Q&A with Arizona CB Antoine Cason

[jterrell]

It's hard not to come to that conclusion when the guy can cover Desean Jackson on a go route stride for stride down field. Yet, somehow, some people think that a player that gets burned deep by Jordy Nelson is a more gifted athlete.

Thats called technique. Cason is light years ahead of Talib there.

Desean actually put up some quite nice yardage in the battles with Cason and Jordy was woefully underrated for playing speed. He may well be the sleeper of this craptastic WR class.

Again the worry with Cason is that he is too close to fully developed without upside.

Based on likability, professionalism and game tape Cason is a better player but no scout puts as much weight in that as they should. But the combine showed Talib had the better raw physical tools which for some reason you can't seem to acknowledge.

 

[jterrell]

If the Pacman deal goes through (and all indications are that it will) and no trade is made for a vet WR, Jerry will deal down with that 28 pick (maybe to Atlanta if they pass on Ryan with their 1st pick and are targeting Flacco, Henne, or Brohm) and pick up and extra 2nd and (hopefully 2 or/and a 3rd). That's when, I think, you'll see Cason come off the board for Dallas.

I'd love that move if it happens.

I am hopeful some teams wants to target a QB and will be willing to overpay as CLE was.

 

[TheCount]

Man, this guy is a pompous jerk!

 

[marchetta]

Drew Boylhart (thehuddlereport.com) thinks Cason is a top 3 CB. He feels he's even better than Talib and Jenkins. He says Cason is much more fundamentally sound than either of those two and Cason has great technique, instincts, intelligence, and hands. Hopefully, Dallas' scouts will see this too.

 

[Duane]

Thats called technique. Cason is light years ahead of Talib there.

Desean actually put up some quite nice yardage in the battles with Cason and Jordy was woefully underrated for playing speed. He may well be the sleeper of this craptastic WR class.

Again the worry with Cason is that he is too close to fully developed without upside.

Based on likability, professionalism and game tape Cason is a better player but no scout puts as much weight in that as they should. But the combine showed Talib had the better raw physical tools which for some reason you can't seem to acknowledge.

So he's the Bobby Carpenter of the 2008 CB class.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

He has 1st round measurables without a doubt. And his hips are very smooth.

Smartest corner in the draft.

Hmm...if by overachieving you mean he was the best corner in college, yes.

Talib certainly isn't more physically gifted. He's slower and less athletic. Also has less playmaking ability in terms of INTs and PDs.

I pretty much agree with everything except the bold part. Talib has 11 ints in his last 23 games and the Nelson TD was the only one he gave up all year.

Aqib Talib

Had 92 passes targeted into his area, with 47 being caught by the opposition (51.09&#37 for 459 yards (9.77-yard average per completion/4.99 yards per pass attempt) and a touchdown…Made 61 of his plays vs. the pass and 23 others vs. the run…Rerouted the opposing receivers on 27 plays, as he made six goal-line tackles…Credited with 252 third-down stops and two more on fourth-down activity.
2007: Started all year at left cornerback and also held the distinction of starting on both offense and defense in the same game vs. Kansas State…Ranked sixth on the squad with 66 tackles (42 solos), including 3.5 stops for losses of 8 yards…Deflected thirteen passes and had five interceptions, as he set a school season-record with 195 yards in returns and tied another mark with two pass thefts for touchdowns…On offense, he caught eight of thirteen passes thrown to him, good for 182 yards (22.8 avg) and four touchdowns…Also rushed once for a 6-yard loss…Returned two punts for 21 yards (10.5 avg).

