Nickel CB's Compensation Finally Matching Up?

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  • Fleet
    TPB Founder
    • Jun 2013
    • 14162
    • Cardiff - Poipu
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    Nickel CB's Compensation Finally Matching Up?

    King will get paid. Bucky Brooks article.

    NICKEL CORNERS: Compensation finally matching production?


    If you haven't noticed, the NFL is turning into a league full of specialists, and decision makers are beginning to pay top dollar for elite role players. The slot corner or nickel corner, in particular, is viewed as the 12th defensive starter on most teams, and recent signings of Justin Coleman (Detroit Lions) and Kenny Moore (Indianapolis Colts) only confirms the emerging trend in war rooms.

    Coleman, a fifth-year pro with 19 passes defensed and two pick-sixes over the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Lions to handle nickel duties for Matt Patricia's squad. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cover corner displays an exceptional combination of instincts, awareness and ball skills roaming between the numbers. He is comfortable shadowing slot receivers with cat-like quickness while also showing enough courage and toughness to mix it up against the run.

    "Playing nickel corner takes special skills," a former NFL defensive coordinator recently told me. "You need the quickness and agility to handle shifty slot receivers while working through all kinds of traffic over the middle of the field. You also need to be tough enough to handle the run support duties when teams attempt to run the ball against a light box. ... Some scouts view it as a 'throwaway' position or a stash spot for little guys, but most defensive coaches will tell you the nickel corner should be the most complete defensive back on the team."

    The Lions' new CB3 was pegged as an ideal nickel corner as a collegian at Tennessee following a solid career and a handful of spectacular performances in pre-draft workouts (4.53-second 40-yard dash, 3.98-second 20-yard shuttle drill, 37.5-inch vertical jump, and 10-foot-4-inch broad jump) that highlighted his natural traits for the position. Coleman excelled in a sub-package role for two different teams, which is a testament to his versatility and adaptability as a defender.

    Moore, a former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State, has emerged as a key defender for the Coltsas their nickel corner. No. 23 has not only started 20 games over the past two seasons but has picked off four passes with 16 passes defensed during that span. As an explosive athlete with A-plus quickness, movement skills and agility, Moore excels at maintaining hip pocket positioning on receivers, particularly on option routes and crossers between the numbers.=
    While this certainly comes as a surprise based on his entrance into the league as an undrafted player who failed to make the New England Patriots' roster, he certainly flashed intriguing traits during a pro day workout at Valdosta State, where he reportedly clocked a 4.47 40 time with a 6.86-second three-cone drill, 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump.

    Considering how Coleman and Moore have ascended to the top of the position as twitchy athletes with outstanding instincts and ball skills, scouts will begin to check off specific boxes when looking at nickel corner prospects down the road. Slot defenders must display outstanding lateral quickness and movement skills in coverage while also flashing a knack for getting their hands on the ball. Additionally, the premier nickel corners will also display solid tackling skills and run support ability as edge players.

    "It's all about putting guys in the right roles," said the former defensive coordinator. "Everyone can't play inside (slot corner), so when you find one who can do it, you need to keep him."

    With the league trending towards more specialization, we are finally seeing the compensation match the production at nickel corner.
  • wu-dai clan
    Smooth Operation
    • May 2017
    • 12899
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    #2
    Originally posted by Fleet View Post
    King will get paid. Bucky Brooks article.

    NICKEL CORNERS: Compensation finally matching production?


    If you haven't noticed, the NFL is turning into a league full of specialists, and decision makers are beginning to pay top dollar for elite role players. The slot corner or nickel corner, in particular, is viewed as the 12th defensive starter on most teams, and recent signings of Justin Coleman (Detroit Lions) and Kenny Moore (Indianapolis Colts) only confirms the emerging trend in war rooms.

    Coleman, a fifth-year pro with 19 passes defensed and two pick-sixes over the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Lions to handle nickel duties for Matt Patricia's squad. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cover corner displays an exceptional combination of instincts, awareness and ball skills roaming between the numbers. He is comfortable shadowing slot receivers with cat-like quickness while also showing enough courage and toughness to mix it up against the run.

