Ravens-49ers Preseason Game 1 - How one play may have solved the CB battle between Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson

Asa Jackson's interception

Let's take a look at the Asa Jackson interception of Blaine Gabbert in a little more detail. The Ravens line up in a 4-3 under formation using cover 3 as the coverage call. In a cover 3, each third of the field is covered by the secondary (2 Cornerbacks and the Free Safety) The role of the Cornerback in a cover 3 is to cover the Wide Receiver if there is a vertical release (funneling the WR to the FS if he breaks towards middle of field or inside leverage if he continues vertically) or drop to the outside third of the field.

At the snap of the ball, the Wide Receiver starts to break toward the middle of the field. Asa recognizes the route and starts to drop to the outside third of the field. He is able to intercept the ball after a poor decision by Blaine Gabbert to throw the ball.

Chykie Brown in Coverage

During the same play, on the other side of the field, Chykie Brown had a similar role as Asa Jackson where he would cover the Wide Receiver if he releases vertically or drop to the outside third of the field if the WR runs a curl or flat route. Chykie Brown makes the mistake of trying the cover the receiver in front of him and allows the TE to get behind him. The results could have been a big gain for a first down.

Asa Jackson has a better understanding of the coverage assignments and should be considered a front runner  for the third Cornerback position.