Safety Role Next For Richard Sherman
December 6th, 2021
Last last season, injured Bucs cornerback Richard Sherman was taking reps at safety for the 49ers.
It’s something that superstar corners seem to do in order to extend their careers. See Rondé Barber’s 2012 season playing for The New Schiano Order.
Sherman told Bay area media (the other Bay area) last year that he consulted with Hall of Fame corner/safety Charles Woodson about his transition and that he’s interested in making the move.
Fast-forward to the surging Bucs, and Sherman is healing from his calf injury but the Bucs’ deck is full again at cornerback.
Carlton Davis is back healthy, as is Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Jamel Dean is grinding through a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, the bottle of cologne, Pierre Desir, is picking up his game and as a backup corner and Ross Cockrell has a lot of trust from the coaching staff after playing about 25 percent of the snaps last season and proving versatile (though not great) in 2021.
Sherman, when he was on the field at corner for the Bucs, wasn’t very good.
Today, Bucco Bruce Arians said Sherman will start training at safety. It wasn’t clear whether Sherman already has invested significant time studying the position in the Bucs’ defense.
Joe heard the news and gulped a couple of times. It tells Joe that Jordan Whitehead’s calf injury could be more serious than the team has shared.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Completely forgot he was on the team. I spent more time in elevators with people than he’s spent on the field.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:22 pm
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
December 6th, 2021 at 1:23 pm
IT tells Robert that he already knows CB and we can always use a way to get another ballhawk on the field.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
He’s just big name insurance at this point. Not a bad thing to have as long as he’s all in and willing if his number is called.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:31 pm
This is very interesting. Pete loves the experiment
December 6th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
me and Pete must be on the same meds
December 6th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
I like the move, since Sherman no longer has the speed needed for corner.
He is still a great football player, and if safety will extend his career I say why not.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:37 pm
I don’t think he can keep up w receivers anymore, his time at CB has passed. I hope it’s not because of Whitehead, I hope its just age like with Ronde.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Any update on Jordan Whitehead?
December 6th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Is Delaney hurt? He was playing CB better than Cockrell or Desir
Who else do they have for safety since Edwards is out for 3 weeks and it doesn’t look good for a Whitehead to return soon?
December 6th, 2021 at 2:02 pm
This move makes perfect sense. What we really need are about a dozen good snaps a game. Sherman as a full time player just screams big time injury.
Glad to have him.
Yes Joe, 2x on the Whitehead injury update please.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:04 pm
It also tells me that the fate of Mike Edwards and Antonio Brown has not yet been decided and that they both may have played their last game in a Buccaneers uniform. BA strikes me as someone who would rather you be honest and tell him something he doesn’t want to hear than to lie to him.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Cockrell don’t earn d!ck on my trust level. Doesn’t sound good for Whitehead until at least a few more games. Hopefully he’s ready for the playoffs. Give Sherm a chance.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:14 pm
This is a good move for him. Lot’s of guys have done it, problem is most started getting ready for it in the off season, so again, he would need to do it on the fly, but the guy is smart, he can handle it. I know he gets knocked around some times on this site but coming in off the street, practicing for a few days then playing a pretty solid first game (98% of the snaps) at corner and and helping us get a win against the Pats was really commendable.
The way our luck has been at corner and safety this year, there is no reason to think it is going to change anytime soon. These guys are all banged up pretty bad, even the ones now deemed to be healthy.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:17 pm
Sounds like Whitehead is hurt more than they are letting on…
Thing is, the CB corp seems to get hurt every week now.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:17 pm
SOEbuc, not sure that’s true, AB assures you score 30 a game and Edwards help opponents from scoring 30.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:29 pm
@SOEbuc – I didn’t know one could “earn d!ck”
#TheMoreYouKnow
December 6th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
whitehead isnt on IR so that is a good sign
December 6th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Listnfrmafar…I’m confused? Whitehead might be the hardest hitting SS in the NFL. Edwards is the rotational on passing most the time. I don’t really know where AB comes into the convo. And if any safety is keeping teams from getting 30 pts it’s AWJr.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:37 pm
Why not? He’s not the corner he once was and there’s no shame in that. Mother Nature is undefeated in that department.
In addition, he can still back-up the DBs if an emergency should arise. Sherman is a smart football player. This could be a really good decision for him.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Several players were injured beyond 3 games and weren’t on IR so I wouldn’t be so sure on Whitehead.
As for as Edwards….he won’t receive the same fate as AB because this is his first offence.
Sherman to Safety is certainly a good move….
December 6th, 2021 at 3:05 pm
Arians said Whiteheads injury was potentially very very serious already, his exact words.
And that they couldn’t do an MRI until the swelling went down.
He likely tore his calf and is done for the year. He is a huge loss if so.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:17 pm
I like Sherman’s savvy. He can help the younger guys with tips during the game. And he has a little more height which helps on deep enzone corner coverage. Interesting to see how he does. Could payoff big time by playoffs.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Some older CBs make the transition to S when they slow down, but the results are mixed. I don’t see him covering WRs adequately as a CB, but there’s both hope and a need at Safety.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Sherm will be a huge asset in the playoffs! You can quote me on that!
December 6th, 2021 at 3:31 pm
Makes perfect sense. You’re paying the guy and he’s taking up a roster spot, might as well cross train him at Safety to maximize his usefulness.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
BA4President
Lmao. Gotta start somewhere and that dude ain’t got the mojo.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Joe I think you nailed this one. Doesnt sound good for Whitehead.
Hope Sherman can be ready soon because we could use him with Edwards suspended. All Bucs fans should be hoping Sherman looks good when he gets in…….We might be needing him.
December 6th, 2021 at 5:19 pm
I hope this doesn’t have anything to do with edwards potentially being cut, along with AB…
December 6th, 2021 at 5:28 pm
Beeej had mentioned this a week or two ago, could Sherm play free safety?, as that has traditionally been a natural progression for older corners
December 6th, 2021 at 7:41 pm
Ronde Barber converted to safety late in his career and he was good at it
December 6th, 2021 at 9:30 pm
Big, smart player. Get him on the field.
December 7th, 2021 at 2:19 am
That is a fantastic idea.
December 7th, 2021 at 2:34 am
He is very smart and should transition quickly. Still the best in the business as a CB in zone coverage with amazing football awareness but no longer able to play man due to his slow speed.
December 7th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Good! Use him for something. Not getting paid to stand on the sideline every Sunday. Earn your ring dude.
December 7th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Coach giving him a chance instead of cutting him. Bruce is a great coach