Barry Church?

[TheMarathonContinues]

Seems more like a linebacker to me than a safety.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think so too. Church might not be fast, but he will make up for it in his play, as he's done before.

He's got a natural feel for the position - and he's a willing tackler even against big backs. I wish I had video of him taking to do Maurice Jones-Drew against the Jaguars. He's always in on tackles and he wraps up.

I'm telling you...save for a little speed, he looks like old #28 out there.

Oh another thing I like about him - as a DB, he's never flat-footed like Alan Ball or Scandrick. He stays in his pedal until he makes a break on the play. That alone is a huge part of playing the position.

I bet if you message hairic, he'll get you the footage. BTW, check out the plays he uploaded already. The OPost has the link to a bunch of church clips. But there's one missing that sticks out in my mind, where he makes a big hit.

Oh, well, the guy was all over the place last night... very impressive for a rookie--didn't look lost or out of place much at all, other than he was late on the Rogers run.... but rather him be worried about what's going on downfield, than honing in on the run, a la Roy Williams.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Seems more like a linebacker to me than a safety.

Based on what?

 

[Gaede]

I'd like to see Sensy move over to FS and Church at SS.

Thoughts on that?

Surprised they haven't done that already.

Unlike most of the guys on this team, when I notice Church it isn't because he's screwing up or missing a tackle. He's actually in on a play and making something positive happen.

I don't know how good he really is, because he's obviously surrounded by trash and his coach is king of the trashheap, but I've seen some good stuff from him.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Surprised they haven't done that already.

Unlike most of the guys on this team, when I notice Church it isn't because he's screwing up or missing a tackle. He's actually in on a play and making something positive happen.

I don't know how good he really is, because he's obviously surrounded by trash and his coach is king of the trashheap, but I've seen some good stuff from him.

Likewise, and I'm inclined to believe that Sensy is a better FS than SS and Church is better suited for SS.

Like you said, I notice him because he's in on plays--a lot.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I'd like to see Sensy move over to FS and Church at SS.

Thoughts on that?

My thoughts are we'd have the slowest combo of safeties in the league.

Sensy needs to be shown the door. He misses tackles like Barry Bonds used needles.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

My thoughts are we'd have the slowest combo of safeties in the league.

Sensy needs to be shown the door. He misses tackles like Barry Bonds used needles.

Ball is fast. Yet stinks up the FS spot. What are your thoughts on that?

 

[baj1dallas]

If you watch him closely, he's that and then some. I think he could be a playmaker, even a pro-bowler someday... way too early to tell. But I just love the player's potential.

I think that's the same homerism that has people always expecting every guy with a little potential to be great, and then wanting to cut them the minute they have a couple of mediocre games.

I like Church but I don't see him ever being a pro bowler. I think he could be at least as good as Sensabaugh though, with maybe a little more hunger and definitely cheaper.

 

[baj1dallas]

Is he a FS or is he suited more as a SS

SS for sure, he's not a great coverage guy.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Ball is fast. Yet stinks up the FS spot. What are your thoughts on that?

My thoughts on that are that he never should have been moved there in the first place. Never played the position in his life. Move him back to our nickle or dime CB.. that's where his value is.

 

[Doomsday]

At least Church is running around trying to knock people's heads off. If you are going to have a guy out there making some mistakes might as well be one with upside who is also making some plays. Ball sucked at corner and is actually worse at S.

They need to do something, trotting the same guys out there every week isnt going to change anything. Heck put him at SS and move Sensabaugh to FS, try something, that would be more then Wade ever did.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

At least Church is running around trying to knock people's heads off. If you are going to have a guy out there making some mistakes might as well be one with upside who is also making some plays. Ball sucked at corner and is actually worse at S.

They need to do something, trotting the same guys out there every week isnt going to change anything. Heck put him at SS and move Sensabaugh to FS, try something, that would be more then Wade ever did.

I'm seriously glad to see other fans seeing his tangibles on the field. He really was making plays out there. Imagine if he's on a well-coached defense with talent around him....

I agree with you about trying something, especially when it's obvious what you're doing isn't working.

 

[jjktkk]

I'd like to see Sensy move over to FS and Church at SS.

Thoughts on that?

I wouldn't be opposed to that tandem, but I would want to bring a quality FS, either thru free agency, or the draft for competition. FS is one of this teams major weaknesses IMO.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think that's the same homerism that has people always expecting every guy with a little potential to be great, and then wanting to cut them the minute they have a couple of mediocre games.

I like Church but I don't see him ever being a pro bowler. I think he could be at least as good as Sensabaugh though, with maybe a little more hunger and definitely cheaper.

Yeah, I've said that about few players.... I just like this guy. But you're right. I just like his potential now. It's refreshing watching him... and you almost know he's good because all of the other guys around him are starters and he's making plays....

It wasn't the safeties, per se, last night. If you noticed, it was the CBs getting burned. And just by looking at Jenkins, I can tell he hasn't lost his talent. He just needs a better leader, coach.

 

[jjktkk]

I'm was just surpised Church wasn't drafted. I realize his lack of speed didn't help his draft status last April, but Church started all 4 years for Toledo and made 1st team all-Mac conference all 4 years. Church seems to have that inner hunger/drive that someone with more physical talent(yea Mike Jenkins,I'm calling you out), doesn't possess. Church has a bright future with the Boys IMO.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I'm was just surpised Church wasn't drafted. I realize his lack of speed didn't help his draft status last April, but Church started all 4 years for Toledo and made 1st team all-Mac conference all 4 years. Church seems to have that inner hunger/drive that someone with more physical talent(yea Mike Jenkins,I'm calling you out), doesn't possess. Church has a bright future with the Boys IMO.

He ran close to a 4.7. I'm in my early 30s, and I run close to that....

I really don't think that's his real time, though.

 

[casmith07]

Guys, Barry Church can play either SS or FS - it's not going to matter because of his instincts. He can play the run and play the pass. Someone mentioned that he was late getting in on one of Aaron Rodgers' runs - your safety should not have to come up and hit the QB or stop him from scrambling. That rests solely on your MLBs in a defensive scheme like ours, and unfortunately Keith Brooking is not getting it done.

He's a natural at the position and I think he'll be starting next year, possibly this year. He is never out of position, is an able and willing tackler, and has a good sense of what he is supposed to be doing on busted plays like QB scrambles and the like.

And, his speed is deceptive. Go back and look - he sticks his nose in there often around the line of scrimmage from either the strong or free spots.

 

[casmith07]

I'd like to add this is a good thread...fires me up to talk about DBs.

 

[jjktkk]

He ran close to a 4.7. I'm in my early 30s, and I run close to that....

I really don't think that's his real time, though.

Guys can run slow 40's, but some players, you just throw out their 40 times because some of these guys are just playmakers. Church has a legit chance to be one of these playmakers hopefully.

 

[Gaede]

Church starting is one of the immediate changes that need to be made. One of the few players still playing like they care...Gotta see if he can be any good as a starter for next year. As it stands, we're in need of two new starting S