Still Looking for Cornerbacks to Step Up in Preseason

The concern about the Ravens' secondary is justified and is something still to think about. The group had a good showing versus the Carolina Panthers one week ago but has not proven they can match up against top-tier receivers.

Players Cary Williams, Prince Miller and Travis Fisher succeeded at containing Dante Rosario, Armanti Edwards and Dwayne Jarrett, young but unproven receivers at the professional level. This Saturday this secondary will line up against the Redskins whose receiver core isn't much better than that of the Panthers. Since the competition isn't at its steepest right now, we must look for consistency amongst the cornerback play.

Williams, Miller and Fisher should be able to create similar production to that of their first preseason game. They have to show they can hold their own against offensive player in the league especially if they are going to make the game day roster. Teams like the New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and New England, all of whom the Ravens will face this season, can spread their offense out with three or four quality receivers. This makes cornerback depth ever more crucial.

There is a glimmer of hope in the dark tunnel for Fabian Washington who ended his season with an ACL injury. He has been practicing in the last few days of training camp and is expected to return in the upcoming preseason game versus the Redskins this Saturday. The microscope will be focused on him as he readjusts to playing in live game situations. Will he hesitate when tackling? Will he need more time before his running speed fully recovers? The answer to those questions remains to be seen but the general consensus agrees that his return upgrades a group that injury has been whittled down.

Second year cornerback Lardarius Webb is also on return watch but isn’t expected back as soon as Washington. Webb has been running drills on the sideline but is still on PUP.

Chris Carr has also struggled with injury but not to the affect of the previous two mentioned. He has missed more than a week of training camp action and a preseason game but he will be back soon possibly for the Redskins game. Carr is considered one of the two best active corners on the roster right now but is at his best when in the nickle back position so expect him to alot of his time there.

The focus is on week one and who will be lining up across from Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, two former AFC North wide receivers, on the Monday Night Football season opener. Despite the controversy, the safeties will not be the biggest weakness in the defense because Zbikowski and Landry are proving to be more the capable playmakers, the issue is wealth of inexperienced young corners and lack of playmaking corners.

All of this uncertainty and criticism will dissolve if the secondary has an exceptional showing in the rest of preseason. As we saw when Domonique Foxworth got hurt, it is always next man up. Even if starters from last year return, the younger players will still be called upon to grab the torch at some point.