I think we're making a mistake moving Bland

[gimmesix]

The real adjustment will be scheme wise, they trusted 7 to guard the best WR with little to no help, the safeties specially Dono came down a lot to help with the run.

Will they do the same with Bland? I don't think so, they will help him a little bit more, at least until he shows he can handle the load, and I think he will, the kid has shown major stones since he came over.

We don't switch our corners, so Diggs wasn't always matched up with the best WR. Now, I would expect teams to put their best corner on Bland's side instead of Gilmore's.

 

[Gonzomandela01]

We don't switch our corners, so Diggs wasn't always matched up with the best WR. Now, I would expect teams to put their best corner on Bland's side instead of Gilmore's.

You mean their best WR?

Yeah, thats right Diggs does not always get the opponents best, only sometimes.

 

[gimmesix]

You mean their best WR?

Yeah, thats right Diggs does not always get the opponents best, only sometimes.

Yeah, I took your post to mean they matched him with the other team's best WR, but that's not the case. He stays on his side and faces whoever is on that side. They do generally trust him one-on-one, but they do with Gilmore as well.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Worth noting Bland didn’t become a slot corner until he got to the Cowboys…..

 

[SlammedZero]

At least give it a chance/some time. Who knows? Maybe Bland turns out to be a lockdown guy. What a great problem that would be to have.

Time will tell.

 

[JW82]

If this is the actual plan, I say we leave him where he's excelled at. Let Izzy or someone else man that position, and let Bland stay where he's at. Please give your thoughts

just haven't seen enough of Izzy to believe he could handle that. I believe Bland will be fine and they are lucky to have Lewis back to take over the slot.

 

[jaybird]

My thoughts are I'm going to trust Dan Quinn's thoughts.

this

 

[Jarntt]

If this is the actual plan, I say we leave him where he's excelled at. Let Izzy or someone else man that position, and let Bland stay where he's at. Please give your thoughts

The whole ‘can only play the slot‘ mentality with Bland is blown way out of proportion. He did great last year when he played on the outside for a guy in his first year. I have no reason to think he can’t do as well and with some luck even better this year. Yet you mention Izzy as a guy to play on the outside, who IMO is a guy who is more likely to struggle on the outside as compared to the slot.

with Gilmore, Bland and Lewis we should be fine. Not as good as with Diggs obviously, but hopefully good enough

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I’m100% comfortable with whatever DQ deems the best path forward. He has a lot more relevant information and is lot more capable to make this design than anyone on this forum.

Exactly, and I'm sure he had contingency plans for this year.

 

[phildadon86]

We don't switch our corners, so Diggs wasn't always matched up with the best WR. Now, I would expect teams to put their best corner on Bland's side instead of Gilmore's.

The thing I’m not seeing mentioned is that Bland will also be going up against a top 5 receiver. Every week. In practice. His name is Cedarion Lamb

 

[jterrell]

The 3rd best corner is Bland, the 4th best is JLew.
They were always going to move Bland outside where he played last year.

They'll cover/swap JLew with the safeties but Bland is too good to not get nearly every snap run.

 

[Typhus]

The answer to who replaces Diggs will not come from a single player.
Q will play matchups and scheme vs opponent weekly.

 

[Doomsay]

Best 2 corners go round the outside, round the outside. Bland is now #2.

 

[Typhus]

The 3rd best corner is Bland, the 4th best is JLew.
They were always going to move Bland outside where he played last year.

They'll cover/swap JLew with the safeties but Bland is too good to not get nearly every snap run.

Depth, its a good problem to have.
I remember the days of a Kevin Smith going down and we figured it out then.
This roster has a decent amount of depth now and especially in the secondary.
The heartache over Diggs loss has been felt by all of us, but it's not going to cripple this defense by any means.

 

[Setackin]

If this is the actual plan, I say we leave him where he's excelled at. Let Izzy or someone else man that position, and let Bland stay where he's at. Please give your thoughts

I’ll trust Dan Quinn to decide.

 

[DogFace]

Jane slater says about the position:
“They’ll move Bland inside” and “move Lewis outside”

Bland was inside and so was Lewis so I’m not sure

 

[Cowboyny]

If this is the actual plan, I say we leave him where he's excelled at. Let Izzy or someone else man that position, and let Bland stay where he's at. Please give your thoughts

Izzy is more of a safety/nickel corner that struggles against speed. The only other option is in the group of Noah, Scott or Wright. The latter group are more backup type players.

 

[xwalker]

I don't worry about Bland until we face some tall receivers. We know he's only like 5'10" so there is danger of him getting "Moss'd" against big receivers. Until that time comes I trust him on just about anybody except guys who run sub 4.3 and there aint that many o them. But Diggs isn't some 4.3 burner either. Bland will have to rely on his technique to stay with guys who are faster than he is. But DBs have been doing that for 50 years.. I think he'll figure it out.

Bland Official Pre-Draft measurement:
6'-1/4"

 

[AsthmaField]

Jane slater says about the position:
“They’ll move Bland inside” and “move Lewis outside”

Bland was inside and so was Lewis so I’m not sure

Yeah, I heard her say that yesterday. If she’s correct about that then it is definitely running opposite of how everyone is thinking right now.

Quinn knows what he’s doing but that is counter to what I expected.

 

[speedkilz88]

Yeah, I heard her say that yesterday. If she’s correct about that then it is definitely running opposite of how everyone is thinking right now.

Quinn knows what he’s doing but that is counter to what I expected.

She mispoke. Lewis doesn't have the size or arm length outside that Quinn likes.