NFP breaks down Patrick Peterson

[Mr. Scot]

Specifically, how he does in press coverage (link)

Coaching points:

1. Press-man technique: Not perfect technique from Peterson. He “hops” with his initial footwork (which widens his base), but the key here is that he can recover—and move laterally. You have to stay square to the line of scrimmage, get your hands on the WR and force a long, wide release. Remember, footwork and staying square to the QB are much more important in press-coverage than an initial jam. Because if you alter the release and stay in front of the WR, you will win in the secondary. Peterson forces the WR to the numbers in this situation. That's good football.

2. Close the gate: I use the term “opening the gate” all of the time when I talk the technique of man-coverage. Too often, we see DBs that will open their hips and try to run with a WR from a press alignment. Some players can get away with it (think Antonio Cromartie of the Jets), but it is poor technique—and it gets you beat. Here, we see the opposite, because Peterson moves laterally with his eyes on the QB. That shows complete control of the WR, and it allows him to use his hands and stay “in-phase” (play to bottom hip of WR). I like seeing this.

3. Play the ball: Go get the football. That’s what I want to see from my DBs if I am coaching. Ball is in the air, then attack the up field shoulder of the WR and play the pass at the highest point. Is their contact here? Of course, but go up over the receiver and take the ball away. No need to play though the hands, because Peterson has position here to work through the WR to the ball. You want DBs that finish the play.

4. Open field skills: When I played with Sean Taylor in Washington, we couldn’t wait to see what he would do once he got his hands on the football. Natural in the open field. Peterson has that. We know what he can do in the kick return game and that carries over on defense once he makes a play. Score and set up field position, because he is looking to advance the football up the field. To put it in better terms, the guy is a playmaker.

How soon does Peterson come off of the board? If Carolina goes QB at No.1, it is going to be tough for John Fox and the Broncos to pass him up at No.2. Bottom line here: he should project as an opening day starter as a rookie in the NFL.

[Jackofalltrades]

Last sentence applies to him and Dareus, which is what I think should determine first pick.

[SOJA]

I would not be upset if we drafted Peterson. I don't think we will, but I would be content. If you could re-do the draft where Revis was picked he may have gone number one overall too

[csx]

Fox is in a great position. He's got an array of great choices and already has two QBs. He's going to do well in Denver I bet.

[Mr. Scot]

On the flipside: A J Green versus press coverage

Coaching Points:

1. WR Split: With the ball into the boundary (sideline), Green has to take a reduced split (on top of the numbers) to create room to run the fade route. What you want from the WR is a hard, outside release that gives the QB a target up the sideline. Even with a 3x1 set (high offensive tendency for an open side slant in the NFL), Georgia has created the one-on-one matchup they want away from Colorado CB Jimmy Smith.

2. Initial release: Go back to the replay and check out the “quick jam” vs. Green. A great technique to teach if the CB can get his hands on the WR. This can disrupt the release—and the overall timing—of the route. But Green recovers, turns up field and becomes an athlete. He did not win at the line of scrimmage, but that doesn’t mean the play is over.

3. High point the ball: Green is essentially working vs. a CB that has a “stacked position” on him after the release. With the “quick jam” and the zone turn (back to the sideline), the CB is in the ideal position to go up and make a play—cutting off the corner of the end zone. However, this turns into a back shoulder fade—with the QB throwing the ball high and to the outside. What we see next is Green playing the ball at the highest point (with one hand) and winning in a situation that favored the defense.

4. Playmaking ability: A very big part of the scouting process. Put yourself in the shoes of an NFL head coach, GM or scout. You want to see top prospects make these types of plays on tape—and it specifically applies to WRs and DBs. When the ball is in the air, who wants it? This isn’t a perfect pass from the QB, but with Green, you have the overall talent at the WR position to still go ahead and make the big play on the goal line. The one-handed grab? Just adds to the well deserved hype for the Georgia WR.

[Pox 08]

I'd be excited with either of them also.

[Panthro]

Tell me when NPH breaks down players

[Carolina Husker]

Last sentence applies to him and Dareus, which is what I think should determine first pick.

And this also applies to Newton should Clausen be the other viable QB on the roster, which is how it stands now.

[CRA]

Specifically, how he does in press coverage (link)

funny that it is breaking down him in press coverage.....King in his MMQB has some NFL personel guys commenting on PP when he was not playing press coverage.....and he isn't the same CB per them.

Basically, if you are heavy zone scheme where you play off.....PP will be all hype per what that are saying.

[Seamonk]

funny that it is breaking down him in press coverage.....King in his MMQB has some NFL personel guys commenting on PP when he was not playing press coverage.....and he isn't the same CB per them.

Basically, if you are heavy zone scheme where you play off.....PP will be all hype per what that are saying.

which is funny because these are probably the same people who want him to play safety..

[CRA]

which is funny because these are probably the same people who want him to play safety..

not too funny, lots of CBs project to S b/c they don't have to have the turn and run ability.......which is why they say PP is a different CB pending the scheme and emphasis.

I think that is exactly why they project him as a S.

[panthers55]

Everything I have read says he is great in press man coverage because of his size but could be suspect in zone coverage. Since we run zone coverage almost exclusively, how does that mean he will excel in our system.

Enlighten me......

[Mr. Scot]

Technically what we'll be running next year is a modified zone blitz.

And I've never really seen it suggested that he sucks in zone. Just that he's better in man.

[panthers55]

Technically what we'll be running next year is a modified zone blitz.

And I've never really seen it suggested that he sucks in zone. Just that he's better in man.

The Eagles ran almost all zone coverage. They ran primarily cover 2 and one the zone blitz ran primarily cover 2 and cover 3 shells.

As you say a zone blitz is a cover 2 or cover 3 on top with the blitzes coming from exchanging linebackers, safeties, and defensive linemen. For those that care here are some basics.

http://assets.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/davie/1430750.html

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/the-zone-blitz-aggressive-and-conservative-all-at-once/

Is Peterson good in zone coverage.

It appears unlikely for a team to draft Patrick Peterson early in the draft to play in primarily zone coverage. Typically, zone cornerbacks are not worthy of Top 10 selection. That is not to say he could not be extremely in these defensive schemes as well. His zone awareness is certainly a cause for concern and he may be better off playing Free Safety, where he can keep the game in front of him. Still, he is very light on his feet, a talented ball-hawk, and displays enough physicality to succeed as a press-zone corner if drafted to do so.

http://draftbreakdown.com/scouting-report-patrick-peterson

Most folks think his athleticism and speed as well as good size make him ideal for man coverage. But there are concerns about his having stiff hips and difficulty changing direction and lack of experience playing in zone coverage.

Given his primarily skill sets would not match up with the way we would utilize him, the question is not whether he will be a great player but so much better in our scheme that we couldn't find a guy that will be just as valuable in our scheme at a much cheaper price (ie. later in the draft).

In many ways Peterson reminds of a slightly larger and a little more talented Charles Godfrey who was also a corner in college, ran a 4.38 40, was 5' 11" 205 out of college and was described as a physical hitter. I would be concerned that it would take time to learn our system and excel. Because a corner and a free safety are generally interchangeable in our system. And yes Godfrey played free safety his first year in Carolina.