ESPN: Ball skills separate elite DBs from good

[TheCount]

Some defensive backs are consistently able to get into position to break up passes and live to play another down, but the true ballhawks break games open by making the interception.

Ball skills are one of the five position-specific traits we use to evaluate defensive backs, and today's Nickel Package breaks down the 2011 prospects who grade out the highest in that department.

MORE: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=nfl_draft&id=6382628
Need Insider Access to read the whole thing, I think.

His List:

1. LSU CB DC Patrick Peterson (6-foot-0¼, 219 pounds; Grade: 97)

2. UCLA S Rahim Moore (5-11¾, 202; 87)

3. North Carolina CB Kendric Burney (5-9⅜, 186; 68)

4. West Virginia S Robert Sands (6-4⅜, 217; 53)

5. Virginia CB Ras-I Dowling (6-1⅜, 198; 82)

There's an explanation for each, but I don't think I'm allowed to post it all.

 

[jblaze2004]

MORE: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=nfl_draft&id=6382628
Need Insider Access to read the whole thing, I think.

His List:

1. LSU CB DC Patrick Peterson (6-foot-0¼, 219 pounds; Grade: 97)

2. UCLA S Rahim Moore (5-11¾, 202; 87)

3. North Carolina CB Kendric Burney (5-9⅜, 186; 68)

4. West Virginia S Robert Sands (6-4⅜, 217; 53)

5. Virginia CB Ras-I Dowling (6-1⅜, 198; 82)

There's an explanation for each, but I don't think I'm allowed to post it all.

i hope we draft robert sands if he is there in round 4 or lower. I would love to have a physical strong safety that can move.

 

[casmith07]

I really, really want Ras-I Dowling. The guy has the tools and fundamentals to be very special in the NFL. Tremendous athletic ability and very good in both zone and man coverage. Runs like a deer too.

I think his ceiling is higher than PP's.

 

[Duane]

I really, really want Ras-I Dowling. The guy has the tools and fundamentals to be very special in the NFL. Tremendous athletic ability and very good in both zone and man coverage. Runs like a deer too.

I think his ceiling is higher than PP's.

You've been pimping him hard for a while now. Looks like we'll have to take him in the 2nd round if we want him now.

 

[UnoDallas]

I really, really want Ras-I Dowling. The guy has the tools and fundamentals to be very special in the NFL. Tremendous athletic ability and very good in both zone and man coverage. Runs like a deer too.

I think his ceiling is higher than PP's.

yea I got RAS as our 2nd rounder -

RAs - Experienced corner who has seen all the tricks. Rarely out of position, even against double-moves, due to his instincts and vision. Keeps an eye on the quarterback and breaks on the ball quickly. Height and long arms make it very difficult to beat him over the top.
Run Support: Reads run quickly and fights through receiver blocks efficiently through lateral agility and good upper-body strength. Willing to take on bigger ballcarriers with no hesitation
Good balance and lateral agility to handle tackling smaller, quicker players in the open field. Breaks down well and makes strong, secure tackles. Likes to intimidate his opponent with big hits. Will hit-lift-drive the ballcarrier into the ground when he can, resulting in impressive stops. Good pursuit and takes good angles to the ball, masking a lack of elite straight-line speed.

Man Coverage: Has the long arms and good upper-body strength for an effective jam at the line of scrimmage. Is often able to disrupt route timing. Good balance and opens up his hips smoo

R Moore I just don't trust him - Moore's ability to consistently produce big plays is questionable due to a lack of great instincts and inconsistent tackling. Can get out of control and overrun the play, giving the runner cutback opportunities. Takes questionable angles to the football, though he provides good effort

 

[realtick]

I really, really want Ras-I Dowling. The guy has the tools and fundamentals to be very special in the NFL. Tremendous athletic ability and very good in both zone and man coverage. Runs like a deer too.

I think his ceiling is higher than PP's.

Love Dowlings ability and I hope we're interested in him. But I don't see how you can say he has a higher upside than Peterson. What exactly does that mean anyways?