JeffGollin
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Jefferson is on the practice squad in Arizona while Calvin is on the active roster in Philly. That's all we need to know.
Mmmm...no, there's more we need to know.
Our situation at DB and Philly's situation were not identical.
With the benefit of hindsight, it looks as if, coming into the draft, the Cardinals wanted to transform their corner situation from (a) one playmaker who could match up with receivers in man coverage paired with more of a McFadden-like zone guy to (b) two playmakers who could effectively play man.
They had DRC along with high hopes for Toler. But they felt they should cover that bet by loading up on more playmaker types in the hope that one of those guys would be worth keeping for depth. So they drafted Calvin and signed UDFA Jefferson. (Both were very athletic but very raw -in the same mold as DRC and Toler ).
At the same time, there were other "problems and opportunities" in the secondary that might be better addressed by keeping other role players - like Ware (who can play safety or cover tall receivers as a corner) and Michael Adams (great in nickel schemes and on special teams). And I'm assuming McBride and MaDonald were kept for their experience (something that Jefferson & Calvin lacked).
This made it difficult to keep both Jefferson and Calvin, and my guess is that the Cards liked Jefferson better. But, given the bigger picture, they felt it would be better for both JJ and the team if he spent some time on the PS.
I'm not sure what Philly's situation was, but I'm guessing that Calvin filled a greater need in the Eagle secondary, so they've given him more playing time, and he's done well.
But that doesn't mean that Jefferson wouldn't do equally as well or better if brought back from the PS and given the same amount of playing time as Calvin should the Cards have a similar need.
Mmmm...no, there's more we need to know.
Our situation at DB and Philly's situation were not identical.
With the benefit of hindsight, it looks as if, coming into the draft, the Cardinals wanted to transform their corner situation from (a) one playmaker who could match up with receivers in man coverage paired with more of a McFadden-like zone guy to (b) two playmakers who could effectively play man.
They had DRC along with high hopes for Toler. But they felt they should cover that bet by loading up on more playmaker types in the hope that one of those guys would be worth keeping for depth. So they drafted Calvin and signed UDFA Jefferson. (Both were very athletic but very raw -in the same mold as DRC and Toler ).
At the same time, there were other "problems and opportunities" in the secondary that might be better addressed by keeping other role players - like Ware (who can play safety or cover tall receivers as a corner) and Michael Adams (great in nickel schemes and on special teams). And I'm assuming McBride and MaDonald were kept for their experience (something that Jefferson & Calvin lacked).
This made it difficult to keep both Jefferson and Calvin, and my guess is that the Cards liked Jefferson better. But, given the bigger picture, they felt it would be better for both JJ and the team if he spent some time on the PS.
I'm not sure what Philly's situation was, but I'm guessing that Calvin filled a greater need in the Eagle secondary, so they've given him more playing time, and he's done well.
But that doesn't mean that Jefferson wouldn't do equally as well or better if brought back from the PS and given the same amount of playing time as Calvin should the Cards have a similar need.
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