Can the Cowboys force Bland to move back to the slot?

[Coogiguy03]

We all know several years ago, Bland made a HUGE name for himself by getting INT's from the slot position. Now with making the move to be a CB, it seems that he's struggled, but his pride is telling him, CB is where I need to be, and not the slot. With that said, can the Cowboys make a move on his behalf to get him back to the slot, and to see if he can be the player he was for us several years ago? We have Durant and others coming back to take over the regular CB spots. Can this be done, or do we have to continue to watch Bland suffer??? Please give your input

 

[big dog cowboy]

He plays where the Cowboys put him.

He is a CB even when he plays the slot.

I've been saying for a long time he needs moved back inside.

 

[Pabst]

I don't think Bland has leverage anymore to dictate where he plays. But, hey, he got his bag, so good for him.

 

[baltcowboy]

Bland can’t play slot with that foot. A shifty receiver would break him.

 

[Carson]

He needs to be benched

Porter and Revel outside with Durant / Downs inside

 

[John813]

IIRC 2023 he moved to the outside at times when Diggs went down for the year.
I don't recall his exact snap counts and where exactly, but want to say he definitely got snaps on the boundary.

I think there's a few items at play.
1. Multiple surgeries on his feet. Modern surgeries are clearly better than 20-30 years ago, but it's still no guarantee that the player goes back to 100%.
2. Quinn and Al Harris were his previous coaches. May of just fit their coverage scheme/knacks and coaching
3. His burst back in 2023 was incredible breaking on the pass. That type of acceleration is long gone from him.
4. He just seemed way more confident out there and really could bait the QB that the WR was open but would just close that gap as soon as the ball was thrown.


Looking back at a few of his INTs from 2023. 1 vs the Pats was outside coverage. 2nd one he was in the slot. Vs the Rams he was outside CB. Vs the Panthers outside. Similar vs the Skins.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

IIRC 2023 he moved to the outside at times when Diggs went down for the year.
I don't recall his exact snap counts and where exactly, but want to say he definitely got snaps on the boundary.

I think there's a few items at play.
1. Multiple surgeries on his feet. Modern surgeries are clearly better than 20-30 years ago, but it's still no guarantee that the player goes back to 100%.
2. Quinn and Al Harris were his previous coaches. May of just fit their coverage scheme/knacks and coaching
3. His burst back in 2023 was incredible breaking on the pass. That type of acceleration is long gone from him.
4. He just seemed way more confident out there and really could bait the QB that the WR was open but would just close that gap as soon as the ball was thrown.


Looking back at a few of his INTs from 2023. 1 vs the Pats was outside coverage. 2nd one he was in the slot. Vs the Rams he was outside CB. Vs the Panthers outside. Similar vs the Skins.

Correct. He started out as slot.
Diggs went down so they moved him to outside and that is where he got all of his pick sixes IIRC

 

[Whyjerry]

Like at gun point?

 

[Setackin]

We all know several years ago, Bland made a HUGE name for himself by getting INT's from the slot position. Now with making the move to be a CB, it seems that he's struggled, but his pride is telling him, CB is where I need to be, and not the slot. With that said, can the Cowboys make a move on his behalf to get him back to the slot, and to see if he can be the player he was for us several years ago? We have Durant and others coming back to take over the regular CB spots. Can this be done, or do we have to continue to watch Bland suffer??? Please give your input

He didn’t get the INTs from the slot. He started out in the slot and Diggs got injured, he then moved outside and was still getting the pick 6s. He got most of them from the outside

 

[yentl911]

I think I heard/read he wants to stay outside because he thinks it helps him being closer to the boundary??

I’m not sure he has the quickness to stay with the slot receivers right now

Is the foot issue more serious and impacting than what has been discussed? Doesn’t seem like the same player

 

[StarW]

He needs to be benched

Porter and Revel outside with Durant / Downs inside

That's exactly what I'd try. revel looks sketchy as well, but hast potential upside.

Note: Potential is a critical descriptor in this statement.

