Looking at the future: Cornerback situation

by Bluedude on Oct 10, 2009 2:32 PM EDT Comment 11 comments

The starting cornerbacks for the past two years have been Marlin and Kelvin (at least until they got hurt). They were reliable, healthy for the most part, and played very well.

The current cornerback situation, however, isn't exactly like that.

Kelvin, after receiving a nice, fat contract, hasn't played much because of a hamstring injury. Right now, this guy is beginning to look more and more injury prone to me for some reason. He hasn't played much, and his hamstring seems to limit him a lot.

Marlin, although he was durable and reliable as a corner for years, doesn't seem to be the same dude he was before the knee injury. He's still very good as a run-support and zone coverage corner, but he seems to have lost the little man coverage skills he once had.

We all know about Tim, so no need to say anything there.

Powers and Lacey have played relatively well while the starting duo were out, but they are still rookies and are unproven. Yes, I know that they've played well and now people are going as far as saying Powers is the corner of the future with Kelvin, but I think that statement is a bit too extreme.

Remember how Gilbert Gardner played very well in place of Cato June back in 2005? We all know what kind of starter Gardner turned out to be. A complete bust.

Remember how Freddie Keiaho played very well as a first year starter replacing June back in 2007? We all know what kind of player he is now. I shouldn't say bust yet, but he is not too trustworthy either.

There is a random coincidence in that both those guys were 3rd round picks, kind of like Powers.

Next season, both Marlin and Tim will be FAs. What should be done about these guys? But more importantly, what should the Colts do about the position as a whole?

I say that Marlin be resigned to a long term contract -- remember, not many teams out there are using Tampa-2 scheme, so it'd be technically best for Marlin and the Colts that Marlin stays. Tim Jennings? Dump him. I still do not trust Powers and Lacey. They have had blown coverages, they both had lucky situations as well. However, they have not had any test of clutch situations, etc the way Marlin had (remember his game-winning interception against New England?).

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Hayden, Powers, Lacey and a mid-round draft pick this year

Those should be our corners for next year. I would rather re-sign Antoine Bethea than Marlin Jackson.

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by Colts Homer on Oct 10, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The CB depth would be extremely depleted...

I say if the Colts do not re-sign Jackson or Jennings, I would not only expect the Colts to use a mid-round pick on a CB, but also use their 1st or 2nd round pick on a CB too. Depending on who they re-sign or do not re-sign next year, the Colts could go Secondary heavy in the draft next year in my opinion.

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Oct 10, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what was the Colts depth at CB before this year?

It was just Jackson, Hayden, Jennings and a bunch of rift raft that eventually got cut and replaced by a 3rd rounder and a UDFA (I don’t count TJ Rushing as a CB as it appears it would take 52 injuries to get him on the field as anything other than a returner). So lets say Jackson walks, the Colts depth next year would be Hayden, Powers, Jennings, Lacey. How is that much different? Jackson might be > Powers, but I doubt its that much as a pure corner. What makes Jackson so valueable is his versatility to play outside, the slot, and safety if needed.

by SpazMo on Oct 10, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More Experience

But I meant to say if the Colts do not re-sign Jackson AND Jennings rather than Jackson OR Jennings (my fault) in my original post. I was assuming that Colts Homer was implying that Jackson and Jennings would not be with the Colts thus having less depth and experience going into the season in my opinion. I think me saying “extremely depleted” was a bit over the top, but still the depth would not be as strong if the Colts were to lose Jackson and Jennings to FA and replacing them with a mid-round draft pick. I’m not saying that lineup above would be bad, but I would think adding a high round draft pick along with that mid-round pick (that Colts Homer mentioned) on a CB would add more competition to the younger core at that position along with talent.

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Oct 10, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't buy into the voodoo history stuff...

To this point, Powers has started three games and done very well AS A STARTER, with only one big coverage mistake. Lacey has been impressive, and is tied for 2nd on the team with 2 passes defensed. If it were up to me, I would sign Bethea (safety contracts tend to be lower than CBs) and let Jackson walk. I would draft someone relatively early for the next two years so long as I am not reaching and missing a better player in the process. I am confident that Hayden, Powers, Lacey and Jennings would be fine next year with Bethea, Sanders, and Bullitt rounding out the core of the secondary. I am also confident that we can find another corner that plays well in the system over the next two years to replace Jennings when he inevitably is let go. Powers and Lacey in key roles next year doesn’t scare me, it doesn’t even scare me now.

