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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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