u are lookin down field anyway. Plus most times when someone is in the QBs face they slide and Joe did a great job of that last season, Having a taller center will not effect Joe in a bad way IMO.

[quote Yeah, that actually makes some logical sense...but i would only think any missed opportunities he would have had is the quicker throws. quote]

I say missed deep because most deep passes are still timing routes, and early on Joe didn't seem to do well when the timing of a play was off.

A few times i can remember hearing the guys in the booth say Clayton was open deep but Joe missed him. I think the cause was getting back from under Center. It doesn't sound like it would be a big deal, but when u are dealing with guys who like being the best at what they do, sometimes the little things matter the most.

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='Sizzle' post='196143' date='May 31 2009, 12:05 AM']You know what i like it. If he gets to 330 or even 340 he would be great. As you know this is the North its Defense and Running the ball.[/quote]


Good point. Everybody in this league is looking for the big bulldozing Center. That's why 337 pound Jason Brown got the big $$$$$$ contract from the Rams. All of which makes me question Ozzie's acquisition of a relative lightweight, Birk, at 310 pounds. Unless Harbaugh and Cam Cameron plan on radically changing the blocking schemes or plan to abandon the run first/pass second philosophy that worked so well last year, I can't see the upgrade at Center.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rastaman831226' post='196159' date='May 31 2009, 01:29 AM']Good point. Everybody in this league is looking for the big bulldozing Center. That's why 337 pound Jason Brown got the big $$$ contract from the Rams. All of which makes me question Ozzie's acquisition of a relative lightweight, Birk, at 310 pounds. Unless Harbaugh and Cam Cameron plan on radically changing the blocking schemes or plan to abandon the run first/pass second philosophy that worked so well last year, I can't see the upgrade at Center.[/quote]

A 6 time Pro Bowl center sounds like an upgrade to me.

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='flynismo' post='196160' date='May 31 2009, 01:49 AM']A 6 time Pro Bowl center sounds like an upgrade to me.[/quote]


Let's make this clear, Birk is a 32 year old 310 pound Center two years removed from a Pro Bowl rep he made against NFC 4'3 defenses. Here in the AFC and especially the AFC North, he'll have to deal with huge NT's breathing in his face for 4 quarters of every important game. Will Birk handle this as well as Jason Brown? Heck no!! There's a good reason why Jason left with a boatload of $$$$$money and Birk signed for a song.

[markorad]

6"6 should be fine for the high stance cam likes his centers to be in.
rumor has it that hale has been birk's shadow in camp too
and there is matsko too, our stud o-line coach that will work his magic and mentor

[DocMartin]

[quote name='baltiMORE RAVENS' post='196052' date='May 30 2009, 03:48 PM']Looks like O lineman David Hale is moving to center. I wonder if he will be the backup over Chester. Hale is a former Tackle so he would be a monster center at 6'6'' 315. Has there ever been a center that tall? Most centers are shorter and strong at the point of attack, so Hale better be strong enough in the lower body to avoid getting pushed off his tall frame. Birk is tall for a center at 6'4'' so hopefully he can help Hale with the transition.

[url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/05/position_change_on_offensive_line.html"]http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/rav...nsive_line.html[/url][/quote]

Are you sure? We signed expensive deal with Birk, and we also have Chester, so why moving Hale there?
Plus he is very tall for center, I just don't about this move? What about long snapper Katula, he can play center too.

[CustomUserName]

[quote name='RoflDogs' post='196102' date='May 30 2009, 08:36 PM']EDIT: and to add, do you guys think that Hales is for the future?[/quote]

This is the question that should be asked, I mean, if he's good enough to start and be a future starting Center who can shut down advanced blitz schemes (we do have Pittsburgh in our division) and pick up Hampton and Rodgers, this is big news, and great news. If we just end up cutting him due to the 53 man roster, then it makes no difference.

Anyways, I have never seen nor heard much of Hale, can someone inform me about him?

