The Joker Report

Player Profiles - Victor Harris

Victor Harris  #1  CB  (Virginia Tech)

6'0", 180  Junior

OPPONENT:  EAST CAROLINA

POSITIVES:

1. Adequate run support
2. Came flying in, helmet on deep ball for pass breakup
3. Quick close for tackle
4. Though his back was to defender, he squatted in zone for the interception and quickly took it back for a touchdown

OPPONENT:  LSU

POSITIVES:

1. Quick close to tackle
2. Decent open field tackle
3. Good hustle, never gave up on play
4. Read quick screen and there for incompletion

NEGATIVES:

1. Playing way off, allowed 1st down
2. Odd angled stance on island with deep cushion (what's the point?)
3. Awful positioning in open field, nowhere close to tackle, slow turn in pursuit
4. No man to guard, spying QB, somehow lets him score?  Bad angle and slow feet in squat
5. Beat on post, limped off field
6. Blocked just out of position for missed tackle, allows 1st down on toss

Player Profiles - Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers  #18  CB  (Virginia Tech)

5'10", 186  Junior

OPPONENT: EAST CAROLINA

POSITIVES:

1. Good play recognition, came off man, would have blown up the play but inconclusive
2. Good tight stance, quick turn and go
3. Quick pop on tackle
4. Average play recognition
5. Great blitz and block shed, solid tackle at ankle
6. "Damn quick"
7. Came up for fair tackle, not afraid to lay hit
8. Decent shed of block but good position to make tackle
9. Jump ball, man had no chance.  Easy hip turn, step for step, pass breakup.  Looks very comfortable on an island
10. Great coverage made QB change his mind, dumped it off, still made tackle
11. Fun watching him glide in man coverage; stride for stride staring at man
12. Blitz applied pressure, still managed to bat away pass with athletic jump

NEGATIVES:

1. Missed tackle on dive attempt
2. Almost lost balance in backpedal--something to watch
3. Got beat at point of attack, saved by poor throw

OPPONENT:  LSU

POSITIVES:

1. Great man coverage on fade, step for step, looks really fast
2. Tight man coverage in end zone
3. Right on top of man for jump ball, slams him down on overthrow
4. Good play recognition skills so far
5. Showing quick close and change of direction
6. Swatting at ball during tackle, showing playmaker awareness
7. Good read and react on toss, decent wrap up tackle
8. Another quick close
9. Showing good awareness to play run on short yardage downs
10. Good penetration on QB option to disrupt play
11. "Nice.  WR screen goes nowhere, great wrap up tackle and made it look easy."

NEGATIVES:

1. "Dumbass penalty." Shoved man after whistle for no reason, giving the best team in the nation a first down for free
2. Pass complete, bit on inside move, got beat for 1st down on out (credit for statement tackle out of bounds)
3. Not getting after him in pursuit, content to be blocked
4. Barking orders, being casual pre-snap with a soft cushion...meanwhile man catches an easy post and goes 50 yards after catch
5. Easily chipped off of blitz route
6. Though read the sweep, got blocked out of position and partially to blame for huge whole on way to ball carrier's TD
7. Getting exposed on soft cushion; short post easily completed

IMPRESSION:

Brandon Flowers is the next great corner for the Hokies, following the lines of DeAngelo Hall and Jimmy Williams.  He doesn't have the super-speed that Hall has (though he's no slouch), nor the size and safety experience of Williams, but he's definitely a first-round talent.  Through the first week he's been the best cornerback I've scouted thus far as I would have the most confidence to put him in any situation his position called for.  He's comfortable, quick, and smart on his island, and he's veteran-savvy enough to force an opponent QB's hand.  Might be the best cover corner in the draft this year, assuming he foregoes his senior seasion.  I look forward to seeing him play again.

Update after LSU---I still back Brandon as one of, if not the, best physical cover cornerback in the nation.  He doesn't have the liberty to play with All-Americans at every position like in LSU's defense, and to be honest, even the best players will have bad moments against LSU's offense.  He was more tentative than usual in this matchup, and he seemed to lose focus and/or give adequate respect for his opponent.  In man coverage on deep routes, he plays the ball better than anyone I've seen so far this year.  He shows great speed and quickness, and I hope to see more effectiveness down the line this year. 

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