strategy/philosophy on the safety position

[sherck]

Originally Posted by FatDT

I am sure you all remember how Pagano wanted both safeties to play both positions. He wanted interchangeable pieces. It never worked, and Bethea was stuck doing too much (again) while the other safety sucked wherever he was.

My impression was that this went away some last year. And with Hooker getting drafted, surely it'll go away entirely. Right? Pagano has to have given up on this and can see that Hooker is a deep FS and Geathers is a clear box safety. Right?

I would agree. I think the interchangeable thing is in the past. After the season, I think Pagano is on record as saying that they were asking Green to learn "too much" his rookie year. It slowed down his development.

Hooker and Adams at FS with Geathers and Green at SS in 2017. That is a depth chart that I can get excited about with both experience (Adams, Geathers) as well as young, but untested, athletic talent (Hooker, Green).

I think they learn their lesson with Hooker and keep him as the "deep" man from day one.

Cheers,