Redd Moves To CB

[PhillyPhreak54]

VERSATILE REDD MOVES TO DB 

August 29, 2005
By BOB KENT


Two years ago Reno Mahe was willing to do just about anything to make the 53-man roster. That included the laundry. Free agent receiver/returner Robert Redd is willing to do just about anything, too. Welll, just about anything.

With injuries sidelining Dexter Wynn and Linj Shell, Redd has moved to defensive back, a position he played in high school and then again in the Arena League and NFL Europe.

"That is where we are going to work him through this week," head coach Andy Reid said.

With Reid likely to rest starting corners Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown in the preseason finale against the Jets Thursday night, Redd could see significant reps along with Roderick Hood, Matt Ware and Aric Williams.

"Learning the defense, that's the hardest part right how," Redd said of his crash course in Jim Johnson's defense.

The 5-10, 200-pound Redd saw action at defensive back in the latter stages of Friday's win over the Bengals.

"The day before the game they let me know that I'd probably have a chance to go in late in the game to play a little corner," Redd said. "I just took it as an opportunity.

"They really didn't have to sell it to me. I was more than willing to be able to do something like that. However I can help is great for me."

Redd says he's feeling more comfortable with the offense and that this positional move is not as drastic as it may seem. In fact, Redd believes his experience as a receiver gives him somewhat of an edge in terms of identifying receivers' subtle moves, releases and cuts.

"It goes hand in hand. When I'm on offense, it helps me with the reads on defense and vice-versa," he said. "It's definitely helpful being a receiver at corner."

Look no further than the Patriots' Troy Brown and the success he had in 2004.

Redd is not looking to duplicate Brown's success. Rather, he's hoping his versatility will translate into a spot on the 53-man roster or even the practice squad. He says he'll have no problem focusing on his job when he's out on the field.

"I'm just going to go out there and when I have a chance to play receiver, be the best that I can be at wideout, concentrate on that at that time; and when I'm at defensive back, be the best I can be at defensive back and just give it 110 percent over there."

Redd was a former two-time All-MAC selection at Bowling Green. He played in four regular season games and the World Bowl in NFL Europe, and put up some nice numbers. He caught 19 passes for 203 yards, including a seven-catch, 102-yard receiving effort in the World Bowl which included a touchdown.

Redd also has experience as a return man. He dabbled in it in college and averaged 6.7 yards on 31 punt returns in 2002.

"That's one of the first things I learned how to do with a tennis ball," Redd said. "My uncle Raymond would throw a tennis ball way up in the air and make me go get it. I had a couple of bloody lips and black eyes for a little while, but I figured it out so that's a good thing."

With the Eagles Redd has lined up as a receiver, returner and even a short-lived stint at running back -- when the Eagles were short at running back, he spent a practice taking handoffs.

"I had a one-day stint at running back and then I got fired, so I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing," Redd said jokingly.

So what's next, offensive tackle?

"I'd imagine that I could play (offensive tackle)," Redd said. "I just don't know how willing I would be to do something like that. Those are some big boys... Have you all seen Jevon Kearse?"

It sure would be nice to see him do well there. I still think he'll end up on the PS. He really looked good early on at WR.

Maybe he could beat out Reno eventually.

[PhillyGirl]

I saw that during the game (think we talked about it a bit in the game thread) and figured that with his arena experience, he has a chance of making the team in SOME capacity.    At least he's willing to do whatever it takes. I Like that.

[ice grillin you]

reason # 452 why preseason football sucks

[PhillyPhreak54]

Don't know about you, IGY. But I can't wait to see Andy Hall run the team on Thursday!

[General_Failure]

It's a shame I'll be at work for that game.

[ice grillin you]

Don't know about you, IGY. But I can't wait to see Andy Hall run the team on Thursday!

stop...youre making my bathing suit area feel funny

[SunMo]

the owners truly should be arrested for charging full price to these games.

[T_Section224]

Don't know about you, IGY. But I can't wait to see Andy Hall run the team on Thursday!

[jeffreyjpa]

Yeah, I saw the move of giving him reps/plays at CB as meaning they want to put him on the PS...otherwise, why bother this late in camp? He's obviously not going to beat out the rest of the CBs on the squad, so he must be a deveolpmental project for the future.

PS, I agree about the preseason game prices...however, it's pretty simple. Since all season ticket holders are obligated to buy the preason tickets at full price, I just look at any raise in preseason ticket prices as really being additional price increases for my 8 regular season games. In other words, my season ticket went from $700 to $800 this season, so my per-game ticket price for the eight games that matter really went from $87.50 to $100 per game. The preseason games are kind of like throw-ins.

[ice grillin you]

Yeah, I saw the move of giving him reps/plays at CB as meaning they want to put him on the PS...otherwise, why bother this late in camp?

im not saying he wont make the ps...but its possible they are doing this because they need bodies to finish the game

[Diomedes]

the owners truly should be arrested for charging full price to these games.

commie fag.  why do you hate america?

If anyone, the idiots who pay for pre-season tickets should be arrested.

[ice grillin you]

If anyone, the idiots who pay for pre-season tickets should be arrested.

id agree...if you had a choice whether to get them or not

i sold my preseason tickets to some idiots

[Diomedes]

Ah, I forget that you don't have a choice if you're a season ticket holder. 

[jeffreyjpa]

Yeah, I saw the move of giving him reps/plays at CB as meaning they want to put him on the PS...otherwise, why bother this late in camp?

im not saying he wont make the ps...but its possible they are doing this because they need bodies to finish the game

Very possible, IGY.

If anyone, the idiots who pay for pre-season tickets should be arrested.

id agree...if you had a choice whether to get them or not

i sold my preseason tickets to some idiots

Yep, exactly...I wish they'd just sell the preason tickets at a reduced price to people who can't get into regular season games and want to experience going to the Linc to see the Eagles and can't get tickets and/or afford regular season ticket prices. But, it's easier for them to not have to deal with selling 130,000 preseason tickets, so they put them on the STH to deal with and it guarantees a sell-out.

The preseason games are good to take kids to see, because it's a much mellower crowd (with a much higher percentage of women and children than the regular season). I'd never take a kid under 14 to a regular season game.

[SunMo]

the owners truly should be arrested for charging full price to these games.

commie fag.  why do you hate america?

If anyone, the idiots who pay for pre-season tickets should be arrested.

that's clever.  i have no choice, i'm a season ticket holder.  it's a shame you are not.