Brandon Synder... OLB?

M

Matt Condon

New Member
I saw a tweet that said with the emergence of Amani Hooker and Geno Stone (add in Jake Gervase, Julius Brents, and potentially Dallas Craddieth) would it be possible for Brandon Synder to to add 10-15 lbs of muscle this offseason and make the transition to OLB? It makes sense to me, we need experience at that position next year and we have more than enough options at safety. Also, to me Synder has never been great in pass coverage but has been great against the run, this move would fit his skill set and put him in a better position to succeed. To me, he seems like a team-first kid that would be willing to do this but is this something the coaching staff would consider?
 
Who knows if he’ll ever see the field again? Two ACL surgeries back to back like that are a lot of times career-ending, not because they’re catastrophic, but because it’s never as strong as it was after surgery. You’re less flexible, and the repair can be torn again easier. The OWI is going to keep him out a couple games anyway, I don’t think I’d want to mess around with putting a guy at a new position with limited game time and a sketchy knee.
 
Hey, Joel Lanning went from QB to LB, so going from DB to LB doesn't seem like such a stretch. Too bad about his OWI charge - you're just playing with matches and gasoline if you drink and drive, particularly in IC.
 
It's not an outlandish idea. All reports indicate that Colbert is being moved, but he's going to be a year or two away.

For all the reasons mentioned, Snyder switching is unlikely, but, IF he ends up playing at all, it would make some sense. He almost certainly has lost a step, and could bulk up over the off-season. The biggest barrier is that he is going to be a senior, and learning an entirely new position in that short amount of time is a big hill to climb.

But, if he wants to play and is physically able, that could be his best chance of seeing the field. Hooker and Stone almost certainly will be the starters heading into the spring.
 
I’ll just go out on a limb and say I bet he calls it a career. He’s not even close to pro material, the OWI thing is going to constantly get brought up the rest of the time he’s at Iowa, and he’s had 2 ACLs on the same knee. Sounds like a good time to walk away and be remembered for his pick six instead of tv people talking about getting arrested.
 
I think if he stays in football it should be from the standpoint of developing any coaching skills if he has any interest in going that route. Get his education and get used to holding a clipboard. Better for his health that's for sure.
 
I have to think bulking up will just put more stress on his rebuilt knee. Athletes, especially football players, add way too much weight to joints that weren't intended to bear that load. Just isn't natural. Or healthy. And PED's have a lot to do with that.

Look at how much weight most players lose when they stop playing.
 
skinnykilmer17 said:
I have to think bulking up will just put more stress on his rebuilt knee. Athletes, especially football players, add way too much weight to joints that weren't intended to bear that load. Just isn't natural. Or healthy. And PED's have a lot to do with that.

Look at how much weight most players lose when they stop playing.
Click to expand...
I remember a center-Derrick Rose (sp) from several years back who turned down a shot at the NFL saying his health depended on him being much lighter than what he'd have to be in order to play; especially in the bigs.
 
Snyder seems to be the size of Kirksey when Kirksey was a hawk. If his knee gets well and he wants to play maybe this will work. I mentioned it before that maybe a faster safety type player could come in for Bower especially on 2nd and third and long situations.
 
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