DMN: Blog: Transition to LB won't be smooth for ex-TCU safety Stephen Hodge

[Cbz40]

Transition to LB won't be smooth for ex-TCU safety Stephen Hodge

1:57 PM Fri, May 01, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon


Sixth-round pick Stephen Hodge shouldn't have any problems making an immediate impact on special teams. The transition to his new position on defense could be tough, though.

The Cowboys have Hodge, a strong safety at TCU, playing weakside inside linebacker. He readily admitted that his first practice at the new position was rough.

The 6-0, 234-pound Hodge, who thought he was going to be an outside linebacker until he reported to Valley Ranch yesterday, struggled in coverage against TE Rodney Hannah. While it seems like a converted safety wouldn't have such problems, Hodge is having to learn totally different technique.

"I got beat on two routes by the tight end because I opened up, and once you open up, your feet stop and he just went right inside of me," Hodge said. "At DB, you get to shuffle or backpedal, so you can gain ground."

Hodge is well aware that he have another huge challenge once the pads start popping: Learning how to take on or avoid offensive guards and tackles in the running game. He's being tutored by assistant LB coach Dat Nguyen, who played seven seasons for the Cowboys despite being undersized.

"It's just going to be a learning experience for me," Hodge said. "I'm trying just not to get too down on myself, because I know the type of player I am."

 

[AsthmaField]

That is the spot that Phillips had D Edwards playing in San Diego. You can get by there without a lot of size if you're smart and fast.

I think that's the perfect spot for him.

 

[Cowboyz88]

This is the biggest thing that scares me about this class – almost every guy is being moved to a new position.

We have a few DE's moving to OLB, OLB to ILB, Safety to ILB, Corner to Saftey, etc.

I understand that some transitions will be easier than others (i.e. Corner to Safety), but the fact is that there will be a learning curve for most of our draft class.

Because of that, I think patience will need to be exercised by the coaches, players and the fans.

 

[speedkilz88]

This is the biggest thing that scares me about this class – almost every guy is being moved to a new position.

We have a few DE's moving to OLB, OLB to ILB, Safety to ILB, Corner to Saftey, etc.

I understand that some transitions will be easier than others (i.e. Corner to Safety), but the fact is that there will be a learning curve for most of our draft class.

Because of that, I think patience will need to be exercised by the coaches, players and the fans.

That happens all the time in the nfl, especially for 3-4 teams since colleges don't tend to run it.

 

[NeonNinja]

Should have patience with every single rookie, not just one changing positions. I think they will make the transition, they have time as we don't need an immediate starter out of them.

 

[AsthmaField]

This is the biggest thing that scares me about this class – almost every guy is being moved to a new position.

We have a few DE's moving to OLB, OLB to ILB, Safety to ILB, Corner to Saftey, etc.

I understand that some transitions will be easier than others (i.e. Corner to Safety), but the fact is that there will be a learning curve for most of our draft class.

Because of that, I think patience will need to be exercised by the coaches, players and the fans.

Look at it this way:

If Hodge had played natural LB in college, with his atletic ability, speed and aggressiveness... he would have been long gone by the time we picked him. Him needing the position change was the only reason he was still around for us to pick. Now, we can let him play special teams (which he will excel at) and let him learn from pro coaches (Phillips knows a ton after 3 decades doing it)... and this time next year he will know more about playing LB than he would have from playing the position in college.

Then, by next year's training camp, we will have a super fast, aggressive, football loving LB who has the athleticism of guys who normally go in round 1 or 2. Except, wonder of all wonders, we are paying him like a late round pick.

It's almost like we took a first round talent who got hurt in the last game and we have to wait for him to heal for a year. But this way, there is no injury risk.

You could say the same exact thing for Jason Williams, except he has the athletic ability, intangibles and character of a top 5 pick instead of just a round 1 or round 2 guy. He is Aaron Curry and Patrick Willis athletically speaking. If he learns to play LB (and he should), then we will have maybe the most athletic LB in the NFL.

Like I said... by this time next year, those two WILL be LB's, and they'll know exactly what they're doing. In our 3-4, linebackers are paramount... I'll gladly wait a year on those guys. And frankly, it is the wait that is killing most who don't like this draft... because it certainly isn't the athletes themselves. Most of them are upper echelon athletes.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What? He didn't get it all the first day?

