Tab Perry to Saftey?

[WretchedOne]

Hello everyone, Brand new to the board.

I'll start my posting with this interesting rumor.

It is rumored, and I believe Tab has even eluded to it himself, that he is going to be trying out at saftey for 2006.

He's got perfect size: 6-3 215, He's fearless, a nice quality to have in a saftey, He's played the position before.

I think our secondary coaches are way above average and could have him ready by Sept. It would take a lot of dedication on Tab's part, but he sounds like he'll put forth the effort. I'd say why not give him a shot, he's pancaked at the bottom of WR depth chart and he's to athletic to just leave there.

Now for some crazy thinking.

IF...and a BIG "if" Tab works out at saftey and could be a starter, what about Moving #40 to CB?

Let me explain...

Williams is a beast already and I believe that he could easily handle switching to CB, especially with an offseason to prepare at the position. That way we can get rid of Tory who has become a liability and expesive as hell. We'll not have to spend a ton of $$ on a FA CB and it also means that we don't have to "draft and develop" a rookie CB and hope that he can start.

Then we draft TWO safties. Donte Whitner and Chris Harrell. Then have a giant saftey battle in training camp. We've already got EIGHT safties on the roster. You let Whiter, Harrell, Perry, Mitchell, Kase, Bua, Jones, and Body all battle it out.

Just an idea...what do you think? Am I crazy?

[cincy9275]

crazy no . i think ladon johnson should be switched to ss he is the same size as ohalete and faster can cover better i don't why the coaches won't at least try him there

[benny44]

I have no problem with Perry trying to be a safety. The one thing that i do disagree with is moving Williams to CB. He is going to be great safety. For one thing he is a ballhawk and another he is fearless when trying to take someones head off. Ratilf is the CB of the future. I do not like moving Landon to SS either he is going to be a good LB. Actually he already is. I like Archuleta as a free agent. I am not sure if he is a Marvin Lewis type safety. Lewis likes them to be able to play the ball and stop the run.

[bengalindian]

I wouldn't mind seeing Tab try out at safety. I wouldn't mind them drafting a safety early because safeties don't have the bust rate as DTs. Also, Landon going to SS doesn't make any sense because he's a great LB and that's the position he has always played and has played for two years in the NFL. If you're going to switch a LB to SS, you have to do it at the beginning of their career.

[bengalboomer7]

Why put an offensive player on defense. Only Troy Brown does that and it's only out of neccesity for the team.

If we are gonna use a current player to move to Safety, I would prefer then to use a current defensive player. Tory is slowing down at corner, but with his long body and good ball skills, why not make him FS and madieu SS. Or, Keiwan Ratliff. Personally, I don't think Keiwan is the replacement to Tory. He's just a little too slow in man to man, but with his run support skills and his tackling ability safety might be a great position for him.

Tab Perry will not be our safety next year. And if he is, I think that's a sign of trouble.

[Ox]

Tab Perry will not be our safety next year. And if he is, I think that's a sign of trouble.

Agreed. 100 percent.

[NJ29]

Why put an offensive player on defense. Only Troy Brown does that and it's only out of neccesity for the team.

If we are gonna use a current player to move to Safety, I would prefer then to use a current defensive player. Tory is slowing down at corner, but with his long body and good ball skills, why not make him FS and madieu SS. Or, Keiwan Ratliff. Personally, I don't think Keiwan is the replacement to Tory. He's just a little too slow in man to man, but with his run support skills and his tackling ability safety might be a great position for him.

Tab Perry will not be our safety next year. And if he is, I think that's a sign of trouble.

I like this idea, but Marvin has addressed that Madieu is the free safety, and he won't be moving to strong.

[bengalboomer7]

Why put an offensive player on defense. Only Troy Brown does that and it's only out of neccesity for the team.

If we are gonna use a current player to move to Safety, I would prefer then to use a current defensive player. Tory is slowing down at corner, but with his long body and good ball skills, why not make him FS and madieu SS. Or, Keiwan Ratliff. Personally, I don't think Keiwan is the replacement to Tory. He's just a little too slow in man to man, but with his run support skills and his tackling ability safety might be a great position for him.

Tab Perry will not be our safety next year. And if he is, I think that's a sign of trouble.

I like this idea, but Marvin has addressed that Madieu is the free safety, and he won't be moving to strong.

Oh, I agree, but that is still a better option than Tab

[membengal]

sigh.

again, why is it that we cannot simply draft a safety?

