Cornerbacks are back. According to a survey of their peers on NFL.com., three cornerbacks rank No. 8, 16 and 18 in the 2011 preseason Top 100 poll. They are, respectively, Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson and Nnamdia Asomugha. The trio has brought respect back to the cornerback position -- one that requires speed to run with the fastest wide receivers and the muscle to make tackles in the open field.
Wide Coverage
Cornerbacks play in the defensive secondary and are primarily responsible for covering the wide receiver. In the standard defense, two cornerbacks are on the field, playing on opposite sides of the field. They need to be fast enough to run with receivers and physical enough to make the tackle if the pass is completed. Having good hands is another key attribute; cornerbacks typically lead the team in interceptions.
Bump the Receiver
Speed rules in football, and wide receivers are usually the fastest players on the field. Cornerbacks can nullify the speed edge by moving up the line of scrimmage and playing man-to-man defense. When the ball is snapped, cornerbacks need to bump the receiver as he leaves the line of scrimmage and impede his progress. Missing that bump gives the wide receiver the advantage and can result in contact down the field and a pass interference penalty. In man defense, the cornerback needs to make quick contact as soon as the quarterback receives the snap from center.
Quick Shifts
Possessing the physical strength to jam the wide receiver at the line of scrimmage is critical for the cornerback. However, when the defensive coverage shifts to zone, the cornerback must drop back and play a specified area of the football field. In a zone defense, the cornerback has to be aware of the wide receivers, tight ends and running backs that move into his space and react to the football.
Nickel Defense
When it is an obvious passing down for the offense -- think third and 10 yards to go -- three cornerbacks are on the field instead of two in the nickel package. If the offense lines up two wide receivers to the right side of the field on the passing down, two cornerbacks will be on the right, or strong side. The other cornerback will be on the left, or weak, side. The nickel defense requires the cornerbacks to communicate with each other in the event the receivers go in motion before the football is snapped and try to send two receivers to the side with only one cornerback.
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