[Sonic dB]

former DB here....it requires quite a bit of flexibility and athletic ability to be in a full backpedal, plant and turn and run with the receiver... The offensive receiver always has the advantage because he knows where he is going.. the defender needs to be quick out of the break and be able to move his hips and have his head on the swivel to cover the WR... most guys 6-5 and 6-6 while may be built for speed (ala Moss) do not possess the necessary cat like quickness to be able to make those changes full stride out of the backpedal. For that matter once a guy gets over 6-1 or so, it becomes increasingly difficult to be able to make those adjustments full stride....not saying it is impossible but is one of the main reasons why most good DBs are 6 foot or under...

one other thing: playing good DB is an art form...and requires a sensibility to read the WR as well as have you head on a swivel and be able to read the QB and the play itself... it is a challenging positions to which the WRs have all the advantages and you dont... most guys who commit to the position are quick minded and quick footed-bodied....maybe that is why the lanky WR types dont make it over as DB

to get to your point on this post...some TEs such as Gonzales or Gates were former bball players...also Moss was good prep bball player as were a few others... the key to a good WR is being diciplined to run the routes with precision and timing, not sure if most bballers can make that transition easy although some of them do possess the athletic ability to do it.