A new dimension: the 2005 class of corners fills a tall order for defensive coordinators, who must counter the game-changing abilities of big wideouts

Sporting News, The, Feb 25, 2005 by Michael Bradley

As scouting directors around the NFL search for cornerbacks with sufficient size to handle the ever-growing collection of small forward-sized receivers, Marlin Jackson has a request: Pop in a tape of Michigan's 2002 game against Washington, and check him out. He's sure you'll like what you see.

Jackson (6-0 1/4, 200) was matched up that day against Reggie Williams, a 6-4, 223-pound wideout who became a first-round pick of the Jaguars in 2004. Even though Williams caught six passes, Jackson broke up a school-record six throws and kept Williams out of the end zone in Michigan's 31-29 victory. "I jammed him up and was able to run with him," Jackson says. "I like playing big guys because it gets real physical at the line."

Jackson's desire to confront big receivers such as Williams should serve him well as he enters the NFL, which is welcoming more and more big pass catchers. In 2003, all three of the first-round wideouts were 6-2. In '04, six of the seven receivers picked in the first round were 6-2 or taller. This year, four of the top seven wideouts are taller than 6-2 1/2, including Southern California product Mike Williams (6-4) and Jackson's teammate, Braylon Edwards, a potential top five pick.

"You look at Braylon, who's 6-3 (actually 6-2 5/8) and can jump out of the building," says Jackson, who sparred regularly with Edwards in practice. "If he's matched against a 5-9 or 5-10 corner, he can go over him and easily get the ball. When I go against him, it's a lot harder for him even to get off the line."

As the average height of receivers grows with each draft class, the need to defend them with taller cornerbacks becomes vital.

NFL scouting directors speak often about "length" as a valuable trait for corners. That makes sense because the thought of sending a 5-9 speedster out to cover 6-4 Randy Moss near the goal line is enough to churn the intestines of defensive coordinators. That's why they're looking forward to the draft class of 2005. Five of the top eight corners are 6-footers, including Jackson, Miami's Antrel Rolle (6-0), Oregon State's Brandon Browner (6-3 1/2, 202), Auburn's Carlos Rogers (60, 195) and LSU's Corey Webster (6-0, 202). Clemson's Justin Miller (5-11, 198) and Virginia Tech's Eric Green (5-11, 197) won't get pushed around by the big guys, either.

"It helps to have height," says an AFC scouting director. "There are very few elite corners in the league that are shorter guys. Receivers have gotten bigger--guys like Moss and (Pittsburgh's 6-5 Plaxico) Burress--and they're able to make plays against small corners. We're looking for bigger guys."

Every scout dreams of landing a Champ Bailey, who not only has good size (6-0, 192) but optimum speed. But there aren't many of his type--the real burners generally are shorter than 6-0. Even Miami's Rolle, rated the best corner in the '05 draft, is considered to be in the low 4.5 range in the 40-yard dash. Nice quicks, but nothing truly special. By comparison, West Virginia's Adam Jones (5-10), the No. 2-ranked corner and another sure first-rounder, runs a 4.4.

"The big thing about Rolle is: How fast is he?" the AFC scouting director says. "He plays fast enough on tape, but you want a corner who can run fast downfield."

No one is picking on Rolle. In fact, even if he doesn't get below 4.5 at his individual workout, he still could land in the top 10. Rolle had a highly productive three-year run as a starter at Miami, hits like nasty chili and brings tons of attitude. "He makes plays in every phase of the game," an NFC scouting director says.

It would be nice if Rolle were fast enough to hang with Moss in a flat sprint, but he doesn't necessarily have to--especially if the right team picks him. Thanks to the proliferation of cover 2 defenses, which funnel receivers toward safeties who split the deep part of the coverage, defenses aren't asking cornerbacks to work alone as much anymore.

There are times when corners have to play one-on-one--they won't survive long if they can't run with a wideout on a sideline go route--but teams are less willing to use their corners in man-to-man coverage on a regular basis. That's good news for the big fellas. These guys aren't turtles, but their strength is matching up physically with receivers, not chasing them all over the field.

The NFL's 2004 emphasis on eliminating contact beyond 5 yards downfield has forced defenders to be more aggressive at the line of scrimmage, and that also plays to the strengths of taller corners. They generally are adept at jamming receivers at the snap, and their longer arms and stronger frames allow them to disrupt the precious first few steps of a pass route, giving the front seven more time to reach the quarterback. And even if wideouts get off the line quickly, the big corners' size and strength allow them to win battles for 50-50 throws downfield.

When scouts are asked to assess the top big corners, they all use the same word: physical. Each has a little bit of safety in him, and some of them have played safety during their careers. Jackson spent his junior year in Ann Arbor on the back line. Rogers was a safety in high school and also played running back. During his year at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, he spent time at wide receiver, an assignment that taught him something about the pass-catching species. "They don't like to get hit," he says.