[darklight1216]

[quote name='CustomUserName' post='196183' date='May 31 2009, 08:02 AM']This is the question that should be asked, I mean, if he's good enough to start and be a future starting Center who can shut down advanced blitz schemes (we do have Pittsburgh in our division) and pick up Hampton and Rodgers, this is big news, and great news. If we just end up cutting him due to the 53 man roster, then it makes no difference.

Anyways, I have never seen nor heard much of Hale, can someone inform me about him?[/quote]
This is all I know about him:

[plesiosaur]

[quote name='markorad' post='196167' date='May 31 2009, 02:18 AM']and there is matsko too, our stud o-line coach that will work his magic and mentor[/quote]

Matsko seemed to do great last season and I'm thinking he'll do a bang-up job this year too.

[ChiseBack(CB)]

[quote name='DocMartin' post='196174' date='May 31 2009, 04:37 PM']Are you sure? We signed expensive deal with Birk, and we also have Chester, so why moving Hale there?
Plus he is very tall for center, I just don't about this move? [b]What about long snapper Katula, he can play center too.[/b][/quote]
Well... not really, although he may be listed as a C I doubt he'd be able to handle a big workload at Center.

Also I think this move has something to do with the coaching staff wanting to get Hale more involved in the lineup, I imagine if Grubbs or Yanda were to go down Hale would take their place.

[quote name='CustomUserName' post='196183' date='May 31 2009, 10:02 PM']This is the question that should be asked, I mean, if he's good enough to start and be a future starting Center who can shut down advanced blitz schemes (we do have Pittsburgh in our division) and pick up Hampton and Rodgers, this is big news, and great news. If we just end up cutting him due to the 53 man roster, then it makes no difference.

[b]Anyways, I have never seen nor heard much of Hale, can someone inform me about him?[/b][/quote]
Hale has been very promising in his limited time, he's a mauler and showed the versatility to play at both RT and LG last year (Albeit for 11 plays). He's in a similar mold to many past succesful Raven linemen like Edwin Mulitalo, Jason Brown, Tony Pashos, Marshal Yanda and Adam Terry (Terry [i]was[/i] a good prospect) in that he's an aggressive and intelligent short area mauler. He has good footwork for a tall guy which might be one of the reasons he's been moved to center but as I said before I still think he will be ready play the Guard spots if needed.

Previously I was hoping Hale would somehow beat out Grubbs for the starting LG job but might have been a bit too optimistic about Hales development, I'd say Hale is another season away from developing into a starter (Probably just in time for us to ship him away like we've done so many talented linemen . They always seem to develop right around the time they get to ask for big money.)

[CustomUserName]

[quote name='ChiseBack(CB)' post='196189' date='May 31 2009, 09:32 AM']Hale has been very promising in his limited time, he's a mauler and showed the versatility to play at both RT and LG last year (Albeit for 11 plays). He's in a similar mold to many past succesful Raven linemen like Edwin Mulitalo, Jason Brown, Tony Pashos, Marshal Yanda and Adam Terry (Terry [i]was[/i] a good prospect) in that he's an aggressive and intelligent short area mauler. He has good footwork for a tall guy which might be one of the reasons he's been moved to center but as I said before I still think he will be ready play the Guard spots if needed.

Previously I was hoping Hale would somehow beat out Grubbs for the starting LG job but might have been a bit too optimistic about Hales development, I'd say Hale is another season away from developing into a starter (Probably just in time for us to ship him away like we've done so many talented linemen . They always seem to develop right around the time they get to ask for big money.)[/quote]

Sounds promising. I know Ozzie has a knack for finding good linemen in the later parts of the draft, but being drafted 13 months ago in the 4th round is still a little iffy. If he is built in the mold of those players, I especially liked Mulitalo and Pashos (shame losing them both at the same time), then he should be fine, and if he is starter material he should be ready just in time after Birk retires.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='DocMartin' post='196174' date='May 31 2009, 02:37 AM']Are you sure? We signed expensive deal with Birk, and we also have Chester, so why moving Hale there?
Plus he is very tall for center, I just don't about this move? What about long snapper Katula, he can play center too.[/quote]

Am I sure? Did you see the link? This is not just a hunch I have.

