This off season began with a major signing to bolster the cornerback unit. DeAngelo Hall, who finished the second half of last season with the 'Skins, signed a long term contract to stay with the team during the first minutes of free agency. Hall, 25, has long been viewed as a big time playmaker, and that's exactly what this unit needs. He has a knack for finding the football, and even taking interceptions back for touchdowns.
Hopefully his counterpart, Carlos Rogers, will be able to learn from his example. Rogers has performed well as a cover corner, showing great strides last year after coming off a major knee injury, but has had trouble creating turnovers. The 'Skins ranked at the bottom of the league last year in turnovers, and if they want to make improvements, Rogers, 27, will have to be a big part of that. Rogersis set to be a free agent after this season, and if he is going to get the kind of contract he desires, he'll have to step up his game.
Behind the two starters, things are looking pretty grim. The veteran leader of the unit will be Fred Smoot, who is entering his 7th year with the team. He will be the nickle corner, but has very little experience playing this position which has much different techniques than playing on the outside. He can be easily exposed by defenses while playing on the slot, and could be a major weakness for the defense.
As if things couldn't get worse, behind Smoot there are no proven players. Justin Tryon, a draft choice last year, barely saw the field last year, and will be depended on a lot this year. It's only going to take one injury for this kids playing time to spike dramatically, and things could be scary if that happens. He has been critiqued for his lack of size and physicality, both qualities a nickle corner needs.
The fifth corner on the roster is Byron Westbrook, a graduate of local DeMatha Catholic High School. Westbrook has been on the practice squad the past two years, and should challenge Tryon for the fourth corner spot. It seems inevitable that he will make the team this year with the lack of players at this position right now. Westbrook is also undersized, but is a hard worker and will put the time in needed to get better.
With a huge lack of picks in the draft this year, it could be difficult for the 'Skins to address this position during the draft. They need players at this position, but there are much greater concerns to be addressed first. If there are a slue of injuries to this position, however, the team could find themselves in a hot mess trying to cover pass happy team.
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