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Is a sixth-round pick the key to success for Cowboys' secondary?
http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...ick-the-key-to-success-for-cowboys-secondary/
Orlando Scandrick is the Cowboys best corner but he’s also far and away the team’s best slot corner. This has presented a problem in the past as teams are able to take advantage by forcing Scandrick to the inside and leaving their best receivers on the outside. That might be about to change in 2016.
Teams aren’t supposed to count on their sixth-round picks to make a big impact in the year they’re drafted. It’s more likely later Day 3 guys are cut and spend the majority of their year on the practice squad if they manage to stay with the team at all. That’s not to say there aren’t exceptions, the Dallas Cowboys have hit on a couple late round selections like Scandrick and Jay Ratliff.
More often than not, Dallas has struggled to find solid defensive contributors in the later rounds of the draft. Prior to this year’s draft, the Cowboys have drafted eight defensive players in the fifth round or later during coach Jason Garrett’s tenure, only Mark Nzeocha has remained.
2016 appears to be different. Both of the Dallas’ sixth-round defensive picks, Anthony Brown and Kevon Frazier, flashed potential during the preseason and look like they’ll be able to push for snaps during the regular season. Brown in particular has a good chance of regular snaps. Not only that, Brown could potentially make the Dallas secondary a strength of the defense.
Despite his draft position, he’s a talented young player. Noted draft specialist Dane Brugler had a fourth round grade on him. Former scout and current DallasCowboys.com writer Bryan Broaddus had a third round grade on Brown. Without any red flags, it’s a wonder why he fell so late in the draft but it appears the Cowboys got a steal in the sixth round.
Via the club’s leaked draft board and their post-draft comments, we have confirmation Dallas saw him as a fourth-round talent.
That talent has been on full display through the preseason. Against the Houston Texans, Brown made his presence felt all over the field. His most prominent play, a third quarter pick-6 of Brandon Weeden from the slot corner position, certainly made the highlight reel. However, that play is not the sole reason to believe Brown can be a key contributor for the Cowboys.
For most of the night, Brown played in the slot and seemed to have no problems handling his assignments. Whether it was zone or man coverage, the rookie cornerback never looked uncomfortable and had a good grasp of his responsibilities. Furthermore, Brown displayed a key trait that this defense sorely needs in its secondary; he is a sure tackler.
When defending the pass, Brown drives quickly after receptions and wraps up limiting receivers from yards after the catch. In fact against the Texans, the few times he allowed receptions, the receivers only gained a couple yards on underneath passes. This skillset fits perfectly with Rod Marinelli’s “bend but don’t break” style of defense.
While Brown’s not a big hitter, he’s also willing run defender, quick to stick his head in the fray. Lastly, he possesses another key trait for the Dallas defense, a knack for the slot blitz. The Cowboys’ coaches certainly agreed and sent him on eight against the Texans. While he wasn’t always successful, he did manage two pressures and one tackle for a loss.
It’s clear Brown is a promising young cornerback who could provide Dallas with much needed flexibility in the secondary. Without him, the Cowboys are largely forced to keep Scandrick in the slot in the nickel as both Claiborne and Carr only play the outside. However, this puts Dallas at a disadvantage as teams with multiple talented receivers can keep their best on the outside and force the Cowboys best corner to cover a lesser receiver.
The only other alternative is to move Byron Jones from his free safety position into the slot. However, with the continued regression of JJ Wilcox, there’s no one to really take over the deep cover safety position and replace Jones as the centerfielder.
If Brown can transition his strong play in the preseason to the regular season, the Cowboys will have the flexibility to play their best corner wherever he’s needed. This is a boon for a defense that’s going to require its secondary to carry the brunt of the load.
Dallas’ front four pass rush is unproven at best. In fact, the Cowboys enter the season with Scandrick as their leading sack man with 9.5 career sacks. The Dallas secondary is going to be expected to have to regularly cover for long periods of time and hope that the young rushers can take advantage of the quarterback holding the football.