I love Marlin and hope he plays really well the rest of the way, and can stay healthy. If he signs cheap, due to injury concerns, that is a bonus. That said, in terms of coverage in the secondary, the three best players on the team right now are Hayden, Powers, and Lacey.

My 2cp.

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by bamock on Oct 11, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't buy into them?

History repeats itself… I remember with the whole Dante Hughes stuff, how even the so called “experts” said he should easily take over Jackson / Hayden. We all know how he excelled early in his rookie year, and what really happened to him.

I’d say letting Jackson go would be the one of biggest mistakes, especially with an uncapped year looming around. If Powers AND Lacey can prove that they can really cover the way Jackson used to do in next two seasons, then yeah, Jackson perhaps should be let go. Remember, you really shouldn’t evaluate rookies based on their first year performance (let alone first few games). Jackson is proven, and he’s a perfect fit for Colts D (except in blitzing situations).

Oh no!

by Bluedude on Oct 11, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

History repeats itself...

It’s a moniker which requires learning from the past. It doesn’t work the same when you’re dealing with the skills and abilities of individuals. You would be foolish to say or think, “because Freddy Keiaho, Dante Hughes, and Philip Wheeler did not or have not panned out as we had hoped, despite strong first year performances, the same should be expected of Jerraud Powers.” Likewise, you are now throwing a specific observation around willy-nilly to support your presumptions about every young player, in support of the idea that letting another player go would somehow be disastrous.

As for me, I evaluate players based upon their on-field performance, their status as rookies is irrelevant to me. Dante Hughes didn’t look like a great player as a rookie, he looked like he could hold his own in the NFL (he still can) and we assumed based on his “solid” play that he could improve after his rookie season. What didn’t happen was the improvement. Same can be said for the others on this list, or the 3rd round players who haven’t panned out long-term.

Powers looks better than “capable of holding his own in the NFL,” he looks like a stand-out rookie, potentially one of the best defensive rookies in the league. Lacey doesn’t look decently capable of serving as a back-up in the NFL. Lacey looks like an undrafted free agent gem who is capable of immediately contributing in a significant role if he is called on. Vast differences, vastly stronger on-field performances than the others.

Lastly, I wouldn’t toss Jackson away without reason. If we’re uncapped next year and can structure a deal which makes him cap efficient once the cap does return, I would certainly keep him. I would put more emphasis on Bethea though and if we have to choose only one it is my opinion that we would be just fine with Powers and Lacey stepping into bigger roles in the secondary.

Thanks to MarkFive05 I have a new theme video that I hope you all will remember me by: BAM BAM

by bamock on Oct 11, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh bit of misunderstanding here

I’m not saying that Powers or Lacey is a bust or anything like the examples. However, what I’m saying is that it’s too early to say that they are sure fire corners who are capable, blah blah blah. My examples were used to show that history repeats itself, and just in case Powers and Lacey would fall into those traps (hopefully not), I’m just saying that trusting them way too much on just 4 games could lead to a huge mistake.

This is a tendency that many people fall into. They see couple brilliant games by rookies (which they did play brilliantly, I won’t argue there), then say omg these guys are brilliant let’s play them over proven veterans! Often, they do turn out to be very good players. I certainly hope that Powers and Lacey will turn out that way because Hayden to me seems a bit injury prone.
But a lot of times, the brilliant rookies turn out to be busts over following seasons. Reggie Bush, VY, Gilbert Gardener, etc.

Again, maybe it was that I wasn’t being too clear, but I’m NOT saying that Powers and Lacey should be expected as busts in future. What I AM saying is that you shouldn’t be too overoptimistic about these two guys. Who knows, they may turn into All-Pro corners. But there is that chance that these guys will turn into recent series of busts as well.

I would agree that Jackson shouldn’t be tossed.

Oh no!

by Bluedude on Oct 11, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I never said that lineup would be bad or it would scare me

but I’m talking depth purposes. In the event Jackson AND Jennings were to leave due to Free Agency, Im sure it would be a goal for the Colts to draft a CB within the first couple rounds along with another one towards the mid to late rounds. This would add competition and possibly security (depth) to Hayden, Powers, and Lacey. I still wouldn’t mind if the Colts spend a first or second round pick on a CB (if it’s not a reach like you said) if they do decide to keep Jennings.

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Oct 11, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs