Eric Stokes - CB - Georgia - Round 1 - Pick 29

[YoHoChecko]

From my experience, many draftniks failed to watch 2020 and adjust their take. That is why there is a lot of disparity. His 2020 looked a lot different than his 2019.

This actually makes a TON of sense.

Especially with the ball skills comments, which likely were in their draft notes from the tape they watched of him over the summer from the 2019 season.

And weird comments like "he improved in 2020 but was inconsistent throughout his career" which sounds more like a trajectory than an inconsistency. Fingers crossed on him. I just did no work because I was obsessed with Tyson Campbell for some reason.

[go pak go]

The hard part of Stokes is opponents didn't target him. He averaged like 3 targets a game. So very limited sample size.

Herman said his biggest issue is balance control. A few times Stokes actually even fall down in coverage which obviously slows your blazing speed down.

I would have to think balance and footwork though are areas where one can improve. I am not expecting huge things in 2021, but I do think he will be given opportunity at the right moments and I do think we can expect and hope to see a nice jump in 2022.

[Yoop]

That's funny because there are lots of comments about how he was a better zone corner than man.

that doesn't jive though with the clunky hips report, can't have tight hips and play zone coverage, you can play press man though while holding the receivers Jersey so the WR helps turn you around, I know, I did that for years

That is quite literally the opposite of reality. If you can't flip your hips as a corner, you can't play man.

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

[go pak go]

that doesn't jive though with the clunky hips report, can't have tight hips and play zone coverage, you can play press man though while holding the receivers Jersey so the WR helps turn you around, I know, I did that for years

That is quite literally the opposite of reality. If you can't flip your hips as a corner, you can't play man.

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

Your theory contradicts every conversation we discussed about Josh Jackson during the draft process which later got confirmed while in GB. Because he stinks.

Although I will say, oily hips are always good. And I think Stokes has oiler hips King. I do think Stokes will be a significant upgrade over King because I think he is a better and more motivated person and he also is just a lot faster and explosive than King.

[Pckfn23]

that doesn't jive though with the clunky hips report, can't have tight hips and play zone coverage, you can play press man though while holding the receivers Jersey so the WR helps turn you around, I know, I did that for years

That is quite literally the opposite of reality. If you can't flip your hips as a corner, you can't play man.

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

I without a doubt do not have it backward.

You are explaining off man even, not zone. In zone flipping of hips quickly is not necessary. In man you start square and need to flip hips left or right depending on where the play calls for the man to be funneled. There is no guessing. Period.

[Yoop]

That is quite literally the opposite of reality. If you can't flip your hips as a corner, you can't play man.

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

I without a doubt do not have it backward.

You are explaining off man even, not zone. In zone flipping of hips quickly is not necessary. In man you start square and need to flip hips left or right depending on where the play calls for the man to be funneled. There is no guessing. Period.

no I'am not, where do you think a edge corner lines up in zone coverage? but your right off man is almost the same as zone, and ya have to play that square to the receiver, and in both techniques ya have to let that receiver break before you do, or you end up seeing what happened to King to often, he bit on the fake and couldn't make the turn fast enough to allow his very good speed to catch up back up.

in man coverage ya get to feel where a receiver is going, ya let him come to you, heck you can even force a receiver where you want him to go by simply crowding the edge.

I promised myself I wouldn't argue with you about this stuff, and here I'am allowing myself to get pulled back in, you think what you want, and I'll think what I know

[Yoop]

That is quite literally the opposite of reality. If you can't flip your hips as a corner, you can't play man.

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

Your theory contradicts every conversation we discussed about Josh Jackson during the draft process which later got confirmed while in GB. Because he stinks.

Although I will say, oily hips are always good. And I think Stokes has oiler hips King. I do think Stokes will be a significant upgrade over King because I think he is a better and more motivated person and he also is just a lot faster and explosive than King.

don't remember a conversation u say we had concerning Jackson, I don't remember saying he had tight hips, look ya need lose hips to play any scheme well, more likely Jackson fails do to other tech issues

[go pak go]

no, you have it backwards, in zone you have to let the receiver come to you and you cant flip till after he does, it's why you see King trying to anticipate the receiver break and gets turned around because he had guessed it wrong, in man you have the advantage of being tighter to the player, and can lay a hand on the hip to feel the weight change.

Your theory contradicts every conversation we discussed about Josh Jackson during the draft process which later got confirmed while in GB. Because he stinks.

Although I will say, oily hips are always good. And I think Stokes has oiler hips King. I do think Stokes will be a significant upgrade over King because I think he is a better and more motivated person and he also is just a lot faster and explosive than King.

don't remember a conversation u say we had concerning Jackson, I don't remember saying he had tight hips, look ya need lose hips to play any scheme well, more likely Jackson fails do to other tech issues

If you watched Josh Jackson do his drills in the combine, it was very noticeable he had uncomfortably tight hips in the drills.

I will forever keep that in mind because I was super high on Josh Jackson and was wrong and am trying to learn from that experience.

