Originally Posted by
NC Raven
Versatility and character.
In my opinion, both are signs of intelligence. You have to know the game to play multiple positions, and you have to have your stuff together to be an effective professional within the type of environment an NFL team needs. Boneheads are just not part of that equation. And one-trick ponies can be exploited -- teams aren't going to cater to an opponents ONE strength; they'll just exploit all his weaknesses instead. SNot to mention the fact that injuries and limited rosters can force shuffling, so as a practical matter, it's good to have guys you can move around when you need to.
In addition, in the past when I've played/coached sports, one of the strategies we found most effective is to practice everybody you feasibly can at every position on the field. Doesn't mean you play a 7 footer at point guard, or have the nose tackle play QB. But you do have the D Line play LB, the corners and LBs try safety, LBs swap with DE's, etc. Gives them better perspective, better field awareness and better scheme awareness when they return to their regular position again.
So I can see the Ravens liking these versatile guys because it means they come pre-built to understand more than just their own assignment, which in theory means they can blend into the scheme faster.