    "Playing nickel corner takes special skills," a former NFL defensive coordinator recently told me. "You need the quickness and agility to handle shifty slot receivers while working through all kinds of traffic over the middle of the field. You also need to be tough enough to handle the run support duties when teams attempt to run the ball against a light box. ... Some scouts view it as a 'throwaway' position or a stash spot for little guys, but most defensive coaches will tell you the nickel corner should be the most complete defensive back on the team."

    The Lions' new CB3 was pegged as an ideal nickel corner as a collegian at Tennessee following a solid career and a handful of spectacular performances in pre-draft workouts (4.53-second 40-yard dash, 3.98-second 20-yard shuttle drill, 37.5-inch vertical jump, and 10-foot-4-inch broad jump) that highlighted his natural traits for the position. Coleman excelled in a sub-package role for two different teams, which is a testament to his versatility and adaptability as a defender.

    Moore, a former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State, has emerged as a key defender for the Coltsas their nickel corner. No. 23 has not only started 20 games over the past two seasons but has picked off four passes with 16 passes defensed during that span. As an explosive athlete with A-plus quickness, movement skills and agility, Moore excels at maintaining hip pocket positioning on receivers, particularly on option routes and crossers between the numbers.=
    While this certainly comes as a surprise based on his entrance into the league as an undrafted player who failed to make the New England Patriots' roster, he certainly flashed intriguing traits during a pro day workout at Valdosta State, where he reportedly clocked a 4.47 40 time with a 6.86-second three-cone drill, 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump.

    Considering how Coleman and Moore have ascended to the top of the position as twitchy athletes with outstanding instincts and ball skills, scouts will begin to check off specific boxes when looking at nickel corner prospects down the road. Slot defenders must display outstanding lateral quickness and movement skills in coverage while also flashing a knack for getting their hands on the ball. Additionally, the premier nickel corners will also display solid tackling skills and run support ability as edge players.

    "It's all about putting guys in the right roles," said the former defensive coordinator. "Everyone can't play inside (slot corner), so when you find one who can do it, you need to keep him."

    With the league trending towards more specialization, we are finally seeing the compensation match the production at nickel corner.
    Conversely WR#3 is that important also.
    You don't know ball

    Comment

    • Fleet
      TPB Founder
      • Jun 2013
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      #3
      Originally posted by wu-dai clan View Post

      Conversely WR#3 is that important also.
      Yeah slot guys. From a draft perspective a little easier to pick imo. But thats just me. You never know...Cantrell may be that guy. Im not a big fan of Schrager from a football knowledge point of view. I think hes a good talker on TV. But he wont break down film. And he hit it on the nail with Kupp. Who i was a huge fan of. An xyz guy that would rake at slot. And he has when healthy. Schrager called that. Then came out and said Cantrell is his next Cooper Kupp. I didnt track on Cantrell like i did Kupp. But maybe he will be that guy that can play the slot and stay close to the line and use his blocking skills. Then use his deceptive speed down the seem.

      Comment

      • wu-dai clan
        Smooth Operation
        • May 2017
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        #4
        Originally posted by Fleet View Post

        Yeah slot guys. From a draft perspective a little easier to pick imo. But thats just me. You never know...Cantrell may be that guy. Im not a big fan of Schrager from a football knowledge point of view. I think hes a good talker on TV. But he wont break down film. And he hit it on the nail with Kupp. Who i was a huge fan of. An xyz guy that would rake at slot. And he has when healthy. Schrager called that. Then came out and said Cantrell is his next Cooper Kupp. I didnt track on Cantrell like i did Kupp. But maybe he will be that guy that can play the slot and stay close to the line and use his blocking skills. Then use his deceptive speed down the seem.
        LAR will tell you it was a huge loss when Kupp went down.
        I never thought of Cantrell as a Big Slot.
        Most of his good work was on the sidelines.
        But come to think of it, Dylan @ Slot might work.
        We'll find out.
        You don't know ball

        Comment

        • Formula 21
          The Future is Now
          • Jun 2013
          • 16192
          • Republic of San Diego
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          #5
          Ive always been disappointed with the Bolts slot play. Its always been a hole in the D. So Im loving Kings play. And I think they lucked into it, I don't think they drafted King as a slot corner but more of a depth guy.
          Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
          The Wasted Decade is done.
          Build Back Better.

