News: Next Step: How the Corners Get Better in 2019?

[CCBoy]

Next Step: How the Corners Get Better in 2019?
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/next-step-how-the-corners-get-better-in-2019



What a year it was for Byron Jones. He moves from safety to cornerback, and all of a sudden, Jones not only went to the Pro Bowl, but was a Second Team All-Pro. The surprising part of that wasn’t just the position switch, but the fact that Jones became the first defensive back in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl without recording one interception. For Jones, that’s his next step. If he’s going to make the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors become regular occurrences, he’s going to have to get more turnovers, which in his case means he needs to be more of a ballhawk to get interceptions. But for his first season at the position, it was quite a start.

Their Next Step?

As a team, the entire unit has to eliminate the big plays. In 2018, there were nine plays of at least 40 yards, including two that nearly cost them in the wild-card round of the playoffs against Seattle. Of those nine big plays, all of them led to points and seven were touchdowns. Perhaps the big play that hurt them the most was a 49-yard catch-and-run against Houston in overtime, where DeAndre Hopkins weaved through cornerbacks and safeties to put the Texans in position to win. Whether it’s assignments, or bad-tackling, or just making a play on the ball, preventing big plays has to be a top priority.

Decisions to Make?


At cornerback, there aren’t many tough decisions to make regarding the depth chart … this year. But the Cowboys can certainly do something to make sure it’s not a problem down the road. Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and although there are several big-name players such as DeMarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott who could potentially get contract extensions, Jones should be included in that group as well. He’ll enter his fifth-year option and will count $6.26 million on the cap. The Cowboys could potentially lower this year’s cap hit by signing him to a long-term deal. But they’ll have to decide if his one really good season is enough to warrant a big extension...

 

[Runwildboys]

Next Step: How the Corners Get Better in 2019?
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/next-step-how-the-corners-get-better-in-2019



What a year it was for Byron Jones. He moves from safety to cornerback, and all of a sudden, Jones not only went to the Pro Bowl, but was a Second Team All-Pro. The surprising part of that wasn’t just the position switch, but the fact that Jones became the first defensive back in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl without recording one interception. For Jones, that’s his next step. If he’s going to make the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors become regular occurrences, he’s going to have to get more turnovers, which in his case means he needs to be more of a ballhawk to get interceptions. But for his first season at the position, it was quite a start.

Their Next Step?

As a team, the entire unit has to eliminate the big plays. In 2018, there were nine plays of at least 40 yards, including two that nearly cost them in the wild-card round of the playoffs against Seattle. Of those nine big plays, all of them led to points and seven were touchdowns. Perhaps the big play that hurt them the most was a 49-yard catch-and-run against Houston in overtime, where DeAndre Hopkins weaved through cornerbacks and safeties to put the Texans in position to win. Whether it’s assignments, or bad-tackling, or just making a play on the ball, preventing big plays has to be a top priority.

Decisions to Make?


At cornerback, there aren’t many tough decisions to make regarding the depth chart … this year. But the Cowboys can certainly do something to make sure it’s not a problem down the road. Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and although there are several big-name players such as DeMarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott who could potentially get contract extensions, Jones should be included in that group as well. He’ll enter his fifth-year option and will count $6.26 million on the cap. The Cowboys could potentially lower this year’s cap hit by signing him to a long-term deal. But they’ll have to decide if his one really good season is enough to warrant a big extension...

I've been a Jones fan all along, and it makes me pretty ecstatic to see how people have gone from, "He's a bust" to "Pay the man".

 

[CCBoy]

Star Evaluation: How Anthony Brown Bounced Back


...2018 Highlight: There are a couple options to choose from. Brown made the fourth down breakup that won the Week 17 game at New York, but his efforts in the statement game against the Saints can’t be forgotten. Brown was lights out against the best offense be Cowboys faced all season, registering three tackles, a sack and two pass breakups. The sack came on a crucial fourth quarter possession, disrupting a Saints drive that had entered Cowboys territory. Brown also surrendered the Saints’ only touchdown of the night, though it’d be easy to argue that play featured offensive pass interference. Still, it wasn’t enough to put a damper on a fantastic outing, as the Cowboys’ coaching staff named Brown their MVP of the game.

What’s Next: It’s hard to believe Brown already finds himself in a contract year. It seems like just yesterday he was picking off Tony Romo in his first-ever training camp practice. Regardless, 2019 will be an interesting year for the young nickel back. Brown has enjoyed a productive career to this point, but the Cowboys have a lot of contracts to get signed over the coming year. Can he play his way into their list of priorities. This front office hasn’t been afraid to sign role players to long-term deals, as Orlando Scandrick managed a 10-year career as the Cowboys’ third corner. Perhaps Brown will follow that path, or perhaps the Cowboys will continue to look toward the draft as they use their cap space elsewhere. That probably depends on how well Brown plays next fall.

