Cornerback attributes: what matters

Because the secondary remains so fickle, I’ve been trying to figure out what attributes affect cornerbacks the most.. Obviously man, zone, speed, acc, prc, etc. But what about block shed, IBL, and related specifically for your interior nickel and dime CBs? I’ve noticed a huge difference in adjusting their position based on these but i haven’t figured out exactly why yet.

For instance, my 5 CBs have BSH vs (IBL) at: 51 (58), 52 (50), 48 (51), 59 (51), 60 (40). So why such a discrepancy and degree or direction between them? What matters more for shedding outside zone runs or screens? Thanks!

When it comes to corners I don’t take anyone that’s under 6’2….I think height is number one followed by speed & acceleration and then a distant third is zone/man ratings.

GoIrish1977 said:

When it comes to corners I don’t take anyone that’s under 6’2….I think height is number one followed by speed & acceleration and then a distant third is zone/man ratings.

Thanks, I think those are important too. But I was referring really to how corners play against RPOs, outside runs, screens, etc

GoIrish1977 said:

When it comes to corners I don’t take anyone that’s under 6’2….I think height is number one followed by speed & acceleration and then a distant third is zone/man ratings.

height over speed? doesnt matter if your cb is capable of getting mossed if hes 10 yards behind the wr lol

Change of direction might sneaky be the most important stat on corners. I’ve used nearly all the top corners (outside sauce) and even a +2 COD seems to have impact on cuts in coverage. 
 

When we talking RPO/screens, I think pursuit probably has a big factor in taking the right angle. I run a ss in the slot for the high hit power too

Impact blocking is an offensive attribute for players that block.... I don't think any defensive player is going to have very good IBL

JMP and SPC are important too, CIT and CTH also, and yeah all things equal height wins

for BSH - STR helps, and PUR is a pretty important one for tackling

mbuttenham said:

height over speed? doesnt matter if your cb is capable of getting mossed if hes 10 yards behind the wr lol

I understand what you’re saying but that strategy isn’t going to work inside the red zone. My strategy is bend don’t break then D UP inside the red zone.

GoIrish1977 said:

I understand what you’re saying but that strategy isn’t going to work inside the red zone. My strategy is bend don’t break then D UP inside the red zone.

Fair. Honestly a good defensive strategy lol. Some people struggle in the RZ

mbuttenham said:

Fair. Honestly a good defensive strategy lol. Some people struggle in the RZ

Exactly…And having tall rangey  corners make corner routes & fades near impossible.

COD and PRC

leesmith17 said:

Thanks, I think those are important too. But I was referring really to how corners play against RPOs, outside runs, screens, etc

play man defense to stop rpo and screens

I don’t see any comments for match coverage so here it is for extra help. Play rec and awareness are the factors instead of man and zone because match coverage is determined by alignment and route concepts based off the pre-snap zones