Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Quest4six:
He was actually looked at as 4-5th round talent until before the combine and his pro day. Big corner's have been "sexy" ever since the legion of boom started, not the superbowl (aka Browner and Sherman not Maxwell/Thurmond and Sherman)
5th/6th rounder before the Superbowl, and that's just going by the various draft sites, several had him as a 7th rounder.
Luckily, Baptise doesn't have the same issues with press coverage that Verrett does... I dont understand your argument there as Baptise is on another level with press coverage compared to Verrett. Not to mention he is very strong and on his combine report he is known for re-routing opposing WR whereas I have watched Verrett get taken out of many plays while struggling to shed blocks.
Let's take a look at the numbers.
Verrett played 1-5 yards off the line, 51% of the time. He played press coverage about 16% of the time. Baptiste played press coverage 28% of the time and played 6-10 yards off the line 40% of the time.
In terms of competions, Verrett allowed 14% of targets over 20 yards to be completed. He allowed 32% of targets from 10-20 yards to be completed.
Baptiste allowed 78% of targets over 20 yards to be completed, he allowed 50% of targets from 10-20 yards to be completed.
Bottomline, if Baptiste whiffed, the receiver was getting loose and making a huge play downfield.
Verrett broke up one of every 2.75 targets. Baptiste broke up every one of 4.3 targets.
With the defense that the 49ers play, being able to keep up with faster receivers down the field, being able to recover if you are beat, being able to make plays on the ball more consistently is more important than your ability in press coverage, particularly if you're playing in the slot. Verrett simply has better ability to move hips, better overall quickness and speed down the field and the numbers reflect that.
If you start at CB in Vic Fangio's defense, you better know how to shed blocks and tackle. Does that sound like Verrett
Actually he did just fine in college, he takes good angles and is a reliable tackler, what more can you ask from a slot corner??
Also, I'm failing to understand how Verrett is way ahead of Baptise in terms of contribution.
Watch some tape of them playing, if you still can't see the difference, stick to Madden Football.
Didn't Verrett just heal up from shoulder surgery? A guy with his frame needs to stay healthy or else that injury will be exposed time and time again. Also, I don't think Verrett would beat out Cook for a starting job, I don't think Baptise is either but I'd still rather have him learning our defense than Verrett.
Verrett is a 1st round prospect for a reason, Baptiste isn't. Verrett all around is simply better in coverage, if you can't see that from actually watching the guy play, then there's no point in having this conversation any further. In terms of being ready to contribute right away, Verrett is a substantially better fit for this team, especially when it comes to defending the faster, quick twitch guys such as Percy Harvin.
Jason Verrett would be the lightest corner on our team by about 20lbs, and the shortest by about 2 inches. I'm sorry but this is not our guy. Based on size, run support, and injury concerns I would gladly pass for another CB. That guy may not be Baptise, but at least he is a step in the right direction.
By 20 pounds? Try like 8 or 9 pounds. Also Brock is 5'10", that's a one inch difference.
Walter Thurmond who people were pretty excited about bringing in came into the NFL at 5'11" and 189, so the same weight as Verrett. The reality is that the 49ers need a true slot corner, a guy who can handle the faster receivers in the division. For that role, Verrett is big enough and far better suited to perform in that role than Baptiste, simple as that.
The fact that you think Baptiste is worth anything near a 1st round pick tells me you need to go back and watch him play more because you seem to be overrating his abilities drastically.
They don't hear you Phoenix but keep preaching brother. Also what's crazy about those arguing against Verrett is the fact the 49ers could still take a flyer on Baptiste and other bigger DB's such as Desir, which Phoenix took in the 3rd in his mock. Verrett hands down is the better day 1 prospect for the 49ers defense. Also...the 49ers do not play press coverage. Their DB's mirrors the WR more than pressing, which is a strength of Verrett's.
