Interesting news on Hamlin, Pitt secondary

[raleighpanther]

PSNow is reporting that coaches are considering/planning to move Hamlin to boundary safety, with Whitehead at the free safety spot.

They also said that would leave Coleman, Jackson, and Henry Miller to compete for the CB position opposite Maddox. Two interesting thing here: one, no mention of Motlee, and two, Miller was moved from CB to safety in spring ball.

Several questions on Hamlin:
Will he be healthy come camp time, and if so, how long can he stay healthy, particularly at the boundary safety position, which involves a lot of tackling?
What are the coaches plans for Paris Ford?
What are their thoughts on the readiness of Garner, Stocker, and Campbell at the safety spot?

 

[Tony Zimmermans Dennys Adversary]

Hmm I thought that would be Ford's spot. That is definitely very interesting.

 

[raleighpanther]

I think Ford has a ridiculous amount of talent and potential, but I never thought they would plug a true freshman into the starting lineup from day one.
They practically did that with Whitehead, starting him in game 3, but there was virtually no talent at safety when he got here. That is not the case now, PN has recruited a lot of young talent there, and those guys know the system and the playbook, which Ford does not. I still think Ford will be a multi-role player his first year; playing some nickel packages, possibly returning punts, used on jet sweeps on offense, etc., things where his athleticism and instincts can be utilized.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I know its early but Damar Hamlin's career is looking a lot more like Shayne Hale's than Jordan Whitehead's.

 

[raleighpanther]

I know its early but Damar Hamlin's career is looking a lot more like Shayne Hale's than Jordan Whitehead's.

It is early, but I fear the same.

 

[vegasgreed]

First, Hamlin has to prove he can stay healthy. Second, coaches are trying to figure things out. Ford is going to play A LOT his freshman year.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

The moment I saw his (rather slight, decidedly unspeedy, though admittedly not nearly healthy) profile take the field, it didn't necessarily scream "stud cornerback" as many hoped. But it sure as hell didn't scream "safety" either. Up to this point, "up man on kick returns" or "possibly useful on the onside kick hands team now that Bam Bradley is gone" is about all he's inspired. But I did try to keep in mind he was thrown out there in an emergency.

Actually the only REAL screaming was "turn your dam head around, for chrissakes!" But that could have been any of our corners. At least Dane Jackson is tall enough that it might hit his head someday by accident.

In other words he has some ways to go... regardless of position.

 

[PhPanther1]

Hamlin will be a terrible Safety....if this report is true. I'll wait to hear it from a coach, but i'd predict he's a bust if moved to safety and will never be healthy.

 

[gbgpanther]

Hamlin will be a terrible Safety....if this report is true. I'll wait to hear it from a coach, but i'd predict he's a bust if moved to safety and will never be healthy.

Could grades still be a problem with Ford? Just asking . I do not know anything on this.

 

[thebadby2]

Hmm I thought that would be Ford's spot. That is definitely very interesting.

Ford hasn't set foot on the practice field yet. We finally have enough depth that we won't need to throw him into the fire before he's ready.

 

[thebadby2]

Hamlin will be a terrible Safety....if this report is true. I'll wait to hear it from a coach, but i'd predict he's a bust if moved to safety and will never be healthy.

You think corner is an easier position than strong safety in this defense?

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

PSNow is reporting that coaches are considering/planning to move Hamlin to boundary safety, with Whitehead at the free safety spot.

They also said that would leave Coleman, Jackson, and Henry Miller to compete for the CB position opposite Maddox. Two interesting thing here: one, no mention of Motlee, and two, Miller was moved from CB to safety in spring ball.

Several questions on Hamlin:
Will he be healthy come camp time, and if so, how long can he stay healthy, particularly at the boundary safety position, which involves a lot of tackling?
What are the coaches plans for Paris Ford?
What are their thoughts on the readiness of Garner, Stocker, and Campbell at the safety spot?

