Should Kyle Wilson Play Safety for the New York Jets?

by John B on Oct 11, 2011 12:17 PM EDT

Kyle Wilson is playing well this season. He generally sees the field in nickel packages. In conventional packages, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are the starting corners. That is unlikely to change barring injuries.

The Jets have issues at the safety position in coverage, particularly with Eric Smith. Smith has allowed over 100 yards in coverage in both of the past two games. He is an asset against run heavy teams. He is a good nickel linebacker. He is not a high quality starter, though, and has real problems against good receiving tight ends.

Since the Jets are not going to use Wilson in normal looks, and there are safety issues, I wonder whether the Jets will consider giving Wilson a look at the free safety spot. He has pretty good range. He is physical. In nickel spots, he could drop down into the slot. He covers tight ends a lot when he is in the game. Jim Leonhard could drop down to the strong safety spot, where he played really well in 2009. Smith kind of cancels Leonhard out when both are in there. They make the same kind of plays. If they are not going to use Wilson at corner, why not maximize his effect by using him elsewhere?

It would not be a huge adjustment either. There are plays in the defense that call for corners to play the safety spot.

Am I totally nuts for thinking this?

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how about

wilson as the 2nd CB and cromartie as free safety?

by Crimetime Island on Oct 11, 2011 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

I’d consider Cromartie to be more of a liability on rushing plays especially if he’s playing safety. I also think that Wilson could thrive at FS as seems to be more willing to tackle.

Personally, I’m still kind of upset we didn’t make a play for Taylor Mays when he was available. He could have thrived in that ‘Safety-Backer’ position.

by Re1gn on Oct 11, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I see where you’re coming from with this. It’s tempting because of his range. I’m not sure how good he’d be, though. It goes beyond the tackling. Safety is a very instinctual position. You have to be able to diagnose what is happening in front of you and get to the right spot. That doesn’t seem like Cro’s forte at all.

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by John B on Oct 11, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

no it is not

that would be like asking a janitor to solve an previously “unsolveable” math equation.

Wait, did I just go there?…….no I didn’t. Cro sucks. Here’s an equation I can solve: All athlete + no brains = track star (not football star).

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

by FrankWhyte on Oct 11, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Great idea. Ala Dwight Lowery of last year.

Which means this organization isn’t going to do it. We need to just draft a safety because the more we play Wilson the more we risk our now shakey CB depth. Even for this year, I believe Darren Sharper isn’t signed anywhere, unless his legs are giving him probs again after last years microfracture surgery.

by Timmaht on Oct 11, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree.

When we asked Lowery to move from CB to Safety he was able to make a quicker transition because in college he was a Safety. He converted to CB when he went to the NFL. Wilson from my understanding has only been a CB

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by Noble_Lance on Oct 11, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

These labels are very deceiving. Corner is the position he plays most, but there are plays where he takes safety responsibilities.

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by John B on Oct 11, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

This could be a great idea, although it’s rare we see Wilson actually make a play on the ball, rather than just defend against it. It’d be fantastic if we had a ballhawking FS. Could be interesting though.

America #1

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 11, 2011 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Who needs labels like nickel or safety

If they see a matchup they want, they will incorporate it.

by CervezaVerde on Oct 11, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Here is a guy who wants to improve all the time

So, why not. I bought the #20 jersey right after he was drafted. He was awesome for Boise State. Now, that the rookie year is done, he will do great thing in defense.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. WG
Let's BEAT TOM BRADY.

by jetstrong21 on Oct 11, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

Just got a Namath jersey in addition to my Bart Scott one. I’m considering getting a Greene or Wilson one next, not sure.

America #1

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 11, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Namath is the way to go I think. Always a good idea to go with a jersey you can wear forever. There’s so much player movement these days.

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by John B on Oct 11, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, agreed. You have any?

America #1

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 11, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, last one I had was Pennington.

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by John B on Oct 11, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ouch. I would go for Victor Green. He was just, plain, well, my favorite for no reason that I care to get in an argument about.

by CervezaVerde on Oct 12, 2011 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree with all of the above.. why not just do whats best matchup wise?

against a team that features the pass throw cro deep on certain downs or put wilson back there when not in nickel coverage. I think Rex has the most open ideas out there in terms of how to use personal so i think him of all people would be the one to use them in different ways.

by sp0rtsfan86 on Oct 11, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

dude

kyle wilson is a corner period besides rex likes eric smith so he not going any where

by Emmanuel Agu on Oct 11, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Lowery was a lesson

IMO a coverage safety is something the Jets truly need. But Rhodes was sent packing, Lowery is now in Jacksonville, Rex is determined to have both of his Safeties, as in the Box Safeties, strong against the run, and less than adequate in coverage.
IMO Poole is better in coverage than Leonhard or Smith, but he doesn’t start. It’s Rex’s system, the guy has had success with it , but the NFL is changing, maybe Rex need to be more flexible

by JetOrange on Oct 11, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

smith isn't as bad as you say.

for years on blogs i have preached drafting a safety. we never have in any of the rounds. This year for once it is not a major priority in my opinion. Smith has given up 2 100 yard games but he played the pats and ravens. He has done well this season and made plays including a few good picks. He also is flying all over the field. I am ok with him so far. give him a break for the rest of the season, then we will see and re-evaluate. We need to look at pass rushing lb and RT big time.

by blackknight93 on Oct 11, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Heck no!!!

He is to light in the a$$ for that he would have to gain a good 20 pounds but I could see it, Or Cro can be a good fit at safety also

by bllackkman on Oct 11, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

He is taller and heavier then Jim Lenhord...

by RhodesRocks on Oct 11, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

safeties need to be much bigger

Or else he’ll suck or most likely get hurt playing against the run.

Case in point: Bob sanders. He was small enough to play coverage and daring enough to sell out on the run. But he was injuried all the time because his tiny body can’t handle the hits on D.

Even free safteies should be over 200 pounds

by KINGESTER on Oct 11, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Sanders could have lasted has his style been less reckless.

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by John B on Oct 11, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

About safeties

I read in the book: Take your eyes off the ball

There are 4 things to look for in a safety:
-ability to cover the deep zone
-ability to blitz
-ability to be a run stopper
-ability to play coverage

If a saftey can do 3 of those things, they are locked up to 5 year contracts
if a saftey can do 2, they are locked up to 3 year contracts

by KINGESTER on Oct 11, 2011 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

I kinda like it.

He has the smarts, the aggression, and the foot-speed to do well at it in our system.

How bout using Kyle as the #2 corner, and using Cro as a coverage safety against TEs. No TE can separate from him. Yeah, he’s not exactly a thumper in the box but he has made some nice plays flying up from the secondary this year. He can at least redirect stuff back inside. And where was E Smith when the Ravens and Pats rammed it down our throats in the 4th qtr? At least Cro won’t be giving up completions all over creation for easy conversions. And he can play with more physicality against TEs.

by Crackback on Oct 11, 2011 8:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions