Analysis: Comparison of CBs Lewis and Brown

xwalker

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I did an extensive review of Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

This was done using the All-22 (2 camera angles) and occasionally the Broadcast view for a 3rd angle.

I've included background info (size, stats, snap counts, etc..) for reference.

Player Size
Not really much difference in size (Draft Measurements):
  • Brown 5’11-1/4”, 192, 31-3/4” arm length
  • Lewis 5’10”, 188, 31-5/8” arm length
  • Difference 1-1/4” height, 4 pounds and 1/8” arm length difference.

2017 Snaps, INTs
  • Brown 847 snaps, 2 INTs
  • Lewis 746 snaps, 1 INT
2018 Snaps, INTs
  • See 2018 detailed analysis.
General Analysis
2017
  • Both were up and down but both showed very good potential.
  • The entire back 7 was in chaos due to multiple injuries and other issues.

2018
  • Brown was the starting Nickel CB.
  • Lewis was the starting Nickel CB in 2 games (Awuzie and Brown each missed 1 game).
  • Lewis played 8 snaps against the Saints as the Dime DB (see detailed breakdown).
  • Both were solid Nickel CB(s) and Brown played well in 1 start at LCB.

Summary
  • Both are solid 3rd (Nickel) CB(s).
  • There is a big gap between them and Byron Jones in terms of playing against big WR(s)/TE(s).
  • Saints game (8 snaps) didn’t change the overall analysis of Lewis for better or worse.
  • Overall, nothing proved that either Brown or Lewis is unequivocally better than the other.
 

xwalker

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2018 Analysis (Regular Season)

2018 Regular Season Snaps
  • Brown 73% average in the 15 games he played.
  • Lewis 83% in the game Awuzie missed.
  • Lewis 81% in the game Brown missed.
2018 INTs:
  • Brown 1
  • Lewis 1 (playing as the Dime DB)
2018 Games started LCB/RCB/Nickel-CB
  • Games 1-5, 7-14, 16: Awuzie/Jones/Brown
  • Game 6: Brown/Jones/Lewis
  • Game 15: Awuzie/Jones/Lewis
Brown
  • He looked much more comfortable than in 2017.
  • He is a solid nickel CB and looked good in the 1 game at LCB.
  • Needs more polish on contested balls.
Lewis
  • He looked solid in 2 full games at nickel CB.
  • He still borders on higher risk/reward mentality.
  • Needs more polish on contested balls.
  • He played 8 snaps as the Dime DB vs the Saints.

Claims that Lewis was the 2nd coming of Deion and “shutdown” Kamara are just silly and actually overlooks the fact that he had 2 solid performances in the 2 games when he played 40 and 65 snaps as compared to the 8 he played vs the Saints.

The significance of Lewis in the Saints games is that it’s a bonus to have a quality 4th CB to play as the Dime DB. It gives the team more options on how to play coverage. They had the option to play Man coverage with Lewis matched up on Kamara. When the 2nd LB is in the game instead of the Dime DB, they have to avoid getting a LB matched up in Man coverage on Kamara.

Lewis was solid in the Saints game (not better or worse than solid).

Summary
Both displayed a good understanding of playing in the scheme and both have good short area quickness. Brown appears to have better deep speed while Lewis appears to have better ball skills; although, going back to 2017 when both played about 800 snaps, Brown had 2 INTs and Lewis had 1. Both still need to refine their contested ball skills to avoid too much contact and to avoid subtle push-offs by receivers. Both can get boxed out or out-muscled by big WR(s)/TE(s).

Overall, nothing in 2018 proved that either Brown or Lewis is unequivocally better than the other.
 

xwalker

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2017 Analysis

2017 Regular Season Snaps
  • Brown 81%
  • Lewis 71%
2017 Games Missed by CB(s)
  • Scandrick #2, #13-16
  • Carroll #3-16
  • Awuzie #3-4, #6-10
  • Lewis #1
  • Woods #1
  • Brown Zero
2017 INTs:
  • Brown 2
  • Lewis 1

2017 Games started LCB/RCB/Nickel-CB
  • Game 1: Carroll/Scandrick/Brown
  • Game 2:
    • Carroll/Awuzie/Brown, Played most snaps Lewis/Brown/Woods
    • Of 77 total d-snaps, Awuzie played 5, Carroll played 25.
  • Game 3-11: Brown/Scandrick/Lewis
  • Game 12: Awuzie/Scandrick/Lewis
  • Game 13-16:
    • Awuzie/Lewis/(Brown/Woods)
    • Brown 53% in final 4 rotating in at LCB and RCB and playing Dime.

Game 2 – Players moved all over after injuries to Carroll and Awuzie.
Game 2 ………….. LCB …….. RCB …….. Slot
Started Game ….. Carroll …….. Awuzie …….. Brown
Awuzie Injured …….. Carroll …….. Brown …….. Lewis
Carroll Injured …….. Lewis …….. Brown …….. Woods


Brown
  • At LCB they repeatedly had him playing outside leverage
    • Outside leverage requires help on in-breaking routes.
    • Help was most often late or non-existent.
  • His performance was up and down as a starter.
  • He continued to play significant snaps after Awuzie replaced him as the starter.
  • As a non-starter, Brown rotated in for a few series per game at LCB and RCB.
  • He also played as the Dime DB.
  • He averaged playing 53% of the snaps in the final 4 games.
  • When Awuzie played LCB, they didn't always have him playing outside leverage.
  • Brown as a non-starter played way less outside leverage.
  • Brown was better as a non-starter in part because they made scheme changes.

