Lets talk Nickel

[thunderraiden]

Its becoming more and more glarringly obvious that the league is moving away from base formations and with offensives exploiting thier slot position matchups the most, a case can be made that 3rd cb is becoming more important than a 3rd linebacker.

 

This offseason we unloaded one of our linebackers and our slot cornerback, both deservedly so considering the money we have sunk into the LB Corps and the poor slot play that cost us games last year. I was hopeful for Bryce Callahan feeling he was affordable for us and met a tremendous need but that did not materalize. I also dont feel like it can be a position that we can rely on Ross Cockrel to excell at coming off injury.

 

I am extremely worried that we will be heavily exploited in the slot next season as much as I’m worried about defensive end but I feel like we can fix that in the first round of the draft. What are your guys thoughts on the nickel position?

[LinvilleGorge]

I have zero insight on how Cockrell is recovering, but I felt like the plan last year was likely to have him and Bradberry on the outside with Jackson at nickel. Not sure if we would do that no or not after Jackson showed a lot of promise on the outside as a rookie.

[Mage]

14 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I have zero insight on how Cockrell is recovering, but I felt like the plan last year was likely to have him and Bradberry on the outside with Jackson at nickel. Not sure if we would do that no or not after Jackson showed a lot of promise on the outside as a rookie.

They could also still have Jackson on outside and for nickel packages, sub Cockrell in on outside and slide Jackson inside.

Not sure if they feel that would be a lot to ask of Jackson though.  Safer route may be to just look for an exclusive nickel 

unless corn elder steps up lol

[LinvilleGorge]

3 minutes ago, Mage said:

They could also still have Jackson on outside and for nickel packages, sub Cockrell in on outside and slide Jackson inside.

Not sure if they feel that would be a lot to ask of Jackson though.  Safer route may be to just look for an exclusive nickel 

unless corn elder steps up lol

Yeah, it'd be tough to ask a second year player to know two positions and be able to switch between them on the fly. 

[panthers55]

Jackson is built for the slot. He is physical and fast and a good tackler. Honestly we need a longer fast corner to compete with the receivers in this division. That is an important need to allow the DLine time to apply pressure. No line can get there if there are several receivers wide open on every play.

[WarHeel]

Completely forgot Cockrell is still on the roster. Makes me feel a little better about our secondary if everyone stays healthy.

[PantherOnTheProwl1523]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I have zero insight on how Cockrell is recovering, but I felt like the plan last year was likely to have him and Bradberry on the outside with Jackson at nickel. Not sure if we would do that no or not after Jackson showed a lot of promise on the outside as a rookie.

Have you forgotten what happens when a player is placed in a position that he does not play especially when RR is involved with the changes. Disaster hits.

[Thomas9289]

Ross broke his leg in TC right? I think he will be fine coming back from injury, he has had enough time to heal. I think we may draft or sign another guy as well. 

[Mistuh Jones]

Yeah i was gonna say Cockrell has had close to a year for this injury right? He was a beast in zone i dont know about his man to man skills but I'm thinking physically he should be ready. Did we retain Seymour?

[YoungPanthers89]

Some really good mid round guys in this years draft that can play outside so we can move Donte to nickel 

[therealmjl]

6 minutes ago, Mistuh Jones said:

Yeah i was gonna say Cockrell has had close to a year for this injury right? He was a beast in zone i dont know about his man to man skills but I'm thinking physically he should be ready. Did we retain Seymour?

I thought we moved on from Seymour prior to last season

[LinvilleGorge]

26 minutes ago, rbsponsel52 said:

Have you forgotten what happens when a player is placed in a position that he does not play especially when RR is involved with the changes. Disaster hits.

I'm assuming that if we're playing Jackson at the nickel that he'd get the entire offseason to prep for it. I just don't know how it would go over. I don't have any reservations about his ability to play the position, I'm talking in terms of his attitude. He seems adamant that he's an outside CB (and based on good nickel pay vs. good outside CB play, he should be). I'm sure he'd see a move to nickel as a demotion and something that could seriously impact his future earnings on his next contract.

The other part of it is that he showed he's quite capable on the outside and that's the more valuable position. I've always been adamant about my belief that you don't move capable players from a more valuable position to a less valuable position. The only way I'd be in favor of this type of move is if we landed a stud outside CB in the draft or if Cockrell is recovering well and we think that he's good to go on the outside and that he and Bradberry on the outside with Jackson in at the nickel puts our best secondary on the field.

[JARROD]

We see Hurney plugging positions of need with FA and then he will do what his rule is, BPA at our pick. Don’t be surprised if this ends up being a cornerback or one of the safeties. 

 

[steven8989]

10 minutes ago, JARROD said:

We see Hurney plugging positions of need with FA and then he will do what his rule is, BPA at our pick. Don’t be surprised if this ends up being a cornerback or one of the safeties. 

 

I think we are going to get Devin White or Greedy Williams