On any given snap in the NFL, the best athletes on the field are found in the defensive backfield. Because it’s a position that relies so heavily on athleticism, every year we see gifted small school athletes go from unknowns in August to starters in September.
Will we get the chance the see another of these scenarios play out this fall? Just which jobs are up for grabs, and who is looking to capitalize on it?
Buffalo Bills
Contenders: Stephon Gilmore, Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Williams
The secondary was a tremendous weakness for Buffalo in 2011. The addition of Stephon Gilmore may help to make it a strength in 2012. Considering Gilmore’s status as a first round draft pick, as well as his performance in minicamps (3 interceptions in 4 workouts), one can assume he’ll be a day one starter.
The battle for the other starting corner spot will between Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, and Aaron Williams. The Bills hope a few years ago was that McKelvin, another first round pick, would have had this spot locked up. But he’s been a disappointment thus far in his career, and it would be somewhat shocking if he started 2012 opposite of Gilmore.
McGee, who is returning from spending 2011 on injured reserve, has a decent shot to be a starter again in 2012. But he doesn’t have the explosiveness or potential that second year corner Williams has. Williams played extremely well in 2011, he should be the favorite to start along with Gilmore this year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Contenders: Jason Allen, Nate Clements, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Terrance Newman
According to some, Dre Kirkpatrick arrives to Cincinnati as one of the top cornerbacks of the 2012 class. Will that be enough for him to break through into the starting line up? When looking at his competition, it’s clear that it will be very tough.
Kirkpatrick has struggled to get much practice time in thus far, as the team has kept him sidelined due to ham string tightness. That’s a big time setback as he’s trying to stand out in a packed group of cornerbacks. If Kirkpatrick is gunning for the third cornerback position, he’ll need to get on the field to distance himself from Adam Jones, who excels at playing in the slot.
Nate Clements is the elder statesman on the roster, and although his age appears to be catching up him, he still is probably the favorite to be the starter along with Leon Hall initially. Kirkpatrick could push him, along with Jason Allen and Terrance Newman. Of the two, Allen probably has a better shot of making the final roster since he has the ability to play corner and safety.
Hall, Clements, and Jones should be expected to be the starters at the beginning of 2012, but Clements will start to show his age and will give way to Kirkpatrick sooner than later.
Cleveland Browns
Contenders: Sheldon Brown, Dimitri Patterson, Buster Skrine
11th year veteran Sheldon Brown has played in over 160 games, and hasn’t missed a regular season appearance during his entire career. But at 33 years old, he isn’t the player he used to be. Many feel he’d be best suited by a move to safety but Cleveland’s coaching staff say they feel comfortable with him staying at cornerback.
But the Browns also have stated there is a three way competition for the spot opposite Joe Haden. Money could eventually play a factor into the decision. Dimitri Patterson, the Browns’ nickel corner in 2011, is set to make $6 million in 2012. That’s a steep price to pay for someone who won’t be on the field every play.
Cleveland also feels that second year corner Buster Skrine could compete for a starting role as early as 2012. He got work at the nickel late in 2011 and impressed there, as well as so far in minicamps. Even if he doesn’t earn the starting role, he’s the favorite to be the nickel corner. If it plays out like that, there may not be a spot for Brown on the roster at all.
Dallas Cowboys
Contenders: Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins
Once upon a time, Mike Jenkins was an unquestioned starter in the Cowboys’ defensive backfield. But with the additions of Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, Jenkins is in a serious fight just to get playing time.
Dallas has already awarded Claiborne and Carr the top two cornerback spots, and for good reason. The leaves Jenkins battling current nickel back Orlando Scandrick for a role in the Cowboys’ nickel defense. Jenkins will be at somewhat of a disadvantage due to inexperience in that position. He’s played outside most of his career, and Scandrick has been in the slot for years.
Jenkins’ biggest hurdle to overcome may be himself, however. He’s thus far refused to participate in OTAs and has asked to be traded. Dallas isn’t planning on moving him, so he needs to get into Dallas and get to work. Every day he misses, Scandrick gets closer and closer to locking up his spot as the slot cornerback for another year.
Detroit Lions
Contenders: Aaron Berry, Dwight Bentley, Jacob Lacey, Alphonso Smith
Cornerback Eric Wright was on the field for over 90% of the Lions’ defense’s snaps last season. With Wright now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Detroit must find someone to step up in his place.
Although Aaron Berry’s two year career has been less than noteworthy thus far, he seems to be first in line to get a shot at becoming a starter. It’s been Berry who has gotten the majority of the reps during the Lions OTAs, and he hasn’t disappointed. His experience, although limited, will give him a little bit of an advantage over the some of the other Lions’ defensive backs.
Both Jacob Lacey and Alphonso Smith are veterans should could challenge for a starting job. Lacey would have the better chance of the two – Smith has routine been abused when he’s on the field, and in 2011 he found himself near the bottom of Detroit’s depth chart.
The Lions added three defensive backs in the draft, and out of the three Dwight Bentley, their third round choice, has the best opportunity to be a first year starter. Coming out of Louisiana Lafayette, Bentley was somewhat of an unknown before having a stellar pre draft period. He’s got great speed, and in spite of being a bit undersized (5’10 185 lbs) he has the talent to see action early on.
Bentley is a promising talent, but he’s not be ready to take 90% of the defensive snaps that Wright did in 2011. That responsibility will go to Berry, and Bentley will begin his career as the Lions’ nickel corner.
Tennessee Titans
Contenders: Tommie Campbell, Ryan Mouton, Coty Sensabaugh, Alterraun Verner
The departure of Cortland Finnegan leaves the Titans with a big hole in the secondary. He was one of the league’s best slot corners, and his absence will likely force an inexperienced player into action for Tennessee. Jason McCourty will replace Finnegan on top of the depth chart, but that leaves the second and third spots wide open.
Alterraun Verner has been a pleasant surprise since being drafted out of UCLA. He’s one of the best run supporting defensive backs in the league, but a lack of athleticism hurts him somewhat in the passing game. Verner should be playing outside in the Titans’ base defense, and he’s been working at the inside position of their nickel defense that Finnegan left vacant.
Competing for the outside position in the nickel defense will be rookie Coty Sensabaugh, Ryan Mouton, and Tommie Campbell. Sensabaugh is a guy Tennessee really likes, but he has a long way to develop before he’s really ready to be thrown into the fire. Mouton is returning to play after missing 2011 with a torn Achilles tendon, but he’s been disappointing thus far in his career and probably won’t be a huge factor in this race.
That leaves Campbell as a surprising favorite to get considerable playing time in 2012. A former airport janitor, he’s shown great technique and athletic ability over the last year and the coaching staff can’t stop raving about his performances. Both he and Finnegan were 7th round picks out of small schools, and the Titans are hoping their careers will now play out in similar fashions.
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