Asante played a bit of press last Sunday.

[NEGoldenAge]

It's been more than a season, I think, since I've seen Asante play press anywhere except the slot. He actually played press on several occasions this past Sunday, and I don't think he was exposed on any of those.

Don't get me wrong, I like Asante. He's faster than people give him credit for, he's a very good leaper, he jumps routes really well, he's a fantastic dancer, he's usually a pretty good tackler and he's got great instincts. He's a solid, occassionally "shut-down" corner. Despite all this, he does have limitations; he's generally only effective on the left side, his tendency to go for the ball can burn him against strong armed QB's, he holds the ball out in front of him when he runs with it and he's not been good at press coverage... which is usually a sign of not turning one's hips fast enough. Except this past game, he generally leaves a big cushion.

Since he was playing a bit of press, perhaps he's improving in that area. Often, when DB's develop better hip turning, they can usually play both sides soon after. If Asante strengthens these two deficiences, he will transform from a solid corner with lots of Int's to a shutdown, one of the best db's with a ton of INT's. That's when he'd be worth top dollar.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

It's been more than a season, I think, since I've seen Asante play press anywhere except the slot. He actually played press on several occasions this past Sunday, and I don't think he was exposed on any of those.

Don't get me wrong, I like Asante. He's faster than people give him credit for, he's a very good leaper, he jumps routes really well, he's a fantastic dancer, he's usually a pretty good tackler and he's got great instincts. He's a solid, occassionally "shut-down" corner. Despite all this, he does have limitations; he's generally only effective on the left side, his tendency to go for the ball can burn him against strong armed QB's, he holds the ball out in front of him when he runs with it and he's not been good at press coverage... which is usually a sign of not turning one's hips fast enough. Except this past game, he generally leaves a big cushion.

Since he was playing a bit of press, perhaps he's improving in that area. Often, when DB's develop better hip turning, they can usually play both sides soon after. If Asante strengthens these two deficiences, he will transform from a solid corner with lots of Int's to a shutdown, one of the best db's with a ton of INT's. That's when he'd be worth top dollar.

Just curious-what round was he taken in the draft? I don't remember him playing in that '04 Super Bowl(I remember 2 rookie CBs were playing b/c of the injuries to Law and Poole, but that was it).

 

[jays52]

Just curious-what round was he taken in the draft? I don't remember him playing in that '04 Super Bowl(I remember 2 rookie CBs were playing b/c of the injuries to Law and Poole, but that was it).

4th out of UCF...they brought him aboard to play the slot but he exceeded expectations.

 

[Fencer]

he holds the ball out in front of him when he runs with it

I'm so glad we have many examples of this to kvetch about.

By the way, he has 22 career INTs and 0 career fumbles.

 

[JDP111]

Worst post ever. Internet pundits giving an NFL player coaching advice. Spare me. Maybe he'll get better at opening his hips after he reads your stupid post.:bricks:

 

[Patjew]

Worst post ever.

I've seen much worse.

I've written much worse.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Worst post ever. Internet pundits giving an NFL player coaching advice. Spare me. Maybe he'll get better at opening his hips after he reads your stupid post.:bricks:

Perhaps you should reread the post very slowly a couple of times or have someone coherent help you. At no point in my post did I give Asante advice. I simply mentioned a deficiency that he has that he seems to be overcoming. I also mentioned that improvement would transform him from a solid player to one of the very best.

If there is a single point about which I am wrong, I'd be happy to discuss it. I'm a fan of Asante and have been watching him closely for years. I applaud his improvement.

 

[Patsguy05]

Worst post ever. Internet pundits giving an NFL player coaching advice. Spare me. Maybe he'll get better at opening his hips after he reads your stupid post.:bricks:

Take it easy man! This post is far from stupid. And I'm sure you have never written a stupid post. Ever! Go back to bed.

 

[Remix 6]

It's been more than a season, I think, since I've seen Asante play press anywhere except the slot. He actually played press on several occasions this past Sunday, and I don't think he was exposed on any of those.

Don't get me wrong, I like Asante. He's faster than people give him credit for, he's a very good leaper, he jumps routes really well, he's a fantastic dancer, he's usually a pretty good tackler and he's got great instincts. He's a solid, occassionally "shut-down" corner. Despite all this, he does have limitations; he's generally only effective on the left side, his tendency to go for the ball can burn him against strong armed QB's, he holds the ball out in front of him when he runs with it and he's not been good at press coverage... which is usually a sign of not turning one's hips fast enough. Except this past game, he generally leaves a big cushion.

Since he was playing a bit of press, perhaps he's improving in that area. Often, when DB's develop better hip turning, they can usually play both sides soon after. If Asante strengthens these two deficiences, he will transform from a solid corner with lots of Int's to a shutdown, one of the best db's with a ton of INT's. That's when he'd be worth top dollar.

