First off, check out my main story in Thursday’s GT. It’s the third in a season-long series breaking down each position for the Oregon State football team and where each hit within the scheme.
This week I tackle the cornerbacks. CB James Dockery and CB coach Keith Heyward provided great insight.
Here’s a story on the Boise State defense. The Broncos want to make a name for themselves on that side of the ball. So far this season, they are doing a pretty good job.
Here’s a link to the oddball Q&A. This one is on LB Dwight Roberson. As a preview, watching this little guy below is a guilty pleasure of his. Sponge Bob is on the banned viewing list in my household.
Another preview item from the Q&A is the topic of the above song from one of may favorite bands, Iron Maiden. It’s a great live number. Roberson fears this.
Pass coverage
I can’t write any story about the cornerbacks without bringing up how the Beavers cover receivers. I could, but then all the questions start coming about the way they do it. So, I’m beating you to the punch.
Dockery sealed the Louisville game with an INT. He was going deep, turned and picked off the ball. After the game he said he took a chance at looking back and it worked.
Fans have bashed OSU DBs for not looking back for several years. The reason is if they look back they lose position. Heyward explains it some more.
“I teach my guys to look back. It just depends on the position,” he said. “If you have control of the route and you can do an arm bar on the receiver or lean in on the receiver, then your arm becomes your eyes and you can look back at the ball. If you don’t have that, if you look back you lose positioning. If you look back and lose positioning, you lose control of the route and get beat.”
Dockery was technically beat on that pass play. The WR started to get away because he looked back. The QB just under threw the pass. If Dockery did not look back, it would have been incomplete.
Heyward stresses reaction to the receiver is what corners do, but that means a corner must be looking at the receiver to react. Perfect timing is needed. Let the debate begin.
8 comments
angrybeaver says:
May 18, 2012
That int was mostly the result of Castro's pressure up the middle. As far as the CB technique, most NCAA coaches do not use it for a reason. That says more than any fan will.
http://angrybeavs.com
ean says:
May 18, 2012
To me it just seems like a bad game plan to always do the same thing. They need to mix it up. Next time a receiver notices he has a few steps on a guy all the QB has to do is under throw the receiver a bit and he can get 15 yards and an automatic first down.
aaron_ says:
May 18, 2012
how dare you. Sponge Bob rocks!
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff, Thanks for the information and explanation about how our corners play pass coverage. I think the main problem on defense is the lack of a pass rush! They say "it all starts upfront" for a reason! They seem to go hand in hand. Nice video of Maiden!
ckbeav says:
May 18, 2012
^^ This. Our ends need to step their game up.
JackBeav says:
May 18, 2012
I agree that the d-line needs to step it up to help the CB's. But if Dock doesn't turn around on that ball the same thing that always happens on underthrown balls would have happened. He would have been flagged for PI.
WebTraveler says:
May 18, 2012
I am really worried about Branden Hardin getting beat on big pass plays. This guy hits hard but has difficulty defending the pass.
aaron_ says:
May 18, 2012
Have they though about moving Hardin to safety?