Question: Why don't WR's become CBs?

[JR4]

Have there been any wide receivers that transitioned recently?
Troy played some DB and did quite well ... with more time he could have
developed.
It just seems once a WR has had several years playing in the NFL his
knowledge of routes etc and knowing how DB covered him would help
a transition.
Instead of a rookie CB why not take a WR with similar skills and convert.
I know most would not have what it takes but with so many WRs in the NFL
it would seem there would be more.

 

[Remix 6]

cuz then they wouldnt be WRs. duh

 

[JoeSixPat]

Have there been any wide receivers that transitioned recently?
Troy played some DB and did quite well ... with more time he could have
developed.
It just seems once a WR has had several years playing in the NFL his
knowledge of routes etc and knowing how DB covered him would help
a transition.
Instead of a rookie CB why not take a WR with similar skills and convert.
I know most would not have what it takes but with so many WRs in the NFL
it would seem there would be more.

with the exception of Troy Brown, my guess is that the skills don't translate to defense...

I think you raise an interesting question - especially since there are tall mediocre WRs who's height advantage compared to other CBs might give them an advantage

 

[Tunescribe]

Different skill sets and (often) body types. WRs tend to be taller and rangier, better at running routes than reacting to someone else doing same. DBs tend to be smaller and quicker with better reaction time. ALSO, WRs by and large have better hands and that really sets them apart -- re., Brandon Meriweather.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Different skill sets and (often) body types. WRs tend to be taller and rangier, better at running routes than reacting to someone else doing same. DBs tend to be smaller and quicker with better reaction time. ALSO, WRs by and large have better hands and that really sets them apart -- re., Brandon Meriweather.

But generally, with a few exceptions, the knock on CBs is that they are not tall enough to cover WRs.

NEM would often rant and rave about how we shouldn't draft or sign any CBs less than 6 feet... like tall and skilled CBs like that are just waiting to be plucked off the scrap heap.

So I'd put a different twist to JR4's original question... it seems to me that mediocre tall WRs would serve themselves well by diversifying a la Troy Brown.

 

[Truck]

Why don't CBs become WRs?

Because there's a different skillset involved. Some players can play multiple positions well; most cannot.

One position involves hitting; the other does not.
One position involves blocking the ball, the other involves catching the ball.
One position involves reading a qb and trying to predict where the ball is going to be thrown; the other is about just running the route you've been told to

 

[JR4]

Why don't CBs become WRs?

Because there's a different skillset involved. Some players can play multiple positions well; most cannot.

One position involves hitting; the other does not.
One position involves blocking the ball, the other involves catching the ball.
One position involves reading a qb and trying to predict where the ball is going to be thrown; the other is about just running the route you've been told to

Well here is a suggestion ... Kelly Washington.

He is one tough WR and has shown he can hit and tackle.
I understand there would be things to learn but with his experience
it may not be as difficult as one might think.

The fact it isn't done may mean the skills you mentioned are natural and
can't be learned. But Kelly seems to be a smart guy.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

George Wilson from the Bills was a mediocre WR who was converted to safety in TC last year. Due to all of the injures, he started about 8 games and played surprisingly well... until he got injured too.

 

[dhamz]

But generally, with a few exceptions, the knock on CBs is that they are not tall enough to cover WRs.

NEM would often rant and rave about how we shouldn't draft or sign any CBs less than 6 feet... like tall and skilled CBs like that are just waiting to be plucked off the scrap heap.

So I'd put a different twist to JR4's original question... it seems to me that mediocre tall WRs would serve themselves well by diversifying a la Troy Brown.

What NEM never understood, is that taller guys don't have the skills to play corner. The rare one's that do get picked top 5 in the draft.

Those mediocre tall WR, they'd be terrible corners. Their size can't help them due to the current interpetation of rules and their skills that make them mediocre WRs (typically lack of speed) would be even further exposed at CB.

 

[RayClay]

But generally, with a few exceptions, the knock on CBs is that they are not tall enough to cover WRs.

NEM would often rant and rave about how we shouldn't draft or sign any CBs less than 6 feet... like tall and skilled CBs like that are just waiting to be plucked off the scrap heap.

So I'd put a different twist to JR4's original question... it seems to me that mediocre tall WRs would serve themselves well by diversifying a la Troy Brown.

There are plenty of tall CBs, just not good ones. The fact that 5'9" cornerbacks often find themselves starters should tell you it's a different skill set.

If the 6'2" corners could do what the 5'9" guys could, they'd obviously start.

Troy brown wasn't exactly a complete corner, he only covered slot receivers.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Other than hands and tackling the same reason alot of WR's never make it ... they can't get past the jam ... that's an art in itself.

 

[pats_premi]

I wonder if bust like Bethal Johnson would have been better CB than WR. He had the speed and the burst to close on the WR's in cover 2 scheme. He played on the kick-off coverage team, so I assume he could tackle.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Okay this is probably covered in the phrase "different skill set," but...

The first couple sentences of a scouting report might seem like it would be the same for both positions:

"only average speed, (4.6 40), height (6'0")..."

From then it becomes totally different. When was the last time you got a scouting report on a receiver that tells about his ability to packpedal, or how well he swivels his hips? Those are usually way more important that either raw speed or "ball skills," i.e., hands. To be fair, all CBs need ball skills, in the sense of reading the arc right and batting it away... but you can be a good CB without being able to catch a cold, and you can be a fine WR without ever backpedaling.

PFnV