Learning A New Position
August 14th, 2018
New corner?
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
One hallmark of the Dirk Koetter era with the Bucs is he likes players that are interchangeable.
For example, Koetter has receivers that can play outside and in the slot. Koetter also demands that his backup offensive linemen be adept at center, guard and if need be, tackle. The defensive line this year, revamped, has players learning to play tackle and end.
Now throw second-year safety Justin Evans into the mix. In part due to injuries, the Bucs are force-feeding Evans, who started last year beginning with the game against the Belicheats, at nickel corner.
It is common for a corner to move to safety. Often it is an aging corner. For example, Ronnie Lott moved from corner to safety and Darrell Green and Ronde Barber also relocated in their final seasons.
But safety to corner? That’s different. And Evans is looking at the positive side of the move.
“Yeah, they are working me around at nickel and corner to help my game out,” Evans said. “If you can play every position [in the secondary] they can put you on the field. That’s an upside of it. I am still learning though. I have never played corner or nickel but I have the tools to do it.”
This surprised Joe so he asked Evans if he played corner in high school. Evans said, yeah, but blew off that impact as virtually meaningless now.
Of course, Koetter was asked about cross-training Evans.
“It gives him a chance to play a new position which will only help him understand the entire defense more,” Koetter said. “Also, we think Justin is a playmaker so this gets him closer to the action. … He got a lot of snaps at nickel.”
Whether this is permanent remains to be seen. First, Joe would suspect Chris Conte and Keith Tandy will have to maintain a solid level of play. It also may mean more snaps for rookie safety Jordan Whitehead, who didn’t embarrass himself in his first NFL outing last week at Miami.
Joe cannot imagine a full-time move for Evans if he is needed at safety.
It seems Evans is off to a strong start. In practice yesterday, he had strong coverage on Adam Humphries on a throw from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, in the corner of the end zone that was just about as perfect of a throw-and-catch in the red zone as you will ever see.
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 13, 2018
August 14th, 2018 at 7:11 am
With the new rules, a team can’t have enough good secondary players. I imagine there will be a lot of ejections of safeties and corners under the rules, especially early in the season. Maybe that also plays a part in cross-training?
August 14th, 2018 at 7:13 am
Promising young talent? Change his position! I can’t understand the ignorance of this staff. Belichick, drafts players who do one thing very well. And puts them in a position to succeed. Koetter?? Surprised he hasn’t moved Cappa to fullback yet.
August 14th, 2018 at 7:14 am
Evans is still young and was still getting comfortable in the back-end, late last year. But by all means…..
August 14th, 2018 at 7:15 am
What?…..No comments from Joe regarding developing young DBs……how in the world do you expect Justin Evans to learn another position when he hasn’t been developed as a safety yet?
Perhaps one of the WRs we will likely cut can be transferred to DB. We have about 4 of them.
August 14th, 2018 at 7:17 am
^Ha!
August 14th, 2018 at 7:20 am
There is a trend for defenses to run “big” nickle on defense!!! Think of this as a defensive package to play against certain offensive situations more than a “position” change!!!!!!!! And for the “real” fans, this might be a hint of what they think of Whitehead to place 3 safties on the field at once!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 7:35 am
I hear he like his QBs to be interchangeable as well….able to switch from Uber to Lyft on the fly.
August 14th, 2018 at 7:44 am
When you look at the Seahawks defense, the improvement of the Falcons defense, the Broncos defense when the went to the SB, I wonder did they cross train their players or just say here your position, now go be great at it. Giants, Bucs, Bears, Panthers, Ravens of the past, c’mon Bucs. Maybe we are not good enough and you want the best 11 on the field, but I remember Tony Dungy “next man up” expected to perform like a starter and be accountable to the team.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:03 am
Its training camp/pre-season. This is the time to learn and try new things, experiment, cross train etc.
Both starting safeties (yes Whitehead will be a starting safety at some point sooner than later this year) will be cross trained at FS, SS and Nickle CB.
MJ Stewart is cross training at safety as well in addition to inside and outside CB.
