* 2012 Draft Defensive Corner Backs * - New England Patriots Forums

Off The Grid · 12-17-2011, 05:43 PM

9th in a Series

Good Evening, Ladies and Gents...

I humbly and quietly offer this Thread ~ the 9th of many, as I'll be circumnavigating the entire Roster ~ to my Fellow Patriots Fans as a Gathering Place ~ a common reference ~ for Corner Back Prospects.

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Alfonzo Dennard of Nebraska ~ 5.10/205

Alfonzo Dennard brings considerable natural talents to the table.

This is, after all, the guy who made "Prince" Amakumara look good, last year, directing all the Traffic thither.

He's Strong, he's Athletic, and he's Fast.

But he has awful Mechanics.

I don't know: I get a distinctly Terrell Buckley "Feast or Famine" vibe from this fellow, and that is NOT the kind of guy who's best suited to build help build a Championship team.

Dennard's certainly got the talent to excel in this league...But I get the idea that he's going to bring a lot of frustration with that package. His talents warrant the extremely lofty Top Ten status his Market Value currently commands, and I expect that his statistics will warrant that, as well...But as I measure players, he is All Hat/No Cattle.

Here's hoping he evolves...and proves me wrong.

In any case: It's a long way to late April...But for now??

OverRated!!

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Chase MinniField of Virginia ~ 6.0/185

Pursue Small Pasture ~ "Chase MinniField" to his friends ~ had an awful Senior year, and his Market Value, quite naturally, has plunged...However, he still retains an intriguing Skill Set.

His Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity, the Cardinal Attribute of any member of the Secondary ~ is exceptiional.

His Long Speed is excellent.

And his Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed are exemplary.

In short: He's the Complete Package.

MIND you: he's a bit on the skinny side.

And his Senior Campaign raised doubts that need to be addressed.

But this is an athletic, explosive, intelligent Corner Back, one ready to Plug + Play!!

Stud Horse!!

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Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama ~ 5.10/180

Janoris Jenkins is too small for my tastes...but I simply cannot ignore the kid.

Verticity is my word for Turn + Burn Acuity: the ability to rapidly Flip Hip and blast down field with your Prey.

When evaluating the Secondary, all other considerations are ancillary, in my view.

And Janoris Jenkins commands better Verticity than any other Back in the entire Draft, that I am currently aware of.

The rest is well documented: He's a Criminal...and a small one.

Ultimately, I have my doubts whether he can hold up on the outside.

He could become the world's greatest Slot Corner, but that hardly warrants a 1st Round Grade.

Or does it??

Stud Horse!!

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Coryell Judie of Texas A&M ~ 5.11/189

Coryell Judie is a mixed bag.

As a "Man" Corner, he's got a lot of work to do: His Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ sucks.

And his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ isn't an hell of a lot better.

But as a Zone Corner, he commands not only exceptional Athleticism ~ Lateral Agility, Fluidity, and Range ~ but the Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed to take full advantage of his Gifts.

His Market Value seems to be around the 3rd Round ~ give or take a round!! ~ and that looks about right, to me.

Player!!

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Shaun Prater of Iowa ~ 5.10/185

Shaun Prater is definitely too small to excel at Man Coverage, but has potential in Zone.

MIND you: He displays excellent Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ so Man Coverage is not out of the question...But he would definitely need to bulk up.

He's a natural Zone Corner, bringing an excellent level of Athleticism ~ Fluidity and Lateral Agility ~ to the table.

He'd be best as either a Zone Corner or a Slot Corner.

His Market Value seems to be floating around the 3rd or 4th Round, and that looks like a pretty good Value to me.

Player!!

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Donnie Fletcher of Boston College ~ 6.1/195

Donnie Fletcher excels neither in Man nor in Zone.

His Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ is lacking, and his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ is not exceptional.

He gets good grades for Diagnostic Acuity + Processing Speed, so he may be able to claw his way onto a Roster.

His Market Value seems to be in the 4th or 5th Round range. That's a bit high, as I see it, but not excessively so.

Role Player!!

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Omar Bolden of Arizona State ~ 5.10/195

Omar Bolden gets pretty good grades for superior Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ and for excellent Fluidity.

His Torsion, however ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ isn't as good, down field, as near the Line of Scrimmage.

His Lateral Agility also suffers down field.

And his Core Strength isn't very good: he can be pushed around.

There is definitely something to work with, here, though.

His Market Value seems to be in the 4th or 5th Round range, and that doesn't seem to unreasonable.

Role Player!!

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Leonard Johnson of Iowa State ~ 5.10/200

Leonard Johnson hits on all my key points at Corner Back.

He commands excellent Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity.

He's got smooth Fluidity and snappy Torsion out of his Breaks.

He bring superior Long Speed and commendable Lateral Agility.

He needs a lot of work in Run Support, mind you, and needs to be far more physical in Press.

But this is a guy who can play just about anywhere and be ~ or become ~ effective.

His Market Value seems to be around the 4th or 5th Round, and that seems like a damned good Bargain, if true.

Sleeper Stud Horse!!

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Jamell Fleming of Oklahoma ~ 5.11/192

I really like this kid.