Bryan Broaddus’ Bottom Line: Anthony Brown had every reason to go into the tank when the coaching staff took him out of the starting lineup in 2017 and replaced him with Chidobe Awuzie. To Brown’s credit, he did the opposite and played himself into a role as a useful sub-package player. Where I thought Brown showed the most improvement this year was with his physicality. There were snaps while he was a starter where he honestly played soft and cared little about tackling. Maybe there was an attitude change within Brown or the addition of Kris Richard had something to do with the transformation — but it was there. I really like this new version of Anthony Brown and will be interested to see if he pushes Awuzie this year to get back the job he once held. He has the ability to pull it off.


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/star-evaluation-how-anthony-brown-bounced-back

 

[CF74]

I've been a Jones fan all along, and it makes me pretty ecstatic to see how people have gone from, "He's a bust" to "Pay the man".

He has proven to be durable and consistent at getting better every season. Lunch pail guy, good to have around...

 

[Longboysfan]

Good player who got better in 2018.

 

[Hennessy_King]

It's easy play Jourdan lewis outside and put Chido in the slot. Sorry AB. I like him but there is better talent on the team.

 

[Sydla]

I'll be honest.

I am coming around to the notion that you don't need dominant CBs to win in his league. If you can get Jones signed for a decent contract, I have no issues going forward the next few years with Jones, Awuzie, Lewis and Brown. Supplement them with some mid-round picks at CB in the next few drafts.

 

[jrumann59]

A good start would be quit putting slow *** safeties on fast WR

 

[stiletto]

Earl Thomas would make all the CB's better, also another pass rusher would help.

 

[Hardline]

The best way to improve CBs is a dominant pass rush

 

[Ring6]

Turn your head around. Find the ball.

That’s how to improve at both CB spots.

 

[millennial_legend]

Earl Thomas would make all the CB's better, also another pass rusher would help.

Get ET and Landon Collins and also Von Miller and Antonio Brown and Grady Jarrett and also re-sign Tank, get Fletcher Cox for a philly cheesesteak and trade for Patrick Peterson and Doug Pederson.

 

[stiletto]

Get ET and Landon Collins and also Von Miller and Antonio Brown and Grady Jarrett and also re-sign Tank, get Fletcher Cox for a philly cheesesteak and trade for Patrick Peterson and Doug Pederson.

Overboard much? LOL

 

[millennial_legend]

Overboard much? LOL

Sarcasm, much

 

[xwalker]

I've been a Jones fan all along, and it makes me pretty ecstatic to see how people have gone from, "He's a bust" to "Pay the man".

I've always defended Jones as a player and last year before training camp I picked him as my top breakout player and most likely to be a 1st time Pro Bowler because of the move to CB.

I studied game footage of Richard Sherman and it seemed obvious that Jones is physically the prototype for the Kris Richard type of CB.


I also said last summer that Brown might be better than Lewis. For some reason most fans love Lewis but dislike Brown; however, Lewis didn't really do anything amazing in 2017 to justify that adoration. He did show flashes and showed a feisty demeanor but he gave up a lot of plays. Lewis again flashed in 2018 but he didn't play that many snaps and they used him in situations that were favorable to his playing style.

 

[Runwildboys]

I've always defended Jones as a player and last year before training camp I picked him as my top breakout player and most likely to be a 1st time Pro Bowler because of the move to CB.

I studied game footage of Richard Sherman and it seemed obvious that Jones is physically the prototype for the Kris Richard type of CB.


I also said last summer that Brown might be better than Lewis. For some reason most fans love Lewis but dislike Brown; however, Lewis didn't really do anything amazing in 2017 to justify that adoration. He did show flashes and showed a feisty demeanor but he gave up a lot of plays. Lewis again flashed in 2018 but he didn't play that many snaps and they used him in situations that were favorable to his playing style.

Everyone used the fact that Jones came out of UConn (small football program) as a reason to say he's no good. I also think that since he practically broke the combine, they figured anything less than being the #1 DB in the league meant he was just a workout warrior. If he was even on the same half of the field where a big play happened, it was his fault to many people. They didn't care that he was being moved around from position to position.

As for Lewis, IIRC he had some big hits and maybe an int? in his first year, and that means more to some people than the comparative consistency Brown offers. Personally, I'd rather have a guy who knocks the ball away or makes the QB not throw it 5 or 6 times, than someone who intercepts it once but allows a lot of big plays.

 

[McKDaddy]

I've always defended Jones as a player - me too. If he can now grow his confidence & start to get takeaways, he will be a homerun.

Since KR clearly doesn't want to play smaller corners, ie Lewis, do you think they try to move Lewis & pick up a huge corner in this draft? (I can't remember names but I remember seeing some profiles of guys like 6' 2" with good speed) I personally think Lewis is pretty darn good but if a coach has a preference that he isn't going to bend the rules for, it would be best for both parties to move on.

Brown is a mixed bag for me. He played much better for most of last year, no doubt. But there are still times when I find myself thinking "you've got to get this guy off the field today".

What are your thoughts on Chido? I am not completely sold on him. I am hoping that some of his inconsistency was just first full year of playing and that next year will be a step forward.

 

[xwalker]

Everyone used the fact that Jones came out of UConn (small football program) as a reason to say he's no good. I also think that since he practically broke the combine, they figured anything less than being the #1 DB in the league meant he was just a workout warrior. If he was even on the same half of the field where a big play happened, it was his fault to many people. They didn't care that he was being moved around from position to position.

