I really like our corners right now.

[Direckshun]

I realize I'm probably going to regret saying this as Big Ben can legitimately carve up even elite secondaries, but two guys have me super impressed, aside from the usual amazing Marcus Peters:

Phillip Gaines. He's got some technique to clean up on, but he's started this season against Hopkins/Fuller and Marshall/Decker (we'll ignore the Chargers, since Keenan Allen was beating the shit out of Peters Week 1) and held his own. These WRs are more savvy than him right now but I'm getting flashbacks to when we started Brandon Carr for his rookie year -- he'll only get better as he gets more experience. His recovery speed is awesome, and he's almost always in the receiver's pocket.

Steven Nelson. What a shock to the system this guy has been -- the staff has handled him absolutely perfectly. Redshirting him last year was just the perfect thing to do, because his versatility in the secondary this year is invaluable. He's playing 100% of the snaps because we can put him on the outside and in the slot, shifting him all over the place on every drive. While, for now, we also play him a lot on special teams. Nelson has challenged everything, and seems to have the superior technique over Gaines. Nelson is also incredibly demonstrative and energetic on the field -- a perfect pairing with Peters, and that is turning out to be a 3rd rounder well spent.

DJ White, also. We have to talk about this kid. He's played like 12 defensive snaps for us so far this year and has made plays on roughly half of them. Like Nelson, he is an incredible competitor and so energetic on the field. His play against the Chargers (on his one snap!) was around the time the defense woke up. I love this kid, I think he's a pistol and he should definitely be in the rotation in dime packages over Sorensen.

The Russell thing still makes no sense to me, but it's really regretful that he didn't wake the **** up because having yet another young corner who can play would have really bulked up this secondary.

My favorite thing about this secondary is my favorite thing about our offensive line, our defensive line, our receivers, and our passrush: barring any tragic injuries, they're going to be so much better in Week 17 than they are now. They'll learn with our great coaching staff, they'll develop with playing time, and they'll gel better as a unit and as Sutton figures out where all the pieces fit.

If we can at least limp into the playoffs with a fully healthy Houston in January, we can hang with absolutely AFC team -- except perhaps the Pats, who seem to have successfully hacked the game of football.

That's our ceiling, though. Pretty exciting.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I've never understood the Sorenson hate. He's a serviceable backup, quality special teamer who's filled in well when needed and has never looked like a liability.

I think people brush him off because he's white.

He did have his struggles early on when he would get playing time, and like usual everybody overreacted.

[Hammock Parties]

Phillip Gaines didn't "hold his own." He's currently PFFs 90th ranked CB in football.

I'm holding my preseason opinion: besides Peters, these guys are below average players and we'll be carved up this weekend.

[ToxSocks]

Gaines is a slight framed, injury prone guy with quick feet, quick change of direction and good speed.

He's never been a ballhawk. Wasn't one in college and hasn't shown any signs that he'll be one in the pros, and he's the poorest tackler on our defense.

He can stay in a guy's "hip pocket" well enough for the most part, and he needs to, because that's the only admirable part of his game.

[Iowanian]

I agree with most of your points.

The corners are very young and inexperienced....even Peters, but I think they're supported well by a veteran group of safeties to help cover their mistakes.

They're young and inexperienced and with that, there are going to be some breakdowns and bad games, but I'm in agreement that the trend is pointing upwards and I expect them all to make positive strides as the season goes on.

The pass rush is causing them as much trouble as anything and it's important that the front 7 start getting those quarterbacks dirty.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Gaines is a slight framed, injury prone guy with quick feet, quick change of direction and good speed.

He's never been a ballhawk. Wasn't one in college and hasn't shown any signs that he'll be one in the pros, and he's the poorest tackler on our defense.

He can stay in a guy's "hip pocket" well enough for the most part, and he needs to, because that's the only admirable part of his game.

I'd make the argument that you want guys in the secondary that have a good mix of techniques to be more versatile in coverage match-ups. Given the fact that Gaines isn't a starter, still young, and coming back from an extended injury, there's plenty of room for improvement. He's shown ability & needs to progress on becoming more consistent.

I don't see any reason to take a negative view of a very young group of DBs. They've faced a number of very good wideouts and so far done relatively well overall so far.

No one can say that the secondary is at fault for a loss. The Pittsburgh game is just another test, if not one of the tougher tests, they'll face, and a good measuring stick to judge their progress.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I'd make the argument that you want guys in the secondary that have a good mix of techniques to be more versatile in coverage match-ups. Given the fact that Gaines isn't a starter, still young, and coming back from an extended injury, there's plenty of room for improvement. He's shown ability & needs to progress on becoming more consistent.

I don't see any reason to take a negative view of a very young group of DBs. They've faced a number of very good wideouts and so far done relatively well overall so far.

No one can say that the secondary is at fault for a loss. The Pittsburgh game is just another test, if not one of the tougher tests, they'll face, and a good measuring stick to judge their progress.

It's not a negative view. It's an honest evaluation. Of course there's plenty of room for improvement. But as of today, that is what he is. There's no telling what he may become.

Maybe he gets better. Maybe he doesn't. Improvement isn't a given.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by ASS11

Phillip Gaines didn't "hold his own." He's currently PFFs 90th ranked CB in football.

I'm holding my preseason opinion: besides Peters, these guys are below average players and we'll be carved up this weekend.

And that's why you're a ****ing worthless moron. You have no idea how to evaluate a football player with the eye test, hence your obsession with cherry picking stats and PFF rankings.

[SAUTO]

Clay said we were gonna cut Nelson before the season

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Gaines is a slight framed, injury prone guy with quick feet, quick change of direction and good speed.

He's never been a ballhawk. Wasn't one in college and hasn't shown any signs that he'll be one in the pros, and he's the poorest tackler on our defense.

He can stay in a guy's "hip pocket" well enough for the most part, and he needs to, because that's the only admirable part of his game.

So his most admirable attribute is the one thats most important for a corner to have?

We're golden.

[CupidStunt]

There's a lot of talent there. I just hope the guys up front stop playing like ass so they aren't hung out to dry all the time.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Clay said we were gonna cut Nelson before the season

What a ****ing dipshit.

He also fails to acknowledge that Nelson has graded out well every week in PFF, except for last week when he has a fantastic game oddly enough. Goes to show you how worthless PFF really is.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I've never understood the Sorenson hate. He's a serviceable backup, quality special teamer who's filled in well when needed and has never looked like a liability.

I think people brush him off because he's white.

It's ridiculous. I swear, if the Chiefs don't have a bonafide Pro Bowler at each position, the player must suck.

It's ****ing stupid.

And Sorenson is everything you mentioned AND he's improved as a player each game and each season.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by O.city

So his most admirable attribute is the one thats most important for a corner to have?

We're golden.

He just DOES NOT get it. Detoxing seems like a smart dude, but he obviously can't evaluate a corner to save his life.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Clay said we were gonna cut Nelson before the season

that's not what I said

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by staylor26

And that's why you're a ****ing worthless moron. You have no idea how to evaluate a football player with the eye test, hence your obsession with cherry picking stats and PFF rankings.

the guy has given up a lot of completions and been flagged for multiple penalties. throw in the missed tackles and he's not very good.