Great post. Thanks for the info.
Can we talk about the secondary depth chart in a little more depth?
I am curious as to who is playing where these days. I
We have established that we have 5 defensive back positions in this defense
Star
Strong safety (border safety)
Free safety
Boundary corner
Field corner
Who is playing where right now? I understand some players are being moved around, probably mostly the frosh, but
This is what I think. Where am I wrong? And what positions are the guys I have no position assigned to workong out at?
Star: Barron, Gould
Strong safety: Clark, Buxton
Free safety: Chestnut, Long?
Boundary corner: Grant, Lewis, Washington?
Field corner: Bellamy, Barnes, DeLaine
Kerr, McDaniels, Perry Martin?
Can we at least confirm who is working at boundary CB and who at field cornerback?
The “depth” appears to be very fluid. Players are being used at different positions almost daily.
Chestnut has been out so I heard players have been moving around all week. Buxton, Gould, Perry and others have all where Chestnut was. It’s not just young guys who are being moved and playing different positions. The more (positions) you know, the more valuable you are to the team and the better chance you have of getting on the field. The coaches want to get the best players in the field.
The Star position seems loaded to me; Barron, Gould and Washington. Washington continues to improve as he learns the defense. Improvements like his allow coaches to move other around to explore fits. Coaches like Gould at Star but as Washington improves they can afford to see Gould at the other safety positions too.
Long continues to play well but coaches may be concerned with his size (176 lbs?) so players like Buxton (6’2”, 200 lbs) and Gould (6’2”, 209 lbs) and Martin (6’2”, 192 lbs.) are getting looks at various positions. This ain’t 7on7 baby. Size matters when it gets physical. That’s not to say Long can’t be physical, but his size could be a concern.
The coaches like Kerr so he’s probably getting more reps than he deserves as he learns. Coaches want to see what he can do.
The corners who are battling to start are Grant, Lewis, Bellamy and Barnes. Behind that group appears to be Delaine and McDaniels (great frame, but learning the scheme).
It seems to be very fluid. If you want to play, stay healthy and perform. We have some great athletes who will continue to perform better as they learn what appears to be a complicated defensive scheme. The more the players know and understand, the more the coaches can do with the scheme.
The scrimmage today is a chance for players to show what they can do. Lots of internal competition, which is very good for us and our development.
Good luck to all.
Go Orange - stay healthy!