I have no clue whatsoever and leave it to Smarter Posters on the Lair that do! I will say this, it sounds awfully nice to have those Players and Questions and Coach Pat & Staff can have or find the Answers.

The Defensive Backfield may finally have the Speed, Quickness, and Toughness to be much better with a Charlie Partridge's Coached Defensive Line as well.

I am still worried about the Experience at Linebackers and Experience only comes by Playing! So, maybe this will buy some time in Front of the Linebackers and Behind the Linebackers?

Baby2, Tiger, JRipper, Hugh Green, Vegas, Steel, PittDan, and Others know far more than me!

 

[thebadby2]

The moment I saw his (rather slight, decidedly unspeedy, though admittedly not nearly healthy) profile take the field, it didn't necessarily scream "stud cornerback" as many hoped. But it sure as hell didn't scream "safety" either. Up to this point, "up man on kick returns" or "possibly useful on the onside kick hands team now that Bam Bradley is gone" is about all he's inspired. But I did try to keep in mind he was thrown out there in an emergency.

Actually the only REAL screaming was "turn your dam head around, for chrissakes!" But that could have been any of our corners. At least Dane Jackson is tall enough that it might hit his head someday by accident.

In other words he has some ways to go... regardless of position.

He hasn't been 100% healthy for a single snap he's taken at Pitt, and he should have been redshirted his freshman year. He never got healthy. That was a big mistake by Narduzzi.

Point being, he hasn't really had the chance to show what he can do yet.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

He hasn't been 100% healthy for a single snap he's taken at Pitt, and he should have been redshirted his freshman year. He never got healthy. That was a big mistake by Narduzzi.

Point being, he hasn't really had the chance to show what he can do yet.

Do you think it is lingering injuries from the Big 33 & other All Star Games? I hope Future Pitt Recruits no longer play those games?

CFB Draft Picks are now starting to stop playing in Bowls as well.

 

[thebadby2]

Do you think it is lingering injuries from the Big 33 & other All Star Games? I hope Future Pitt Recruits no longer play those games?

CFB Draft Picks are now starting to stop playing in Bowls as well.

No idea, but I really dislike this trend of top college players skipping their bowl games. That was unthinkable until the last couple years.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

No idea, but I really dislike this trend of top college players skipping their bowl games. That was unthinkable until the last couple years.

The game is changing and it is my last bastion of sports, my last year in watching it.

 

[PhPanther1]

You think corner is an easier position than strong safety in this defense?

I think Hamlin is built and moves like a corner. Flips his hips and runs like a top corner....he won't last as a safety.

 

[Swervin27]

No idea, but I really dislike this trend of top college players skipping their bowl games. That was unthinkable until the last couple years.

I kind of like this trend. bowl games, non playoff bowl games anyways, should be for the younger players to get reps and prepare for the upcoming season. we've seen the 4th and 5th year players, no need to have 5th year seniors playing these exhibition games when there is a redshirt freshman or soph that needs the game experience..

the meaningful playoff games, I agree with you.

 

[RaleighPittFan]

I kind of like this trend. bowl games, non playoff bowl games anyways, should be for the younger players to get reps and prepare for the upcoming season. we've seen the 4th and 5th year players, no need to have 5th year seniors playing these exhibition games when there is a redshirt freshman or soph that needs the game experience..

the meaningful playoff games, I agree with you.

I understand where you are coming from, but to me, if the game counts in the final win/loss record, you play the best players to try to win the game.

In my thinking all of the players want to play.

I understand why, but I don't have to like it.

 

[Swervin27]

I understand where you are coming from, but to me, if the game counts in the final win/loss record, you play the best players to try to win the game.

In my thinking all of the players want to play.

I understand why, but I don't have to like it.

yeah, it's not as cut and dry as I am making it out. I mean, I don't want to bench all seniors, the bowl games should be a reward for the upper classmen too. I don't want to bench all seniors either, that would be a tad disingenuous to your departing seniors.