Bust!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Well it's a good thing he won't have to jump right in. With two or three guys ahead of him in that spot then he should have plenty of time to learn the position and get it right.

 

[pgreptom]

This my friends.. is the player who I think will be something. I know a lot of you are gushing over Williams.. but Hodge has been in my mind since we drafted him. I immediately thought of Edwards.

 

[TheCount]

That happens all the time in the nfl, especially for 3-4 teams since colleges don't tend to run it.

Rarely this many in the same draft class though.

 

[ethiostar]

Just heard Wade's PC and he said Hodge weighs 243, if i'm not mistaken.

BTW, i think this is the first time i've heard wade and he didn't sound like he was on Demerol. He sounds very energetic and assertive.

 

[AbeBeta]

What? He didn't get it all the first day?

Bust!

actually...

*Sixth-round ILB Stephen Hodge looked much better in coverage during the afternoon practice than he did this morning. He had several deflections on passes to the flat.


Steal of the draft!

 

[Woods]

Just heard Wade's PC and he said Hodge weighs 243, if i'm not mistaken.

BTW, i think this is the first time i've heard wade and he didn't sound like he was on Demerol. He sounds very energetic and assertive.

I thought that Wade was very complimentary regarding Hodge in his PC.

He said Hodge did an excellent job, esp as there was no rush on the QB and the TEs can run basically anywhere they want. Wade suggested the QBs didn't complete a pass on Hodge - maybe he meant only the afternoon practice. I don't know.

I think Hodge can turn out to be a player in a couple of years. The guy is relatively short at 6-0, but he's big and stocky, weighting 243. I think Brooking, as an example, weighs about the same as Hodge but is taller. Also, Hodge appears to be fast and pretty quick for a guy his size.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Brooking, as an example, weighs about the same as Hodge but is taller. Also, Hodge appears to be fast and pretty quick for a guy his size.

Hodge is extremely quick for a guy his size.

 

[speedkilz88]

Rarely this many in the same draft class though.

Rarely do teams draft a dozen players these days.

 

[speedkilz88]

I thought that Wade was very complimentary regarding Hodge in his PC.

He said Hodge did an excellent job, esp as there was no rush on the QB and the TEs can run basically anywhere they want. Wade suggested the QBs didn't complete a pass on Hodge - maybe he meant only the afternoon practice. I don't know.

I think Hodge can turn out to be a player in a couple of years. The guy is relatively short at 6-0, but he's big and stocky, weighting 243. I think Brooking, as an example, weighs about the same as Hodge but is taller. Also, Hodge appears to be fast and pretty quick for a guy his size.

I know Hodge was listed as running a 4.57 at the combine, but I saw on the nfln coverage that his first time was listed as 4.49. It might have been an unofficial hand held time, but I also remember Mayock claiming there had to be some problems with the electronic timing this year because he talked to the guys that do the hand helds and they know they got good times and the differential with the electronic was too drastic.

 

[28 Joker]

Rarely do teams draft a dozen players these days.

The bottom of Dallas' roster has been among the worst in the NFL, imo.

 

[Woods]

I know Hodge was listed as running a 4.57 at the combine, but I saw on the nfln coverage that his first time was listed as 4.49. It might have been an unofficial hand held time, but I also remember Mayock claiming there had to be some problems with the electronic timing this year because he talked to the guys that do the hand helds and they know they got good times and the differential with the electronic was too drastic.

IMO, whether it's a 4.49 or a 4.57, it shouldn't really matter much in the long run. That's plenty fast either way. I think what may help Hodge is his energy level and non stop motor, as much as anything. His weight is actually good for a guy his height, and he seems to have the ability to play in space covering TEs/RBs, and he has instincts to rush the passer, and finally, he's very physical.

I'm not saying he's going to be a starter, but I do think in time he can play the role R Williams was possibly going to play for us in that he can play around the line of scrimmage and cause havoc, blitz a bit from the nickel, and provide some coverage abilities as well in sub-packages.

He should hopefully at the very least become a solid role player in a year or two.

 

[28 Joker]

As you all probably know by now, Mosley said Hodge looked good, looked quick.

 

[Bleu Star]

Should have patience with every single rookie, not just one changing positions. I think they will make the transition, they have time as we don't need an immediate starter out of them.