DMN Blog: Training camp position previews: Cornerbacks
By Tim MacMahon/Blogger
The ninth in a 10-part series.
Roster locks: Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins
Safe bets: Mike Mickens
On the bubble: Courtney Brown
Long shots: Michael Hawkins
NOTE: Alan Ball and DeAngelo Smith will be included with safeties tomorrow.
What's worth watching: Jenkins vs. Scandrick should be the camp's best position battle.
Jenkins claims that he's the starter heading into camp, but the first-rounder acknowledges that if he doesn't perform well, the coaches wouldn't hesitate to go with Scandrick. Jenkins has the higher draft pedigree, but Scandrick had a more productive rookie season. In fact, according to Football Outsiders' metrics, Scandrick had the 11th best success rate and 17th lowest yards per attempt total among the league's cornerbacks while working primarily out of the slot last season.
The competition should bring out the best in the talented second-year cornerbacks, who will both see a lot of playing time this season.
Mickens and Brown will also be competing for playing time in the dime defense. The Cowboys could opt to go with Ball or Smith, who played primarily free safety during the off-season practices but have significant cornerback experience, in that role.
Brown didn't pan out as a safety the last two seasons, because he wasn't physical enough, but he had an outstanding spring after being moved back to his college position. He's still young and has intriguing potential at corner because of his size (6-1, 204) and athleticism (4.32 40, 41.5-inch vertical in pre-draft workout).
The ninth in a 10-part series.
Roster locks: Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins
Safe bets: Mike Mickens
On the bubble: Courtney Brown
Long shots: Michael Hawkins
NOTE: Alan Ball and DeAngelo Smith will be included with safeties tomorrow.
What's worth watching: Jenkins vs. Scandrick should be the camp's best position battle.
Jenkins claims that he's the starter heading into camp, but the first-rounder acknowledges that if he doesn't perform well, the coaches wouldn't hesitate to go with Scandrick. Jenkins has the higher draft pedigree, but Scandrick had a more productive rookie season. In fact, according to Football Outsiders' metrics, Scandrick had the 11th best success rate and 17th lowest yards per attempt total among the league's cornerbacks while working primarily out of the slot last season.
The competition should bring out the best in the talented second-year cornerbacks, who will both see a lot of playing time this season.
Mickens and Brown will also be competing for playing time in the dime defense. The Cowboys could opt to go with Ball or Smith, who played primarily free safety during the off-season practices but have significant cornerback experience, in that role.
Brown didn't pan out as a safety the last two seasons, because he wasn't physical enough, but he had an outstanding spring after being moved back to his college position. He's still young and has intriguing potential at corner because of his size (6-1, 204) and athleticism (4.32 40, 41.5-inch vertical in pre-draft workout).
posted by The Gryphon at 5:39 PM
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