Player Profiles - Antoine Cason

Antoine Cason  #5  CB  (Arizona)

6'1", 185  Senior

OPPONENT: BYU

POSITIVES:

1. Great position on sweep, assisted tackle
2. Sneaky blitz, good close and cut to ball, slapped ball away, forced fumble, AZ ball
3. Good zone coverage, QB throws in area but not in his zone
4. Good play recognition and pursuit
5. Excellent read and react, shed block for tackle
6. Coaches claim "hardest worker we have"
7. Punt returner skill set as well
8. Seems to be around at the end of plays, good sign
9. Good sit and pounce on QB, tackle in open field (sure tackles)
10. Can play LCB and RCB, switches up here and there
11. Though a bit of skip in backpedal, has really quick feet
12. Noticeable quick close on stop route away from play
13. Opponent starting to throw and run away from him
14. In good position to make plays on runner, always looks eager to participate in run support
15. Very fast backpedal on man running all out
16. Another almost forced fumble, great awareness of ball location at all times
17. Quick precise contact at point of attack
18. "He plays too far off man for the skills he has; as I say this, quick screen to man, immediate close and tackle, stripped ball and recovered---but refs don't see it"
19. Nice shed block, low center of gravity, makes nice tackle on RB
20. Again, he seems to be the quality control of defense; always around the ball at end of play "just in case".  Very important intangible often overlooked
21. Learns and adapts from mistakes from play to play

NEGATIVES:

1. No definitive stance or crouch, seemingly changes as game progresses; will need to get into a precise routine at next level
2. Didn't protect sideline, missed tackle, and watched underneath option route go for a TD (to his credit, it wasn't his man, but he failed to make the play regardless)
3. Playing too far off man, quick screen successful and subsequently blocked out of play
4. Blitzed too far outside the progress of play to interfere
5. Terrible decision to field punt at his own 5 yard line, muffed it and turned it over (saved by illegal formation on offense)
6. Lazy lineup, looked a bit unsure, fatigue could be a factor as BYU has commanding time of possession
7. Got blocked downfield when he really needed to make the play
8. Again, got blocked out of lane for big gain
9. Turns well, but needs more pop in hip switch to get legs in position to turn and run with man at 100%

IMPRESSION:

It's clear Mr. Cason is one of the top corners in the nation.  I especially like his size at 6'1" and a big 185, and his intelligence is clear in the film room and on the fly on the field.  His quickness and speed are excellent, and he seems comfortable at any position in the secondary, as he lined up in many areas.  Excellent and effective blitzer with a knack for forcing turnovers.  Was not tested very much in man coverage situations.  A willing and sure tackler in run support.  Needs to work on shoring up his stance, backpedal technique, and shedding blocks in open field.  Excellent game, as he's out there working with minimal safety help.  All-around skills at corner makes him a first round playmaker.

*Keep checking Player Profiles as the year progresses.  One game log may not be an accurate description for any player.*