LB/S Hybrid Phenomenon

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/0...nsive-staples/

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It’s hard to tell exactly where the trend began. Some say it started back in the days of Doug Plank and Buddy Ryan’s 46 defense, while others would cite the Vikings’ Joey Browner as a primary agent of change. Bryan Scott is a more modern-day name younger NFL fans may identify with, while Troy Polamalu is more widely recognized for his contributions to evolving defensive schemes.

Whoever truly initiated the shift at the professional level, the widespread growth of linebacker/safety hybrids among NFL defenses is becoming prevalent across the league heading into the 2016 season.

Deone Bucannon, Mark Barron, Reshad Jones, Jaquiski Tartt and others typically dominate hybrid defensive back discussions, although each of these players is actually tasked differently within their defensive scheme. Bucannon and Barron were safeties early in their careers, but now are almost exclusively linebackers, and can be solely identified as such despite the common perception. Tartt could be trending that way, while Jones is simply a safety who thrives in a box-heavy role, similar to how Polamalu was typically deployed in Pittsburgh. Kam Chancellor is another safety with the ability to play all over a defensive front due to his wide array of skills at the position.

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Couple of prospects fit this bill in the 2017 draft in Peppers, Harvey-Clemons, Melifonwu and a few others.

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Originally Posted by DraftBoy

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/0...nsive-staples/



Couple of prospects fit this bill in the 2017 draft in Peppers, Harvey-Clemons, Melifonwu and a few others.

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Taylor Mays was one of them. In his stint with CIN, his notable accomplishment was drawing several personal fouls for piling on.

It honestly bothers me that if we do Tampa-2 we need one, as opposed to the luxury of using that type of player in situations, because the pro game takes a toll on them quick, which creates a durability issue.

I remember Scott for the Bills absorbing too many vicious impacts. He talks about it :

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016...sion-struggles

Su'a Cravens was the standout hybrid last year. He missed 1 game as a safety in 3 years for USC. He missed 5 last year for Washington and had a biceps injury, concussion and hip injury through the season.

Full time play is harsh on them.

I don't consider Polamalu and Chancellor hybrids.

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Originally Posted by YardRat

I don't consider Polamalu and Chancellor hybrids.

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With the amount of snaps both spent in the box there is a case to be made for it.