[Beninato]

[quote name='DocMartin' post='196174' date='May 31 2009, 02:37 AM'][b]Are you sure? We signed expensive deal with Birk,[/b] and we also have Chester, so why moving Hale there?
Plus he is very tall for center, I just don't about this move? What about long snapper Katula, he can play center too.[/quote]

Remember, Birk isn't a long term solution.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='rastaman831226' post='196164' date='May 31 2009, 02:07 AM']Let's make this clear, Birk is a 32 year old 310 pound Center two years removed from a Pro Bowl rep he made against NFC 4'3 defenses. Here in the AFC and especially the AFC North, he'll have to deal with huge NT's breathing in his face for 4 quarters of every important game. Will Birk handle this as well as Jason Brown? Heck no!! There's a good reason why Jason left with a boatload of $$$$$money and Birk signed for a song.[/quote]

2 things. i'm not saying that Birk is better then Jason or vice versa. I would have loved to see Jason stay here and continue to grow with this line. However i'm not sure i'm ready to say he is great or even Pro Bowl material. Yes he did a good job last season but he also had his moments where he was on the gound more then u would want any olinemen, and also missing blocking assignments. But he is a young guy still and u expect that some times.

As for Birk not being able to handle Hampton, Rogers, and Tank in the division i think he will hold his own. He will do just as well as Jason Brown did, and maybe even better with his veteran experience. He had to play against Shaun Rogers twice a year until last season. He had to go against Pat and Kevin Williams in practice everyday of training camp. He will have to go against Haloti and Kelly, who are just as good if not better then any other NT in this division. So i don't buy the thought that Matt Birk won't be able to handle the NTs in this division for 4 quarters during very important games.

I take nothing away from Jason brown because i feel if he continues to work hard and get better that he will be a great Center in this league, however, he was given help plenty of times when trying to handle guys like Rogers and Hampton. Yes he also blocked them one on one at times but a Oline is a unit not just 1 player. Birk will be given just as much help as Jason was, and he will also be able to handle the one on one bullrushes. Being a Center handling bullrushes and good NTs isn't always about size. It more about leverage and getting off the ball quicker then the guy in front of you.

Just look at Kelly Gregg. He isn't the biggest NT in the league but he is as good as any, because of his leverage.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196298' date='Jun 1 2009, 12:49 AM']2 things. i'm not saying that Birk is better then Jason or vice versa. I would have loved to see Jason stay here and continue to grow with this line. However i'm not sure i'm ready to say he is great or even Pro Bowl material. Yes he did a good job last season but he also had his moments where he was on the gound more then u would want any olinemen, and also missing blocking assignments. But he is a young guy still and u expect that some times.

As for Birk not being able to handle Hampton, Rogers, and Tank in the division i think he will hold his own. He will do just as well as Jason Brown did, and maybe even better with his veteran experience. He had to play against Shaun Rogers twice a year until last season. He had to go against Pat and Kevin Williams in practice everyday of training camp. He will have to go against Haloti and Kelly, who are just as good if not better then any other NT in this division. So i don't buy the thought that Matt Birk won't be able to handle the NTs in this division for 4 quarters during very important games.

I take nothing away from Jason brown because i feel if he continues to work hard and get better that he will be a great Center in this league, however, he was given help plenty of times when trying to handle guys like Rogers and Hampton. Yes he also blocked them one on one at times but a Oline is a unit not just 1 player. Birk will be given just as much help as Jason was, and he will also be able to handle the one on one bullrushes. Being a Center handling bullrushes and good NTs isn't always about size. It more about leverage and getting off the ball quicker then the guy in front of you.

