WRs converted to S / CB? 🤔

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Are there any instances of cement handed wide receivers converting to defensive backs positions, in the modern era of professional football?  Or are the skills of the roles just too different?

[LEBills]

1 minute ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Are there any instances of cement handed wide receivers converting to defensive backs positions, in the modern era of professional football?  Or are the skills of the roles just too different?

Richard Sherman?

[Stranded in Boston]

4 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Are there any instances of cement handed wide receivers converting to defensive backs positions, in the modern era of professional football?  Or are the skills of the roles just too different?

None other than the Bills’ George Wilson!

[HiMark]

Bucky Brooks

 

[schoolhouserock]

Our very own George Wilson

[davefan66]

Yes, players have been converted in the past.

 

I’m wondering who the “cement handed” WR is you want to convert, or is it a general question?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

40 minutes ago, Stranded in Boston said:

None other than the Bills’ George Wilson!

 

5 minutes ago, schoolhouserock said:

Our very own George Wilson

Thank you both.  A name that didn't ring a bell, but a good long career in Buffalo, judging from the Wikipedia page.

1 minute ago, davefan66 said:

Yes, players have been converted in the past.

 

I’m wondering who the “cement handed” WR is you want to convert, or is it a general question?

General question.  

[ICanSleepWhenI'mDead]

Troy Brown played WR well enough to go the Pro Bowl once and eventually played DB for New England late in his career.

[Stranded in Boston]

3 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

 

Thank you both.  A name that didn't ring a bell, but a good long career in Buffalo, judging from the Wikipedia page.

General question.  

Yeah, Wilson was a decent safety — a rangy cover guy who could also lower the boom. I remember him baiting Tom Brady into throwing a pick at the Bills’ goal line in that glorious 2011 home win over the Pats.

[st pete gogolak]

Does anyone remember Dwight “Ike” Harrison from Lou Saban’s second go-round?  I believe he started out as a WR and ended up a pretty solid CB on some good Bills’ teams in the mid-70’s.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Thank you to all who have responded.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

4 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Are there any instances of cement handed wide receivers converting to defensive backs positions, in the modern era of professional football?  Or are the skills of the roles just too different?

OH, I’ve been WAITING for this question because I have a good answer. Mike Furrey had a bizarre 2 years for the Detroit Lions where he played WR/FS. In 2005 he had 4 picks (1TD return) 3 FR, and 58 tackles. Then in 2006 completely changes positions and puts up 1086 6 TDs receiving after not recording a single catch the prior season. On top of that, Furrey was also a solid KR/PR and Gunner. Guy covered 5 different positions. Talk about versatility. McDermott would cream his pants and clap thunderously.

 

I mean the JAGS #2 pick was Travis Hunter and he can play both positions at an elite level. 
 

Didn’t Edelman play a bit of slot corner ? Troy Brown is another WR/DB. Prime time Sanders played some WR as well. A lot of teams will put their best receivers in the red zone on Hail Marys. Remember when Gronk took that terrible angle and lost to Fitz & the Dolphins? That’s why it’s not a common tactic. 

 

Edited August 10 by ChronicAndKnuckles

[947]

Literally almost every DB in the NFL is a converted WR. They all played both ways at some point, then either in High School or College, their coach made that decision for them.

[jlgarsh]

5 hours ago, Stranded in Boston said:

None other than the Bills’ George Wilson!

Came here to say this. Well done

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

39 minutes ago, 947 said:

Literally almost every DB in the NFL is a converted WR. They all played both ways at some point, then either in High School or College, their coach made that decision for them.

I did think that a lot of outstanding multi position players from high school then would be winnowed down to their best positions by college.  By the time of graduation, most were either offense or defense.

[Low Positive]

They were talking about some guy being in the process of this change for the Packers during last night's preseason game.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

12 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

They were talking about some guy being in the process of this change for the Packers during last night's preseason game.

Going back to the late 2010s, there seemed to be a few Buffalo WRs that half the board had them as shoo-ins for Canton, while the other half of the members were crying to convert them to DB.

[Low Positive]

4 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Going back to the late 2010s, there seemed to be a few Buffalo WRs that half the board had them as shoo-ins for Canton, while the other half of the members were crying to convert them to DB.

And everyone here thinks the transition from CB to S is as easy as taking a few steps towards the middle of the field. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

4 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

And everyone here thinks the transition from CB to S is as easy as taking a few steps towards the middle of the field. 

Agree.  There are undoubtedly nuances that each position requires, and an ever increasing base of information that coaches will use in planning.

[Sierra Foothills]

2 hours ago, st pete gogolak said:

Does anyone remember Dwight “Ike” Harrison from Lou Saban’s second go-round?  I believe he started out as a WR and ended up a pretty solid CB on some good Bills’ teams in the mid-70’s.

 

Yes, Dwight Harrison... number 28. Excellent athlete.