Lions CB Darius Slay studies elite peers to improve his game

Lions cornerback Darius Slay has improved from an inconsistent rookie to dependable starter in his two years in the league. Now, he wants to improve to a lockdown defender.

Slay plans on taking notes from the other elite cornerbacks in the league to continue his climb in the NFL ranks, per ESPN.com.

"I gotta study [Darrelle] Revis and Joe [Haden]," Slay said. "They are more my type of corner, more in your face, try to travel guys, follow you wherever you want to go. Just trying to take [the] best player out of the game.

"I look at [Richard] Sherman, too, just because his ball skills, he's probably got the best ball skills in the NFL that I've seen in my past years. If the ball's in the air, he's getting it. Other than that, I love to watch Revis and Joe."

Slay played in all 16 games for the Lions last season, recording 61 tackles and two interceptions.