Alex Cappa is cross-training at Guard and Tackle
Hopefully we will see Vita Vea at Fullback on a few short yardage plays this year in addition to his crosstraining at Nose and 3-Tech.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:07 am
@Koetter … ““It gives him (Evans) a chance to play a new position which will only help him understand the entire defense more.” Dirk’s rationale makes perfect sense to me, especially when the new position is within the same position group. It’s the old notion of being able to “walk a mile in another man’s shoes.” Ultimately it has to help all those in that position group be able to anticipate & communicate better.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:16 am
@Etzel … “Belichick, drafts players who do one thing very well.” You mean that same Bill Belichick who used a WR Troy Brown at nickel CB in mid-2004 or maybe his using LB Mike Vrabel as a TE starting in 2002. Belichick has been VERY unconventional throughout the years Etzel, and seems to have a knack for tapping into ‘hidden skills’ shall we say.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
They trust Conte and Tandy. Having a “heavy” nickle and/or dime package with Evans still on the field would be a nice option to have. I only see this as working him into a Honey Badger-type role, which I ain’t mad at.
Let Evans roam the field!
August 14th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Pickgrin- Vea at FB! A la Refrigerator Perry?! I like it!
August 14th, 2018 at 8:45 am
All the jameis haters upset about that beautiful ball tho
August 14th, 2018 at 8:48 am
“Vita Vea at Fullback” No thank you….let him learn his position. He has a long way to go, and we don’t need to fill his head with an Offensive play or plays at this time. And why give D players free shots at his lower legs? Five years down the road, maybe.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:54 am
@mark2001
you should search for Vita Vea running back and see the tape!!!!! The Man had a very nasty jump step!!!! The big guy had moves!!!!!!!! @joe, when is my double secret probation over??????????
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 8:57 am
Boy, you guys sure can burst a bubble can’t you?! You do know that football is supposed to be FUN too, correct?!
Of course he needs to learn his position first mark2001! Geez!
August 14th, 2018 at 9:00 am
The only position we don’t need to cross-train is WR…….perhaps LB…..but we can use all the defensive position versatility we can get along with Oline.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:06 am
Joe doesn’t have confidence Evans will be playing much nickel Besides, Grimes said yesterday nickel much easier in Mike Smith’s defense than outside corner.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Realist…not saying he couldn’t do the job…but he has a great deal to learn to be a NFL quality tackle. From reading the articles here daily, seems like Buckner is working him pretty hard regarding technique and such. Let him learn to be a quality Tackle for the Bucs first. Experiment with him later. And at his size, I’d hate to give D linemen free shots at his lower leg and ankle…wouldn’t you? I have no problem with much of the experimentation. But talking your first round DT, one that already has had a leg injury, and a suspect O line, and do that? If he gets hurt doing that and is out for a substantial period of time, costing him the season, how could you rationalize it? Remember..we have big guys that can do the job. Wasn’t Cross one of them?
August 14th, 2018 at 9:27 am
In 2016, played in all 16 games, starting the final five, recording 52 tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one fumble recovery.
In starts over the last five weeks of the season, joined Donnie Edwards (2004) as the ONLY players in NFL HISTORY to accumulate 45+ tackles and 4+ interceptions in December/January. Added seven passes defensed and two tackles for loss in that span.
His four interceptions on the year, which all came in Buccaneers victories in the final five games, tied for the team lead and tied for 11th in the NFL. There you go. This of course is talking about Keith Tandy in 2016. If Ole Smitty Boy is smart he will keep Evans at Nickel and put Tandy back and Safety and let Keith do his Magic again. The rotation of Weedwhacker, Conte in 2017 didn’t work out to well. Also Whitehead could learn a lot from Tandy and will undoubtedly become the other starter at Safety down the road. Just Sayin
August 14th, 2018 at 10:02 am
I do like the Idea of players learning what other positions do, but I prefer knowing that the given player has mastered his main position before making such move.
I would prefer leaving Evan’s and Whitehead alone at S and move Conte to nickel since he can’t play safety anyway.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Tandyman dropping knowledge! The cream will rise to the top (if Smitty lets it!) my man! Consider this: Even if Tandy doesn’t start, this might be one of the deepest positions on defense. We KNOW that injuries are going to happen. Having quality depth is a definite plus!
August 14th, 2018 at 10:25 am
Yesssss Sir!!!! Pickgrin always slams me with wanting facts. Well Pickgrin My Man these came directly from Keith’s Bio!!!! Those are facks Jacks!!!!!! If he gets the opportunity this season he will do the same things. You say that 2016 was a fluke. Well I personally don’t think flukes happen at this level called the NFL.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:34 am
Etzel Says
“Promising young talent? Change his position! I can’t understand the ignorance of this staff.”