10 GP; 10 GS; 42 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 22 PBU, 1 QBH; Suspended 2 games for violating team rules. Played in and started 10 games, second-team All-America, All-Big 12 First Team in '06.11 GP; 9 GS; 54 TT, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 2 FF; An All-Big 12 honorable-mention in '05. Redshirt in '04.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

If you look at this Cason is by far the best corner out of this group: Thanks Slate

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Of the 60 passes targeted into his area, he held the opposition to 22 receptions (36.66&#37 for 262 yards (11.91 avg per completion), three touchdowns and an average of 4.37 yards per pass attempt.
Recovered two fumbles and gained 16 yards on four punt returns…Deflected eleven passes and intercepted two others for 140 yards in returns and two touchdowns…Set the school season-record by blocking four kicks…Gained 806 yards with a score on 33 kickoff returns (24.4 avg)…Also saw brief action on offense, rushing twice for 16 yards while coming up with a 38-yard reception.
11 GP; 11 GS; 47 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 7 PBU, 1 BLK; 1st team All-Ohio Valley in '06. 11 GP; 11 GS; 41 TT, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU; KR 2-34-17.0-0 in '05. 11 GP; 11 GS; 33 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 BLK; PR 1-11-11-0; KR 1-19-19-0 in '04.


Mike Jenkins

Had 68 passes targeted into his area, as the opposition caught 28 of those throws (41.18%) for 348 yards (12.43 avg per completion) 5.12 yards per pass attempt and three touchdowns…Defended fifteen passes and prevented his main pass coverage assignment from getting to 25 other tosses…Made 29 plays on third-down and was penalized five times while also fumbling the ball once.
Recorded a career-high 41 tackles (31 solos), four stops for losses of 17 yards and a quarterback pressure…Deflected twelve passes and intercepted three others for 41 yards in returns (13.7 avg)…Took over kickoff return duties later in the year, gaining 213 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts (30.4 avg).
13 GP; 13 GS; 27 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 15 PBU, 1 FF; KR: 2-27-13.5-0; Suspended after arrest for misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence in March '07. 12 GP; 12 GS; 38 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 2 FF; PR 1-27-27-0; Second team all-Big East selection in '05. 10 GP; 3 GS; 27 TT, 9 PBU, 2 FF, 1 BLK; PR 1-7-7-0 in '04.


Antoine Cason

Of the 73 passes targeted to his area, the opposition caught 23 (31.51%) for 258 yards (11.2 avg per completion), two touchdowns and twelve first downs (held the opposition to 3.53 yards per pass attempt).
Started all twelve games at weak-side cornerback, ranking third on the team with a career-high 71 tackles (56 solos), including a 6-yard sack and four stops for losses of 12 yards…Caused two fumbles and deflected a team-high fourteen passes…Tied Nate Ness for the team lead and both ranked second in the league with five interceptions…Gained 164 yards with two interceptions on those five pass thefts…Made 56 of his stops vs. the pass, coming up with 26 third-down hits, including six in run support…Also made one fourth-down stop and tackled the opponent four times for no gain…Made seven of his tackles inside the red zone.
Candidate for Lott Trophy and Thorpe Award… First-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in 2006. 11 GP; 11 GS; 50 TT, 2.5 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU in '05. 11 GP; 11 GS; 70 TT, 5.5 TFL, 4 INT, 6 PBU, 3 FF; Started 11 games as a true freshman in 2004, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention.


Leodis McKelvin

Had 70 passes targeted into his territory, as the opposition caught 34 of those tosses (48.57%) for 407 yards (11.97-yard average per completion/5.81-yard average per attempt), no touchdowns and eleven first downs, as he prevented the receivers from getting to 25 throws while breaking up eleven others (nine deflections/two pass thefts).
Made fifteen of his plays on third-down and two more on fourth-down snaps…Turned the ball over once on three fumbles. 13 GP; 13 GS; PR 28-314-11.2-1; KR 27-634-23.5-0; 66 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FF; 2nd team All-Sun Belt at RS in '06. 11 GP; 0 GS; PR 33-417-12.6-1 KR 24-619-25.8-1; 30 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK, 5 PBU; First team All-Sun Belt honors as a return man by averaging 25.8 yards per kickoff return and 12.6 yards on punt returns in '05. 12 GP; 0 GS; PR 26-304-11.7-2 KR 15-328-21.9-0; 17 TT, 1 INT, 1 PBU in '04.
2007: All-Sun Belt Conference first-team choice…Started all twelve games at left cornerback, coming up with 60 tackles (50 solos), including 2.5 stops for losses of 6 yards…Caused three fumbles and recovered another, advancing that turnover 36 yards…Deflected nine passes and intercepted two others for minus 9 yards…Led the league and ranked fourth in the nation with 436 yards and three touch-downs on 25 punt returns (17.44 avg)…Finished third in the Sun Belt with 33 kickoff returns for a school season-record 765 yards (23.2 avg), topping his own mark of 634 yards in 2006…Led the team and ranked eighth in the conference with 1,228 all-purpose yards.


