scrantoncane
Sophomore
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2011
- Messages
- 3,193
We should wait to see how they align when the games start, but I think it's natural to oversimplify this topic. We don't really play with traditional "strong" and "free" safety roles. It has been discussed on here a number of times. From what was seen in the Spring, Redwine often played the boundary safety, which based on his more slender/wirey frame, you'd think "wait, that doesn't make sense?"
However, the position allows us to be really flexible with what we want to do against spread offenses. We can throw Jaquan over the top to the field side, which allows him to use his instincts and feel in zone coverage, while Redwine may get matched up against an inside WR in man coverage to the short side of the field. Being that Redwine is a former corner, has decent feet and it's the short side of the field (less space and route combination opportunities), we're leveraging attributes to fit our defense.
I haven't watched a single snap of Fall practice this year, but my guess is you'll see Diaz roll out very specific packages. We'll probably even see Finley/Carter work as Safeties with Jaquan at Nickel against specific run teams. The concern is obvious: will we tip our hand based on who we have out there. My answer is Diaz has been excellent at adjusting and, remembering how the game is played with substitution permissions for the defense, he'll have an answer to the offense's personnel groupings.
Lu, can you explain more or link an old thread talking about the safeties? That article didn't do much to differentiate between traditional SS/FS roles vs field/boundary, except the terminology - boundary is basically a SS, and field is basically a FS - unless I'm missing something.
Id love to hear some more Xs and Os while we wait for the season to start. I read a bunch of articles on Mannys defenses over the summer, and have some questions for you and the other guys on the board with the knowledge to answer them.
For example, see this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/caneswarning.com/2016/01/08/breaking-miami-hurricanes-manny-diaz/amp/
Reading what they say about the safety responsibilities, I don't see how Redwine is suited to be a boundary safety. Using your example (redwine matched up on inside WR), that seems great if a pass play is called, but he likely isn't physical enough to hold up against a run directed at him. Which is why you mentioned packages, and predictability as a concern.
And as high as I am on amari Carter, it seems naive to think a true freshman can step right in and not be a liability, considering the responsibility and decision making that come with the position.
I don't mean to keep banging on redwine (esp considering the positive and reviews on his play at safety), but it seems like we are lacking the ideal athletes to play safety in the Diaz scheme.
Again, I don't claim to know a got **** thin about Xs and Os, just trying to learn and understand. TIA.
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