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Saints 2009 Position Battles: Cornerback

The battle for cornerback will probably be the most watched and most interesting competition taking place during Saints training camp this season. With so many additions made to the position this off-season, fans are sure to see an improvement in the Saints pass coverage. But which players will be the ones to bring about that change?

Star-divide

 

Let's meet our lovely contestants, shall we?:

Player Height Weight Age Experience
Jabari Greer 5'11" 180 27 6
Tracy Porter 5'11" 186 22 2
Malcolm Jenkins 6'0" 204 21 R
Randall Gay 5'11" 190 27 6
Jason David 5'8" 180 26 6
Leigh Torrence 5'11" 179 27 4
Reggie Jones 6'0" 193 23 R
Danny Gorrer 6'0" 186 22 R

The first thing you may notice is the absence of Usama Young's name from this list. Young was included earlier in our look at safeties and I think that's where he belongs. The Saints seem to have given up on Young as a cornerback and making the team as a safety may be his last chance.

We will assume that the Saints are going to keep five of these players. But injuries wreaked havoc on this position last season and with Gregg Williams' new defensive system and an abundance of special teams contributors, the Saints may keep even more. It should also be noted that even though two players will earn starting roles, Williams will probably utilize many different nickel and dime packages that will require more than just two corners on the field at one time.   

Jabari Greer is the Saints big off-season pick up this year and could possibly be the best player of the bunch. The Saints were aggressive in acquiring Greer who comes in as a highly touted man-to-man cover corner; something the Saints need desperately.  Not only should he definitely make this team but he could and should be starting. 

First round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins also finds himself right in the thick of the cornerback competition. Early reports from rookie mini-camp were positive and despite the knocks on his speed, Jenkins is positioned very nicely to start contributing early. He's definitely going to make this team the only questions will be where he falls on the depth chart and at what position.

The much anticipated return of sophomore cornerback Tracy Porter brings the hope of a greatly improved secondary this season. Porter earned a starting spot last year and now looks to defend that position in training camp. Jabari Greer should have one of the starting spots locked up so the battle for that second starting spot should be between Jenkins and Porter. Either way, Porter is making this team.

Randall Gay rounds out the top four leading candidates to make the team at cornerback. Gay is arguably the most physical of the cornerback candidates but I'm not sure he has what it takes to start over Greer, Porter or Jenkins. Regardless, the local LSU product should have what it takes when push comes to shove. 

Reggie Jones and Danny Gorrer are the two undrafted rookies coming into camp this year trying to crack the lineup. We don't know enough about their play to really adequately grade them and with such an improved cornerback squad, it would seem these two have very little chance of making this team. Also on the outside looking in is returning cornerback Leigh Torrence. The Saints brought him in last year when things started getting rough. Torrence was given the chance to contribute, particularly on special teams but with all of the upgrades in the secondary this off-season, things aren't looking good for Torrence.

All of this means that Jason David is now on the bubble and may finally be on the way out. Music to Who Dat's ears. David's saving grace, however, could be defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' new system. If Double G can find a way to better utilize David in his coverage schemes and in a way that better suites David's style of play then fans could see a whole other side of the cornerback. Otherwise it's bye-bye for JD and his fat contract.  

All eyes will be on these guys when training camp opens this summer. At first glance there would appear to be no possible way not to see an improvement but stranger things have happened. How will this battle play out over the course of training camp? What are your thoughts?

 

Poll
Will Jason David make the 2009 Saints?
I am happy to say: yes.
142 votes
I am happy to say: no.
269 votes
I am sad to say: yes.
149 votes
I am sad to say: no.
64 votes

624 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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Comments

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JD

lead the team in interceptions last year didn’t he? problem is he burned himself too many times. Im not sure what scheme can fix that.

by lockguy on May 11, 2009 7:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Dump Jason David

Seriously…seriously now…how many more losses do we have to suffer because of this guy. He had his chance. It’s not working. Go! Leave! Enough.

by Who Dat Clint on May 11, 2009 8:46 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I’d really like to see what JD could do as a FS. I think they should have moved him rather than Usama Young. I think that is the only way you will ever see JD truly live up to his otherwise great potential in anything other than a pure Cover-2 like what he had in Indy.

Of course he’s too small to play safety… but then so is his ex-teammate Bob Sanders, but when that guy is healthy he’s the best safety in the league… so stranger things have happened before.

by FriarBob on May 11, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If there are 5 spots,

then the question is can Torrence Jones or Gorrer beat out JD for #5. I’m thinking not, though JD will be mighty well paid for a 5th corner.

by GlackAndBold on May 11, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I would never want to see JD as a safety

As soon as that happens, teams will devise a formation and plays that force Sharper as SS to cover someone because of motion, alignment, matchup whatever, then they would occupy the closest LB to JD with a TE or RB or FB and run right in a vicinity where JD has to step up and make a play and he would get annihilated. He’s 5-8 and probably 175 pounds!!

i have, however, warmed up to ther idea of JD being a nickle guy and a guy who can add depth to our secondary. just don’t think he’s suited for making plays in the middle of th field. He actually is a fairly sure tackler on the outside, but that is very different. He can utilize the sideline and he can latch on and slow the reciever or RB and wait for pursuit, but that is a lot different than shedding a Guard, Tackle, TE or FB and making a tackle up the middle where things happen at lightning speed.

by Philinwood on May 11, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

well pretty much every one of JDs good plays are when he’s in a zone coverage, where he can just sit and read the qb and react, and not have to cover man-to-man. as a FS he def would have that opportunity to read the qb. you are right though he would have to bulk up a bit to be able to dole out some punishment.

by ctalati32 on May 11, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JD makes the roster

I see JD making the roster, but i am more interested about Tracy Porter. This guy is going to have a break out season, and could possibly be the best corner on the team. I hope he has been working out his wrist.

by Brazil meets LA on May 11, 2009 10:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

"I hope he has been working out his wrist."

But wouldn’t that affect his vision?

Do you know what it means...

by MissingNO on May 12, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

J. David

I know he was very bad in 2007 but in 2008 he was ok. I wouldn’t have him start but as a 5th or 6th corner I think he would be fine. He makes plays when the ball is there for the taking. I know his salary is high for a back up so that possibly will cost him a spot on the roster unless there are injures?

by IBLEEDBLACKANDGOLD on May 11, 2009 10:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

JD

ok.. JD’s only hope is that he can play in the new scheme.

ok.. JD’s only hope is that he can play in the new scheme.Yes he lead in INT, but the only reason is that the HUGE lions share of balls thrown were sent to him. A blind dog could have led the team in INTs with that many being thrown at him.

ok.. JD’s only hope is that he can play in the new scheme.Yes he lead in INT, but the only reason is that the HUGE lions share of balls thrown were sent to him. A blind dog could have led the team in INTs with that many being thrown at him.I see Porter and Greer as the 1 and 2. Jenkins in the Nickel. Gay is #4 and the fight for 5 is anyone guess. JD would need to take a pay cut to stay on the team.

MT

by MT_always on May 11, 2009 11:06 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

BAH!

How can my posts be taken seriously when i stutter like that!

MT

by MT_always on May 11, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jason David won't make this team

unless there are training camp injuries. MT is right, it’s Porter, Greer, Jenkins, Gay, and David makes too much to be #5 and Torrence would be a fine #5.

by Philinwood on May 12, 2009 7:07 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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