Jerraud Powers: Old Man

There are a number of reasons why the Colts are currently 9-0. Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Robert Mathis, just to name a few, are the primary reasons the Colts are undefeated. But the contribution of the youngest player on the Colts roster has also been vital to the Colts success. I am, of course, referring to Jerraud Powers, the rookie cornerback taken from Auburn in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft.

Jerraud acts as if he's been here on this earth before. He is just wise beyond his years in terms of the way in which he acts and functions.

A feeling echoed by Gary Brackett:

Out there talking with him, it's almost like we've played before. The way we communicate and we can talk football language as far as route combinations and what things we should be alert for, he's ahead of his years.

Powers' maturity is noticable both on the field and off it when he is in front of the media, and I believe it is one of the reasons he has played well through the first half of the season.

Before looking at the impact Powers has had, I thought it would be a good idea to go back and review the reactions of us Colts fans to this pick. First a pre-draft scouting report:

Strengths:

Above average athleticism...Okay speed...Quick with a burst...Smooth with fluid hips...Great hands and ball skills...Decent leaping ability...Is technically sound...Good footwork and uses his hands well...Physical and aggressive...Sufficient instincts and awareness...Solid production.

 

Weaknesses:

Does not have the ideal height or bulk that you look for...Isn't very strong...Not a great tackler...Struggles to get off blocks...Won't offer much in run support...Takes too many chances...Durability concerns.

Coming out of college Powers was seen as having good coverage skills but lacking in size, tackling ability and physicality in general. As BBS stated this was puzzling given that corners who play in the Tampa 2 have to be able to tackle. This pick was also confusing given the depth of the Colts secondary. The Colts already had their two starting cornerbacks in Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson, a solid nickelback in Tim Jennings and two young developing corners in Michael Coe and Dante Hughes. As a result Colts fans, myself included, were left scratching their heads at this pick. To quote a few of the responses:

I dont know about this guy

Does he have good coverage skills at least?

People said his scouting report is eh. I dont like this pick

I'm not a fan now

I need to see him tackle in preseason if I will ever like him.

Powers was off my radar entirely. But it’s scary having to rely on Jennings, Hughes, Coe and/or Powers as potential starters if our two outside corners go down. I’m not sure that any CB drafted would have alleviated that fear, so I guess we’re just going to have to hope that BP thinks this guy can develop into a potential starter or NB next year.

The general feeling among fans was that this was a wasted pick and as a result BBS gave this pick "Low Marks".

So far this season, Powers has been anything but a wasted pick and appears to be another Polian gem. After outplaying Tim Jennings and the other CBs through the preseason and as Marlin Jackson gradually returned from a serious knee injury, Powers was a first week starter at right corner. After Marlin suffered another serious knee injury and Hayden was injured, the Colts were forced to rely on Powers and another rookie in Jacob Lacey. Although neither has starred, both have played well enough to minimise the impact these injuries could have potentially had. Through 8 games this year, each of which he has started, Powers has: 45 tackles, 1 interception, 7 pass defence, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recovery’s. Although not jaw-dropping numbers, they are solid. Simply watching him play reveals that he is much more then the numbers indicate. Some of his highlights to date include:

• An 8 tackle game against the Cardinals
• A forced fumble and fumble recovery against the 49ers
• 10 tackles, 1 interception and a heads-up fumble recovery for a touchback against the Texans.
• A great game against one of the most potent passing attacks in the NFL (New England). Almost (and probably should’ve) had a game winning pick.

Through his 8 games he has also played against some of the top receivers in the league including: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Nate Burleson, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker. Against these elite receivers he has more then held his own. Although his play has gone somewhat unnoticed, there is little doubt in my mind that Powers is a future star, a thought shared with Melvin Bullitt:

In my opinion, he's a future Pro Bowler.