          Comment

          • Steve
            Administrator
            • Jun 2013
            • 6839
            • South Carolina
            • Meteorologist
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            #6
            Originally posted by wu-dai clan View Post

            LAR will tell you it was a huge loss when Kupp went down.
            I never thought of Cantrell as a Big Slot.
            Most of his good work was on the sidelines.
            But come to think of it, Dylan @ Slot might work.
            We'll find out.
            The Air Coryell offense often gets really good production out of a big slot guys. Gates and VJ being two of the best examples.

            Comment

            • Panamamike
              Registered Charger Fan
              • Jun 2013
              • 4141
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              #7
              Originally posted by Formula 21 View Post
              Ive always been disappointed with the Bolts slot play. Its always been a hole in the D. So Im loving Kings play. And I think they lucked into it, I don't think they drafted King as a slot corner but more of a depth guy.
              Disagree. Think he was drafted for that exact role. Lacks top speed for the outside, but great quickness, change of direction, football IQ and tackling.

              Comment

              • wu-dai clan
                Smooth Operation
                • May 2017
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                #8
                Originally posted by Steve View Post

                The Air Coryell offense often gets really good production out of a big slot guys. Gates and VJ being two of the best examples.
                It sounds good.
                I like Keenan @ Slot too.
                You don't know ball

                Comment

                • wu-dai clan
                  Smooth Operation
                  • May 2017
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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Panamamike View Post

                  Disagree. Think he was drafted for that exact role. Lacks top speed for the outside, but great quickness, change of direction, football IQ and tackling.
                  Des King's Combine numbers and Punt Returns clearly showed short area quickness. I never have seen him as a Safety.

                  Agreed !
                  You don't know ball

                  Comment

                  • Steve
                    Administrator
                    • Jun 2013
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                    • South Carolina
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                    #10
                    A lot of teams tag their routes, which makes it easy for receivers to switch routes with just a line call.

                    If you put Mike Williams in the slot, and Keenan outside of him, Rivers could simply make a call at the line (if he saw something in the alignment), the WR would shift (Mike up on the line, Keenan off the line) and then bring Keenan in short motion to be the slot in a tight slot (or bunched) formation, and with the routes switched. It gives defenses something else to prepare for. Another variation on the window dressing that we did vs KC that got them to blow the coverage on the 2 point play, that got us the win.

                    You can also dress the following couple of weeks up with a fake. Some pre-snap shift, same motion, then have Keenan reverse in the bunch and the routes stick with the original call, only the DB have already started to shift, or made a call out of the coverage. Gives the WR potential leverage and/or blown coverage changes if they have done their homework.

                    Comment

                    • Topcat
                      AKA "Pollcat"
                      • Jan 2019
                      • 17414
                      • Send PM

                      #11
                      Originally posted by wu-dai clan View Post

                      Des King's Combine numbers and Punt Returns clearly showed short area quickness. I never have seen him as a Safety.

                      Agreed !
                      After falling to round 5 and signing for significantly less bucks than he expected, I'm thinking King will be expecting a hefty raise when he hopefully re-signs with us...

                      Comment

                      • Topcat
                        AKA "Pollcat"
                        • Jan 2019
                        • 17414
                        • Send PM

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Steve View Post
                        A lot of teams tag their routes, which makes it easy for receivers to switch routes with just a line call.

                        If you put Mike Williams in the slot, and Keenan outside of him, Rivers could simply make a call at the line (if he saw something in the alignment), the WR would shift (Mike up on the line, Keenan off the line) and then bring Keenan in short motion to be the slot in a tight slot (or bunched) formation, and with the routes switched. It gives defenses something else to prepare for. Another variation on the window dressing that we did vs KC that got them to blow the coverage on the 2 point play, that got us the win.

                        You can also dress the following couple of weeks up with a fake. Some pre-snap shift, same motion, then have Keenan reverse in the bunch and the routes stick with the original call, only the DB have already started to shift, or made a call out of the coverage. Gives the WR potential leverage and/or blown coverage changes if they have done their homework.
                        Steve, I like where you're going with the different formations, shifts and motion. IMHO, Whiz sometimes gets a bit predictable with his playcalling.

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