Yep, the kid is a natural Free Safety, but Alabama played him close to the line of scrimmage because their defense was so good he was better able to affect play by being closer to the line of scrimmage. So, they gave him the hero role in their defense, and he excelled. But in the pros, that isn't a vital role in the defense. Free Safety is where someone with his ball skills, coverage ability, size, speed, willingness to study tape, and tackling can be put to best use. He was a natural for the position, and many of us saw that. I can't understand why the fascination with cross-training him to be a jack of all trades got in the way of the obvious value of a FS who has a chance to be someone like Ed Reed.Yep.
“We couldn’t believe Minkah fell to us” - Chris Grier 2018
“He doesn’t fit our plans” - Chris Grier 2019
Anyone have a problem w this? Either he’s good and we played him in the wrong spot (in which case Flores should be accountable) or he’s not good (even though 2 FOs made him their no 1 pick) in which case our scouts and Grier should be held accountable.
PS - he had a good rookie season here. The pick 6 was nice as was that great stop on 4th and 1 on our goal line week 1 vs Tenn. Not many players could have reacted and made that play. First glimpse of what he could be.
Gase dropped the ball, and then Flores dropped the ball. Grier had to say something like that when he let him go, but I'm confident Grier understands that we mis-handled the talent he acquired. We're all-in for rebuilding through the draft, with 2020 and 2021 being front and center for talent acquisition. When it didn't work out, the player wanted out, and the Pittsburgh gave us an out (potential top 10 pick in 2020), I think Grier had to pull the trigger … but it must have been bitter sweet for him to see a talent like that go.