Known for their woes finding talent at the position, New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots once again are left with question marks at the cornerback position. With the departure of both starting corners, it appeared that Logan Ryan and Alfonzo Dennard would be the next to start in the rotary that is the Patriots' secondary. However, with Dennard no longer with the team and Logan Ryan leaving much to be desired, fans are left with little to no confidence in the position.
Both Ryan and Dennard threaten to add two more names to a growing list of failed corners that flashed in New England. Both players showed signs of life, Ryan with five interceptions his rookie campaign and Dennard spot starting during his rookie season, but both fell off the map as they were either cut (Dennard) or left watching the rear end of receivers walk into the end zone (Ryan).
Like most of what the Patriots do, the failures at cornerback are complicated. Perhaps Dennard wasn't the best fit to begin with especially after his DUI in his sophomore season, and perhaps Ryan will have a stellar third year and prove us all wrong. However, one thing is certain, these two are not cream of the crop athletes. According to NFL.com, Dennard and Ryan ran 40 yard dash times of 4.55 and 4.56 respectively. With numbers like that, one might expect a bigger man coverage type physical corner. Yet, both players measure in under 6 feet tall. Dennard is clearly the more physical of the two at 205 pounds, but it is clear to any scout that these two corners have average to fringe-average physical skills.
One of the training camp hopefuls at corner this season looks to buck the bad trend. Darryl Roberts, the man they called "swag" at Marshall, made a name for himself with his impressive measurables. The opposite of the Ryan/Dennard combo, Roberts measures in as a lanky corner at just over six feet, and with an above average 40 time of 4.38 he has prototypical size for his position. The term "raw" is often used to describe Roberts coming in from a smaller football school, and he definitely needs to add bulk.However, with his loud measurable skills, he lines up perfectly to be Bill Belichick's first real success as a project corner.
Not a single person in New England doubts Belichick's ability to coach up players and scheme to maximize his player's effectiveness, but at corner it has been a different story. Simply put, the cornerback position isn't like other spots on the field. Being smart and knowledgable with great form, effort and positioning can help on the outside, but if you aren't quick enough you will never be successful. You can't be successful at corner by just having a great motor like Rob Ninkovich or with great form like some of the smaller interior lineman the Patriots have utilized over the years. At corner, when the guy opposite you is just plain faster he will eventually get open, no matter how good your fundamentals are.
By keeping Darryl Roberts on the roster, Belichick would have a chance to coach up a guy that actually has the athleticism required to put what he learns to good use, and that's why he should be the last corner to make the team. Sure, he will have his bonehead plays and probably not see the field half the season, but unlike Ellis Hobbs in the Super Bowl or Logan Ryan against the Packers, when there is a jump ball situation with a guy like Roberts, you know he has a chance.
With such a dearth of talent at the cornerback position this season, the Patriots cannot afford to release an athlete like Roberts in order to keep one of the lower end veterans already on the roster. With a long term approach Roberts potential could allow him to surpass the likes of Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain to eventually be a valuable part in the Patriot secondary.