Is Downs a Nickel?

[My3Sons]

See him listed as a NCB. Is that what he played at tOSU? In the new defense, is that a hybrid safety?

I am curious if this is the position he played in his college days?

I am a fan of Downs, but trying to manage expectations if he is changing up what he is used to playing.

 

[Whirlwin]

I think they’re going to play him, in the Slot

 

[Rockport]

Right now he’s a nickle but it won’t be long before he’s a million. Seriously, the indication from the coaches is that they are going to move him around so he’ll be all over the field.

 

[JoeKing]

Considering the defense will be in the nickel a great deal of the time, you want Downs to be the Nickelback.

 

[Risen Star]

I expect him on the inactive list tonight. Not ready.

 

[Carson]

He will move all over the defense.

Nickel defense he will move to the slot and I imagine in base formation he is back at safety

 

[Biggy71]

In college he played strong safety the nickel ch at Ohio State last year I think was Matthews. Downs was a box safety

 

[thunderpimp91]

He’s likely to play several positions in the secondary. A lot of that will be positioned in the slot but won’t function quite the same as a true nickel CB.

I expect the front 7 to operate similarly to the cowboys under Eberflus. The real change will be on the back end. If you’re a Texas fan and watched the Ohio state defense last night I think their set up could be similar to what the cowboys end up doing with those 3 deep DB looks but the cowboys likely have a more complex version of that as they have a guy like downs who can move all over and do an ok job straight covering from the slot but also drop back into a centerfield type S or move up and play close to the LOS almost functioning as an extra LB on the field.

 

[big dog cowboy]

See him listed as a NCB. Is that what he played at tOSU? In the new defense, is that a hybrid safety?

I am curious if this is the position he played in his college days?

I am a fan of Downs, but trying to manage expectations if he is changing up what he is used to playing.

Just like at OSU he will be all over. Nickle. Slot. LB. CB. S. Whatever the situation dictates he will play. No reason to manage expectations for the DROY.

 

[Coogiguy03]

He's a DIME+3

 

[Chasing6]

See him listed as a NCB. Is that what he played at tOSU? In the new defense, is that a hybrid safety?

I am curious if this is the position he played in his college days?

I am a fan of Downs, but trying to manage expectations if he is changing up what he is used to playing.

Downs is whatever Parker wants him to be. High Safety, Box Safety, Nickle, CB, LB.

This is why it will be confusing to opposing QB's trying to figure out what Defense we are in.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

He's a DIME+3

Sounds about right, you can't really afford anything with a nickel. And there aren't anymore pennies being made

 

[jazzcat22]

Just like at OSU he will be all over. Nickle. Slot. LB. CB. S. Whatever the situation dictates he will play. No reason to manage expectations for the DROY.

Downs is whatever Parker wants him to be. High Safety, Box Safety, Nickle, CB, LB.

This is why it will be confusing to opposing QB's trying to figure out what Defense we are in.

Both of these.
Can't wait to see his impact.

I am sure there will be "bust" comments if he does not have 2 picks, 2 sacks and a TD.

 

[Chasing6]

Both of these.
Can't wait to see his impact.

I am sure there will be "bust" comments if he does not have 2 picks, 2 sacks and a TD.

Well Defenses are going to be so fixed on trying to figure out what he is doing it will free up other players to make plays.

 

[fivetwos]

Caleb is likely to have to go in at right tackle also.

Not a problem.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Caleb is likely to have to go in at right tackle also.

Not a problem.

That's probably Zeke's job at this point

 

[doomsday9084]

You want him close to the line of scrimmage. He is a ridiculous disruptor. He breaks up screens, blitzes, sniffs out reverses, gets in on the run game, etc.

That's why he is "NCB". He isn't a traditional slot cornerback and I would be concerned if he spent a ton of time just covering WR's downfield 1 on 1.

As a very sad Ohio State fan . . .

 

[morasp]

The fun thing about Downs is he is a multiplier who can effect plays w/o showing up in the stats.

 

[Reality]

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked that ...

 

[xwalker]

See him listed as a NCB. Is that what he played at tOSU? In the new defense, is that a hybrid safety?

I am curious if this is the position he played in his college days?

I am a fan of Downs, but trying to manage expectations if he is changing up what he is used to playing.

Google Penny Defense and Caleb Downs.

Penny Defense
- Called 5-1-5 or 3-3-5

Basically a 3-4 with one ILB replaced by Caleb Downs.

Basically the 3-4 version of Nickel.