Xavien Howard against an NFL reciever

[next-year]

So i've been going over some of Howard's college tape the last few nights to get a feel for what we can expect from him now that he's recovered from injury.

It just hit me today that I could probably dig up tape of Howard through Kevin White's tape (WVU alum). I remember the game pretty clearly and one of the things that stuck out the most was how Baylor could not cover White to save their lives. Before I threw the tape on I said to myself " I hope it wasn't Howard on him all game"

Sure enough Howard was the unlucky soul to cover one of the top receivers in the country for the entire game. As you can see in the tape it's pretty brutal, he consistently gets smoked on longer routes and loses frequently at the LOS. You can see on tape here too just how "handsy" he can get which can get really frustrating seeing as he draws multiple PIs.

The good news is that this was his sophomore year and he definitely developed into a much better prospect this past season. He showed flashes this game as well especially the break he had on on a dig route to get in front of white for an interception. Gase just announced that he wants to let Howard do his thing in man-man, which is cool but i'm afraid he could be a huge liability against some of the speedier receivers.
I didn't bring this up to sound like a pessimist I just figured it might be interesting for people to take a look at what Howard looked like against a very very talented receiver.

If you can't tell I really, really need the season to start. [video=youtube;K65dZqHEuuA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=380&v=K65dZqHEuuA[/video]

 

[oasis]

He's going to have bumps in the road no doubt, even assuming he gets to start. My guess is he and Lippett will take turns getting torched at CB2 until Culliver is healthy enough to play. I just hope Howard doesn't end up like our long list of recent CB draft busts. Even Smith and Davis took a little too long to get their heads right and play to their potential.

 

[Mogwai]

It's difficult to look at Xavien's college tape and get really optimistic about him. Personally, I think he was a **** awful college corner who got consistently destroyed so I wasn't a big fan of the pick. But the hope here is that Joseph knows what he's doing and saw something that he can develop. Kevin White was a monster and he beat a lot of corners so you can't read too much into this game, but the problem is that Xavien's gotten smoked by much worse WRs. Oh well, we'll see. We're all just floating along on Tbum's magic ride.

 

[Digital]

Thanks for the tape.

Is it good tape for Xavien Howard? No. But I'm not sure I'd call it brutal either. As a sophomore he managed 3 pass break ups, 1 INT, and possibly a forced fumble that was called incomplete. Not too shabby for a sophomore who was constantly in 1v1 coverage against arguably the top WR who came out last year. Howard is not as fast as White ... we know this. Howard absolutely uses his hands too much ... also known. Howard is going to have a rough learning curve. But, the guys like Apple, Jackson, etc., were gone, and Howard is a good young press CB. He will take his lumps and in a year or two progress into a good press CB. We drafted a couple of young CB's years ago (Vontae Davis and Sean Smith) who we let go just before they became good CB's. I think Howard is as good as those guys, but yes, it will take a while.

 

[Austin Tatious]

Xavier's bad tape was well understood in the draft process. I think it's valid to look at some bad tape but scouts considered his potential and measurables to be enticing. The thinking is he played in a ridiculous conference as far as defense (there is no defense in the Big 12) and Xavien had no help around him. Vance, Grier, Tannenbaum et al., all understood the tape issue but still really wanted the guy, to the point they traded up with a significant asset to make sure they got him.

 

[dolphintodd]

Xavier's bad tape was well understood in the draft process. I think it's valid to look at some bad tape but scouts considered his potential and measurables to be enticing. The thinking is he played in a ridiculous conference as far as defense (there is no defense in the Big 12) and Xavien had no help around him. Vance, Grier, Tannenbaum et al., all understood the tape issue but still really wanted the guy, to the point they traded up with a significant asset to make sure they got him.

Potential and measurables... oh my.

 

[hoops]

check out the north Carolina tape...that's an nfl wr and he gets murdered with quick redirects off the los and vertically

 

[SCLSU Mud Dogs]

So he gets a PBU, an INT, and rarely had any help over the top against one of the most prolific receivers in CFB...some of that seems like bad game planning.

 

[kcbrown]

I really don't know how Xavier will pan out, but Kevin White looks straight nasty in that tape. Fiesty, strong. Would love to have him on this team.

A lot of those PI calls looked questionable, but he sure did have plenty in that game, like 3, 4 or 5...that can not happen in the NFL.

 

[Dthrill_08]

Wow. I am just amazed how good Kevin White is. He plays aggressive but has the height and speed to destroy CB. Howard did get a few times but I liked that he is a sure tackler. If he can work on turning his head and look for the ball, some of those PI wouldn't get called. I think WR get too many favorable calls. They can push off. I saw K.White pushing off on that one handed catch. Howard is good at tackling, run support, and reading a screen pass.

Baylor needed to have a Safety help on top. I am sure if Howard played more press with Safety over the top, some of those easy catches wouldn't have happened.

 

[next-year]

@Hoops Yeah it's hard to watch that one. the would be 75 yard TD and 15 yard fade for a TD he let up both displayed unbelievably poor awareness.

 

[BlueFin]

In todays NFL the game is designed to the advantage of the QB & receiver...your corner is going to get beaten often.

Not really interested in early developmental footage of Howard.

All that matters is now...we already drafted him.

 

[hoops]

@Hoops Yeah it's hard to watch that one. the would be 75 yard TD and 15 yard fade for a TD he let up both displayed unbelievably poor awareness.

a lot of his tape is terrible...you gonna struggle to play a quality press if you can't match quick redirects foot work wise and the vertical coverage stuff is awful in terms of separation down the field

some of the underneath routes he's in the hip but he's not a stay attached corner on college tape by any means

 

[Eesti]

This gives me hope for Howard or Lippett

xxxx is a size prospect with some good intangibles that will help him mold into a contributing backup corner for a press-heavy team. However, he does not possess the natural coverage instincts, fluidity or burst to be considered a future starter. Is comfortable and capable in press man, using his size to disrupt receivers' releases off the line, but doesn't show enough make up speed to consistently recover when beaten. Awareness in zone and off-man are only adequate. Has average ball skills but some upside as a playmaker. Tough against the run but still developing from a technical standpoint. xxxxx is a Day 3 prospect.

xxxxxx possesses rare height for a corner with enough bulk and speed. Effective when lined up at the line in press man coverage. Uses length well and established sound initial positioning. Flashes the ability to turn and run. Flashes the ability to high-point the football. Willing to help out in run support.

Can be baited out of position when in zone and a tick late to diagnose underneath routes. Tall, high-cut prospect who displays some hip-stiffness. Not explosive when transitioning or when changing direction. Lacks great recovery skills when beaten off the line. Can struggle tacking in the open field at times.

 

[Asicswrg85]

I think we took a reach on this guy and didnt draft the best CB available. Instead we drafted the guy who has the correct "size" and "skills" that Vance wanted....which I dont think will end up being a good decision. Hope I am wrong.