Switching positions.

[GTripp0012]

Well, the tackle to guard switch happens all the time. It probably doesn't happen as much as it should with established NFL players, but it happens all the time from college to the pros. Incredibly common.

I don't think switching a corner to safety is typically a good move: a guy who can't cover as a corner isn't going to be less of a liability in the middle of the defense, see: Rolle, Antrel. But there are a couple situations where I would advocate a corner switch to safety. 1) if he tackles really well, 2) to save a bad cornerback contract without having to release the guy and eat the signing bonus. A bad corner hurts the team a little less at safety. But it's generally a poor long term solution.

[skinster]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Well, the tackle to guard switch happens all the time. It probably doesn't happen as much as it should with established NFL players, but it happens all the time from college to the pros. Incredibly common.

I don't think switching a corner to safety is typically a good move: a guy who can't cover as a corner isn't going to be less of a liability in the middle of the defense, see: Rolle, Antrel. But there are a couple situations where I would advocate a corner switch to safety. 1) if he tackles really well, 2) to save a bad cornerback contract without having to release the guy and eat the signing bonus. A bad corner hurts the team a little less at safety. But it's generally a poor long term solution.

I thought Antrel Rolle was playing well? Didn't he just make the pro bowl? Safety seems to be more raw athleticism and instincts than technique while corner seems to be alot of technique. Corners seem to need to change direction multiple times a play, constantly are playing with their backs turned to the qb, and need to not mess up their footwork as to lose a second. Safeties see the whole field and seem to normally make one break a play. Safety is an important role, and is by no means easy considering the quick decisions needed to be made, but I just feel there are fewer skill sets required to play safety than corner, and a corner might be able to play in the nfl because he is missing one component necessary for CB that is not needed at safety.