[HoosierCat]

sigh.

again, why is it that we cannot simply draft a safety?

sigh.

again, why can't we do both?

[membengal]

sigh.

again, why is it that we cannot simply draft a safety?

sigh.

again, why can't we do both?

Because I think this defense needs, actual, ya know, defenders. Not guys who are trying to remember positions from high school. Moving Perry strikes me as them being too clever by half, when they need to concentrate on the basics, like guys who they know can cover and tackle. Just draft the ***damn safety, or take Archuleta or whoever in free agency, and be done with it. Perry will make a nice WR down the road. If they want to give him some snaps in the spring so he can step in should disaster strike, like Brown, fine. But there is no f**king way he is the answer to this team's safety problems.

Sigh.

(What, I am not allowed to sigh over the 445th iteration of this topic?)

[andybren]

I like that Tab is willing to try a new position to get playing time, but I wouldn't expect results. But if it works, why not.

I love Madieu and want to see him stay as a safety so he can "freelance" as much as possible. Assigning him to cover one WR seems like a waste of his talent. Did anybody catch Marvin's "In Their Own Words" segment on NFL Network? They show some practice footage where Madieu is all over the place. And Marvin is lovin' it.

I also love Landon and think his versatility adds to the weakside LB position, but isn't good enough reason to switch him to SS. But then with Marvin's vision of a versatile, athletic defenders starting to come together, these position discintions may start to lose some of their meaning. Pollack putting a hand down from LB, Landon and Odell dropping into pass coverage...this will be a fun defense to watch some day.

Looking over the various mock drafts it seems there are a fewl versatile safeties listed in the first 2 rounds. Guys that are listed as FS/SS and S/CB. Even if Marvin were to sign a free agent, I don't see why he wouldn't also pick up a rookie on the first day of the draft.

[HoosierCat]

Moving Perry strikes me as them being too clever by half, when they need to concentrate on the basics, like guys who they know can cover and tackle.

Yeah, god knows Perry could never tackle. He was only something like tied for second on ST in tackles this season (plus a FF and a recovery).

But there is no f**king way he is the answer to this team's safety problems.

Well, per reports Marvin had him practicing on defense. Maybe you should go share your insights with him. I'm sure he'd appreciate your expertise.

[walshfan]

Tab Perry has all the makings of a SS ....His inexpericnce on a pro level still concerns me though... Id like to see him get a shot at it... If Ohalete can play there for a whole season with all the mistakes he made why cant Perry at least get a shot????

[membengal]

Moving Perry strikes me as them being too clever by half, when they need to concentrate on the basics, like guys who they know can cover and tackle.

Yeah, god knows Perry could never tackle. He was only something like tied for second on ST in tackles this season (plus a FF and a recovery).

But there is no f**king way he is the answer to this team's safety problems.

Well, per reports Marvin had him practicing on defense. Maybe you should go share your insights with him. I'm sure he'd appreciate your expertise.

Well, aren't you in a mood today. Tackling on special teams is a whole lot different than being the last guy back at safety with nothing between you and the endzone.

And, to quote Shula Steakhouse, while I am certainly deferential to ML, of course, I get to question it too. Working him out? Sure, why not. People, anyone really, thinking that is somehow an answer to the giant sucking sound at that position last year? No effin' way.

[HoosierCat]

Well, aren't you in a mood today.

No, not really. It's just that people who can't grasp the obvious irritate me. Tab Perry was 6th on the WR depth chart this season. When Henry got benched for the pot bust, did they insert him? Nope, they went with Kwash. When Henry went down in the final game and Kwash was inactive, did they insert him? Nope, they instead chose to move Housh out of the slot and put in perennial camp follower Kevin Walter.

Perry will not come close to cracking the starting lineup at wideout anytime soon. If it weren't for his contributions as a PR he likely wouldn't be on the roster at all. He's a special teamer who comes in on offense for the occasional gadget play.

Given the lack of talent at the position, safety is probably his best shot at staying here long-term, which is quite likely why Marvin has encouraged him to practice there.

[buck3y3d]

Tab Perry for running back? He looked good this year returning punts and that's practically the same thing.

No.

This is not an option. Tab could be a TJ type reciever some day. Why move him to a position where he will undoubtedly struggle for at least 2 seasons.

[HoTbOy]

Tab would probably be a good safety, but I don't like switching a guy from O to D, I think that you need that hitters mentality early on and that it is not somethnig you can just do without fear. I also think that Landon mabye taking BSims spot real soon, so he won't be going to safety...I'm for either getting a safety in the draft on FA but not develope a WR to play safety and besides with Washington possibly leaving, I believe Tab is a HUGE upgrade over him...