I don’t think its a permanent thing. I can see Koetter’s point. Nothing helps a player understand what to expect from other positions better than actually getting reps at that position.
For example, I would LOVe to see some CBs getting reps at WR and vice versa.
Might not work for all spots, but I can see it working on S, CB and WR.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:38 am
mark2001 Says
“Vita Vea at Fullback” No thank you….let him learn his position. He has a long way to go, and we don’t need to fill his head with an Offensive play or plays at this time. And why give D players free shots at his lower legs? Five years down the road, maybe.”
I agree…but if we ever reach the NFC Championship game and getting a 1 and goal will get us to the big game, I’m all for Vita Vea plunging across the goal line with the ball to win the game.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:44 am
Joe, I will reread what you wrote to be sure, but I am pretty sure he said playing Nickle is more instinctual and more involved in reading packages and motions, He said it fits VH better, DID NOT say that it was easier. But I will double check.
Yup. Double checked here is the portion of the quote you posted:
“But just you can tell he’s a little more comfortable with that nickel position because compared to outside nickel is a lot more knowing, you know, checks and motions and things like that”
Dont see easier- I see less physical, more mental.
August 14th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Evans has the size and speed to match the bigger wide receivers. He was known for his ball hawking skill in college. He would have been drafted in the first round if he was a good tackler. He tends to want to hit vs. wrapping up the ball carrier. I think this is correctible.
August 14th, 2018 at 11:32 am
this staff needs to go…..didn’t they learn their lesson with marpet and ryan smith…..let evans perfect his craft at safety…..he just finished his rookie year!!!!!
the notion of this making his game better is BS….if that’s the case, put Winston at safety….have LVD play RB…..let GMC play G…..im sure it’ll make their games better too….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 11:35 am
Experience is the best teacher. Yes, this sounds good, seeing Evans has not played corner, he will learn a lot. Problem with this. theory is he is only a 2nd year player. Don’t you think he would be better off getting experience at his safety position? Oh, I forgot, we are so deep at S that we can afford for him to take time off. as DB55 would say, wtfdik
August 14th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Defense Rules Says:
August 14th, 2018 at 8:07 am
@Koetter … ““It gives him (Evans) a chance to play a new position which will only help him understand the entire defense more.” Dirk’s rationale makes perfect sense to me,
NAWL….what makes sense is dirk developing MJ, j.elliott and any other player that plays the nickel position….this proves joe and others correct…..this staff cant develop CB’s…..instead of coaching a young player up, they rather switch his position……
that’s the perfect example of piss poor lazy coaching…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 11:40 am
Bonzai… I have to say, if we are in the Championship game and that one yard is the difference between going home or going to the Superbowl …Well…whatever it takes on that play.
August 14th, 2018 at 11:44 am
“It gives him a chance to play a new position which will only help him understand the entire defense more,” Koetter said. “Also, we think Justin is a playmaker so this gets him closer to the action. … He got a lot of snaps at nickel.”
Code for VHIII. Ain’t gonna make it. How did playing people at new positions work for R. Smith?
August 14th, 2018 at 11:47 am
The difference between a nickle (inside) CB and a SS playing in the box is very minimal. They’re basically the same other than the alignment the rest of the secondary is playing. A nickle CB is playing close to the LOS and usually over the Y receiver with two safeties behind him while a SS plays close to the LOS usually over the Y receiver with one safety behind him. Their jobs are pretty much identical other than the fact that usually cover 2 is not played with a SS in the box.
August 14th, 2018 at 11:58 am
On second thought,
If you’re lining up 10-12 yds deep, you’re pretty much playing safety anyway.
August 14th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
DR
your full of sh!t!!!!!!!
don’t even try to compare what dirk is “trying” to do to what one of the greatest HC in NFL history has done…..
troy brown played CB and WR in college at Marshall…..he had experience playing the position at a D1 level and by the time bill asked him to play both ways he was a seasoned vet…..not coming off his rookie year….
and bill used vrable the same way many coaches use and extra lineman as a TE……hell, even Donald penn has a TD reception…..sapp has a TD playing offense…..
but those players were seasoned vets and dominate at their position…..evans is still green….now his growth will be hampered….instead of having him spend every second of his time focusing on safety, he’ll be distracted because he has to learn a different position, while he’s still learning his position…..
counter productive….piss poor coaching…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Dirk’s likes guys to be versatile but it has helped put him on the hotseat. Moving Marpet to C was a failed experiment that cost us. Moving Pamphile to the opposite side was another example. How about Sims in the slot where he didn’t make a play from all year.