As for Lewis, IIRC he had some big hits and maybe an int? in his first year, and that means more to some people than the comparative consistency Brown offers. Personally, I'd rather have a guy who knocks the ball away or makes the QB not throw it 5 or 6 times, than someone who intercepts it once but allows a lot of big plays.

They had Byron Jones playing SS by the end of the 2017 season. They flipped him and Heath around mid-season.

Jones obviously had issues against the run as an SS which prompted them to play Kavon Frazier at SS in place of Jones when they expected a run. They split the SS snaps about 70/30 Jones/Frazier in the last several games off that season.

I don't dislike Lewis. I think he is a great 4th CB and many years he would have been the best CB on the roster (anybody remember Nate Jones as a starter); however, I find it interesting how the narratives develop about certain players and the narrative for many fans has been that he is the best CB on the team by a large margin.

 

[xwalker]

I've always defended Jones as a player - me too. If he can now grow his confidence & start to get takeaways, he will be a homerun.

Since KR clearly doesn't want to play smaller corners, ie Lewis, do you think they try to move Lewis & pick up a huge corner in this draft? (I can't remember names but I remember seeing some profiles of guys like 6' 2" with good speed) I personally think Lewis is pretty darn good but if a coach has a preference that he isn't going to bend the rules for, it would be best for both parties to move on.

Brown is a mixed bag for me. He played much better for most of last year, no doubt. But there are still times when I find myself thinking "you've got to get this guy off the field today".

What are your thoughts on Chido? I am not completely sold on him. I am hoping that some of his inconsistency was just first full year of playing and that next year will be a step forward

Lewis
I doubt they would get enough value from trading Lewis. The Cowboys drafted him in the 3rd round and used him as the 4th CB in this 2nd season. Historically, that would generally mean that they would get less than a 3rd round pick for him in a trade. He's worth more to the Cowboys than a 4th or 5th round pick.

His size is not the only reason that Kris Richard preferred Brown to Lewis. He plays a style that is basically the opposite of what Kris Richard prefers. Lewis played trail-technique in college and often an exaggerated trail. In trail the CB is under the WR (i.e. between the QB and the WR). Kris Richard wants his CBs to stay on top of WRs (i.e. the WR is between the CB and the QB). Even when Lewis played in 2018, he still tended to play trail. I think Kris Richard avoids forcing players to change their technique if his technique does not work well for them; however, he's going to migrate to players that can play his preferred technique.

Brown
The coaches did a poor job of using him in 2017. They had him playing outside leverage on most snaps which requires help on in-breaking routes; however, the help was normally late or non-existent. They replaced Brown with Awuzie later in the season but they had Awuzie playing different techniques which made it an unfair comparison for Brown.

Despite being "benched" in 2017, Brown still played significant snaps usually replacing each of Awuzie for about 2 series and Lewis for about 2 series as well as playing in the Dime defense.

Awuzie
He just needs consistency. I think he can be really good.

He only partially played the Kris Richard technique. He really wasn't playing it in game 1 but he migrated towards it as the season progressed. In his case, it was the press technique where he varied from the KR technique. Most CBs play press by initiating contact with the WR and then retreating. Richard Sherman calls that the soft-shoe technique. KR prefers what they call a kick-step technique where the CB basically just stays stationary at the snap and does not budge forcing the WR to commit either inside or outside off the CB. The CB has to transition using a specific method which KR and Richard Sherman call the kick-step. Basically the CB forces the WR to make contact, then the CB maintains contact while he transitions to turn and run. Maintaining contact is how they prevent the WR from running past and if done properly, the WR's momentum actually helps the CB get up to speed to a small extent.

When the CBs play the kick-step technique, it helps the FS because he gets an earlier read on what the WR is doing because the WR was forced to commit inside or outside a little bit earlier then normal. Also the deep sideline area is covered by the CB whether he plays man against the outside release by the WR or deep zone on an inside release by the WR. That basically narrows the field for the FS.

The KR coverage scheme also often has the CB aligned with inside leverage in an attempt to force the WR to the outside. If the WR goes outside, then the CB plays man coverage; however, if the WR does go inside, the CB releases him and the LBs/Safeties are playing a zone to the inside. If the CB releases the WR to the inside zone, then he drops and plays zone covering the deep outside area. One benefit of this is that it minimizes the problem with most zone defenses where a CB gets caught between a WR behind him and a WR or RB in front of him and the QB waits for the CB to react to one of them and then throws the to other.

I think the fact that Awuzie was gradually changing his technique during the season added to his inconsistency. He should be past that by game 1 of 2019.

Jones
He adjusted to the KR technique almost immediately. Both from watching him in training camp and the pre-season games, he was using the kick-step press technique and staying on top of WRs.

When Jones had problems, it was often when they played zone coverage. Some of the plays that appeared to be Jones fault were actually fails by other players in zone.

Also towards the end of the season and definitely in the Rams playoff game, they started having Jones play from a run-aggressive alignment on many snaps which made it more difficult to play pass defense and that burned them couple of times.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Maybe an INT or 2.