Between me and every other person who owns a keyboard and a twitter account I think the Saints draft possibilities have been covered ad nauseum. After my guest appearance on the Chronic Podcast (thanks again Andrew and Ralph) I think everyone has a pretty clear understanding of where I stand on the draft and who I like. However, there are some guys in this year’s draft who have gotten some ‘heat’ and have seen their stocks fall for various reasons. Just for kicks I am going to try to make the case why the Saints (or at least another team) should try to look past the issues and still draft these players. First up will be Washington Corner Marcus Peters, second will be Randy Gregory, and third will be Todd Gurley (entirely thanks to Ralph theorizing him being taken in the top ten this year).
Up first is Marcus Peters, and just for the record I am actually ok with the Saints taking him if he drops to 31.
Marcus Peters: Cornerback, Washington. 6’0″, 197 ILBS.
Peters is very likely the best cover corner in this draft, and at least in my personal opinion his film makes it look like its not even close. When he is good, he is phenomenal. Great strength, good size, quick enough to compete, solid technique, and tremendous passion for the game. Saying that his greatest attribute is his tenacity would not be an understatement in my book. Outside of the requisite athleticism to play in the league, I believe the two things most necessary for an NFL corner to be great are the ability to have a ‘short memory’ and the self-confidence to believe you have the advantage regardless of who you are facing. Peters has both of those things in spades. Sadly in his case, the attribute that makes me like him most (his passion) is the same one that got him in trouble.
Just in case anyone is not aware of why such an intriguing prospect is dropping down peoples boards so much I’ll quickly go over it. Peters is a passionate guy, but he is also a bit of a mercurial young man who had multiple confrontations with his coaches at Washington…so many that he was eventually booted from the team. The Saints are in the midst of a ‘purge’ of the problems in their locker room, and that would normally make a player who seems to have an obvious issue with authority a very low chance pick. Especially with a no-nonsense coach like Payton who frankly ‘don’t play that %%%’. The chances of the Saints drafting a player who has discipline issues and can’t follow coaching are slim to none, but the question I am attempting to answer here is whether or not that is actually who Peters is. In my book he isn’t.
I don’t know if everyone knows the full story behind his issues, but considering the circumstances around them I can understand and somewhat emphasize with why he acted the way he did, without condoning it in the future. There is definitely a difference between a ‘problem child’ player who simply can’t keep his head, and a 20/21 year old young man who reacted poorly to an adverse situation.
What did he do?
Peters was recruited by Steve Sarkisian and was an immediate difference maker and playmaker for Washington. He is certainly a passionate player, and as is often the case he chose to go to Washington in part because of the rapport he had built with Sarkisian. Last year that coach who he was recruited by accepted a job at a rival University (USC) and Peters was left feeling ‘left out to dry’, possibly even betrayed. Yes, this is something that happens frequently in college football, and yes Peters could have been more mature about it.
Let’s be honest though, not many of us would have taken the news much better than Peters did. I also can’t say I was there for any of the interactions, nor that I know anyone who was. However, I do know that he eventually reconciled with the coaching staff there and was allowed to perform at the teams pro-day. I know that he has been contrite in regards to his actions since being kicked off the team and that he freely acknowledges that it was a mistake. There is a difference between being a hot-headed idiot who can’t control himself, and a kid who is barely out of high-school who made a mistake and has learned from it. I honestly believe that Peters falls into the latter category which is why I don’t believe that he is a significant character risk for the Saints off the field or in the locker room.
As it pertains to on the field I believe Marcus is flat-out the best Corner in this draft and that he is a better scheme fit for what the Saints want to do than any guy in this draft (maybe outside of Collins). Peters is aggressive, physical, skilled, tenacious, and just a flat out good football player. I wouldn’t take him at 13 simply because I don’t believe any corner in this draft has enough value to warrant that pick, but if by some miracle he drops all the way to 31 I would personally pick him with a smile on my face. I think Peters has a bright future ahead of him and there are many things worse than a guy who is just really passionate (not to mention the two guys starting at that position for us are a tad bit passionate as well lol).
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