Athletically, he was/is a tweener. Not as fast as you want (and perhaps not hippy enough) but they thought he could work as a 1) Star and then 2) a safety. He is kind of small for a safety and you need to have different skillsets. He plainly does not possess those skills.
I recall people quite disliking his performance at corner and really hoping for a move to his more natural position of safety.
The reason he was the team leader in tackling was because he was targeted so much due to his sloppy coverage.
A good chunk of our D is playing out of their original position. The previous staff made those moves at the detriment for long term development
his hips are too stiff to be a CB. He use to get turned around in 2018 when he was at CB. I just don’t think he’s that good wherever you put him at
In Bobby I trust, but I sort of think we would be better off with TD at corner vice safety. At least there's less to read at cb. Neither option is ideal though. It is like having to pick the lesser of two evils.
But you aren't going to pull any of the following off of the field in favor of Dean. Marshall Hill Kimber Helm
Is this from the Grantham years of improper training? Can we return Dean to his earlier form with help?
Deans best year was his freshman year as a corner when thrown into action die to injuries.. He then bulked up, added muscle and weight, lost some quickness and was exposed against quick WRs
Yes. If Grantham just left our current guys play their natural position they’d be a lot better now. Dean would be way too far behind to play corner now. And he’s too old. It sucks but his football career is near over
I personally am hoping he can show improvement this year. There is a reason they play him. I think it is because he seems to be able to tackle.
I recall that they moved him to the star or nickel position, and that seems to be the toughest position for a grantham defense. I suspect it set back Dean mentally as he failed at star. I don’t think we had a remotely decent player at star since Chauncey.