[Yoop]

Your theory contradicts every conversation we discussed about Josh Jackson during the draft process which later got confirmed while in GB. Because he stinks.

Although I will say, oily hips are always good. And I think Stokes has oiler hips King. I do think Stokes will be a significant upgrade over King because I think he is a better and more motivated person and he also is just a lot faster and explosive than King.

don't remember a conversation u say we had concerning Jackson, I don't remember saying he had tight hips, look ya need lose hips to play any scheme well, more likely Jackson fails do to other tech issues

If you watched Josh Jackson do his drills in the combine, it was very noticeable he had uncomfortably tight hips in the drills.

I will forever keep that in mind because I was super high on Josh Jackson and was wrong and am trying to learn from that experience.

sorry I don't remember that, I was off of Jackson over something, it could have been that or his speed, just don't remember

I think you can get away with more limitations at slot CB, for one you have a safety on one side and a ILB on the other edge of your zone , that provides a narrower ally, and your usually dealing with a #2 or #3 receiver, so it tend to be a better matchup, I just never was as tuned into Jackson as many of you guys.

[lupedafiasco]

On the subject of Jackson I think he gets the safety training this offseason. Weve seen this from players on this team that suck for a while and the tail end of their rookie deals we try to fit them somewhere else. Mike Neal got moved to OLB. Datone jones got moved to OLB. Burks last year moved to OLB. Montgomery moved to RB although that was do to necessity. There was a DL moved to TE one year.

[NCF]

On the subject of Jackson I think he gets the safety training this offseason. Weve seen this from players on this team that suck for a while and the tail end of their rookie deals we try to fit them somewhere else. Mike Neal got moved to OLB. Datone jones got moved to OLB. Burks last year moved to OLB. Montgomery moved to RB although that was do to necessity. There was a DL moved to TE one year.

That is essentially were they played him in his first NFL game and he thrived against Chicago. Covering TE's is something I think he could excel at.

[Pckfn23]

no I'am not, where do you think a edge corner lines up in zone coverage?

Outside corners can line up a bunch of different ways in zone depending on their zone assignment and how they are disguising the coverage.

but your right off man is almost the same as zone,

Off man is in no way the same as zone. Off man is... man where the cornerback is taking the receiver lined up across from him, but lined up off the line of scrimmage. In zone a cornerback has a zone and whichever receiver enters it, not the receiver he is lined up across, which could be the same, but may not be. Then there is press man where the corner lines up at the line of scrimmage and tries to force the receiver to their desired release by alignment and by punch/counter punch (hands). Flipping hips is very important in man since the being square is so important. It's exceptionally easy to beat a man corner whose hips are not square, cut off his backside and there is not way he can flip his hips 180 quick enough. Even when square a cornerback in man who has bad hips can not turn and run with his receiver.

and ya have to play that square to the receiver,

Not in zone you don't. In fact, there are many times in zone where a cornerback does not want to be square to the receiver like when dropping to a deep half/third/quarter or when playing 2 receivers in the cornerback's zone. They don't stay square to the receive because they are not playing a specific receiver.

and in both techniques ya have to let that receiver break before you do

Not in zone as the area you play is predetermined.

in man coverage ya get to feel where a receiver is going, ya let him come to you, heck you can even force a receiver where you want him to go by simply crowding the edge.

Which all means the cornerback needs to be square to the receiver until they have to flip their hips and run with the receiver. If they can't flip their hips well, man is tough for them. That is why stiff hips is more of a detriment to a man corner.

I promised myself I wouldn't argue with you about this stuff, and here I'am allowing myself to get pulled back in, you think what you want, and I'll think what I know

What you "know" is wrong. It may have been what was done in the UP in the 50's, but it doesn't it make it the correct technique.

[Pckfn23]

A good good read:
https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-pac ... 164976036/

Good one from Fennel:


I also do not see the tackle issues or hip issues. I do see the balance issues.

[YoHoChecko]

Andy Herman is absolutely the best right now.

[go pak go]

Andy Herman is absolutely the best right now.

Oh yeah. I mean the dude watched 11 games of All-22 on our first pick alone.

And unlike me...he actually knows what he is looking at.

About all I can contribute is "he looks fast"

[APB]

Kinda puts a better light on his hips eval:

Hips

A lot of times track athletes can run fast in a straight line and out of a sprinter’s stance, but when they need to turn and run they don’t have the fluidity in their hips to make the turn and maintain their speed. That’s not an issue for Eric Stokes.

Stokes has some stiffness, and his change of direction ability isn’t ideal (as evidenced by his short shuttle time), but his hips are smooth and he can quickly turn and run with receivers down the sideline.

[NCF]

Andy Herman is absolutely the best right now.

Like, by default. EVERYONE spending every waking moment on Aaron Rodgers. He has exclusive coverage on our draft class. I love it.

[YoHoChecko]

Y'all I love this kid. I'm sold.

Go Dawgs!

GREEN BAY – Statistically, Eric Stokes displayed a monumental shift in his game over his final year at Georgia.

While playing in 27 contests with 16 starts over the 2018-19 seasons, Stokes didn't have a single interception. Then during 10 games in 2020, he picked off four passes and returned two for touchdowns.