For starters, Jamell Fleming brings absolutely outstanding Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ to the table.

His Lateral Agility, his Fluidity, and his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ are all excellent.

He is no SuperStar: His Long Speed is pedestrian, and his Run Support and Physicality both need work.

And there were academic issues.

But'is FootBall smarts are all I care about, and he gets exceptional marks for Diagnostic Acuity + Processing Speed.

Fleming brings tremendous Potential to the table, and with a Market Value that seems to be floating somewhere in the 4th to 6th Round range, he is, in my opinion, an exceptional Bargain.

Sleeper Stud Horse!!

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Trumaine Johnson of Montana ~ 6.2/204

Here we have my favorite Corner of the the entire Draft...at least at this juncture!!

Trumaine Johnson brings a scintillating fusion of tremendous Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ explosive Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ and outstanding Diagnostic Acuity + Processing Speed to the Game.

As a former Receiver, he commands frightening Instincts for the Passing Game.

He boasts an extraordinary blend of Size and Athleticism, and while he has little experience in Man Coverage, his potential there ~ or in Zone, if you please!! ~ is vast.

I see 1st Round Potential in this kid. Yet his Market Value, while ascending, is still in the 3rd or 4th Round range!!

Sleeper Beast!!

Off The Grid · 12-17-2011, 05:45 PM

Notes

1 ~ Very intriguing crew, this year, and I haven't even hit the Juniors!!

2 ~ For my money, if we were to draft the last 3 guys ~ ALL of them!! ~ I'd be thrilled!!

3 ~ I actually rate Jamell Fleming higher than Leonard Johnson, but I don't want to get carried away with categories.

4 ~ Trumaine Johnson, of course, is my favorite. As is often the case, our man Mayo Clinic was light years ahead on this guy, while I, in my defense, took my time...I see both Johnson and Fleming as having All Pro potential, yet these guys are looking like they may both go in the 3rd or 4th Rounds!! Indeed, they both started far deeper...

5 ~ My X Factor is Desmond Morrow of Toledo, a freakish talent who projects as a UFA!!

6 ~ The one Junior I'll be watching extremely closely ~ the one that intrigues me far above all the others ~ is Stephon Gilmore.

7 ~ Finally, Robert Golden is a guy who I really like as a Rover Back in the "425". He's listed as a Corner, but he's got experience in at Strong Safety, as well.

8 ~ My attitude about the Secondary is a bit radical: I say we don't even draft Safeties at all ~ at least not this year. I'd like to see us deploy 3 Corners in our Base Defense. I'd like to see us draft Johnson and Fleming in the 3rd and then Golden and Marrow in the 6th or 7th. That'd give us this potential Depth Chart:

SS Pat Chung
RB Robert Golden

CB Devin McCourty
CB Trumaine Johnson
CB Jamell Fleming
CB Ras I Dowling
CB Kyle Arrington
CB Desmond Marrow

And of course we'd have Julian Edelman + Mathew Slater as additional depth!!

That crew would bring incredible Depth of Talent, top to bottom.

reamer · 12-17-2011, 09:10 PM

Nice breakdown, as always.

I will disagree with you on Minnifield, however. He has been in every single one of my internal 2012 mocks, without exception, and in all the games I've seen of him this year, he has played very well. Where do you get that he has had an "awful" senior season? He was named to the ACC first-team this year, for the 3rd straight year. He is everything I look for in a cornerback, and I have no problem with drafting him in the first (although I hold out hope for a value pick in the second). Regardless, he would start alongside McCourty, which bumps Dowling to a roving corner/star/safety with Chung. Arrington would rotate in (and I still have hopes for Molden as a matchup role player). I think we'd have an exceptional secondary in that case.

Also: When Dennard is able to play to his strengths and press receivers aggressively, he is a monster. When he can't jam, however, his raw mechanics show up. He's definitely a feast-or-famine player. If he were available late second, or early third, I'd clamor for us to draft him and mold him (he reminds me a lot of a slightly more powerful Arrington, and I'd like to have another Arrington in our fold). I just don't know if he's enough of a sure thing to spend the draft capital of a first rounder on at this point, and the market will dictate first round, I am certain.

Anyway, back to work. I'm in the middle of three straight overnights.

Off The Grid · 12-18-2011, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reamer

Nice breakdown, as always.

I will disagree with you on Minnifield, however. He has been in every single one of my internal 2012 mocks, without exception, and in all the games I've seen of him this year, he has played very well. Where do you get that he has had an "awful" senior season? He was named to the ACC first-team this year, for the 3rd straight year. He is everything I look for in a cornerback, and I have no problem with drafting him in the first (although I hold out hope for a value pick in the second). Regardless, he would start alongside McCourty, which bumps Dowling to a roving corner/star/safety with Chung. Arrington would rotate in (and I still have hopes for Molden as a matchup role player). I think we'd have an exceptional secondary in that case.

