ISUCLONES33 need insight....

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 11-30-2007, 11:17 AM

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????

**gocubs2118** · 11-30-2007, 11:22 AM

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

**Nedrick** · 11-30-2007, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

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

I don't know about that. He's 6'2", 209 right now. Let Shep go to work on him and he could push 225 by next season (assuming Bates would commit to playing D)

**psycln11** · 11-30-2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

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** · 11-30-2007, 11:33 AM

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

**gocubs2118** · 11-30-2007, 11:35 AM

Didn't realize how big he was.

**klerme** · 11-30-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

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** · 11-30-2007, 11:57 AM

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

**dinger** · 11-30-2007, 12:09 PM

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.

**Land Grant** · 11-30-2007, 12:17 PM

I think he will be the starting quarterback next year.

**dinger** · 11-30-2007, 12:19 PM

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** · 11-30-2007, 03:04 PM

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** · 11-30-2007, 03:18 PM

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** · 11-30-2007, 03:49 PM

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.