 

[wbrpanther]

I know its early but Damar Hamlin's career is looking a lot more like Shayne Hale's than Jordan Whitehead's.

You mean the Hamlin who is entering his SECOND year?

 

[Swervin27]

You mean the Hamlin who is entering his SECOND year?

ridiculous, some of these posts. kid played like 3 games and was hurt, as a true freshman, and we are getting these posts. I swear, if you aren't all American by game 2, pitt fans write you off.

 

[wbrpanther]

PSNow is reporting that coaches are considering/planning to move Hamlin to boundary safety, with Whitehead at the free safety spot.

They also said that would leave Coleman, Jackson, and Henry Miller to compete for the CB position opposite Maddox. Two interesting thing here: one, no mention of Motlee, and two, Miller was moved from CB to safety in spring ball.

Several questions on Hamlin:
Will he be healthy come camp time, and if so, how long can he stay healthy, particularly at the boundary safety position, which involves a lot of tackling?
What are the coaches plans for Paris Ford?
What are their thoughts on the readiness of Garner, Stocker, and Campbell at the safety spot?

All I know about the future of the secondary is it's better to have 9 or 10 kids with talent fighting for 4 jobs than having 2 or 3 . The kids will decide who plays where on the field this summer.

 

[Swervin27]

All I know about the future of the secondary is it's better to have 9 or 10 kids with talent fighting for 4 jobs than having 2 or 3 . The kids will decide who plays where on the field this summer.

the more I think about it, the more I'd like to see the staff give a shot to paris ford at CB in the fall. you can easily move him back to Free safety when Whitehead leaves next year. also, that Mathis kid has some offers coming out of high school. not crazy to think either one of these two could be in mix to compete for that CB spot.

 

[Jpripper88]

I kind of like this trend. bowl games, non playoff bowl games anyways, should be for the younger players to get reps and prepare for the upcoming season. we've seen the 4th and 5th year players, no need to have 5th year seniors playing these exhibition games when there is a redshirt freshman or soph that needs the game experience..

the meaningful playoff games, I agree with you.

Yeah, they really are pretty meaningless and if you are a top pick, I don't blame anyone for sitting out a stupid exhibition game. Let's be real, even these guys who are doing it and "healthy" are really banged up. I don't think you will see it grow, too much, but for 1st round RBs? I definitely think it is smart.

 

[Swervin27]

Yeah, they really are pretty meaningless and if you are a top pick, I don't blame anyone for sitting out a stupid exhibition game. Let's be real, even these guys who are doing it and "healthy" are really banged up. I don't think you will see it grow, too much, but for 1st round RBs? I definitely think it is smart.

there is no reward and great risk. ok, maybe not great risk but a risk nonetheless. lets face it, you are looking at the pros, your first, second, third priorities are the Nfl and your future.. yeah, as a fan of college football it kind of sucks but look at it from their perspective.

if the nfl scouts used it as a negative then I could see but they are not, they don't care if mccaffrey plays a bowl game at Stanford, what the hell would that matter to them?

 

[thebadby2]

I think Hamlin is built and moves like a corner. Flips his hips and runs like a top corner....he won't last as a safety.

I think the coaches made that be slightly better qualified to decide who plays where than you are.

And Hamlin has good size and athleticism for any spot in the defensive backfield.

The question is his health.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

That 6' 1" they list him to be looked a little dubious in the games I saw. If that number was utter BS, well, too bad but not much can be done about that (unless he has a spurt). Can't teach height, and racks went out of style in the Inquisition. So maybe IF some of the new or returning guys are legitimately tall (and are close in talent) it IS better to move him.

As far as playing safety I'm sure they can build up his body stronger and tougher than he looked last year (which was neither strong nor tough... but yes yes, I know, he was injured). They'll have to. To be useful there he needs to be closer to Ramon Walker than Ron Ramon.