Lewis
  • He showed a lot of swagger for a rookie and always tends to look confident.
  • His actual performance was up and down.
  • He likes to play under the receiver and under-cut routes but it burned him a few times.
  • Sequence vs TE Jimmy Graham example of concerns with Lewis.
    • Played under then interfered with Graham in the endzone.
    • Box out in the endzone by Graham for a TD.
Summary
  • Overall the back 7 often looked out of sorts in 2017.
  • There were a lot of injury issues both in the secondary and at LB.
  • Scheme/coaching didn’t always put coverage players in the best position to succeed.

Both Lewis and Brown were up and down in 2017 but both showed very good potential considering that one was a rookie 3rd round pick and the other was a 2nd year 6th round pick.
 

xwalker

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Lewis vs Saints 2018

Summary:
Q1
  • 09:06:00 AM Man. Good but slight risk with no deep help.
Q2
  • 02:10:00 PM Zone. Savvy veteran play.
Q3
  • 10:42:00 AM Man. Maintained outside contain. Slight risk.
  • 03:51:00 AM Man. Not a big factor on this play.
  • 01:15:00 AM Man. Not a big factor on this play.
Q4
  • 12:13:00 PM Man. Not a big factor on this play.
  • 02:16:00 AM Zone. Horrible throw but seized opportunity for INT.
  • 02:35:00 AM Zone.

Detailed Analysis:


First Quarter

3RD & 10 AT NO 22(09:06)
(9:06) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short left to A.Kamara [T.Crawford].
  • Lewis picks up Kamara in man coverage.
  • Lewis has to avoid a receiver and CB running downfield.
  • Lewis wisely goes around on the downfield side of the receiver/CB.
  • The pass is about 8 yards short.
  • Brees threw off his back foot with Crawford in his face.
  • Crawford/Gregory with good pass rush.
  • Lewis drives for the under-thrown pass and almost makes the pick.
If the pass was on target:
  • Lewis is likley late or too far under Kamara.
  • Strong probability that Kamara has a free run to the endzone on a 78 yard gain.
  • Lewis in man coverage with no help.
    • Takes a risky angle staying under vs downfield.

2nd Quarter

3RD & 9 AT NO 22(14:10)
(14:10) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to A.Kamara to NO 26 for 4 yards (J.Lewis).
  • Kamara ran a delayed route through the middle of the line 4 yards deep.
  • A receiver runs an in-route into the zone Lewis is covering.
  • The receiver wanted to run a pick route between Lewis and Kamara.
  • The timing was off for the receiver and Lewis avoided the pick route.
  • Brees wants to throw deeper (than Kamara).
  • Pass rush forces Brees to dump off to Kamara late.
  • Note: M.Collins free and Crawford/Gregory breaking free.
  • The pass is high preventing Kamara from running after the catch.
  • It’s 50-50 that Lewis gets there with a better pass.
  • Veteran move by Lewis holding his zone against WR before moving to cover Kamara.
3rd Quarter

3RD & 8 AT DAL 20(10:42)
(10:42) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to A.Kamara to DAL 15 for 5 yards (T.Crawford).
  • Kamara motions out and lines up as an outside WR.
  • At the snap he runs laterally back inside and makes the catch.
  • Crawford has made his way over from his DT spot to force Kamara to cut back outside.
  • This is a screen play with multiple OL out lead blocking for Kamara.
  • Lewis manages to duck under an OL block and keep his feet.
  • Lewis can’t get to Kamara as he cuts back.
  • Kamara loses his footing on the the cut.
  • If Kamara had kept his footing, it’s either a 1st down or TD.
  • Lewis took an aggressive approach toward the ball carrier and towards the Olineman.
  • Ducking under the block could have made outside contain vulnerable.

3RD & 10 AT NO 40(03:51)
(3:51) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to M.Thomas. PENALTY on DAL-B.Jones, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at NO 40 - No Play.
  • Kamara lines up as an outside WR.
  • Lewis plays press-man on Kamara.
  • Kamara runs a short in-route.
  • The pass is to a receiver on a 14 yard out route.
  • Penalty on a Cowboys defender for defensive holding.

