March 10, 2008 by Harry Greene
This may be the toughest position to play in the NFL. Injuries are frequent so depth is critical. Self-confidence is easily lost and hard to recover. No position is harder to draft or successfully fill.
Cornerbacks
Overview
No group took a bigger beating than these guys. The fact that Antrel Rolle was a safety was clear after his second year, but he continued to be played out of position. He will move there this year. Green likely will make it through free agency and start opposite Hood unless a corner is chosen in round 1 of the draft.
IMO
Eric Green was effective at times, but exposed at others. His injury was huge because experience is often the key to good play and he lost valuable time.
Roderick Hood was solid, but looked far better as the number two corner, not the stopper. This unit was betrayed on both sides. The pass rush was so feeble that receivers routinely ran double moves.
At safety, Adrian Wilson provided some support before his injury. Aaron Francisco only looked recovered from his injury in the last couple of games. Holt was useless in all aspects of the game, so there was typically little deep help to protect the corners. Neither Green nor Hood would be considered ballhawks who could produce frequent game changing interceptions. The remainder of the corners last year simply occupied roster slots.
Potential Help
This is a tricky question. Keep in mind the starters will improve if the other defensive units improve. Still the Cards will be tempted to take a corner in round 1.
Brandon Flowers and Leodis McKelvin could both still be on the board. They are better than average prospects, but they are still gambles. I know everyone is talking about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He will be there, but he would be a huge gamble even taken in round 2. Like a guy named Sanders, he was indifferent to the run in college. He might be the best athlete of the corners, but he also has weak technique getting by on speed and agility. It comes down to whether or not he is coachable. A team taking him could win big, but his bust potential is equally huge.
In free agency, I’d take a shot at Ty Law. Yes he’s lost a little speed and he does sometimes get out of control. That said, I believe he can still play in this league and the price could be right.
None of these are perfect solutions, but I like them better than taking a shot at a round one corner. A corner project like Jonathan Wilhite (a Winfield-type clone) or Jack Ikegwuonu (injured) could slide to round 4 or if the Cards get lucky and get a compensation pick in 3.
Overall
If the surrounding units are improved last year’s starters will be adequate. Either Rolle or Francisco can play the nickel with the other being at safety. The Cards should sign at least one developmental player if they get a decent veteran in free agency.
Posted in nfl draft, nfl free agency, offseason, roderick hood, nfl, free agency, football
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Great read, Harry. I think that the Cards have ignored the cornerback position in the draft for too long. Teams should draft one corner every season, simply because it’s hard to predict how the position will turn out–wasn’t Asante Samuel a 4th round pick?
If Francisco and Rolle can stay healthy, the one who loses out on the FS job will play the nickel anyway. This will take pressure off the Cards to draft a cornerback high, and may push them to believe that a RB is the best value choice. Getting someone like Jonathon Stewart in round 1 and Cason in round two would be a tremendous first day of the draft.
Re: Ty Law - I like the idea of picking up an experienced vet for depth.
However, I still would look to pick a CB in the first three rounds of the draft also.
Nicely done as always Harry.
I’d be pleased if the team took a chance on Jack Ikegwuonu, even if it meant a reach in the third. He was a bona fide standout pre-injury and ligament tears are no longer damn a player like they once did. I honestly think he’d be worth a gamble.
Depth would be alright, but I don’t know that Law would be the answer to that depth.
(Hi k9!)
I see that you don’t kinow football rod hood finish among the top two corner in the nfl so how can you say that he faded at the end you don’t know what you are talking about so shut up
look at the stat not what you think rod hood is among the top three cb in the nfl what more can you ask for his number was better than the pro bowl corner that was elected to the pro bowl