An All-22 Look at Cornerback changes - Brown and Franks Out, Jacobs and Gorrer In

Let’s take a look at the changes in the Ravens secondary this week.

Steelers Game Plan Included Attacking Franks and Brown

Dominique Franks and Chykie Brown were responsible for giving up 3 touchdowns against the Steelers. The Steelers game plan included plays to take advantage of their poor coverage skills.

Dominique Franks in Zone Coverage

On 1st and 10 from the Baltimore 19, the Steelers take advantage of Franks’ poor coverage discipline. The Steelers run a hitch route with the receiver in front of Franks while the slot receiver runs a corner route into Franks’ zone area.

On this play, the Ravens are in a Cover 3 formation. In a cover 3 formation, the outside cornerback must initially show press coverage on the receiver in front of him and bail out into deep zone coverage if the receiver is not running a vertical route (fade, post or corner).

Franks doesn’t bail out into his coverage zone and remains in front of the receiver running the hitch route. He allows the Slot receiver running the corner route to get behind him for the touchdown.

Another example of Franks’ poor coverage discipline is on this 3rd and 9 play on the Baltimore 19 yard line. On this play, Franks bails out into his zone area. The Steelers run two post routes on Franks’ side of the formation. The inside receiver will draw the attention of the Safety. The outside Receiver will break towards the goal post after running vertically for 15 yards. Unfortunately, Franks allows too much separation between himself and the receiver.

Franks is unable to close the distance between himself and the receiver and allows a reception on the 1 yard line. Franks is unable to make a sound tackle since he is out of position and takes a bad angle toward the receiver. Bryant is able to walk in for a touchdown.

Chykie Brown in Man Coverage

On 3rd and 9 from the Pittsburgh 46, the Steelers isolate Brown in coverage by motioning Heyward-Bey away from Brown. This leaves WR Antonio Brown in isolation with Chykie Brown.

Chykie Brown cannot keep up with Antonio Brown and allows Antonio Brown to gain separation. Chykie also takes a bad angle and completely misses on the tackle allowing Antonio Brown to eventually score a touchdown.

Quarterbacks had a passer rating of 137.5 and 112.1 when throwing at Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks. Combined, both cornerbacks gave up 4 touchdowns for the season. When the opposing team can scheme against specific players with great success, then it is time to make a change.

Welcome Danny Gorrer and Tramain Jacobs

Let’s take a look at new cornerbacks Danny Gorrer and Tramain Jacobs

After the Ravens released Gorrer at the start of the 2012 season, he went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. He played in 19 games for both teams lining up as an outside Cornerback as well as a Slot Cornerback. In his last three games with the Lions, Gorrer was targeted 3 times allowing 2 receptions for 41 yards where 8 yards were allowed after the catch.

Tramian Jacobs is an undrafted free agent rookie from Texas A&M. He played for 2 years at Texas A&M netting 1 interception and 11 pass deflections. Jacobs chose the Ravens after considering the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints. During the preseason, Jacobs allowed 7 receptions on 10 attempts for 62 yards. He lined up as the outside Cornerback on all 4 preseason games.

Danny Gorrer in Man Coverage

Gorrer has the speed and discipline to keep up with premier receivers such as Randall Cobb. On 3rd and 3 from the Packers 27, Green Bay tries to get a pick on Gorrer by allowing the outside Wide Receiver to block the outside Cornerback as the Slot Receiver runs a wheel route.

Gorrer maintains his discipline and has inside leverage on the receiver. Without committing any penalties, Gorrer is in position to track the ball and deflect the pass. The result was an incomplete pass.

Danny Gorrer in Zone Coverage

Gorrer will typically play with a slightly larger cushion between himself and the defender. In three seasons, Gorrer averaged yielding 5.4 yards after the catch. For comparison, Ladarius averages giving up 4.7 yards after the catch and Jimmy Smith gives up an average of 2.1 yards after a catch. Gorrer will typically keep the receiver in front of him. On 28 receptions allowed, Gorrer has given up two Touchdowns and obtained one Interception.

On this 3rd and 7 play on the Detroit 37 yard line, the Saints throw underneath the Lions zone coverage. Gorrer lines up as the Slot Cornerback. As the slot Cornerback, Gorrer’s primary responsibility is to defend the Seam or Curl route in the middle of the field.

After the ball is snapped, Gorrer does an excellent job of making sure that his primary responsibility is covered. Gorrer then picks up the underneath receiver. The result of the play is a 6 yard gain, but Gorrer allowed 0 yards after the catch.

What to expect from Danny Gorrer

Gorrer is a fundamentally sound defensive back. He is a decent system player and should fill in adequately in the Ravens defensive backfield. He will give up yards, but will not give up the big play. Gorrer does ‘panic’ at times and will hold a receiver when he is out of position.

Tramain Jacobs in Man Coverage

With no access to the NFL preseason games, let’s review Jacobs play against Auburn during the 2013 season. On this passing play, Auburn runs a Hank passing concept that will attack 3 levels of the Aggies defense - Deep, Intermediate and Shallow.

Jacobs maintains excellent discipline and does not leave his assignment to pursue the other two receivers in his area.

What to expect from Tramain Jacobs

There is very little information on Tramain Jacobs. From the Auburn game, he has good discipline and can play in man coverage fairly well. Expect to see him lined up on the outside primarily. There are two concerns with Jacobs.

At times, he takes a poor angle to the receiver while trying to tackle. This results in a missed tackle.

When in isolation, Jacobs may panic and challenge the receiver before he has a chance to catch the ball. This could result in defensive holding or pass interference. This is typical of young defensive backs.