Does Size Really Matter?
June 19th, 2016
Size doesn’t matter.
Joe can’t believe someone other than Rachel Watson might care about an inch. But the way some Bucs fans think, an inch means the difference between victory and defeat.
Former Bucs corner and future Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis is 5-11. Only an insane person wouldn’t want Revis. So is that one inch a difference maker?
Other than Johnthan Banks, the Bucs’ corners are all short. As Woody Cummings of SportsTalkFlorida.com points out, a few inches could mean a lot.
The Bucs added three new cornerbacks during the offseason in Brent Grimes, Josh Robinson and Vernon Hargreaves III. That trio should make one of the weakest units on the team better, but it wont make it bigger. Grimes, Robinson and Hargreaves all stand 5-foot-10 and they joined a group in which only 6-foot-2 Johnathan Banks stands taller than 6-foot. The Bucs have been quick to say that all their corners play big but in an NFL loaded with tall receivers their lack of size could prove to be a big problem.
Joe will once again quote Vernon Hargreaves on this matter: “If you can ball, you can ball.” Folks, he can ball. So too can Brent Grimes? Yeah, he’s 5-10, but he can ball.
Maybe it is just Joe, but only the average to below average corners have an issue if they are short.
After all, Myron Lewis is 6-2. Not even the CFL wants him.
June 19th, 2016 at 8:18 am
It’s about your skills, not your height. The height thing is so over blowned imo. Ask Brandon Browner how he did the last couple seasons with all that height. It don’t mean sh*t if u can’t ball! Plus the smaller guys can open up their hips quicker and get up field than a tall and lanky guy can. I think there’s 2 succesful corner in the whole league that are over 6 ft. Sherman is the only off the top of my head I can think of.
Height = overated
June 19th, 2016 at 8:29 am
Against average qbs size doesn’t matter, again’t the Tom Bradys, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees of the world it very much matters because being short means you can play perfect defense and still get beat. Only folks who have played football understand this and it is very frustrating because they can everything in their power but it just won’t matter.
June 19th, 2016 at 8:34 am
If a player has considerable quickness and vertical leap skills, he can overcome a few inches, but some of the taller receivers also have those same skills so the advantage goes to them. I agree that a consistently accurate QB can burn smaller DBs.
June 19th, 2016 at 8:40 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo can guarantee that size matters because Pablo has an elongated arc like Hamus…..and what about Hason’s giant cajones? Pablo uses that to Pablo’s advantage while table dancing…..Pablo gets big tips because he is known as “Gigante Anaconda”. Just ask 87 or Buc Realist….they will tell you (Realist mooches table dances off 87)”
June 19th, 2016 at 8:42 am
I thought Grimes was shorter than that. But truer words were never spoken…if you can ball you can ball
June 19th, 2016 at 8:45 am
It’s not size that matters, it’s how you use it! That is what she told me…
June 19th, 2016 at 8:47 am
Pable, your grammer has improved tremendously from a year ago. Those night classes are doing wonders!
June 19th, 2016 at 8:57 am
Interesting topic, but I’d think the bottom line would be ‘it depends’. As Ndog said, QBs like Brady and Brees can squeeze out every little advantage, especially near the end zone. Average QBs, probably not-so-much. But from all the games I’ve seen played, the vast majority of passes aren’t ‘height-dependent’. Good coverage skills will trump giving up a few inches in height on almost all passing downs. And our Bucs have some CBs with good cover skills (when they’re not being told to play off 10 yds that is).
June 19th, 2016 at 9:32 am
Seems overall smaller guys are quicker guys.
Isn’t quickness—suddenness—a top trait of all great CB’s, a significant asset for coverage?
June 19th, 2016 at 10:02 am
I’m thinking the candy Runts and the toy Stretch Armstrong. Just kidding, these guys will be good players or better.
June 19th, 2016 at 10:30 am
I just want to ask if anyone remembers ronde being helpless vs megatron and other detroit receivers. Seriously helpless.
You cant make an argument FOR the dunkaneers…. then turn around and say size doesnt matter on the outside on defense.
June 19th, 2016 at 10:52 am
I remember the knock on #55 Mr. Derrick Brooks coming outta FSU was he was too small and lightweight for the NFL. Last I looked, he has a bust in Canton, Ohio.
June 19th, 2016 at 11:11 am
I like our chances
June 19th, 2016 at 11:18 am
VH is tall when he jumps.
Think about the average NFL pass play and it is not usually a WR catching the ball in a jump ball over a CB. Those def happen but usually due to a CB not adjusting to the ball and timing his jump but regardless it’s not the norm and those types of risky passes are interceptions a lot if the timr
June 19th, 2016 at 11:52 am
There is a reason that Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Gronk and even our own Mike Evans are so successful in this league. You can’t teach or coach size and if you are tall and can ball then watch out.
June 19th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
also have seen one our tall recievers attempt to come with the ball and the smaller CB stood on the ground and knocked the ball out of his hands as he was coming down.size of the heart and jumping ability also play a key role.
June 19th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I think the Bucs fooled their fans on this for half the year. Local writers and bloggers and commentators all leaned towards Eli Apple and the fellow out of Houston based on size. The national press all pegged us for Hargreaves.
The draft seems to show that Licht and the other brass do not put high emphasis on tall corners. Might be nice; is not necessary. That is just what team management thinks, and that is what we will be acquiring.
Simple as that.
June 19th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Shorter CBs have to work much harder to succeed. That’s actually a good thing, if they do it.