Tampa 2 scheme benefits Buffalo’s corners

By Anthony Bialy  |   Wednesday, July 04, 2007  |  Comments( 32 )

Buffalo Bills
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Before Jason Webster inked a contract with the Bills in late May, many observers questioned why general manager Marv Levy didn't nab himself a cornerback during the 2007 draft. The answer they're forgetting is that he scored one the year before.

Ashton Youboty's family issues may have kept him from contributing anything last season, but the truth is that there was no need to spend another pick on a corner when there was already a 2006 third-rounder on the roster.

Given Levy's track record with his first draft as G.M., it's strange that some thought the franchise might be a little light at corner going into training camp. Folks should at least wait until Youboty is given the chance to strut for a few weeks in Pittsford, N.Y., where the Bills hold camp, before secondary-related panic ensues. And there are three reasons not to panic even if Youboty -- a former Ohio State star -- flops:

1. Buffalo has another potential starter in Jason Webster. At 29, Webster may as well be the grandfather of this youngster-laden team. This will be his eighth NFL season, and that level of service could provide some stability and guidance among the youthful enthusiasm surrounding him. Webster, who carries a reputation for physical play, has 11 interceptions in his first seven years. A former second-round pick, his 73 starts means he'll be a solid candidate to top the depth chart in Buffalo, especially if Youboty doesn't impress and if he can overcome the plague of injuries that sabotaged his recent seasons, including a 2006 groin tear.

2. Terrence McGee's off year was likely an aberration. The all-universe kickoff returner has been decent in seasons past at corner, too. He finished 2006 with 76 total tackles and 11 passes defensed. Many give the 5-9 McGee grief for being a special teamer who happens to be listed as a cornerback, and it is true that 2006 was a generally weak year for him defensively, especially considering he didn't intercept a pass. Still, while he did have momentary lapses in coverage last season, McGee's actually shown in his previous years that he's capable of a better performance, focusing on his speed as his best tool. Plus, if running back Josh Scobey makes the roster, he'll likely return kickoffs, which means that McGee can focus on his coverage duties; while McGee is a devastating weapon on special teams, he might better serve the franchise by channeling his physical gameday energy exclusively on defense.

3. The safeties have the cornerbacks' backs. What's more important than the quality of the current corners is that they don't have to rack up Pro Bowl appearances to be considered successful. Cornerbacks need not be supermen in the Bills' Tampa 2 defense, knowing that there should always be a safety on their respective half of the field to help in coverage. Two young, already impressive safeties in Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson will do more to quell wide receivers than, say, $80 million corner Nate Clements (a former Bill who signed with San Francisco in free agency) ever could.

Speaking of fantastically overpaying for a player, the Bills could afford to let Clements go not only because of the documented gap between his actual play and his own perception of his play but also because Cover 2 defenses don't need corners who are able to survive alone on islands. The theory is that there will always be a safety to help, so the CBs can afford to engage in physical, tight coverage without fear of becoming a burn victim.

With more thorough consistency from McGee and a solid training camp performance by either the veteran or the mostly unknown but potentially promising second-year man, the pass coverage has the potential to be an asset for the Bills in 2007. It's not a slight against the corners, but they're going to get assistance on most plays, and quality safeties who will get every chance to improve on sound rookie campaigns coupled with favorable prospects at both corners will hopefully make the aerial defense stout.

Original Buffalo Bills insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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