Just look at Kelly Gregg. He isn't the biggest NT in the league but he is as good as any, because of his leverage.[/quote]
I disagree on several points. Firstly, he was pro bowl material last year. He was easily top 3 in the league. But everyone just votes for the center that they've heard of, so he wasn't getting in.

Secondly, Birk is good because he's smart, and he sets the line up well. But he's not the blocker that Brown is. And a center against a 4-3 front is basically the help. The guards do the hard work against the 4-3 (which is what Rodgers was in in Detroit and the Williams were in in Minny).

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196298' date='May 31 2009, 07:49 PM']2 things. i'm not saying that Birk is better then Jason or vice versa. I would have loved to see Jason stay here and continue to grow with this line. However i'm not sure i'm ready to say he is great or even Pro Bowl material. Yes he did a good job last season but he also had his moments where he was on the gound more then u would want any olinemen, and also missing blocking assignments. But he is a young guy still and u expect that some times.

As for Birk not being able to handle Hampton, Rogers, and Tank in the division i think he will hold his own. He will do just as well as Jason Brown did, and maybe even better with his veteran experience. He had to play against Shaun Rogers twice a year until last season. He had to go against Pat and Kevin Williams in practice everyday of training camp. He will have to go against Haloti and Kelly, who are just as good if not better then any other NT in this division. So i don't buy the thought that Matt Birk won't be able to handle the NTs in this division for 4 quarters during very important games.

I take nothing away from Jason brown because i feel if he continues to work hard and get better that he will be a great Center in this league, however, he was given help plenty of times when trying to handle guys like Rogers and Hampton. Yes he also blocked them one on one at times but a Oline is a unit not just 1 player. Birk will be given just as much help as Jason was, and he will also be able to handle the one on one bullrushes. Being a Center handling bullrushes and good NTs isn't always about size. It more about leverage and getting off the ball quicker then the guy in front of you.

Just look at Kelly Gregg. He isn't the biggest NT in the league but he is as good as any, because of his leverage.[/quote]


Not saying Birk won't be an effective Raven Center, but there's no getting around the fact that 310 pound Matt Birk is not the big earth moving 330 pound Center Jason Brown was. Birk's long background with the Minnesota zone blocking scheme plus the-non resigning of super blocking FB Lorenzo Neal leads me to believe that Cam Cameron will emphasize a zone blocking Ravens' O-line and more passing involving running backs (Ray Rice). The Ravens power running game featuring Leron McClain and Willis McGahee rumbling behind Lorenzo Neal and spearheaded by a bull interior offensive line of Grubbs, Brown, and Chester that worked so well last season, is a thing of the past.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='MKdave' post='196385' date='Jun 1 2009, 06:46 AM']I disagree on several points. Firstly, he was pro bowl material last year. He was easily top 3 in the league. But everyone just votes for the center that they've heard of, so he wasn't getting in.

Secondly, Birk is good because he's smart, and he sets the line up well. But he's not the blocker that Brown is. And a center against a 4-3 front is basically the help. The guards do the hard work against the 4-3 (which is what Rodgers was in in Detroit and the Williams were in in Minny).[/quote]

What made Jason Brown pro bowl material last season, the fact that he was our starting Center? We got to watch Jason Brown play 16 reg season games, and 3 playoff games. We watched him closely(as closely as fans watch the oline during games), we watched that oline struggle in training camp and Jason Brown was given credit for being a leader. Then when the season started they played well. Now don't get me wrong Jason Brown is a really good young talent and he has the potential to be one of the better Olinemen in the NFL. However unless we were able to watch the other 31 Centers in the NFL as closely as Jason how can we say who he is better then. What standards does a center have to meet to be considered Pro Bowl worthy? Until we actually see Birk on the field against this NTs we don't know if he can or can not handle them

As for him being the help against a 4-3 defense. What makes you think that he will have to handle the NTs one on one against a 3-4. If he was the help vs 4-3, wouldn't it be safe to say that Grubbs/Yanda will be the help in 3-4 if needed?

