» Switching Positions

Skins2daGrave · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject: Switching Positions

this has been bugging me for a while. once you enter the league as a certain position lets say, WR, can you switch to QB? i know a lot of QB's switch to WR's but can WR's switch to Qb's or LB's or RB's??? not like minor swithces from ILB to like OLB, big switches, like from WR to DE. sorry if this sound confusing and dumb Laughing

Jake · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:29 pm Post subject:

You can play any position you want, just not all at once.

Entering the NFL in 1995, Kordell Stewart was a quarterback, punter, and wide receiver, hence his nickname, "Slash."

A player can be talented at many positions but coaches usually prefer the player to stick with one position.

1niksder · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:18 pm Post subject:

Zack Kearsey came into the NFL as a LB for the Skins and was cut he is now a FB for the 9ers

fredp45 · Hog Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 1769

It's very difficult for players to make a switch from a college position to a new position in the NFL because the level of play is so high and they haven't had the training or coaching in that position before. To enter the NFL in a new position with NO coaching experience in this new position is a tough road.

If anyone can make this switch it's normally super athletes in college that typically have speed. As the saying goes, you don't teach speed but you can coach a fast QB in college to be a WR or Punt Returner...ala, Randal El.

You would not normally see a great running QB in the NFL switch to CB. The coaching needed to make that switch is too great. Many good and experienced CBs make the switch to FS as they lose a step, e.g., Troy Vincent, but that change is not that difficult...in fact, many times you wouldn't change your position coach.

Kearsey did come out of Princeton as a LB and has switched but is not on the 49er roster. I'd venture to guess, he's trying to become a blocking FB, not a running FB.

One interesting thing here -- You'd think a 6'4" 300 lb DT in college could make the switch to OLine -- but I can't think of any Lineman to ever make a switch to the other side of the ball (from college to Pro) and be that successful. Can anyone else? I've heard this (very crude) generalization about the difference between lineman. OLine are typically smarter, slower, more patient and more laid back people. DLIne are typically more agressive, faster, less laid back people. I certainly can't validate that but if there is a difference in temperament than that is figured out early on -- in High School maybe. Molarino made that switch in college but not from college to pros. Maybe that's why he's struggling too.

You'd think that WR's and CB's could switch -- but again, it's the years of coaching that you must have to make it in the NFL.

The long and short of this issue is -- you better make a position switch in college and early enough that you can get coached up!

welch · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

Skinsfan55 · +++++++++ Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 5261

JansenFan · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

Actually, JJ came as an Offensive Tackle, and when Gibbs saw him and his massive body, he assumed he was a Defensive Tackle, and JJ, being and undrafted rookie free agent, was afraid to correct him.

BearSkins · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

cleg · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Switching Positions

SeanTaylorJr. · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:54 pm Post subject:

Any pos. to QB
Basically impossible, qb is too detailed and specific of a position, cannot get by with athleticism

QB to any pos
Can be done, but the athleticism must be there, and usually QB's aren't to keen on hitting anyone so that is a big factor

WR 2 CB or CB 2 WR
The main difference between these two is that CB's are usually(and should be) faster, shorter, and cannot catch that well. CB to WR is easier than WR to CB

OL 2 DL or DL 2 OL
The whole mentality thing seems pretty accurate to me, OL 2 DL is 10 times easier than DL to OL because DL can get by on athleticism, on OL there is an ungodly amount of technique and mental work.

Basically, the two things needed to succeed in a pos. change are a patience and
willingness to learn and a already present set of skills and athleticism that suggests an ability to play at that new position.

welch · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject:

Recall that it was common in the '50s, when colleges played two-way football. Gary Collins, U MD, was All America as a receiver and db.

His teammeate, Tom Brown, was

- second in receptions to Collins

- led the team in KR

- led the team with six interceptions

- played shotgun QB in his final game...just because he had been recruited as a QB.

Brown, of course, hit .450 for the UM baseball team, signed with the Senators, and started opening day, 1962, at 1B.

He couldn't hit major-league curves, and, losing patience for playing in the minors, signed with the Packers. Lombadi had drafted in the second round. Brown then started in the Packers all-tme great defensive backfield, won NFL championships, and the first two Super Bowl rings.

A great athlete.

*

Charley Taylor could have been a starting DB or RB for he Redskins. Otto (AKA "Toot") Graham switched him to WR, which was like the invention of nuclear weapons. No WR had ever been so big, strong, and fast.

*

Now things are more specialized...although a QB named Brian Mitchell did well as KR/RB for the Redskins. Even played QB in the "body-bag" game.

*

But the principle stands. Far more specialization now.