So how did the Packers' first-round draft pick make such big strides so quickly? His position coach the last two years with the Bulldogs, Charlton Warren, believes two things were at the core of it.

First, from the time Warren (who's now the defensive coordinator at Indiana) arrived in 2019 as Georgia's defensive backs coach, he saw in Stokes a determination to learn not just his responsibilities within a given defensive call, but everybody's. He wanted to understand the concepts on a big-picture level.

"He would ask (in practice) to play other positions. He would ask to go in and play nickel, and he would ask to move to safety for reps," Warren said in a phone interview with packers.com. "So through all your spring and summer workouts over a 2½-year period, he got 100 reps at 'star,' 25 reps each at safety. He played both corners, 25 reps at dime. In that way, he was cross-trained, which made him learn all three levels."

Warren added that by Stokes' redshirt junior season last year, he could tell him what the three-technique tackle was doing up front on certain third-down calls, or what the dime or "star" was up to, no matter where he lined up himself.

In turn, he fully grasped when he had to stay over the top on a route, or when he could aggressively attack the ball, and the results followed.

"He got interceptions in certain calls because he understood where his help was and what the strength of the defense was," Warren said. "I've always talked to guys about knowing the strengths of the defense and being able to mitigate the weakness of a defense, and he did a really good job with that premise."

The other factor in all the 2020 highlights for the All-Southeastern Conference speedster was a dedication to ball skills. If there was a special-teams period in practice Stokes wasn't involved in, he was working on ball fundamentals with Warren.

His coach would simulate the finish to a play by putting him downfield at the spot a receiver might either take off deep or break off his route. Warren would put him in a positive position with the ball on its way, and he'd have to get it. He'd also put him in a negative spot, and he'd still have to judge the ball correctly and make a play on it.

"It paid dividends," Warren said. "Naturally, he just had to work at that. Now, you saw him finishing on the ball at the top of routes, where you wouldn't see that as a freshman or sophomore. You wouldn't see him do that at that great of a clip."

Of course, Stokes' last two years in the SEC weren't just about progressing toward the splash plays. He also had to match up against some of the country's best receivers on a weekly basis, five of whom – if you count Florida tight end Kyle Pitts along with Kadarius Toney, plus Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, and LSU's Ja'Marr Chase – were drafted in the first 20 picks of the opening round last Thursday night.

Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst emphasized after selecting Stokes at No. 29 overall in the draft that the personnel department reviewed Stokes' film from those particular games the most. Warren said that while Stokes relished the challenges, he didn't get outside himself when it came to the toughest assignments.

"It was just another Saturday and just another receiver," Warren said. "We were going to make adjustments game-planning-wise, but we were going to be who we are as players, and I thought whether it was Waddle, whether it was Kyle Pitts, a guy from Arkansas, whoever, our approach was always the same.

"He felt he was always mentally prepared for everything, so no real matchup stands out to me. It just stands out the deep balls not given up, the touchdown throws not given up, how he was in such great position all year."

Regarding where to focus his work to succeed in the NFL, Warren said it's about polishing and sharpening his technique at the line of scrimmage. As that continues to mesh with his athletic talent, Stokes' arrow will continue to point up.

"He's so long and so fast, the more he can perfect the on-ball mechanics in press coverage, his game can get astronomically better, and that's for a lot of players across the SEC," Warren said. "At 6-1, 190, 4.25 … man, if you win the first three yards …

"It's gonna be hard to run by him, and you won't throw it over his head, so if he can win those throws from zero to 12 (yards) because he has great fundamentals, the sky's the limit for someone with that God-given ability."

Bright and energetic, Stokes apparently was sending Warren texts between 2-3 a.m. after he was drafted, and the big heart he has – whether it relates to his passion on the field or doing community activities with kids off of it – is "natural, not fake."

Warren was initially drawn to Stokes, an unheralded recruit who didn't even play defense until late in high school, due to his likeable personality and hunger to succeed. He believes his former pupil will make the same first impression on the Packers.

"I told him, hey, that's all over now, you got drafted, so move on to the next thing," Warren said.

"The kid always smiles and has great perspective. He's that guy in the locker room, in the meeting room, he's ready to go to work and he's just looking to find a way. When you have those kind of guys, whether you're down 12 or up 20, they can pull you through and help you finish the right way."

https://www.packers.com/news/from-zero- ... stokes-way

[Ghost_Lombardi]

The biggest thing with Stokes is if he will accept coaching. Right now he uses his physical gifts to recover from mistakes. He needs to be taught how to play the position. If he busts it will be because the coaches couldn't get through to him. That can be on the player or staff, or both.

[YoHoChecko]

The biggest thing with Stokes is if he will accept coaching. Right now he uses his physical gifts to recover from mistakes. He needs to be taught how to play the position. If he busts it will be because the coaches couldn't get through to him. That can be on the player or staff, or both.

That’s exactly why I love the article I just posted in which his position coach talks about the guys study habits, desire to improve, and consistent progress of actual improvement on the field.