Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501
Then the Reed and Polamalu examples maybe aren't the best ones. I agree.
But if in the Ryan defense, the Strong Safety has ability to make pre-snap adjustments, then it's Berry's fault if he's blitzing too much or playing too many snaps as a gap filler. I agree he has less flexibility to adjust out of the box, but he does have ability to adjust into more coverage-related responsibilities. It sure feels like Abdullah plays a lot more coverage than Berry does, doesn't it? Blitzes less? Plays less of a gap fill role?
Now, maybe he's doing that because our linebackers and pass rush last year were complete dogshit. Or maybe Berry isn't making nearly the kind of pre-snap adjustments we'd want him to.
We both agree that Berry needs to play gap fill less and blitz less, and cover more. I also agree with you that a move to free safety could save his body. Where I disagree is I know Berry has the elite physical skill set to be an exceptional strong safety and that he could be a difference maker if used properly. He doesn't seem to be being used properly within a strong safety role which again points back to the question... is that Sutton or is that Berry? Does that change now that we have better talent around him?
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Abdullah isn't coming out of the huddle and lining up in the box nearly as often as Berry was, so that should answer the question.