Aqib Talib

Had 92 passes targeted into his area, with 47 being caught by the opposition (51.09%) for 459 yards (9.77-yard average per completion/4.99 yards per pass attempt) and a touchdown…Made 61 of his plays vs. the pass and 23 others vs. the run…Rerouted the opposing receivers on 27 plays, as he made six goal-line tackles…Credited with 252 third-down stops and two more on fourth-down activity.
2007: Started all year at left cornerback and also held the distinction of starting on both offense and defense in the same game vs. Kansas State…Ranked sixth on the squad with 66 tackles (42 solos), including 3.5 stops for losses of 8 yards…Deflected thirteen passes and had five interceptions, as he set a school season-record with 195 yards in returns and tied another mark with two pass thefts for touchdowns…On offense, he caught eight of thirteen passes thrown to him, good for 182 yards (22.8 avg) and four touchdowns…Also rushed once for a 6-yard loss…Returned two punts for 21 yards (10.5 avg).

10 GP; 10 GS; 42 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 22 PBU, 1 QBH; Suspended 2 games for violating team rules. Played in and started 10 games, second-team All-America, All-Big 12 First Team in '06.11 GP; 9 GS; 54 TT, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 2 FF; An All-Big 12 honorable-mention in '05. Redshirt in '04.

 

[jterrell]

So he's the Bobby Carpenter of the 2008 CB class.

I think that is a concern yes.

Good player but not great and may only be the 4th CB here as a rookie which is pretty low on the totem pole for say pick 22.

 

[jterrell]

If you look at this Cason is by far the best corner out of this group: Thanks Slate

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Of the 60 passes targeted into his area, he held the opposition to 22 receptions (36.66%) for 262 yards (11.91 avg per completion), three touchdowns and an average of 4.37 yards per pass attempt.
Recovered two fumbles and gained 16 yards on four punt returns…Deflected eleven passes and intercepted two others for 140 yards in returns and two touchdowns…Set the school season-record by blocking four kicks…Gained 806 yards with a score on 33 kickoff returns (24.4 avg)…Also saw brief action on offense, rushing twice for 16 yards while coming up with a 38-yard reception.
11 GP; 11 GS; 47 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 7 PBU, 1 BLK; 1st team All-Ohio Valley in '06. 11 GP; 11 GS; 41 TT, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU; KR 2-34-17.0-0 in '05. 11 GP; 11 GS; 33 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 BLK; PR 1-11-11-0; KR 1-19-19-0 in '04.


Mike Jenkins

Had 68 passes targeted into his area, as the opposition caught 28 of those throws (41.18%) for 348 yards (12.43 avg per completion) 5.12 yards per pass attempt and three touchdowns…Defended fifteen passes and prevented his main pass coverage assignment from getting to 25 other tosses…Made 29 plays on third-down and was penalized five times while also fumbling the ball once.
Recorded a career-high 41 tackles (31 solos), four stops for losses of 17 yards and a quarterback pressure…Deflected twelve passes and intercepted three others for 41 yards in returns (13.7 avg)…Took over kickoff return duties later in the year, gaining 213 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts (30.4 avg).
13 GP; 13 GS; 27 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 15 PBU, 1 FF; KR: 2-27-13.5-0; Suspended after arrest for misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence in March '07. 12 GP; 12 GS; 38 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 2 FF; PR 1-27-27-0; Second team all-Big East selection in '05. 10 GP; 3 GS; 27 TT, 9 PBU, 2 FF, 1 BLK; PR 1-7-7-0 in '04.


