Player Profiles - Captain Munnerlyn

Captain Munnerlyn  #1  CB/PR  (South Carolina)

5'9", 180  Sophomore

OPPONENT: GEORGIA

POSITIVES:

1. Versatility shown when returning punts
2. On isolation go route, great turn and coverage, looked back at ball and almost had the pick
3. Though yet to show anything, can tell he has "quicks" on PR duties
4. Stat line shows he runs a 4.35 40
5. Quick turn and go has two sides...

NEGATIVES:

1. Will be vulnerable with his stance; sometimes he doesn't crouch, too tight-legged
2. As said above, has quick turn, but there is no backpedal---he tries to turn before man passes because his stance is so unusual; if you stop as he starts his turn, it'll be a reception every time
3. Let man get inside position easily, saved by bad pass
4. "Just lines up like a zombie"
5. Muffed punt, saved by illegal formation, subbed out of PR duties for this possession
6. Just simply a horrible attempt at tackling ball carrier in open field, missed completely
7. Knee injury takes him off field, should be back
8. Turn and go before man takes him clear out of run support (another disadvantage to awkward "predict and turn") strategy

IMPRESSION:

My guess is that Steve Spurrier recruited Captain as an athlete and was unsure of whether to put him at WR or somewhere in the secondary.  He most likely chose cornerback since Munnerlyn has great 4.35 speed, though as you can tell from above, it takes more than that to play corner, especially in the SEC.  I'm not sure he'll become a special talent back there or not, though from the looks of it he'll have all of this year and two more years to try his hand at the next level.  His height is limiting at 5'9", but he has good bulk to him and speed to burn.  He needs to work on the correct stance, footwork, SOME kind of backpedal, and learn the difficult mental game of playing on an island.  He has a quick hip turn and can probably run with anybody, but any tight coverage he has is based purely on his athleticism.  As he continues to learn the game, his value as a punt returner should go up as well.

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