Convert Diggs to Safety?

[Relayer]

Trade him if you want to do this. He makes too much money for a safety.

 

[Relayer]

I was not a fan of giving Diggs the big contract he got, but in this case, I don't blame him.

I think people are drawing way too many conclusions from his performance so far.

He's coming off major knee surgery which typically takes even the best athletes 18 months minimum to return to their pre-injury performance level.

I'm sure the Cowboys would love nothing more than to sit him out for half the season and let him continue improving.

Unfortunately, losing Bland and Revel not being ready has pushed him back faster than it should.

That said, it was clear that Eberflus' defense depends heavily on safeties covering the backend and they have not done a great job at that.

If the safeties are not able to do the job, the best move would be to bring in other safeties rather than try to push a still-recovering-from-major-knee-injury cornerback to a new position.

I think the Cowboys should be looking at other team's practice squads and also consider bringing back Gilmore if necessary.

They need help at cornerback and maybe safety positions if the current guys cannot be coached to do better.

Another option would be to consider trading for one or more of those positions.

Another option would be to improve the pass rush. Hopefully Clowney does that.

 

[Whyjerry]

Signing a CB to a big money CB contract only to turn that CB into a S is a very Cowboys thing to do.

 

[Whyjerry]

I would convert him to the bench

 

[Relayer]

Doesn't matter what they do with Diggs right now he shouldn't be starting. Lower leg injuries take time and he isn't even close to 100%. Right now diggs playing zone he looked like a deer in headlights while the receiver runs by him.

Well him having to look back over his shoulder after the receiver is in the end zone to find the safety on the play isn't helping.

 

[tromofan]

That’s like the Jets making Sauce Gardner a safety. The dude is made of balsa wood.

 

[Relayer]

No. We already have issues at corner.

We need to mix in more man to man coverage.

And if Eberflus is dead set on zone, we need more blitzes to manufacture pressure.

I don't know why any team plays zone. Any good QB will pick zone apart. You need to be able to cover the receivers and allow the pass rush to do it's job.

And I know there are situations where zone is preferable, before someone asks, "What about in this situation?"

 

[Relayer]

He can't play safety when he's afraid to tackle George Kittle! I was done with him after that effort...he got paid and quit

That would have been like jumping in front of a truck hoping to stop it. He tried to play the ball and Kittle secured the ball before he got there. IIRC Kittle wasn't even his man. He could have stayed a spectator in that situation. Which is what most DBs would have done.

 

[visionary]

I'd consider it. I'd try it out in practive, over the next month, as they wait for Bland to come back. I think Diggs could be a plausible free safety with Elam and Bland at DB. And I'd find some young DBs to test out there.

I'd let Hooker and Wilson interchangeably play SS, and play near the LOS on most plays. Certainly, if they need deep coverage support, they should make sure Hooker is in the game to cover deep throws. On shorter yardage plays and defensive calls, Wilson could be the enforcer near the LOS.

Diggs may be a solid free safety, since he has a bit of length, likes to read the QBs eyes, and likes to freelance a bit back there.

Else, it's time to play Juanyeh Thomas in place of Wilson. He can't be any worse. May as well give him a shot.

Wilson simply can't play more than about 12 yards off the LOS. Every OC knows that and they will enter these games licking their chops if they see Wilson back there trying to cover ANYone (in zone or man coverage, doesn't matter).

Thread deserves at least a double facepalm

Guy cannot tackle to save his life and you want to make him a safety?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I think Bryan Anger would tackle better than Diggs. So no.

 

[RonWashington]

I’ve been critical of Hooker but against the Giants he was tackling and actually saved a TD . And Wilson’s pick of a horribly thrown ball won the game getting the offense a chance to finish off NY

 

[RonWashington]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Bell & Alijah Clark at safety some but Diggs is out of the question

 

[Johannes44]

I would convert him to the bench

He's stil let you down.

 

[FVSTONE]

I'd consider it. I'd try it out in practive, over the next month, as they wait for Bland to come back. I think Diggs could be a plausible free safety with Elam and Bland at DB. And I'd find some young DBs to test out there.

I'd let Hooker and Wilson interchangeably play SS, and play near the LOS on most plays. Certainly, if they need deep coverage support, they should make sure Hooker is in the game to cover deep throws. On shorter yardage plays and defensive calls, Wilson could be the enforcer near the LOS.

Diggs may be a solid free safety, since he has a bit of length, likes to read the QBs eyes, and likes to freelance a bit back there.

Else, it's time to play Juanyeh Thomas in place of Wilson. He can't be any worse. May as well give him a shot.

Wilson simply can't play more than about 12 yards off the LOS. Every OC knows that and they will enter these games licking their chops if they see Wilson back there trying to cover ANYone (in zone or man coverage, doesn't matter).

You can’t be serious! Diggs and his “fetus style “ tackling would never hold up the dude had turned into major liability and should be handed his walking papers! He’s the luckiest player in the league, most players have to wait years to get paid, and unfortunately for the Cowboys they opened the check book way too soon. Now they’re stuck with a CB who can’t stay healthy and when he’s on the field now most game officials can out run this knocked knee stiff!

 

[charron]

Well him having to look back over his shoulder after the receiver is in the end zone to find the safety on the play isn't helping.

He ain't looking for the safety he's looking for the wrong that ran by him. This is why I laugh when someone suggest he move to safety...he can't play zone he doesn't understand it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd consider it. I'd try it out in practive, over the next month, as they wait for Bland to come back. I think Diggs could be a plausible free safety with Elam and Bland at DB.

Diggs at safety would be a disaster. He doesn't tackle for starters.

The move the Cowboys should consider is starting Thomas and Bell.

 

[stinkface]

Have you seen him tackle and you want to play him at safety? He would be done in 2 games, how about actually drafting one early.

Free Safety is different then strong Safety. I think he could do well in that position. Reality is he has lost speed he will never get back he can't play corner at the level we need. He is a ball hawk. PS. Other corners played safety late in the careers. Charles Woodson is one.

 

[yentl911]

A safety needs to be able to cover and tackle - Diggs struggled with both of these skills

He’s the best we have right now which is a liability for sure

We have not invested in the defense like we need to for some time.

Looks like we will continue our excellent streak of no post season wins and I doubt we make the playoffs

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I'm sure the Cowboys would love nothing more than to sit him out for half the season and let him continue improving.

I agree with a lot you said except this. When you are getting a check from Jerry...you better be on the field UNLESS you are in a coma. See Marco Rivera, Jaylon Smith, Micheal Gallup, Zeke Elliot

I am still FRUSTRATED with how Zeke was used (we found out at the end of the year he had a torn PCL) some years ago when had an explosive healthy Tony Pollard to spell him until he could get healthy. But once he held out, Jerry was going to MAKE him earn it...even on one leg

Never forget we gave Gallup money because he was "cheaper" than Amari. Gallup blew his knee out in a playoff game in January...and Jerry paid him and told us he would be ready by week 1. You simply cannot make up the clown front office we have

We extended Jaylon Smith when Zeke held out because it was affordable and we needed to "do something"

I could go on and on...but this what we are dealing with folks

 

[yentl911]

Free Safety is different then strong Safety. I think he could do well in that position. Reality is he has lost speed he will never get back he can't play corner at the level we need. He is a ball hawk. PS. Other corners played safety late in the careers. Charles Woodson is one.

We play over 2 zone most of the time if I’m looking at things correctly

Each safety has deep half

Our CB’s aren’t very good and lack speed and our safeties have limited range and play recognition.

Exposed this week by a washed up QB running the same plays over and over - up the seem deep