Why not Daniel Sorenson to free safety?

[Goatnapper'96]

With the arrival of Joe Sampson, it is my entirely uneducated opinion based mostly upon reading the insights of fans, most of whom probably know significantly less than most of you, that the best four defensive backs are likely to be Dan Sorenson, Joe Sampson, Corby Eason and Preston Hadley. Why not then move Eason to field corner, Hadley starts at base corner, put Joe at strong safety and then move DSor to free safety.

Perhaps this is what the staff wanted to do but Joe was not yet academically elgible to arrive for spring ball so the coaches adjusted by having DSor play at SS.

I understand that the concerns with this personnel grouping is the lack of experience at the ever talked about quarterback of the defense free safety and there are serious questions as to whether or not Sampson will be ready to go this year but I just thought I would ask the question.

Perhaps that will be the plan for next year to move DSor to FS to create a spot for Sampson, if he is still at BYU, and this year such a move is just a bridge too far due to the lack of experience and time.

[MarkGrace]

Based on the way people talk about Uale, including comments made on media day, I don't think he's going anywhere.

[Goatnapper'96]

Based on the way people talk about Uale, including comments made on media day, I don't think he's going anywhere.

I agree, but if Sampson makes it for another season it would not surprise me if DSOR moves to FS for 2012. Now to be sure there are a hell of a lot of huge questions concerning the degree to which BYU should expose itself to relying upon Sampson as a key contributor for 2011 given the fact that he might struggle to stay elgible all year and how little he understands the defense, but if he picks up the defensive assignments it is going to be interesting to see how BYU deals with Hadley and Sampson. I just think that both are more physically gifted than Uale and Buckner.

I also don't think there is no merit to play Uale this year. I think his experience will be helpful with so many innexperienced DBs and I think the kid will be adequate this upcoming year.

[Sizzle]

I agree, but if Sampson makes it for another season it would not surprise me if DSOR moves to FS for 2012. Now to be sure there are a hell of a lot of huge questions concerning the degree to which BYU should expose itself to relying upon Sampson as a key contributor for 2011 given the fact that he might struggle to stay elgible all year and how little he understands the defense, but if he picks up the defensive assignments it is going to be interesting to see how BYU deals with Hadley and Sampson. I just think that both are more physically gifted than Uale and Buckner.

I also don't think there is no merit to play Uale this year. I think his experience will be helpful with so many innexperienced DBs and I think the kid will be adequate this upcoming year.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sorensen look to learn both safety roles similar to Andrew Rich. I think the biggest reason he is learning strong first is the one that Grace mentioned, because Uale's strength in understanding the system.

I am a little bummed that it took Mike Hague so long to switch over to the defensive side of the ball. Had he made the switch last year, I think he would be the starter the next two years at strong, which would have allowed Sorensen to redshirt this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Hague and Sorensen starting at safety next year.

[MarkGrace]

I am a little bummed that it took Mike Hague so long to switch over to the defensive side of the ball. Had he made the switch last year, I think he would be the starter the next two years at strong, which would have allowed Sorensen to redshirt this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Hague and Sorensen starting at safety next year.

Same. Seems like a move that made sense well before they decided to actually do it.

[Sizzle]

Same. Seems like a move that made sense well before they decided to actually do it.

I don't think the move was held up on account of the coaches.

[jay santos]

For some reason, defensive backs both safety and corner, Bronco is extremely patient in bringing up talented youth. He'll start a frosh at LB or line, but it seems he's often holding back a talented frosh or new JC in the secondary. Can't argue with the success he had once he took over last year.

[MarkGrace]

I don't think the move was held up on account of the coaches.

So the coaches were suggesting it to him and he just didn't want to do it?

[Sizzle]

So the coaches were suggesting it to him and he just didn't want to do it?

IIRC one of the reasons he chose the Y was they would give him a shot at RB whereas the U only wanted him at S. I think both schools (and most recruiting services) projected him as a better S than RB.

I don't know how hard the coaches pushed, but that would be my guess.

[Goatnapper'96]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sorensen look to learn both safety roles similar to Andrew Rich. I think the biggest reason he is learning strong first is the one that Grace mentioned, because Uale's strength in understanding the system.

I am a little bummed that it took Mike Hague so long to switch over to the defensive side of the ball. Had he made the switch last year, I think he would be the starter the next two years at strong, which would have allowed Sorensen to redshirt this year. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Hague and Sorensen starting at safety next year.

Don't forget Craig Bills. Although I wonder if CB will be moved to SOLB.

[Hot Lunch]

For some reason, defensive backs both safety and corner, Bronco is extremely patient in bringing up talented youth. He'll start a frosh at LB or line, but it seems he's often holding back a talented frosh or new JC in the secondary. Can't argue with the success he had once he took over last year.

It is because mentally, it is the hardest part of his defense to understand and play.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Based on the way people talk about Uale, including comments made on media day, I don't think he's going anywhere.

That's what I would always assume, and still do in this case, but it seemed so out of character for Bronco to list Hague as the "or" option at that safety position coming out of spring. Hague moves to defense, only plays safety for a few weeks, and is listed as the co-starter with Uale, a veteran in the system that Howell and Bronco have praised for his understanding of the defensive roles and making sure his fellow defenders are positioned correctly.

Simply a motivational tactic for Uale? Or for Hague? Or far less meaningful than what I'm making it out to be? Again, the main reason I saw it as very significant is because it didn't seem like something Bronco has done in the past, giving such a vote of confidence to a young, inexperienced guy in the defensive secondary when he's got Uale (or Scott Johnson or Kellen Fowler) already manning that position.

That one little "or" on the depth chart in the football prospectus has me hoping we see the staff buck the trend of going the Jerry Sloan route of playing the vet who might make fewer mistakes and instead go with the more athletic player that will make more big plays but could make mistakes while learning his way on the field.

[Sizzle]

That's what I would always assume, and still do in this case, but it seemed so out of character for Bronco to list Hague as the "or" option at that safety position coming out of spring. Hague moves to defense, only plays safety for a few weeks, and is listed as the co-starter with Uale, a veteran in the system that Howell and Bronco have praised for his understanding of the defensive roles and making sure his fellow defenders are positioned correctly.

Simply a motivational tactic for Uale? Or for Hague? Or far less meaningful than what I'm making it out to be? Again, the main reason I saw it as very significant is because it didn't seem like something Bronco has done in the past, giving such a vote of confidence to a young, inexperienced guy in the defensive secondary when he's got Uale (or Scott Johnson or Kellen Fowler) already manning that position.

That one little "or" on the depth chart in the football prospectus has me hoping we see the staff buck the trend of going the Jerry Sloan route of playing the vet who might make fewer mistakes and instead go with the more athletic player that will make more big plays but could make mistakes while learning his way on the field.

IMO it is because Hauge looked pretty good in the limited amount of Spring Practice I caught. He was one of the more physical players on the defensive side of the ball and really flew around hitting people. I would guess it is also a bit of a carrot to Hague for making the switch to the defensive side of the ball. But that is 100% conjecture.

[Goatnapper'96]

It is because mentally, it is the hardest part of his defense to understand and play.

I once heard a good line wrt playing early in college ball. On offense the farther away from the ball the easier it is to play innexperienced players and on defense it is the exact opposite.

[Hot Lunch]

I once heard a good line wrt playing early in college ball. On offense the farther away from the ball the easier it is to play innexperienced players and on defense it is the exact opposite.

That is actually a very good point and from what I understand of the game, I agree with it 100%.