Dre Kirkpatrick is a PLAYER!

[Fan_in_Kettering]

While Dre Kirkpatrick didn't get a huge amount of playing time today, what I saw him do was absolutely amazing because I've not seen a cornerback do what Dre did. I watched him carefully and he has a very interesting pre-coverage technique I know wasn't taught here in Cincinnati and it's most likely something he learned from playing at Alabama: Dre lined up across from Victor Cruz but as Eli Manning started calling signals and audibles, he would slowly back up to exactly five yards from Cruz then assume a "ready" stance from where he could move in any direction. Here's the thing: Cruz didn't know whether Dre would come up and engage him, immediately drop back into coverage, or anything else -- and Manning knew it too. It was a brilliant technique I hope all Bengal cornerbacks begin to use.

[BigPapaKain]

Well, I seen him pre-snap a couple of times, but never post-snap. Which, as I've said before, is a good thing when you're talking about a DB. He didn't get picked on like you'd expect a veteran QB to do once her realizes a rookie CB is lined up against his favorite target, so whatever he was doing seemed to be working.

[Karp]

That is an interesting observation. Do you have some inside or firsthand knowledge regarding how the cornerback position is played in the NFL? That was not meant as a smarta$$ question.

[THE PISTONS]

He's definitely going to need to add size. He's extremely thin for a cb.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by BigPapaKain

Well, I seen him pre-snap a couple of times, but never post-snap. Which, as I've said before, is a good thing when you're talking about a DB. He didn't get picked on like you'd expect a veteran QB to do once her realizes a rookie CB is lined up against his favorite target, so whatever he was doing seemed to be working.

That's an understatement. Much of the efficacious pass rush resulted from amazing coverage downfield and, when he was playing, Dre Kirkpatrick was all over Victor Cruz. I'm not saying there is a super-strong correlation between getting Dre on the field and seeing the defensive line manhandle the Giants' offensive line and turn Eli Manning into a crash-test dummy, but there is a correlation.

[BigPapaKain]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

He's definitely going to need to add size. He's extremely thin for a cb.

And people were saying AJ Green was extremely thin, too.

You'll excuse us if we don't worry about his arms being thin, because I can pretty much promise you that there isn't a hint of jiggle to them.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by Karp

That is an interesting observation. Do you have some inside or firsthand knowledge regarding how the cornerback position is played in the NFL? That was not meant as a smarta$$ question.

No worries, Karp; I understand what you mean. Let's just say I am a keen observer of the defensive side of the ball and I have a good memory. I've not seen anyone in many years use the technique Dre Kirkpatrick uses. Oh, sure, lots of cornerbacks make similar moves to Dre but he times it with the quarterback's signals and it drove Eli Manning bonkers because he never threw to Victor Cruz when Dre lined up against him. During pre-snap, Manning's head always went to Cruz's side but when Dre was there, Manning threw to the opposite side of the field.

[crazyjdawg]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

No worries, Karp; I understand what you mean. Let's just say I am a keen observer of the defensive side of the ball and I have a good memory. I've not seen anyone in many years use the technique Dre Kirkpatrick uses. Oh, sure, lots of cornerbacks make similar moves to Dre but he times it with the quarterback's signals and it drove Eli Manning bonkers because he never threw to Victor Cruz when Dre lined up against him. During pre-snap, Manning's head always went to Cruz's side but when Dre was there, Manning threw to the opposite side of the field.

Well, he cost us a first round pick so hopefully he becomes a Joe Haden type of shut down corner.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by BigPapaKain

And people were saying AJ Green was extremely thin, too.

You'll excuse us if we don't worry about his arms being thin, because I can pretty much promise you that there isn't a hint of jiggle to them.

Green has Kirkpatrick by probably 20 lbs at least.

[D.Boon]

Originally Posted by crazyjdawg

Well, he cost us a first round pick so hopefully he becomes a Joe Haden type of shut down corner.

he reminds me of a young Nate Clements...and that's not a bad thing.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by crazyjdawg

Well, he cost us a first round pick so hopefully he becomes a Joe Haden type of shut down corner.

Dre Kirkpatrick will be better than Joe Haden, provided of course he stays healthy. I'm not saying Dre is the next Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha but I saw him play today and to my eyes he's no rookie out there! Nick Saban did a terrific job with Dre at Alabama and it shows. I was so surprised neither Thom Brennaman nor Brian Billick picked up on any of this -- especially Billick who might have the best analytical sense of any color commentator on NFL broadcasts. I was pointing at Dre and yelling at the TV, "OMG! WOW! Did you see that?"

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

He's definitely going to need to add size. He's extremely thin for a cb.

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Green has Kirkpatrick by probably 20 lbs at least.

Are you excited that he did well? Or disappointed that he didn't stink?

