By all accounts, DaJaun Morgan has been absolutely tearing it up during Chiefs‘ training camp. It seems like every practice he’s either making a spectacular pick or almost making one. He even recovered a fumble today. It seems like the Torpedo has a heat-seeking nose for the football. Since we definitely need to force more turnovers, does everybody think he could end up starting? Would he replace Bernard Pollard or Jarrad Page (it’s my understanding that he can play either spot)? I’m leaning towards Page, but that’s just me. Or will Morgan just occasionally spell both and play some nickel and 3-3-5 back? I could see that, too.
What are your 2008 season predictions for DaJaun “Torpedo” Morgan?
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Barring injury, Morgan won’t start this year unless Page just bombs.
I agree with that statement. But you do think he sees a lot of the field, especially on special teams? I sure as hell do.
I hope he makes alot of plays for us, but pollard is my favorite. I hope Page doesnt bomb, but i would prefer him dropping over pollard. I would love to see chiefs line up with 3 safeties. run like a 4-4-3. I reckon that would work a treat.
I really cannot see Herm benching either Page or Pollard – Bernard is too vicious a hitter, and Page just has a nose for the ball.
That said, neither of them has enough picks for their time on the field, and both of them have managed to miss big tackles in the open field they should be able to make.
If the Torpedo is able to actually make those hits and picks, then I can see him eventually replacing Page.
But I think he’s the nickle and comes on in the 335. I love the name of that spread – perfect for a team like KC from a blues town because three-thirtyfive is the model number of the Gibson guitar a lot of bluesmen prefer – like BB King (though he may play the 355 stereo version these days)
Page has better ball skills and Pollard struggled in coverage last year. I can see Morgan replacing Pollard. Herm believes the best player should start so the fact that Morgan is a rookie won’t necessarily hurt him. Page is more of a lock to keep his job, though he needs to work on his tackling, he is better in pass defense than Pollard.
Ballhound is more suited to FS and Nickel roles. Sounds to me like he should definitely be featured as the nickel and also to spell Page. Barring injury, I’d be surprised if he replace Page as the starting FS. Page would have to drop off considerably and I just don’t see that happening. I imagine McGraw will be spelling Pollard and probably also come in on Dime packages.
I really wouldnt get too excited over Morgan because if you remember last year, the same thing happened to bernard pollard. He had a great training camp and then just didnt do that great in the real games. He never lived up to his great training camp expectations. I hope the same thing doesnt happen to morgan.
royalchief, the difference is that a FS should always be better than a SS at pass coverage, but both should be able to tackle. Bernard tackles much better, if you ask me.
Even if Pollard somehow gets knocked out of the starting lineup (and he won’t this year) he is still a valuable special teams player. That’s part of the reason I like him so much.
Pollard struggles in coverage, great tackler. Page struggles in tackling, great coverage. No way should page struggle with tackling though he’s fast & a pretty big safety at 220lbs.
Morgan sounds like he has great coverage, I imagine if his tackling is adequate he will challenge Pollard, or if our passing D isn’t good the first few weeks that should increase his chances of starting too.
Let’s just kidnap Troy Polamalu and force him to play for us.
There’s no indication that Morgan is going to take the job of eithe of the current starting safeties. Pollard is having a solid camp and Pages job is pretty secure.
Safety is a position of great responsibility and it takes any young player time to grow into it. The things an NFL safety faces is far different than anything they face in college.
Morgan will primarily contribute on Special Teams and be the 3rd safety. I would imagine he would replace Pollard in obvious passing situations as well. This gives him a chance to get his feet wet in the NFL.
Starting next year however, I think the competition will heat up and it will be a “may the best man win” situation.
How about replacing Jarrad on obvious rushing downs? Stevie Wonder is a better open-field tackler.
I do think it will take him some time to learn the position, especially considering he came out a year early.
And I think someone already kidnapped Troy Polamalu’s body and played for him last year. He was worthless.
If we could kidnap any safety around the league, I’d rather have Ed Reed.
Let’s just see how well Page and Pollard play this year. It takes a bit for players to get acclimated, and remember, they are coming into their 3rd year. They have played outstanding, in my opinion. It’s not easy being a safety when your offense stinks as much as ours did, and you have to run around for 40+ minutes a game, especially when they had to help our CB’s out (no names will be mentioned) *Cough Law, Surtain cough cough cough) excuse me. Anywho; if our CB play is a bit better this year, and knock on wood, it should be, then our S play will also get better instantaneously. When Page and Pollard don’t have to worry about a blown coverage, they can worry about their piece of real-estate, or only their guy. Neither guy is on the brink (yet) but I’d have to say Page is closer, especially since the coaches have a bad taste in their mouth after the recent hardcore whiff on Clark, versus the Bears.
All three of these guys are stellar special teams players. I think however it all shakes out, the competition alone on ST AND D makes us better. I wasn’t too big on Morgan, but versus the Bears he impressed me. Always around the football, chased down Wolfe, and made a few great plays. In a distant, but ever upcoming year, we’re going to have to trade/let go of one of these guys because he’ll be unhappy he’s not starting. It’s a shame, because all three are very talented. That’s my .02.
Adam:
Polamalu was injured last year..
Having 3 good safeties can’t be bad thing because then it’s all about rotation, rotation, rotation. Such being the case, I have to doubt that anybody would complain much about not being “the starter” – I imagine there will be beaucoup reps (and breathers) to go around and as a result, plenty of opportunities for each to make the highlight reel on SC.
I think he’ll take Wesley’s role this year of being our 3rd safety who can play either position. He’ll probably play more with Page on passing downs and more with Pollard on running downs. I expect he’ll play in about 40% of the defensive snaps.