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Clearly, many think that the "problem" is Gilmore, and perhaps a new set of roles to accommodate him.
If the change in roles is because of Gilmore replacing Ryan, then the safeties needn't be involved. We would need to see who played Ryan's nickel reps (Butler or Jones). Harmon could take a few more reps as the nickel, but that isn't a major change.
IF THE ISSUE IS CHUNG
As folks have pointed out here, the change isn't that simple. Chung's reps have been decreasing, apparently because of performance. It seems that Richards isn't good enough as a backup strong safety to have him replace Chung in that role (we don't have a next man up at strong safety)
The issue is bad enough to try to move McCourty to SS. This is a MAJOR change. Harmon is a fine free safety, but then he can't pay his 2016 reps in the nickel, and he is no McCourty. As was the case with corner, it isn't clear if McCourty is even an adequate strong safety. In any case, the secondary is much weaker without having a probowl safety.
CHOICES
1) Continue with the new roles, expecting McCourty to become a top strong safety.
2) Start Richards at strong safety.
3) Start Harmon at strong safety (a really bad idea IMHO)
4) Move Chung back to strong safety, and figure out how to make up for his decrease in performance. His role would be greatly reduced from 2016.
5) Pick up a backup strong safety who might eventually replace Chung, or even be a backup (apparently we don't have a backup SS). This player could be a special teamer who is a better SS than Richards. Many of us have been asking for this foe months.
6) Trade for a strong safety, hoping that he would fit in for the second half of the season.
In the short term, my guess is that #4 is the best option.
If the change in roles is because of Gilmore replacing Ryan, then the safeties needn't be involved. We would need to see who played Ryan's nickel reps (Butler or Jones). Harmon could take a few more reps as the nickel, but that isn't a major change.
IF THE ISSUE IS CHUNG
As folks have pointed out here, the change isn't that simple. Chung's reps have been decreasing, apparently because of performance. It seems that Richards isn't good enough as a backup strong safety to have him replace Chung in that role (we don't have a next man up at strong safety)
The issue is bad enough to try to move McCourty to SS. This is a MAJOR change. Harmon is a fine free safety, but then he can't pay his 2016 reps in the nickel, and he is no McCourty. As was the case with corner, it isn't clear if McCourty is even an adequate strong safety. In any case, the secondary is much weaker without having a probowl safety.
CHOICES
1) Continue with the new roles, expecting McCourty to become a top strong safety.
2) Start Richards at strong safety.
3) Start Harmon at strong safety (a really bad idea IMHO)
4) Move Chung back to strong safety, and figure out how to make up for his decrease in performance. His role would be greatly reduced from 2016.
5) Pick up a backup strong safety who might eventually replace Chung, or even be a backup (apparently we don't have a backup SS). This player could be a special teamer who is a better SS than Richards. Many of us have been asking for this foe months.
6) Trade for a strong safety, hoping that he would fit in for the second half of the season.
In the short term, my guess is that #4 is the best option.