Nickel corner

I think journalists and fans aren´t talking enough about the nickel situation because to me that´s the biggest quiestion mark on the defense right now.

With offenses playing 3-WR sets almost 70% of the time the nickel corner is almost another starter and facing Cooper Kupp twice we need a really good one or Kupp is gonna destroy us badly.

Seeing camp reports they´ve tried Darqueze Denard in the first days and Dontae Johnson later and I´m pretty sure that in the next days they´re gonna throw the 1st and 2nd year players to the competition.

What do you guys think about this?

Originally posted by Monsterniner:
I think journalists and fans aren´t talking enough about the nickel situation because to me that´s the biggest quiestion mark on the defense right now.

With offenses playing 3-WR sets almost 70% of the time the nickel corner is almost another starter and facing Cooper Kupp twice we need a really good one or Kupp is gonna destroy us badly.

Seeing camp reports they´ve tried Darqueze Denard in the first days and Dontae Johnson later and I´m pretty sure that in the next days they´re gonna throw the 1st and 2nd year players to the competition.

What do you guys think about this?

It's definitely a concern. Gotta see how it shakes out.

Johnson will definitely not be the guy. We will see on Dennard and Womack. Too early to tell.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
It's definitely a concern. Gotta see how it shakes out.

Johnson will definitely not be the guy. We will see on Dennard and Womack. Too early to tell.

I'd love to see Verrett get healthy enough and give it a go

Its going to be either Verrett or Moseley when Verrett is a full go.

This is becoming one of the ONLY areas of concern for this defense. Huf looks good at SS. Ward and E-man are balling out at CB. The DT spot has seen some injury woes already, but it's the deepest part of the roster. Still have plenty of time to figure it out before the season. I would prefer Verrett healthy and as the primary option for this spot, but Dennard has to get consideration. Dontae Johnson is like a cockroach or Keith Richards and just doesn't die when there's a roster spot to be had in the secondary. Not worried about this yet.

Originally posted by illinois9er:
I'd love to see Verrett get healthy enough and give it a go

Originally posted by Monsterniner:
I think journalists and fans aren´t talking enough about the nickel situation because to me that´s the biggest quiestion mark on the defense right now.

With offenses playing 3-WR sets almost 70% of the time the nickel corner is almost another starter and facing Cooper Kupp twice we need a really good one or Kupp is gonna destroy us badly.

Seeing camp reports they´ve tried Darqueze Denard in the first days and Dontae Johnson later and I´m pretty sure that in the next days they´re gonna throw the 1st and 2nd year players to the competition.

What do you guys think about this?

The coaches absolutely love Dennard from last year and the love continues. They must really like Womack too for competition and depth since they moved Lenoir back out to outside CB. They probably want a veteran there so my guess is Dennard is that dude with Womack pushing and developing. They can also drop Ward down and use T.Moore for a 3-S look. Nice options. But we'll have to see!

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Monsterniner:
I think journalists and fans aren´t talking enough about the nickel situation because to me that´s the biggest quiestion mark on the defense right now.

With offenses playing 3-WR sets almost 70% of the time the nickel corner is almost another starter and facing Cooper Kupp twice we need a really good one or Kupp is gonna destroy us badly.

Seeing camp reports they´ve tried Darqueze Denard in the first days and Dontae Johnson later and I´m pretty sure that in the next days they´re gonna throw the 1st and 2nd year players to the competition.

What do you guys think about this?

The coaches absolutely love Dennard from last year and the love continues. They must really like Womack too for competition and depth since they moved Lenoir back out to outside CB. They probably want a veteran there so my guys is Dennard is that dude with Womack pushing and developing. They can also drop Ward down and use T.Moore for a 3-S look. Nice options. But we'll have to see!

Ya it's gonna be between Womack and Dennard.

Yea. Its a problem. At this point it's a wait and see thing. Hopefully somebody steps up. Right know it's a bigger question mark than SS in my opinion. Especially having to deal with Kupp twice a year.

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea. Its a problem. At this point it's a wait and see thing. Hopefully somebody steps up. Right know it's a bigger question mark than SS in my opinion. Especially having to deal with Kupp twice a year.

It's definitely a legit concern. You always want to look at what cost you and SCB was a huge one. S's really struggled too. They obviously addressed outside CB so that's good.

I don't really get why they moved off K'Waun...was it all money or his injury history ? Kwaun was one of the best slot corners in the league. Now we move to this unknown territory and you bet OCs will target slot corners. Dontae Johnson is maybe ok for a backup but he should never start. Dennard is a journeyman at this point of his career.

Provided Huf is solid, this is the weakest position on defense. Considering box strong safeties aren't that hard to find and that aside from SAM LBs they are probably the least valuable, it's really the nickel position that is the weakest on defense.

Jimmie Ward is great in man cover, Fred Warner is really good too. Q. Knight seems to be the most like shark. We have a couple slot corners competing. We can scheme each week for the best match up and never have to have one certain guy to cover the slot.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
I don't really get why they moved off K'Waun...was it all money or his injury history ? Kwaun was one of the best slot corners in the league. Now we move to this unknown territory and you bet OCs will target slot corners. Dontae Johnson is maybe ok for a backup but he should never start. Dennard is a journeyman at this point of his career.

Provided Huf is solid, this is the weakest position on defense. Considering box strong safeties aren't that hard to find and that aside from SAM LBs they are probably the least valuable, it's really the nickel position that is the weakest on defense.

Age and money. K'waun is 31 years old and he got a boatload of money. He was a baller, but you can't spend top dollar at every position and fit under the cap.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
I don't really get why they moved off K'Waun...was it all money or his injury history ? Kwaun was one of the best slot corners in the league. Now we move to this unknown territory and you bet OCs will target slot corners. Dontae Johnson is maybe ok for a backup but he should never start. Dennard is a journeyman at this point of his career.

Provided Huf is solid, this is the weakest position on defense. Considering box strong safeties aren't that hard to find and that aside from SAM LBs they are probably the least valuable, it's really the nickel position that is the weakest on defense.

I would guess a combo of both. Dennard and DJ aren't reliable replacements Maybe a recnt draft pick steps up.

Denard