Cornerback Eric Wright Might Also Play Nickelback

"Browns cornerback Eric Wright has a new role to add to his starting duties: nickelback. The Browns are giving him a shot at the crucial job of covering the slot receiver on third down, and he hopes it's permanent."

almost 2 years ago Chris Pokorny 18 comments 0 recs |

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I wonder if this has anything to do with TO being in the division, being as though he usually lines up in the slot.

by L Train on Aug 2, 2010 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

A counter argument might be that it sounds like Wright has been studying the position since before the Bengals signed Owens. It probably has more to do with how often we’ve been burned at the position in the past, and we’d like a “veteran” (if you want to call Wright that) to play there instead of a rookie. It could also be a way to eventually work Haden into the starting lineup.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 2, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Makes me think of when we had Terry Cousins covering Santana Moss since the Mel Tucker D had the nickelback covering the slot receiver no matter who was lined up there.

"I spoil a lot of people with my play." -Lebron James

by Roger Dorn on Aug 2, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

We had Cousin covering Plaxico in the slot also. 5’8" on 6’6".

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Aug 2, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, he was in the nickle. But covering? That’s a loose interpretation.

by JustBob on Aug 2, 2010 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

This is very true.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Aug 2, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Why would he want that to be permanent? Sure it’s a starting role but only for a few plays a quarter depending on the offense (exclude the Colts)

I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.

LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.

by SpecialBrownie on Aug 2, 2010 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

He basically just wants to cover the slot for nickel packages. Nothing else changes.

"I spoil a lot of people with my play." -Lebron James

by Roger Dorn on Aug 2, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

“It’s just a huge opportunity to go out there and use your playmaking ability. Usually on third down, the ball goes in the slot or somewhere in the middle. I’m extremely excited to learn a new position, for one to help the team out, and also to be a little more versatile, add more value and also get an opportunity to make more plays. It’s a challenge, and it’s fun.”

I"m thinking he’s wanting to get paid.

They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best

About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback

I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?

by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT

by Villeslgr on Aug 2, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

If you are an NFL player and you don’t have the competitive drive to want to make more plays, you probably aren’t going to stick around very long.

So far, Wright has used getting that big money to fuel his play if anything—he isn’t holding out or becoming a distraction or sitting out of practice because he wants a new deal. I am fine with this.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Aug 2, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

That wasn’t a diss towards Wright, I really like him (check the sig.). I was just pointing out his comments. I’m glad he wants to get paid by making plays on the field wherever he can as opposed to just putting his time in and holding out until he gets a big pay day.

Honestly, although I don’t know, I think he is driven by a desire to earn respect than anything.

They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best

About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback

I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?

by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT

by Villeslgr on Aug 3, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I say if it is a desire that can be channeled into playing better football, it is probably an ok desire for him to have. I didn’t mean to sound like I was trying to be contrary to you.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Aug 3, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely.

They gone have to stop sleeping on me one day.. I gotta be one of the best

About 3 hours ago by Eric Wright Cleveland Browns – Cornerback

I understand, as a big daddy come and take my spot type of demeanor?

by mooncamping on May 14, 2010 7:24 AM EDT

by Villeslgr on Aug 3, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

If all three of our corners can cover out wide or in the slot, it gives us more flexibility and more multiplicity.

Some teams have a tendency to cover the “field” (wide side of field) with one corner and the “boundary” (narrow side of field) with another. I don’t think this is as common in the NFL vs. College for several reasons, one being the width of the hash marks.

Other teams will leave one corner always on the left, another always on the right, and one always in for nickel. This presents a consistent look to the offense which can hide what you are trying to do defensively, but can also let the offense take advantage and get mismatches (see Dorn’s comment above).

Teams can also have certain CBs follow certain WRs around in an attempt to get good matchups in man or zone. If you have Darelle Revis and are playing the Lions, you probably want him on Calvin Johnson as much as possible, as he is clearly their best threat.

In our case, we have Brown (who is physical and lacks great deep speed), Wright (who is the most agile in small areas and potentially the fastest going deep) and Haden (rookie prone to rookie mistakes, fast in a straight line and fairly physical). If we can move the three around, we can either try to get the best man-on-man matchup or put players in zones where they will be good at covering the routes they will see.

Furthermore, if we can mix two or more of these strategies of aligning our CBs, we become much more confusing for the offense. If they can’t figure out how to get good matchups, we have the advantage.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Aug 2, 2010 6:42 PM EDT reply actions