And why is it that he loves versatility except when it comes to Djax who just runs the Forrest Gump route all game and never returns punts(4 non TB career TDs)?
August 14th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
damn good throw!
August 14th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Evans is fast and when he started to develop last year he was all over the place taking good angles all over. We have four starting quality Safeties if Whitehead is real and we’re short at CB. Nothing wrong with putting Evans at nickel for a few practices. If he does get moved to nickel when the season starts that means they’ve really like him at the nickel position.
August 14th, 2018 at 12:44 pm
I don’t know why Koetter doesn’t put Whitehead at corner and leave Evans at safety. Whitehead had played some corner in college.
August 14th, 2018 at 12:50 pm
TRENCH
I agree…..
then let tandy be the 3rd safety…..but no, lets make evans learn a position he hasn’t played since the 10th grade while continuing to learn the position that got him drafted….
lets teach Winston to hike and run routes while we’re at it…..im sure that versatility would help improve his game too…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Please don’t experiment with that vs. Brees.
August 14th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Why have a cornerback up on the line of scrimmage and he doesn’t even put his hands on him? In press coverage you’re supposed to get your hands on the receiver, jam him up and reroute him. Evans let Hump run right around him that’s why it was caught. If he had pressed him Hump would’ve never had the chance to make a spectacular catch or he could’ve had an interception. . This is the side effect of them being played 10 yards off the line because they can’t put their hands on the receiver.
August 14th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99
“Why have a cornerback up on the line of scrimmage and he doesn’t even put his hands on him? In press coverage you’re supposed to get your hands on the receiver, jam him up and reroute him.”
Hahahaha. Don’t think so. Not in today’s NFL bud. CBs aren’t allowed to lay a finger on WR and not be called holding or PI. Everyone was hating on Ryan Smith against the Dolphins but that was amazing coverage in that downfield pass in the 1st quarter and it got called DPI and it was clearly OPI. F-cking hate how Goodell and these NFL a-holes have begun killing the game.
August 14th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
SOE- Somewhere, Mel Blount is just shaking his head!! Dude couldn’t even be a Safety in today’s league.
I agree with Fan99 though. If you’re even, they’re leavin’. In other words, if you don’t re-direct at the LOS, bye Felicia!
Technically they’ve got 5 yards before it becomes a DPI. So, maul the dude for 5 yards!
August 14th, 2018 at 3:26 pm
SOEbuc Says:
DavidBigBucsFan99
“In press coverage you’re supposed to get your hands on the receiver, jam him up and reroute him.”
Hahahaha. Don’t think so. Not in today’s NFL bud. CBs aren’t allowed to lay a finger on WR and not be called holding or PI.
—————————————————————————
Um – yes they are. For the 1st 5 yards past the line of scrimmage CBs can put their hands on, make contact with and generally harass a receiver as much as they want.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Yeah Pickgrin. There is an art to “holding” without getting called. The great ones know how to do it. Just listen up to Ronde when he calls the preseaon games(He does a very good job imo) I’ve heard him talk about it.
Speaking of PI the same art applys to receivers. And we have a problem with Mike Evans getting called. I’m sure he’s working on fixing it and I really hope he succeeds or it’s gonna cost us a game.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
probably useful to counter some of the stronger TEs out there who can often line up in the slot looking for the size and strength mismatch
August 14th, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Next man up, plain and simple. That’s drafting replacements instead of need
August 15th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Cappa was trained at Center first which was nuts when you have a trained Center, Evan Smith, as Jensen’s backup, and has stunted Cappa’s training at Guard where he is needed now. Fortunately Licht picked up Seaton, who has played great at RT for Dotson, Gardner, who can sub for D. Smith at LT if needed, Lidke, who can play Tackle too, and Hobart, a Guard, who all were undrafted, and I wish we could keep them all on our 53 man roster. Not until a player has mastered starting a position where they are needed, should they be trained for a different position. That is just poor coaching!