I just don't see his 6'4 310 pound frame being a reason for him not being able to play at a high level against 3-4 defenses. Birk will not be on a island against these NTs so it more about leverage and strength. Wieghing more weight doesn't always mean u are the bigger guy. You have guys like Hardwick(SD) Dan Koppen(NE) Jeff Saturday(IND) Kevin Mawae(TEN), who have been credited as being some of the best Centers in the NFL, and not of those guys are bigger then 315 LBs. Mawae Koppen and Saturday don't even hit 300LBS on the scale. I just don't think his size matters.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196411' date='Jun 1 2009, 09:52 AM']What made Jason Brown pro bowl material last season, the fact that he was our starting Center? We got to watch Jason Brown play 16 reg season games, and 3 playoff games. We watched him closely(as closely as fans watch the oline during games), we watched that oline struggle in training camp and Jason Brown was given credit for being a leader. Then when the season started they played well. Now don't get me wrong Jason Brown is a really good young talent and he has the potential to be one of the better Olinemen in the NFL. However unless we were able to watch the other 31 Centers in the NFL as closely as Jason how can we say who he is better then. What standards does a center have to meet to be considered Pro Bowl worthy? Until we actually see Birk on the field against this NTs we don't know if he can or can not handle them

As for him being the help against a 4-3 defense. What makes you think that he will have to handle the NTs one on one against a 3-4. If he was the help vs 4-3, wouldn't it be safe to say that Grubbs/Yanda will be the help in 3-4 if needed?

I just don't see his 6'4 310 pound frame being a reason for him not being able to play at a high level against 3-4 defenses. Birk will not be on a island against these NTs so it more about leverage and strength. Wieghing more weight doesn't always mean u are the bigger guy. You have guys like Hardwick(SD) Dan Koppen(NE) Jeff Saturday(IND) Kevin Mawae(TEN), who have been credited as being some of the best Centers in the NFL, and not of those guys are bigger then 315 LBs. Mawae Koppen and Saturday don't even hit 300LBS on the scale. [b]I just don't think his size matters.[/b][/quote]

That's what she said.

[neepo13]

I think this is just for versatility purposes only. Just like us shifting Edgar Jones and Chris Chester to TE. If you have a guy that can provide depth at multiple positions that allows you to carry an extra player at another position.

[#1 D]

[quote name='neepo13' post='196614' date='Jun 1 2009, 06:54 PM']I think this is just for versatility purposes only. Just like us shifting Edgar Jones and Chris Chester to TE. If you have a guy that can provide depth at multiple positions that allows you to carry an extra player at another position.[/quote]
Im not a big fan of edgar jones at TE. seriously, just for depth? edgar jones is multi-talented but he was primarily a defensive player, and that's how it should have been. i hope he has success at TE, but seeing how we already have depth there (he is the 4th stringer) a player of his talent just backing up, it just ain't right.

[neepo13]

[quote name='#1 D' post='196640' date='Jun 1 2009, 08:15 PM']Im not a big fan of edgar jones at TE. seriously, just for depth? edgar jones is multi-talented but he was primarily a defensive player, and that's how it should have been. i hope he has success at TE, but seeing how we already have depth there (he is the 4th stringer) a player of his talent just backing up, it just ain't right. [/quote]

I am not at all saying the Jones or even Chester, sole purpose is to be our back TE. What I am saying is that if worse came to worse, those guys could play those positions. Look at our TE core, 3 of the top 4 have had injury problems and 4th guy is a rookie. Its a realy possibility that if we suffer one of those murphy's law years we could be down to Edgar and Chester. In which case, having those guys would come in handy because we wouldnt neccessarily have to carry a 5th or 6th, TE on our roster. I hope that made sense. But if it didnt, I am just talking about versatility in our backups. Its better to have one guy that can be an extra body at LB and TE, then to have to carry an extra LB and an extra TE. Or a better example would be a 5th or 6th string corner or wide reciever, its better to have a guy that can KR/PR as well. Then to have a guy there just be play corner or wide out and a guy there just to be a returner.