ISUCLONES33 need insight....

KMAC_ATTACK

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Clones33, need some insight on the status of Bates. I know i had read that when he was being recruited it was for QB and that he had stated if he wasnt going to play qb then he would transfer - have you heard anything similar to this or has he warmed to the possiblity of moving positions? Rumblings out there have Bates maybe moving to safety - which IMO would be awesome, his athletic ability could provide a serious playmaker on that side of the ball similar to what Chiz had in Huff and Griffin.....Chiz likes athletic safety's because they can cover up mistakes of others with pure athletic ability....

Whats your thoughts - got any possible position changes on anyone going into the offseason????
 

psycln11

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Apr 20, 2006
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I would think that Bates is too small to play safety but that is interesting if he is willing to do it.

Bates is listed at 6'2", 209#. That's actually really good size for a safety.

For reference....

JaMaine Billups was only 5'9" when he switched to safety.

Chris Brown is 5'10", 177#
James Smith is 5'8", 192#
 

mwitt

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Mar 23, 2006
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He's bigger than LaRon Landry and Ed Reed, too. Those guys aren't bad. His size isn't a problem.
 

klerme

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Bates is listed at 6'2", 209#. That's actually really good size for a safety.

For reference....

JaMaine Billups was only 5'9" when he switched to safety.

Chris Brown is 5'10", 177#
James Smith is 5'8", 192#


If he gets to 225, he would fit more as an OLB and would probably lose some of the quickness and flexibility you want/need in a safety.

FWIW, he would already be considered good size for a safety by NFL standards -

Michael Huff - 6'1 205
Michael Griffin - 6'0 203
Troy Polamalu - 5'10 207
LaRon Landry - 6'1 213

Right now, if he has the necessary quickness/hip turn, I'd rather see him at CB if he does switch to D, unless that is the plan for Brown.
 

bos

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Well lets just hope he is willing to convert. I would hate to lose him. Seems like a good kid with tremendous upside.
 

dinger

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i dont think we will lose him. the coaches are smart enough to figure out where he can play. there was a reference to kerry meier from kansas. i could see that. get bates on the field but if something were to happen to our starting QB, bates is next in line. this is assuming he beats out tiller for #2.

besides, he came here wanted A CHANCE to play QB. the more i think about that comment, i think he will be happy if he gets a chance, loses the spot and moves to safety.
 

dinger

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that too is a possibilty i suppose, though i dont think he will be. but that just goes to show, he will get the chance he wanted to play QB for a big 12 school.
 

snowcraig2.0

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I still see Bates on the offensive side of the ball. Moving him to safety would basically mean he would not be able to be the back-up qb if something happened to Arnaud. I have allot of confidence in Tiller and Jordan, but I don't think the staff will want one of them to be the back-up qb in their first year in the program.
 

Cydkar

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I hope Arnaud wins the QB battle because I think Bates can play another position better than Arnaud can. Of course I want the best QB to be the QB.
 

ISUclones33

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No, i dont think we will see him move to saftey. However Phil likes it here alot and he is an offensive playmaker, thats where I expect him to be. He has outstanding athletic ability and everything now is pure speculation, we have Tiller on the way but he has yet to prove himself, as does Bates. Bates has proven that he wants to play and make plays however and that will get him far. We have a QB shootout coming up next season and it will be exciting to watch, I wouldnt doubt splitting time if Bates is impressive early on.
 

psycln11

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Could he be a return specialist (punt and kickoff) and then use him at receiver as well?

I forget what kind of speed (40 time) he has.
 

ISUclones33

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he is legit 4.4... if we see Arnaud take a sure stance at QB, than no doubt bates would most likely become a WR and return specialist. However i think he will be putting up a good fight at QB...
 

psycln11

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he is legit 4.4... if we see Arnaud take a sure stance at QB, than no doubt bates would most likely become a WR and return specialist. However i think he will be putting up a good fight at QB...

Gotta love competition.

I think we'll be seeing some competition in the 2-deeps at a lot of positions this spring and next fall.
 

BooneCy

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I still have to take issue with the return specialist position. If he could contribute at that position, then why didn't he. Having Blythe fake catching punts wasn't exactly the best option.
 

KMAC_ATTACK

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No, i dont think we will see him move to saftey. However Phil likes it here alot and he is an offensive playmaker, thats where I expect him to be. He has outstanding athletic ability and everything now is pure speculation, we have Tiller on the way but he has yet to prove himself, as does Bates. Bates has proven that he wants to play and make plays however and that will get him far. We have a QB shootout coming up next season and it will be exciting to watch, I wouldnt doubt splitting time if Bates is impressive early on.

THANKS 33 for the insight, i would really like to see him with the ball in his hands in space, for that reason, i hope AA wins the job outright and Bates decides for him to see the field that he will move to WR because that imo is where we need an upgrade as far as athleticism....i know Hamilton is there and i like his upside a lot, and i think Graham has all the physical tools...but bates to me just comes off as one of those guys that does everything right....you can never have too many of those guys....That catch against Klinkenborg will forever be etched into my brain....I just look at our WR package especially 3-4 wide with Hamilton the 1, Graham the 2, Bates the 3 and Sumral the 4....thats the type of weapons that make AA's job really tough - Which wide open guy do i throw it too......Plus you put him the 3 spot he sees the field a lot and can still backup AA while Tiller redshirts....

Also, getting athletes out wide will give our line which will be tough next year, wide open holes and really make our offense dynamic...

Thanks again 33, as always love the insight.....

While your with me, what gives with Wallace Franklin, i know you had had conversations with him and AA last year, is he frustrated about lack of PT and what is it about his game that needs polishing to see the field more and make plays we all know he's got the wheels......thanks,K