Cleveland Browns: Briean Boddy-Calhoun at safety, could give them great depth
By Randy Gurzi
During the OTAs, the Cleveland Browns have been using Briean Boddy-Calhoun as a backup safety. The move seems odd considering how well he played in the slot.
It’s still early, so there’s a lot to be sorted out still, but the Cleveland Browns apparently have been working Briean Boddy-Calhoun at safety.
The move seems odd since Boddy-Calhoun was one of the better corners the team had in 2017, and really excelled in the slot.
Originally it seemed he would stay in that role, but according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com, he’s been out there with the reserve safety group.
He worked at free safety with the twos https://t.co/VnOTuDrNS7
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) May 24, 2018
It’s also possible this could just be a way of figuring out where everyone works best. The Browns are suddenly crowded at corner with rookie Denzel Ward and free agent pick ups E.J. Gaines, T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell.
At safety, the Browns also look pretty good. The starting team will consist of former Green Bay Packers defensive back Damarious Randall and either Derrick Kindred or Jabrill Peppers.
For the first time in recent memory, there’s several quality players who could all likely start in the defensive backfield.
In today’s pass-heavy NFL, that’s not a bad thing at all as you can never have too many good coverage players.
As for Boddy-Calhoun, he enters his third season in the NFL with 82 career tackles and three interceptions. All three of his picks came during his rookie season.
Even without the turnovers, he seemed to be playing with more confidence in 2017 with the primary task of covering receivers in the slot. If he stays at safety, it would give them another deep defender that specializes in coverage.