If Brown shows he’s a late-round steal and Claiborne continues his strong performance, the Cowboys will have one of the stronger secondaries in the league. It just might be enough to help a rookie quarterback get some wins as the team awaits Tony Romo’s return.
http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...ick-the-key-to-success-for-cowboys-secondary/
Orlando Scandrick is the Cowboys best corner but he’s also far and away the team’s best slot corner. This has presented a problem in the past as teams are able to take advantage by forcing Scandrick to the inside and leaving their best receivers on the outside. That might be about to change in 2016.
Teams aren’t supposed to count on their sixth-round picks to make a big impact in the year they’re drafted. It’s more likely later Day 3 guys are cut and spend the majority of their year on the practice squad if they manage to stay with the team at all. That’s not to say there aren’t exceptions, the Dallas Cowboys have hit on a couple late round selections like Scandrick and Jay Ratliff.
More often than not, Dallas has struggled to find solid defensive contributors in the later rounds of the draft. Prior to this year’s draft, the Cowboys have drafted eight defensive players in the fifth round or later during coach Jason Garrett’s tenure, only Mark Nzeocha has remained.
2016 appears to be different. Both of the Dallas’ sixth-round defensive picks, Anthony Brown and Kevon Frazier, flashed potential during the preseason and look like they’ll be able to push for snaps during the regular season. Brown in particular has a good chance of regular snaps. Not only that, Brown could potentially make the Dallas secondary a strength of the defense.
Despite his draft position, he’s a talented young player. Noted draft specialist Dane Brugler had a fourth round grade on him. Former scout and current DallasCowboys.com writer Bryan Broaddus had a third round grade on Brown. Without any red flags, it’s a wonder why he fell so late in the draft but it appears the Cowboys got a steal in the sixth round.
Via the club’s leaked draft board and their post-draft comments, we have confirmation Dallas saw him as a fourth-round talent.
That talent has been on full display through the preseason. Against the Houston Texans, Brown made his presence felt all over the field. His most prominent play, a third quarter pick-6 of Brandon Weeden from the slot corner position, certainly made the highlight reel. However, that play is not the sole reason to believe Brown can be a key contributor for the Cowboys.
For most of the night, Brown played in the slot and seemed to have no problems handling his assignments. Whether it was zone or man coverage, the rookie cornerback never looked uncomfortable and had a good grasp of his responsibilities. Furthermore, Brown displayed a key trait that this defense sorely needs in its secondary; he is a sure tackler.
When defending the pass, Brown drives quickly after receptions and wraps up limiting receivers from yards after the catch. In fact against the Texans, the few times he allowed receptions, the receivers only gained a couple yards on underneath passes. This skillset fits perfectly with Rod Marinelli’s “bend but don’t break” style of defense.
While Brown’s not a big hitter, he’s also willing run defender, quick to stick his head in the fray. Lastly, he possesses another key trait for the Dallas defense, a knack for the slot blitz. The Cowboys’ coaches certainly agreed and sent him on eight against the Texans. While he wasn’t always successful, he did manage two pressures and one tackle for a loss.
It’s clear Brown is a promising young cornerback who could provide Dallas with much needed flexibility in the secondary. Without him, the Cowboys are largely forced to keep Scandrick in the slot in the nickel as both Claiborne and Carr only play the outside. However, this puts Dallas at a disadvantage as teams with multiple talented receivers can keep their best on the outside and force the Cowboys best corner to cover a lesser receiver.
The only other alternative is to move Byron Jones from his free safety position into the slot. However, with the continued regression of JJ Wilcox, there’s no one to really take over the deep cover safety position and replace Jones as the centerfielder.
If Brown can transition his strong play in the preseason to the regular season, the Cowboys will have the flexibility to play their best corner wherever he’s needed. This is a boon for a defense that’s going to require its secondary to carry the brunt of the load.
Dallas’ front four pass rush is unproven at best. In fact, the Cowboys enter the season with Scandrick as their leading sack man with 9.5 career sacks. The Dallas secondary is going to be expected to have to regularly cover for long periods of time and hope that the young rushers can take advantage of the quarterback holding the football.
If Brown shows he’s a late-round steal and Claiborne continues his strong performance, the Cowboys will have one of the stronger secondaries in the league. It just might be enough to help a rookie quarterback get some wins as the team awaits Tony Romo’s return.