3RD & 7 AT DAL 30(01:15)
(1:15) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass deep right to K.Kirkwood for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  • Kamara runs a short out route from his RB position.
  • Lewis picks him up in man coverage.
  • The pass is deep to the opposite side.
4th Quarter

3RD & 5 AT 50(12:13)

(12:13) (Shotgun) D.Brees sacked at NO 42 for -8 yards (D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (D.Lawrence) [D.Lawrence], touched at NO 46, RECOVERED by DAL-T.Crawford at NO 35. PENALTY on DAL-R.Gregory, Defensive Offside, 4 yards, enforced at 50 - No Play.
  • Gregory lined up with his head in the neutral zone.
  • Missed opportunity for Cowboys because of great pressure and forced fumble.
    • Dlaw, Jaylon on a blitz and the entire DL with the pressure.
  • Kamara runs a route in the flat from his RB position.
  • Lewis picks up Kamara man coverage.
  • They try to run a pick on Lewis.
  • Lewis avoids the pick to the up-field side and gets in good position against Kamara.
  • Lewis leaves space in his coverage keeping an eye on the QB.
  • Lewis has zero help behind him.
  • Brees is looking at the other side of the field and the pass rush arrives.
    • No time for Brees to look back at Kamara.

1ST & 10 AT NO 15(02:35)
(2:35) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to M.Thomas to NO 20 for 5 yards (J.Smith).
  • Lewis has Kamara in zone coverage.
  • Short route by Kamara.
  • Brees throws short to a WR on crossing route.

2ND & 5 AT NO 20(02:16)
(2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right intended for A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by J.Lewis [M.Collins] at NO 23. J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (R.Ramczyk). The Replay Official reviewed the interception ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.
  • Kamara runs a route into the flat from his RB spot.
  • Lewis is the up man in zone coverage.
  • M.Collins free on pass rush, Brees throws while moving backwards.
  • The pass is far short of Kamara.
  • Lewis in zone coverage is under (between Kamara and the QB).
  • Brees throws directly to Lewis.
  • Lewis does a great job catching the ball without letting it touch the ground.
 

Kaiser

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The significance of Lewis in the Saints games is that it’s a bonus to have a quality 4th CB to play as the Dime DB.

I've always thought that (and Kris Richard) were the big advantages of our CB play. You are only as strong as your weakest link and we have had plenty of years where our Nickel Corner got targeted and burned. Let Brown and Lewis compete for the job, may the best man win.
 

Hennessy_King

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I want to know your credentials. Because PFF highly disagrees with your assessment that they are close in performance.
 

gmoney112

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Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone brought up the Saints game as a barometer for him as a DB. He was basically a spying LB in that game.

Jourdan Lewis is basically Steven Nelson.
 

Alexander

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I want to know your credentials. Because PFF highly disagrees with your assessment that they are close in performance.
They are asked to do different things.

I don't see how some dude in his basement that is charting plays in his mom's basement is making an accurate assessment.

Lewis can play. Plain and simple. If he doesn't do it for us, he will do it for someone else that doesn't have hangups about height and length.
 

Corso

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Lol... "eye test" from guys who don't know 80% of what's happening like play calls and assignments to the fact they are "eye testing" from a broadcast feed.
I love the "eye test"!
 

Tangle_Foot

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Let training camp and the tape decide regular season snap count. And by tape I don't mean measuring tape. I don't mind a coach having a preference as far as player size but what coach doesn't want his best players on the field. One more position group that should have some stiff competition. Obey my commands and protect yourself at all times, let's have a clean fight;)
 

Corso

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Let training camp and the tape decide regular season snap count. And by tape I don't mean measuring tape. I don't mind a coach having a preference as far as player size but what coach doesn't want his best players on the field. One more position group that should have some stiff competition. Obey my commands and protect yourself at all times, let's have a clean fight;)
Duct tape...
 

xwalker

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I want to know your credentials. Because PFF highly disagrees with your assessment that they are close in performance.
PFF has been proven to be worthless in grading players. They have some good stats that are not available elsewhere but their grading process is a joke.

They hire blogger types to "grade' players.

There are 32 teams each week with about 70 snaps on defense and 70 on offense. That's 140 snaps x 32 teams which is 4480 snaps per week to grade.

32 teams
11 player per team per snap
140 snaps offense/defense per game
32 x 11 x 140 = 49,280 total snaps per week

At 1 minute per snap per player that's 821 hours per week.

They release grades within 24 hours and before the All-22 is available.

Even if they had 100 NFL scouts each spend 8 hours grading game footage, getting consistent results across that many graders would be very difficult.

Getting consistent results using bloggers is basically impossible.

In the past I posted a screenshot of their job posting for people to grade players. The requirements were very minimal. They just wanted people with a basic knowledge of football and they would "teach" you how to grade "film".

There is just such a big demand for the concept of having a tangible grade for players that people have gotten sucked into believing PFF grades.

Fans and media use the grades to support their own opinions and ignore the grades when it doesn't benefit them. Nobody seems to care that it's impossible for the grades to be accurate.
 

xwalker

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Let training camp and the tape decide regular season snap count. And by tape I don't mean measuring tape. I don't mind a coach having a preference as far as player size but what coach doesn't want his best players on the field. One more position group that should have some stiff competition. Obey my commands and protect yourself at all times, let's have a clean fight;)

Yes, there just isn't enough size difference to think that Brown got the Nickel job over Lewis just because of size.

If Brown was 6-2, 212 then the concept that the decision was strictly based on size might be plausible but not 5-10 vs 5-11.
 
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