[Tasher]

Boy, nothing like some good rumors to get everyone going, raise the juices!

This was elaborated on during the season, so the idea is not new. Tab has not played safety since HS or in his early days in college. There is a huge difference between playing HS, college and pro ball, so while it may be an interesting experiement, I have serious doubts that the coaching staff is really considering it as a realistic possibility. We have a lot of time between now and mini-camps, let alone training camp, so there is nothing wrong with evaluating an idea to fully illustrate or dispell any myths that it could actually work. Then on the other hand, we might dicover that Tab is the next coming of Ronnie Lott (my apologies to any USC fans to compare a Bruin to a Trojan).

I doubt anything comes of it, but just think how much fun Tab, Marv and Brez are having with this idea and how well it is killing time over the offseason!

[Kazkal]

If anything mybe he could be depth at postion incase our 1st-3 rnder gets hurt

[membengal]

Well, aren't you in a mood today.

No, not really. It's just that people who can't grasp the obvious irritate me. Tab Perry was 6th on the WR depth chart this season. When Henry got benched for the pot bust, did they insert him? Nope, they went with Kwash. When Henry went down in the final game and Kwash was inactive, did they insert him? Nope, they instead chose to move Housh out of the slot and put in perennial camp follower Kevin Walter.

Perry will not come close to cracking the starting lineup at wideout anytime soon. If it weren't for his contributions as a PR he likely wouldn't be on the roster at all. He's a special teamer who comes in on offense for the occasional gadget play.

Given the lack of talent at the position, safety is probably his best shot at staying here long-term, which is quite likely why Marvin has encouraged him to practice there.

This is where we completely disagree. An apprenticeship at WR of a year or three is no big deal at that position. TJ didn't set the world afire as a youngster either, and that was when there was s**te in front of him at that position. Perry didn't get a lot of run at WR this year? No effin' surprise there, the team was loaded at wide receiver. And, yes, that includes Walter. I just don't see how making him learn a completely new position at this level helps him "stick with the team". He will stick because he has enormous value at kickoff returner, and that value will give him time to continue to progress as a wide receiver.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Well, aren't you in a mood today.

No, not really. It's just that people who can't grasp the obvious irritate me. Tab Perry was 6th on the WR depth chart this season. When Henry got benched for the pot bust, did they insert him? Nope, they went with Kwash. When Henry went down in the final game and Kwash was inactive, did they insert him? Nope, they instead chose to move Housh out of the slot and put in perennial camp follower Kevin Walter.

Perry will not come close to cracking the starting lineup at wideout anytime soon. If it weren't for his contributions as a PR he likely wouldn't be on the roster at all. He's a special teamer who comes in on offense for the occasional gadget play.

Given the lack of talent at the position, safety is probably his best shot at staying here long-term, which is quite likely why Marvin has encouraged him to practice there.

OK, not sure what's supposed to be obvious here, since it's not a usual reaction for a coach to go looking for depth at S among the wide receivers. Also, while Marvin's looking at him as a S, I've not seen where it says *starting* safety (correct me if I'm wrong). As such, I see this as more of a move to build depth - and is a good idea, given what happened this year.

That said, I've gotta agree with everyone else here - if your answer to your troubles at safety is to give the starting job to a guy who hasn't played *defense* since high school, you're screwed.

There's a great amount of depth at S in this draft - don't overthink it, draft one.

[HoosierCat]

An apprenticeship at WR of a year or three is no big deal at that position.

"A year or three"? You are aware Tab is working on a 3-year contract, aren't you? By your lights, he'll be headed for restricted FA before he's ready to come off the bench. But in realiity he isn't working on any "apprenticeship," he's just buried behind much greater talent on the WR depth chart and that isn't likely to change in the two years remaining on his deal.

TJ didn't set the world afire as a youngster either, and that was when there was s**te in front of him at that position.

TJ had 228 yards. Perry had 21. If TJ didn't set the world on fire, Tab couldn't even strike a match.

I just don't see how making him learn a completely new position at this level helps him "stick with the team". He will stick because he has enormous value at kickoff returner, and that value will give him time to continue to progress as a wide receiver.