I can't tell with your "concern" about Dre Kirk's weight, which his weight has been constant for many years.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

Dre Kirkpatrick will be better than Joe Haden, provided of course he stays healthy. I'm not saying Dre is the next Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha but I saw him play today and to my eyes he's no rookie out there! Nick Saban did a terrific job with Dre at Alabama and it shows. I was so surprised neither Thom Brennaman nor Brian Billick picked up on any of this -- especially Billick who might have the best analytical sense of any color commentator on NFL broadcasts. I was pointing at Dre and yelling at the TV, "OMG! WOW! Did you see that?"

If Dre is better than Joe Haden, then he would be the steal of the draft (in my opinion).

WTS, I am going to have to see a lot more of Dre Kirk's play to put him above Joe Haden.

[dr1441]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

Dre Kirkpatrick will be better than Joe Haden, provided of course he stays healthy. I'm not saying Dre is the next Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha but I saw him play today and to my eyes he's no rookie out there! Nick Saban did a terrific job with Dre at Alabama and it shows. I was so surprised neither Thom Brennaman nor Brian Billick picked up on any of this -- especially Billick who might have the best analytical sense of any color commentator on NFL broadcasts. I was pointing at Dre and yelling at the TV, "OMG! WOW! Did you see that?"

While I realize you are excited about how he played today, saying he is going to be better then Joe Haden is pushing it.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by BigPapaKain

And people were saying AJ Green was extremely thin, too.

You'll excuse us if we don't worry about his arms being thin, because I can pretty much promise you that there isn't a hint of jiggle to them.

I met Dre Kirkpatrick at training camp and he's not thin: He's wiry. He's extremely strong, too, and when he did some drills wearing just shorts and turf cleats you could tell he has trained extensively in the weight room. He's a nice man, too, and very happy to be playing with the Bengals.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Originally Posted by mulligan

If Dre is better than Joe Haden, then he would be the steal of the draft (in my opinion).

WTS, I am going to have to see a lot more of Dre Kirk's play to put him above Joe Haden.

Make sure you quote me correctly: I said Dre Kirkpatrick will be better than Joe Haden. He's not there yet...

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

Make sure you quote me correctly: I said Dre Kirkpatrick will be better than Joe Haden. He's not there yet...

I hope.

I remember a quote.

"I see better than I hear." quote from Marvin Lewis.

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

He's definitely going to need to add size. He's extremely thin for a cb.

Same size as Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie and he's pretty good.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Are you excited that he did well? Or disappointed that he didn't stink?

I can't tell with your "concern" about Dre Kirk's weight, which his weight has been constant for many years.

Happy...I was a fan of Kirkpatrick at Alabama and think he will be a good pro. I see more of an Ike Taylor or Antonio Cromartie than Hayden.

[pat5775]

Great to hear, I hope he can live up to his first-rounder status and it sounds like he's well on his way

For now, I guess all we got to worry about is whether he can stay healthy or not

[Who2Dey]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

While Dre Kirkpatrick didn't get a huge amount of playing time today, what I saw him do was absolutely amazing because I've not seen a cornerback do what Dre did. I watched him carefully and he has a very interesting pre-coverage technique I know wasn't taught here in Cincinnati and it's most likely something he learned from playing at Alabama: Dre lined up across from Victor Cruz but as Eli Manning started calling signals and audibles, he would slowly back up to exactly five yards from Cruz then assume a "ready" stance from where he could move in any direction. Here's the thing: Cruz didn't know whether Dre would come up and engage him, immediately drop back into coverage, or anything else -- and Manning knew it too. It was a brilliant technique I hope all Bengal cornerbacks begin to use.

My guess is the rest of our DBs don't have the speed/skill to pull off such a maneuver. It can be a risky play if you aren't accustomed to doing it.

[bradfritz21]

His weakness was turning to run with receivers (which has to be because of his height), but he was great in press coverage and breaking on balls, which our pass rush will make his problems turning to run irrelevant because receivers won't have enough time to break away.

I'm excited about this kid.

[The Caped Crusader]

Originally Posted by Karp

That is an interesting observation. Do you have some inside or firsthand knowledge regarding how the cornerback position is played in the NFL? That was not meant as a smarta$$ question.

Pre-snap movement is taught by most Defensive Coordinators in the NFL, but rarely acted on. You usually see it on top notch QB's like Manning/Brady/Rodgers. The Falcons did it a lot to confuse Manning and it worked. The thought is that you cannot tell if they're going to man/zone/press/play-off. It IS sorta a risk but has been known to work.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

That's an understatement. Much of the efficacious pass rush resulted from amazing coverage downfield and, when he was playing, Dre Kirkpatrick was all over Victor Cruz. I'm not saying there is a super-strong correlation between getting Dre on the field and seeing the defensive line manhandle the Giants' offensive line and turn Eli Manning into a crash-test dummy, but there is a correlation.

Leon Hall was all over Cruz too

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Happy...I was a fan of Kirkpatrick at Alabama and think he will be a good pro. I see more of an Ike Taylor or Antonio Cromartie than Hayden.

I hope he resembles anyone that is a good CB in the NFL.

Cheers! :-)