If you guys think they were only playing Zone because their Man Corners sucked then riddle me why Zimmer hired a guy from a Cover 3 background to coach his new 1st Round CB to play Man at the NFL level?
Some folks act like Cover 3 is the worst. The Ravens Elite Defense was Cover 3 based. As were all of Rex Ryan's Ryan's Defenses. The Broncos D. The Legion of Boom. Tampa Bay was Cover 2.
You need good Players period, regardless of position, to be Elite in any system. And Cover 3 is no different. But how many of those Elite Defenses that were Zone based had two 1st Round picks at Corner?
Minnesota has a 1st Round pick with some experience playing Zone. They have a UDFA that can play Man who should have been a 3rd Round pick. They can add a veteran. And a mid-round pick and a late round pick. And UDFAs. And they have Boyd and Sayles developing.
You know what all those Elite Defenses that played Zone had? Killer pass rushes. Minnesota does not. They need a 3T and a rotational DE.
They also need to continue the O-Line overhaul. Especially for a team that is run-first. Which helps keep the Defense off the field.
If I'm playing Man as a majority of my snaps, or even 50/50 Zone, I take Corners high every year. Because the kids that profile as good Man Corners go early and often. When I'm so heavily Zone based I can develop mid-round Rounds guys, add cheaper vets who won't command as much $$$ since they aren't sticky Man CBs and look to develop the next cerebral, not-so-great athletically Corner like some dude named Richard Sherman......
