LJ ?

**cycloneman003** · 10-04-2010, 11:02 AM

i'd say LJ is our best corner, but if anything i think i was most impressed by ter'ran on saturday.. he smoked some WR's on those screens multiple times!

**d4nim4l** · 10-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by CYKXBUT

Sandvig ran off the field (just barely getting to the sidelines) when the ball was snapped, so either his replacement (I don't know who came in) blew the call or maybe we only had 10 on the field or LJ blew the coverage. Either way it was dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!

Keeping in mind I have not watched the game since seeing it live, I believe that O'Connell came off and Sandvig stayed in. I may be wrong but whomever was back there is at least partially at fault for the blown coverage.

**ahaselhu** · 10-04-2010, 11:55 AM

I tend to think that Reeves is better as well, but I really don't know much about cornerback play. I think I'm also judging mainly because Reeves seems to break on the short routes much better, but I don't know how good his deep coverage is.

In any case, I feel like Reeves will be getting lots of interceptions for us in the future.

**AlleyAddict** · 10-04-2010, 12:05 PM

Haven't read the whole thread, but I think LJ is probably our third best corner right now. Maybe just my opinion, but it seems like he's getting beat more than our younger CB's.

**Clones85'** · 10-04-2010, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by AlleyAddict

Haven't read the whole thread, but I think LJ is probably our third best corner right now. Maybe just my opinion, but it seems like he's getting beat more than our younger CB's.

Incorrect. He was by far and away (not even close) our best cover corner against TT. They threw a fade his side one time and he defended it perfectly. They threw the fade against the other guys and they got beat

**ISUFan22** · 10-04-2010, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

Yep they were picking on him all game. I kept commenting on it. But than he returns on onside kick for a TD and all of a sudden he is our best cover corner again. I love the kid and his game but he is not LJ good yet

Has nothing to do with that play for me, as I clearly stated. The onside kick was a good play but nothing about being a corner - just being a smart player with speed. Even on the pick 6, you or I could have run that ball back for a TD against UNI - it was airmailed to him.

I think LJ has lost something - it used to be he'd challenge even the short routes and take a risk or two. Now he seems more content to let the ball be caught in front of him for an easy first down. I also think he could communicate with the safeties better.

I don't hold LJ solely responsible for getting burned, that goes onto the safety some too and even the d-line. But I do think he has not progressed in the manner many of us expected. Still waiting to see those big hits from him.

However, better to have him and Reeves along with Benton than some of the corners we've had previously.

As an aside, Saturday night was the first game all year where I saw our guys not just tackling, but actually hitting the ball carrier. We have not seen that yet this season and it was common Saturday. There is a big difference between the two and it was fun watching our guys tackle thru people. When it's going well, the energy is that much better - just hope they can keep it up - even when behind. A big, nasty hit can be the difference in a game.

**khess83** · 10-04-2010, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Reeves > LJ probably is the case, but it also doesn't mean that LJ is completely worthless, either (I know you're not saying that, that's what everyone else is interpreting). LJ is still a very good CB, much better than his freshman year. And I do buy that LJ released that receiver to be covered by a safety, and the safety just never picked him up.

As mentioned before, a D-back went streaking off the field to avoid 12 men. I don't think there was a safety on that side of the field, therefore no help. The big thing I saw was that the team kept fighting back as TT kept scoring. They didn't give up and that is an improvement in itself!

**AlleyAddict** · 10-04-2010, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

Incorrect. He was by far and away (not even close) our best cover corner against TT. They threw a fade his side one time and he defended it perfectly. They threw the fade against the other guys and they got beat

My bad, I was in the student section after some tailgating and probably looking like this

**Clones85'** · 10-04-2010, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Has nothing to do with that play for me, as I clearly stated. The onside kick was a good play but nothing about being a corner - just being a smart player with speed. Even on the pick 6, you or I could have run that ball back for a TD against UNI - it was airmailed to him.

I don't know. I have lost a step or two. Don't have the 5.5 speed I use to!!

**synapticwave** · 10-04-2010, 12:38 PM

LJ almost always lines up against opponents top threat, that has a lot to do with his play versus our other corners.

**tazclone** · 10-04-2010, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

Agreed. It's fun to argue over who is better. Personally I don't think it is close as far as a cover corner is concerned but I agree that LJ has had some poor tackling games. Which is dissapointing because he should be our best tackling corner. Benton is great at tackling but poor in coverage at times.

You keep discussing the two fades. The guy(Leong) Reeves was playing against was/is a great high jumper and actually jumps (high and long jump) for the TT Track team. He has great ups and he made a couple of great catches. Out of TT's 8 passing TDs, Leong has 6 of them. It wasn't like Reeves was beat, he was in good position. I would put money down that every time TT gets into the red zone, they throw the fade to Leong at least once. TT didn't throw the fade to Leong because Reeves was on him or because of Reeves' lack of coverage skills. They threw it to him because they always throw it to him in the red zone. It was like ISU when we had Blythe. didn't matter who was covering him, we threw the fade to him almost every time in the red zone.

**Clones85'** · 10-04-2010, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by tazclone

You keep discussing the two fades. The guy(Leong) Reeves was playing against was/is a great high jumper and actually jumps (high and long jump) for the TT Track team. He has great ups and he made a couple of great catches. Out of TT's 8 passing TDs, Leong has 6 of them. It wasn't like Reeves was beat, he was in good position. I would put money down that every time TT gets into the red zone, they throw the fade to Leong at least once. TT didn't throw the fade to Leong because Reeves was on him or because of Reeves' lack of coverage skills. They threw it to him because they always throw it to him in the red zone. It was like ISU when we had Blythe. didn't matter who was covering him, we threw the fade to him almost every time in the red zone.

He was late and playing catch up. So his back was to the ball.