While I like the way they have all the stats you could read them a different way. They say that Newman was not thrown at much which means that teams respect him and when they did it was because his man open that some of his numbers were off. I think it could be other teams wanted to test Jenkins and Scan more since this is only their second year and first as a starter for Jenkins. Newmans numbers were off because he was not what he was a few years ago and a few injuries ago. I still like Newman but I can read the writing on the wall and we need to start thinking about his replacement.
I agree with this. Newman is still a very good CB, but he is not at the level he was in 2005-07, when he was one of the better CB's in the NFL. Im hoping next year Newman becomes the #2 CB. As a Pro Bowl CB entering his third year in the NFL, Jenkins should be ready to face #1 WR's As far as his eventual replacement, I still think that ultimately will be Scandrick. Scan wasnt as effective as he was as a rook, but he went from being a sub package CB/Occasional NCB to having the Nickel role full time. That was a big jump in responsibility. And overall while he had some bad moments, he had an overall solid year. By the time we are ready to move on with Newman, Scan should be a solid #2 CB. We would then have to replace Scandrick, and IMO if we are looking for that guy who can eventually move into that role now, then I hope its someone who can have an immediate impact in the return game, like a Perrish Cox or a Javier Arenas
I am not sold on the idea of Scan being a starter, I like the way he plays but I am not sold on him holding up at CB as a starter. I do not think we have to use a first round pick on someone but a 3rd or 4th would not be a bad idea. We need to stop moving Ball from FS to CB every other week.
Im not sold on Scan as a starter right now, but we have probobly another two season's before we are looking at replacing Newman. I think by then Scandrick can be a quality #2. I think he will be a much better slot CB next year. As far as drafting this year, this is a bad year for drafting CB's, particularly in that range. I think our best bet for a quality CB when we need someone to replace newman would be Pat Robinson in the second, he is very "boom or bust". IMO he is the only CB in this draft that could ever challenge Jenkins as the #1 With Ball, I think he is best as a Jordan Babineaux Lite. A guy that can play any DB spot on a passable level, but not what you want full time at one. Kinda a "jack of all trades, but a master of none" type
Jordan Babineaux has been invaluable for us over the last five or six years. He's versatile and makes big plays when they count, but if he is on the field full time (2009 at FS) his impact is diminished. Great player to have on your team, as long as he plays for a low salary and doesn't mind being a backup. Ball is the same kind of player, but hasn't yet displayed the big-play potential. He's also not as good as Babs vs the run, but yeah, good comparison.
To me a guy like Ball is what you want out of that #4 CB spot. He has logged some starts at FS and not been exposed, and he has been pressed into the NCB spot a few games and not been exposed Babineaux is a fav of mine. That all around DB that can play with some impact anywhere you need
