If there is a surprise cut, look at the starting safeties

[gimmesix]

I disagree on the depth as I view Wilson/Hooker as marginal starters that are easily replaced. Eberflus is going to be playing a ton of split safety looks, that isn't a strength of Donovan Wilson who is best inside the box. Even is zone coverage Wilson remains a liability. Hooker just is very slow to react and rarely around the football.

Easily replaced is one of those things fans like to say when replacing talent is never easy. We'll see what we've got and whether there is anyone there who can easily replace either of them, but at the moment, I expect them to be our starters. I hope that Thomas and Bell are given a legitimate chance at the starting spots, but I can't say that they will beat them out if they are given that chance.

I'd like to improve the position, just like I prefer improving every position, but I don't know if we've got what it takes to accomplish that this year. I prefer not making the position worse, which is what I believe will happen if we cut one of our top four. If someone shows he should beat one of them out for one of those top four spots, then that's an improvement and I'm all for it. I don't know that if we have anyone who can do that.

I mean, you are talking about some UDFA doing it, which is the definition of wishful thinking.

 

[Cowboyny]

Easily replaced is one of those things fans like to say when replacing talent is never easy. We'll see what we've got and whether there is anyone there who can easily replace either of them, but at the moment, I expect them to be our starters. I hope that Thomas and Bell are given a legitimate chance at the starting spots, but I can't say that they will beat them out if they are given that chance.

I'd like to improve the position, just like I prefer improving every position, but I don't know if we've got what it takes to accomplish that this year. I prefer not making the position worse, which is what I believe will happen if we cut one of our top four. If someone shows he should beat one of them out for one of those top four spots, then that's an improvement and I'm all for it. I don't know that if we have anyone who can do that.

I mean, you are talking about some UDFA doing it, which is the definition of wishful thinking.

What I am hoping for is a legitimate competition for the starting jobs, not start the ones making the most money. If they determine the safety play in camp isn't good enough, then you go out and sign or trade for one.

 

[Cowboyny]

It isn't just Quinn. Most teams play a safety as one of its two linebackers in certain looks where a pass is probable. The problem we had under Quinn is that we ended up playing a safety at linebacker in every situation after we lost LVE to injury.

I don't think you can use Wilson in any looks as a linebacker if he needs to cover. Want to use him in run support, fine, but even as a linebacker cannot cover well enough.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't think you can use Wilson in any looks as a linebacker if he needs to cover. Want to use him in run support, fine, but even as a linebacker cannot cover well enough.

I don't agree with you on this. Matching him up one-on-one with a tight end isn't a good idea, but I don't think he's as bad in coverage, especially zone, as you believe he is.

In 2023, he was PFF's 28th-highest ranked safety in coverage. That's not great but it put him in the top half of starting safeties. Last year in Zimmer's system, he didn't play as well. He did improve later in the season, having 3.5 of his sacks in the last six games and two of his pass breakups.

 

[Cowboyny]

I don't agree with you on this. Matching him up one-on-one with a tight end isn't a good idea, but I don't think he's as bad in coverage, especially zone, as you believe he is.

In 2023, he was PFF's 28th-highest ranked safety in coverage. That's not great but it put him in the top half of starting safeties. Last year in Zimmer's system, he didn't play as well. He did improve later in the season, having 3.5 of his sacks in the last six games and two of his pass breakups.

Agree to disagree, but I do not trust Wilson in any coverage. He is a old schooled SS to me, where he does his best work inside the box playing downhill.

 

[gimmesix]

Agree to disagree, but I do not trust Wilson in any coverage. He is a old schooled SS to me, where he does his best work inside the box playing downhill.

It will be interesting to see how Eberflus uses what he's got. It would seem that his use of Cover 2 and Cover 3 would make it natural for Thomas to play more at least. I think Bell also has better back-end range than Hooker at this point, but the veteran could stick there.

Will Eberflus stick with two traditional linebackers in passing situations or does he bring in a safety in certain situations? I tried to look up his tendency there, but didn't find anything on it. I assume like most coaches in the nickel that there will be times that he'll use a safety at linebacker. I would lean toward Bell there over Wilson based on Bell's past work at the spot. So I do see your point.

My only real point in this is that you have to have depth. If Bell were to be hurt again, I think even if Wilson doesn't start, he would be next man up at that linebacker spot. Right now, I don't see anyone else on this roster to trust with that. Maybe someone will emerge. If that happens, I have no problem trading Wilson or even Hooker. We just have to have depth. Mukuamu might could be it as one of the deeper safeties, but honestly, there's a reason that he hasn't played that much. IMO, he's looked better at slot corner than he's looked at safety.