Odell Beckham Jr. as a safety? Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, a former defensive coordinator, said Wednesday he thinks the star wide receiver would be "great" playing in the back of the defense. Geez, why didn't the safety-needy New York Giants think of that?
Quinn made his remark when asked how defenses can stop the Giants star wide receiver.
"I think if I knew that, that would be a pretty big deal. What a unique guy. I think it's the competitive stuff, he's all over the place. They can play him outside, they can play him inside, but he really is a unique player. I love his style, love his attitude," Quinn said. "One of the best compliments I can give some of the receivers that play with just that kind of toughness. I think he'd be a great safety, as well."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday laid out a four-point plan for how the Falcons might try to stop Beckham.
Quinn, Atlanta's first-year coach, was defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks last season and watched Beckham give superstar cornerback Richard Sherman fits. Quinn said the most difficult thing to prepare for is how much the Giants move Beckham around.
"I think early on when we saw, it was all the different spots they can use him at. That was the thing that jumped out the most, like this guy has to have really good football smarts, he's outside, he's inside, he's all over the place, he can be in the back field swinging out," Quinn said. "There is all the different, unique ways that he's able to be featured, so often times that happens you don't want chase a player all over the field, but it's something you have to have accounted for, that's for sure."
Quinn won't, however, have to account for Beckham playing defense. Regardless of how well he could do it.