He's been injured and has had 2 historically terrible coaches thus far in his career

 

[darthseinfeld]

We all know several years ago, Bland made a HUGE name for himself by getting INT's from the slot position. Now with making the move to be a CB, it seems that he's struggled, but his pride is telling him, CB is where I need to be, and not the slot. With that said, can the Cowboys make a move on his behalf to get him back to the slot, and to see if he can be the player he was for us several years ago? We have Durant and others coming back to take over the regular CB spots. Can this be done, or do we have to continue to watch Bland suffer??? Please give your input

Again, Bland is not slot CB. He only played there extensively as a rookie and he gave up a nearly 75% completion rate. He blew up when he moved to the boundary

People need to stop this Bland as a slot CB madness. Thats the absolute worst place to play him

 

[StarW]

I think I heard/read he wants to stay outside because he thinks it helps him being closer to the boundary??

I’m not sure he has the quickness to stay with the slot receivers right now

Is the foot issue more serious and impacting than what has been discussed? Doesn’t seem like the same player

Man, I think he was saying being closer to the boundary is a couple of steps closer to the bench he belongs on...

 

[darthseinfeld]

IIRC 2023 he moved to the outside at times when Diggs went down for the year.
I don't recall his exact snap counts and where exactly, but want to say he definitely got snaps on the boundary.

I think there's a few items at play.
1. Multiple surgeries on his feet. Modern surgeries are clearly better than 20-30 years ago, but it's still no guarantee that the player goes back to 100%.
2. Quinn and Al Harris were his previous coaches. May of just fit their coverage scheme/knacks and coaching
3. His burst back in 2023 was incredible breaking on the pass. That type of acceleration is long gone from him.
4. He just seemed way more confident out there and really could bait the QB that the WR was open but would just close that gap as soon as the ball was thrown.


Looking back at a few of his INTs from 2023. 1 vs the Pats was outside coverage. 2nd one he was in the slot. Vs the Rams he was outside CB. Vs the Panthers outside. Similar vs the Skins.

He played 90% of his snaps outside in 2023

 

[Teague31]

Downs need to be in the slot

 

[Coogiguy03]

I don't think Bland has leverage anymore to dictate where he plays. But, hey, he got his bag, so good for him.

That's what I'm saying, how bad he's been playing who is he to tell them where he wants to play!! You're playing here and that's it!!!

Bland can’t play slot with that foot. A shifty receiver would break him.

Good point!!!

He needs to be benched

Porter and Revel outside with Durant / Downs inside

Revel isn't too much better

That's exactly what I'd try. revel looks sketchy as well, but hast potential upside.

Note: Potential is a critical descriptor in this statement.

He's been injured and has had 2 historically terrible coaches thus far in his career

Exactly he sure does!! Hopefully he gets better

 

[Cowboys93]

He needs to play wherever they tell him to play or he can grab some pine

 

[big dog cowboy]

Again, Bland is not slot CB. He only played there extensively as a rookie and he gave up a nearly 75% completion rate. He blew up when he moved to the boundary

People need to stop this Bland as a slot CB madness. Thats the absolute worst place to play him

He’s already shown that he can’t play effectively on the outside. Either move him to the slot and see if he can contribute there, or move on from him.

I don’t think that’s madness. It’s about finding out whether he can still be productive in this league. He should be held to the same standard as every other player: perform or risk being cut. If that means taking a salary cap hit, so be it. There’s no point in holding onto a player and continuing to give him playing time simply because you’re afraid to cut him.

I know we love our guys. We need to get over it.

 

[slick325]

Are we sure he can still play well in the slot? When was the last time he was asked to do it?

While Jourdan Lewis was in Dallas, Bland and Diggs were outside CBs and Lewis the slot. It's been some time since Bland had to play in the slot. Definitely pre-injuries.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We all know several years ago, Bland made a HUGE name for himself by getting INT's from the slot position. Now with making the move to be a CB, it seems that he's struggled, but his pride is telling him, CB is where I need to be, and not the slot. With that said, can the Cowboys make a move on his behalf to get him back to the slot, and to see if he can be the player he was for us several years ago? We have Durant and others coming back to take over the regular CB spots. Can this be done, or do we have to continue to watch Bland suffer??? Please give your input

He is really bad right now.
Too expensive
But if he is better in the slot, put him there because that's a need too. I am not going to force him