Asante plays the scheme. If we tell him to press..hes capable. If we tell him to line up deeper, he does it. His limitation is not playing the left side..he dominated the right last season for half season before being switched to the left. We dont rotate our corners back and forth on sides. just like the Colts dont switch Harrison and Wayne.

so the bigger cushion is a result of the gameplan/scheme. as is pressing occasionally.

pressing is something hes done..i think hes a very good overall CB. His hips are fluid i think..better than his speed. Hes quick but not the most athletic in terms of 40 yard dash, vertical.

i have 0 problems with Samuel beside those little slants/posts inside the 5-10 yard line which might be zone because safety is usually just off.

 

[Patjew]

Asante plays the scheme. If we tell him to press..hes capable. If we tell him to line up deeper, he does it. His limitation is not playing the left side..he dominated the right last season for half season before being switched to the left. We dont rotate our corners back and forth on sides. just like the Colts dont switch Harrison and Wayne.

so the bigger cushion is a result of the gameplan/scheme. as is pressing occasionally.

pressing is something hes done..i think hes a very good overall CB. His hips are fluid i think..better than his speed. Hes quick but not the most athletic in terms of 40 yard dash, vertical.

i have 0 problems with Samuel beside those little slants/posts inside the 5-10 yard line which might be zone because safety is usually just off.

Uh....... "we"?

Sorry dude.

 

[Remix 6]

Uh....... "we"?

Sorry dude.

well im a great fan..and i consider Patriots the players and the fans.

 

[Patjew]

well im a great fan..and i consider Patriots the players and the fans.

I hear ya.

Actually, "we" (when it comes to the Pats) is a pet peeve of mine, but I find myself doing it too!

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Asante plays the scheme. If we tell him to press..hes capable. If we tell him to line up deeper, he does it. His limitation is not playing the left side..he dominated the right last season for half season before being switched to the left. We dont rotate our corners back and forth on sides. just like the Colts dont switch Harrison and Wayne.

so the bigger cushion is a result of the gameplan/scheme. as is pressing occasionally.

pressing is something hes done..i think hes a very good overall CB. His hips are fluid i think..better than his speed. Hes quick but not the most athletic in terms of 40 yard dash, vertical.

i have 0 problems with Samuel beside those little slants/posts inside the 5-10 yard line which might be zone because safety is usually just off.

When he played right side a couple of years ago, he was in the slot. He was never terrible on the right side, as he will play it occasionally, but he is a lot more vulnerable. Also, you must go back and watch some older stuff. Until this past game, even when the other cover guys are playing press, Asante still gives the cushion. If you've got any games TiVO'd besides this last one, check it out, you'll see what I mean.

I'm not saying that he can't turn his hips, but usually, when you struggle with press, that's the issue. Unfortunately, given the crap camera angles the media gives, it's hard to get a good look at the corners if they aren't on the line of scrimage. You may be right, he might have smooth hips, but if so, why does he struggle with press? Perhaps it's tendencies in his hand work or penalties in that 1st five yards, I'm honestly not sure.

This past game though, he did well every time he played press. It's definately worth keeping an eye on.

 

[Pat_Nasty]

Uh, the problem here is that hip fluidity has pretty much NOTHING to do with a CB's skills in press coverage.

In fact, a lot of bigger, stronger CBs can hang around in the league despite a lack of hip fluidity because of their abilities to press at the line.

What hip fluidity measures is the ability of a cornerback to shift from his back-pedal to a straight ahead sprint, and is more a skill necessary for turn-and-run type play, than press coverage or zone.

Samuel doesn't actually have the most fluid hips, nor is he a real burner, though he does have more than adequate speed. He excels in press coverage, however, and has great play recognition, and can read receivers and anticipate routes better than any other CB in the league.

 

[Remix 6]

When he played right side a couple of years ago, he was in the slot. He was never terrible on the right side, as he will play it occasionally, but he is a lot more vulnerable. Also, you must go back and watch some older stuff. Until this past game, even when the other cover guys are playing press, Asante still gives the cushion. If you've got any games TiVO'd besides this last one, check it out, you'll see what I mean.

I'm not saying that he can't turn his hips, but usually, when you struggle with press, that's the issue. Unfortunately, given the crap camera angles the media gives, it's hard to get a good look at the corners if they aren't on the line of scrimage. You may be right, he might have smooth hips, but if so, why does he struggle with press? Perhaps it's tendencies in his hand work or penalties in that 1st five yards, I'm honestly not sure.

This past game though, he did well every time he played press. It's definately worth keeping an eye on.

um..im not talking about slot when Law and others were here. Im talking about starting on the right side last season. When he had 10 INTs. Hobbs was the left corner for like 6 games of the season. i know what u mean by big cushion presnap..thats scheme. Asante doesnt choose. He does what coaches tell him to do

who says he struggles with press? Just cuz he doesnt do it doesnt mean hes not good at it or struggles

a scheme is a scheme. The Packers do a bump and run. we dont