Antoine Cason

Of the 73 passes targeted to his area, the opposition caught 23 (31.51%) for 258 yards (11.2 avg per completion), two touchdowns and twelve first downs (held the opposition to 3.53 yards per pass attempt).
Started all twelve games at weak-side cornerback, ranking third on the team with a career-high 71 tackles (56 solos), including a 6-yard sack and four stops for losses of 12 yards…Caused two fumbles and deflected a team-high fourteen passes…Tied Nate Ness for the team lead and both ranked second in the league with five interceptions…Gained 164 yards with two interceptions on those five pass thefts…Made 56 of his stops vs. the pass, coming up with 26 third-down hits, including six in run support…Also made one fourth-down stop and tackled the opponent four times for no gain…Made seven of his tackles inside the red zone.
Candidate for Lott Trophy and Thorpe Award… First-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in 2006. 11 GP; 11 GS; 50 TT, 2.5 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU in '05. 11 GP; 11 GS; 70 TT, 5.5 TFL, 4 INT, 6 PBU, 3 FF; Started 11 games as a true freshman in 2004, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention.


Leodis McKelvin

Had 70 passes targeted into his territory, as the opposition caught 34 of those tosses (48.57%) for 407 yards (11.97-yard average per completion/5.81-yard average per attempt), no touchdowns and eleven first downs, as he prevented the receivers from getting to 25 throws while breaking up eleven others (nine deflections/two pass thefts).
Made fifteen of his plays on third-down and two more on fourth-down snaps…Turned the ball over once on three fumbles. 13 GP; 13 GS; PR 28-314-11.2-1; KR 27-634-23.5-0; 66 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FF; 2nd team All-Sun Belt at RS in '06. 11 GP; 0 GS; PR 33-417-12.6-1 KR 24-619-25.8-1; 30 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK, 5 PBU; First team All-Sun Belt honors as a return man by averaging 25.8 yards per kickoff return and 12.6 yards on punt returns in '05. 12 GP; 0 GS; PR 26-304-11.7-2 KR 15-328-21.9-0; 17 TT, 1 INT, 1 PBU in '04.
2007: All-Sun Belt Conference first-team choice…Started all twelve games at left cornerback, coming up with 60 tackles (50 solos), including 2.5 stops for losses of 6 yards…Caused three fumbles and recovered another, advancing that turnover 36 yards…Deflected nine passes and intercepted two others for minus 9 yards…Led the league and ranked fourth in the nation with 436 yards and three touch-downs on 25 punt returns (17.44 avg)…Finished third in the Sun Belt with 33 kickoff returns for a school season-record 765 yards (23.2 avg), topping his own mark of 634 yards in 2006…Led the team and ranked eighth in the conference with 1,228 all-purpose yards.


Aqib Talib

Had 92 passes targeted into his area, with 47 being caught by the opposition (51.09%) for 459 yards (9.77-yard average per completion/4.99 yards per pass attempt) and a touchdown…Made 61 of his plays vs. the pass and 23 others vs. the run…Rerouted the opposing receivers on 27 plays, as he made six goal-line tackles…Credited with 252 third-down stops and two more on fourth-down activity.
2007: Started all year at left cornerback and also held the distinction of starting on both offense and defense in the same game vs. Kansas State…Ranked sixth on the squad with 66 tackles (42 solos), including 3.5 stops for losses of 8 yards…Deflected thirteen passes and had five interceptions, as he set a school season-record with 195 yards in returns and tied another mark with two pass thefts for touchdowns…On offense, he caught eight of thirteen passes thrown to him, good for 182 yards (22.8 avg) and four touchdowns…Also rushed once for a 6-yard loss…Returned two punts for 21 yards (10.5 avg).

10 GP; 10 GS; 42 TT, 2 TFL, 6 INT, 22 PBU, 1 QBH; Suspended 2 games for violating team rules. Played in and started 10 games, second-team All-America, All-Big 12 First Team in '06.11 GP; 9 GS; 54 TT, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 2 FF; An All-Big 12 honorable-mention in '05. Redshirt in '04.