What more progress does he need to make as a WR? TJ and Henry appeared to pick things up pretty quick their first year. It isn't about progress, it's about that loaded WR position even you admit we have. And the bottom line is that dedicated returners do not tend to last very long. Roster slots are too precious, and the last couple rounds of every draft are filled with guys who can return kicks and punts. Remember Tremain Mack? The Bengals kept trying to put him out there as a DB, with miserable results, so when he began to self-destruct off the field, cutting him was no big deal. Dave Meggett was a great return man for the Giants up here, but he ended up out when he couldn't contribute on offense. The same thing is likely to happen to Tab in about two more years, unless he can grow beyond a special teamer (ask Khalid Abdullah).

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

crazy no . i think ladon johnson should be switched to ss he is the same size as ohalete and faster can cover better i don't why the coaches won't at least try him there

Perhaps because they have a good reason to want him to play linebacker? Like because he plays that position well and they need him to be a quality backup and sometimes starter in a rotation where starter or not he plays as much as any linebacker on the team?

Perhaps because he is being groomed to be Brian Simmons replacement?

Hrmn.. Maybe, just maybe he's more valuable doing what he's doing than being shifted to strong safety, a position Marvin and his staff have said doesn't exactly exist in their minds? Landon is certainly no rangy safety type in the mold of Madieu/KK that Marvin has said he prefers.

Why put an offensive player on defense. Only Troy Brown does that and it's only out of neccesity for the team.

Tab Perry is not an offensive player. He is a designated special teams player. He hasn't really found a roll on the offense. Yes, he is listed as a WR, but he has lined up a tailback as often as he lined up at wide receiver. He played safety in the past, and if our coaches are finally smart enough to see players as football players and not just as defensive tackle, defensive end (have you not noticed how many teams rotate dlinemen from end to tackle in the NFL now?), safety, corner, wideout, tight end/linebacker. One of the reasons Billy B the King of Coaches is as highly regarded and has had so much success in taking the Patriots to the big dance is his ability to do just that, utilize his athletes to get more production out of them than just being the #5 wideout on the depth chart.

Moving Perry strikes me as them being too clever by half, when they need to concentrate on the basics, like guys who they know can cover and tackle.

Yeah, god knows Perry could never tackle. He was only something like tied for second on ST in tackles this season (plus a FF and a recovery).

But there is no f**king way he is the answer to this team's safety problems.

Well, per reports Marvin had him practicing on defense. Maybe you should go share your insights with him. I'm sure he'd appreciate your expertise.

Well, aren't you in a mood today. Tackling on special teams is a whole lot different than being the last guy back at safety with nothing between you and the endzone.

And, to quote Shula Steakhouse, while I am certainly deferential to ML, of course, I get to question it too. Working him out? Sure, why not. People, anyone really, thinking that is somehow an answer to the giant sucking sound at that position last year? No effin' way.

Noone is saying he is definitively the answer to our injury prone safeties. However, this is the second season in a row where we have lost more than one of our starting safeties for the entire season. Don't you think having someone other than Kevin Kaesviharn ready to step in as a backup if necessary is a good idea? Don't you think it's a pretty damned good idea to take a guy who has played the position and has shown he has a lot of athleticism and a willingness to do more than just return kicks and work him out somewhere else? I suppose you are one of those guys who thinks Billy B out in New England was a fool for thinking a wideout could be a cornerback and *gasp* play at the position in the Super Bowl of all things! Marvin apparently is actually looking at Tab Perry and saying hey, I'm not going to wait until we are totally screwed again at the position. I'm going to get someone who expressed interest a chance to see if he can do it.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Noone is saying he is definitively the answer to our injury prone safeties. However, this is the second season in a row where we have lost more than one of our starting safeties for the entire season. Don't you think having someone other than Kevin Kaesviharn ready to step in as a backup if necessary is a good idea? Don't you think it's a pretty damned good idea to take a guy who has played the position and has shown he has a lot of athleticism and a willingness to do more than just return kicks and work him out somewhere else? I suppose you are one of those guys who thinks Billy B out in New England was a fool for thinking a wideout could be a cornerback and *gasp* play at the position in the Super Bowl of all things! Marvin apparently is actually looking at Tab Perry and saying hey, I'm not going to wait until we are totally screwed again at the position. I'm going to get someone who expressed interest a chance to see if he can do it.

If that's all it is, fine. Emergency backups are always fine to have, and February is probably a good month for that. And Tab's an ideal candidate since he's taking up a roster spot solely to play special teams. But the fact that he played S in high school doesn't mean much to me, at least half the league probably went both ways in HS. I'm sure some people on this board played S in high school.

The question is, does this change the fact that we need a S in the first two rounds of the draft? I don't really think so.