Also: When Dennard is able to play to his strengths and press receivers aggressively, he is a monster. When he can't jam, however, his raw mechanics show up. He's definitely a feast-or-famine player. If he were available late second, or early third, I'd clamor for us to draft him and mold him (he reminds me a lot of a slightly more powerful Arrington, and I'd like to have another Arrington in our fold). I just don't know if he's enough of a sure thing to spend the draft capital of a first rounder on at this point, and the market will dictate first round, I am certain.

Anyway, back to work. I'm in the middle of three straight overnights.

Thanks for the correction on Pursue Small Pasture, Brother Reamer. I DO believe I was talking out my @$$ on that one!! Call it: Over Analysis Fatigue!!

And thanks for the kind words, sir.

3 Straight GraveYards?? Please tell me you don't have one of those jobs with a "Flex" schedule that rotates that!! I work GraveYard Shift exclusively, and it ain't half bad, but I'd probably kill somebody if I was doing so every other week!!

Ochmed Jones · 12-18-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Off The Grid

9th in a Series
Coryell Judie of Texas A&M ~ 5.11/189

Coryell Judie is a mixed bag.

As a "Man" Corner, he's got a lot of work to do: His Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ sucks.

And his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ isn't an hell of a lot better.

But as a Zone Corner, he commands not only exceptional Athleticism ~ Lateral Agility, Fluidity, and Range ~ but the Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed to take full advantage of his Gifts.

His Market Value seems to be around the 3rd Round ~ give or take a round!! ~ and that looks about right, to me.

Player!!

This is the CB that I think fits best into the BB soft zone defense. He reads receivers well,has a great back pedal and anticipates throws very well.

I think that in 2012 we will be a 3-4 defense that plays the same soft zone in the secondary from 2010. Which means McCourty should play much better and Judie should be able to step right in and start opposite him. Arrington goes back to the star position and Barron and Lester can take at safety. (Chung is turning out to be a banana boy.)

rdf63 · 12-18-2011, 10:41 AM

Good ideas and the Pats have some hard thinking to do about dback to get in the draft. I think McCourty can regain his rookie year abilities and another big fact is Dowling who was rated a top 15 pick after his junior year and is similar to Minnifield. I think the real problems start with the Safeties and because of Chung's injuries and lost time, its time to build there first and add some size and strong hitting. However, there is some good Dback talent that will be available in the 4th - 6th round and here is who I like in the 2012 draft.

SS - Mark Barron - Alabama - a hard hitting safety with size. Only Barron and McDonald of USC play with that style. Good size at 6'2" 218 lbs along with good speed. He could start immediately and add a lot to the Pats defense. The size also differentiates him from Markelle Martin, who is a good player but at 6'1" 198 lbs. The Pats need a big hitter at safety to play with Chung.

SS/FS - Winston Guy, Kentucky - I think he may be the absolute BEST sleeper in the whole draft. Averaged 11 tackles per game which ranks 22nd in the nation. First team all SEC coaches team, strong safety experience, good size at 6'1" 215, can return kickoff and punts as well. Tackling machine including back to back 100+ tackles seasons. Averaged 29.1 in kick off returns including a 96 yd return against Georgia.

CB/S - Trumaine Johnson - Montana - because of off the field trouble would have gone higher and most likely MUCH higher (2nd or 3rd round). Versatile player and could also return punts and kicks. He could add versatility in playing both CB and safety which BB loves.

CB - Jamell Fleming - Oklahoma - 5'10" 192 with academic problems and a minor knee operation. Has the a TON of talent but also injuries and OFF THE GRID is right about being a sleeper in the draft.

Daigle · 12-18-2011, 10:50 AM

Have I missed something but where is Claiborne, Morris ?

winged1dur · 12-18-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daigle

Have I missed something but where is Claiborne, Morris ?

Long gone!

MP-Logick · 12-18-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daigle

Have I missed something but where is Claiborne, Morris ?

He should go top 5. If not he won't get past 10, no way he pulls an Amukamura.

Off The Grid · 12-18-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daigle

Have I missed something but where is Claiborne, Morris ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by winged1dur

Long gone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MP-Logick

He should go top 5. If not he won't get past 10, no way he pulls an Amukamura.

Heh!! Yeah, I think I explained it in the earliest Threads, but've lopped off the repetition of the explanation in later Threads, so's not to bore the HELL out'f y'all: I stick, predominantly, to the Prospects who've been analyzed by Draft Scout AND National FootBall Post, on account of my views are 10% Tape-Based and 90% based on Analyzing The Analysts: These guys get access to the "22" Tape that you and I don't...which is 90% of the battle, in my view...and they also have more experience than I do...I learned at a young age that I can derive Great Things by analyzing the opinions of others ~ most recent example: I was all OVER Aaron Hernandez when 99% of this fandom had NO use for'm, BEFORE the 2010 Draft!! ~ and TRIANGULATING my own position, based on my own views AND my analysis of that of others...

I'd be kidding myself ~ and all of you ~ if I pretended that I could Air Drop a TV Tape of a Prospect and draw substantial and worthwhile far-reaching conclusions, based off'f it...Far better, in my view, to OutSource the Heavy Lifting to those guys who do this for a LIVING...and who's connections allow them access to the "22" Tape that is absolutely VITAL to REAL Analysis.