...next thing ya know you'll be telling me Jordy Nelson and Aqib Talib were also both All-Americans... sheesh!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

So he's the Bobby Carpenter of the 2008 CB class.

Now that's hitting below the belt.

My crystal ball says that Cason will be a Cowboy if Cromartie isn't.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

...next thing ya know you'll be telling me Jordy Nelson and Aqib Talib were also both All-Americans... sheesh!

The numbers don't lie. Out of all those guys he faced stiffer competition and had better numbers.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The numbers don't lie. Out of all those guys he faced stiffer competition and had better numbers.

OK... so now you're telling me that a corner operates totally on his own within a defense? His play is not influenced in one-iota by any of his teammates?

Some of you yahwho's just amaze me.

You grab a bag of corn chips and down a 6-pack of bud on a Saturday, and watch football till midnight and you think you're an NFL scout.

When someone pays you for your opinion, then I'll take notice. So please just scan in a copy of a check from folks buying your draft guide.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

OK... so now you're telling me that a corner operates totally on his own within a defense? His play is not influenced in one-iota by any of his teammates?

Some of you yahwho's just amaze me.

You grab a bag of corn chips and down a 6-pack of bud on a Saturday, and watch football till midnight and you think you're an NFL scout.

When someone pays you for your opinion, then I'll take notice. So please just scan in a copy of a check from folks buying your draft guide.

So you don't watch games? You just wait for the draft guides to come out and then give your opinion? Maybe you need to form your own opinion and weigh them along with other experts instead of spewing whatever comes out of Mel Kiper mouth. By the way, if they were truly experts you think they would be with an NFL team already. The numbers don't lie. I'm sorry it pisses you off that Cason has better numbers playing against better competition than your pet cat Kiper told you to pull for.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

So you don't watch games? You just wait for the draft guides to come out and then give your opinion? Maybe you need to form your own opinion and weigh them along with other experts instead of spewing whatever comes out of Mel Kiper mouth. By the way, if they were truly experts you think they would be with an NFL team already. The numbers don't lie. I'm sorry it pisses you off that Cason has better numbers playing against better competition than your pet cat Kiper told you to pull for.

Sigh...

 

[Hostile]

Sure it did. I'm guessing you needed some "alone time" with the article.

Why do you think it crashed?

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Sigh...

So basically you have no football knowledge, you depend on draft guides to form your opinions of players and you are lousy at debating. Ok, I am still getting the feel around here. Your the clown of the board. Everyone has one. With these snappy comebacks no wonder you have over 18,000 posts.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

So basically you have no football knowledge, you depend on draft guides to form your opinions of players and you are lousy at debating. Ok, I am still getting the feel around here. Your the clown of the board. Everyone has one. With these snappy comebacks no wonder you have over 18,000 posts.

No, I'm the "Groucho Marx".


Get it right.

 

[Stash]

Kiper has him the 11th best corner.

Ourlads has him the 4th.

I've seen numerous rags that have him in between.


I think that's pretty solid support for my position. I've not seen a single pub that lists him as anything higher than the #4 corner.

Lindy's has him as their 2nd rated cornerback. Check out that one.

And another great thing about Cason is that he was a starter, not a part-time backup player.

That makes him worthy of a first round pick to me.

 

[JPM]

Why do you think it crashed?

OK, been there done that, and had to clean up afterwards.

 

[Chief]

Some of you yahwho's just amaze me.

You grab a bag of corn chips and down a 6-pack of bud on a Saturday, and watch football till midnight and you think you're an NFL scout.

When someone pays you for your opinion, then I'll take notice. So please just scan in a copy of a check from folks buying your draft guide.

This gets said a lot on these boards. Michael, I would put more stock into some of the friends and posters I know than some of the people who publish these guides, or even draft players.

I know guys who have been right about players more often than some people pulling an NFL paycheck.

I haven't seen a lot of these guys play, but I've seen Cason play and I see a very smooth, athletic guy who makes plays. He's not the athletic freak that Talib is, but he has outstanding athletic ability. I'm not blind.