Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I still don't understand why we don't elect to try Culliver at Free Safety. I know he has the ability to DEVELOP into a solid corner possibly, but at safety the transition would be much quicker I believe for him. He has great closing speed. He may not be the hitter that Goldson is, but he can cover.
Completely agree... When Culliver played FS in college, he did a fine job, so he already feels comfortable at that position. I think the reasons the Niners switched him to CB were several:
1) his speed
2) his athletic ability in general
3) his grasp of the position when he was interviewed before the draft
4) the fact that Nate Clements' future with the team was in doubt and at the time, they hadn't yet signed Rogers. They needed a big CB in a division that included Larry Fitzgerald.
Next year in training camp, depending on who is drafted, the team may decide that Culliver is a better fit at S.
That being said, Culliver seems to be doing a pretty good job at CB (especially for a rookie who is changing positions) and since it is so difficult to find talented, speedy, tall CBs these days, the team may decide they are better off keeping him on the edge.
In any case, the Niners got a player that will certainly help them going forward and if he develops, could be a real special player.