HelpShopTVRadioMobileSearch CBSSports.com
Blog Entry

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

Posted on: March 27, 2011 5:26 pm
Edited on: March 27, 2011 10:51 pm
  •  
 
Posted by Will Brinson

People don't draft a cornerback with the first pick in the NFL Draft. It -- literally -- doesn't happen.

But it could change this year, if you're willing to listen to Ron Rivera, the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who, via Dan Pompei of the National Football Post, seems to think LSU's Patrick Peterson is a viable option at No. 1.

"Why can’t you take a corner first?" Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "A shutdown corner, or a very, very good corner who can harass the receivers, throw off their timing is important as it is because it's turning into a passing league. How is he going to impact your defense? Can it also help the offense? There are a few really good ones out there. Does he help our pass rush? Does he help get the ball back and get our offense back on the field?"

Of course, the reason no one takes a cornerback No. 1 overall is that it's tough to justify the use of salary on someone who's not guaranteed to shut off half the field.

NFL Draft
But there's a good chance that this year's No. 1 selection will be subject to a rookie wage scale. And if that's the case, then it doesn't matter nearly as much if the Panthers make history and draft Peterson with the first selection.

Or, alternately, this could just be further subterfuge by Carolina regarding what they plan to do with the top pick. Really, that may be the safest bet of all.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter and subscribe to our RSS Feed.
  •  
Category: NFL
Tags: 2011 Draft, 2011 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers, NFL Draft, Patrick Peterson, Ron Rivera
 
Comments

Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: January 9, 2012 11:32 am
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

Good morning, I recently halted in to check you're home-page and even dreamed of We'd suggest Write-up valued professionally.
fghdfre
Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: January 4, 2012 12:22 am
This comment has been removed.

Post Deleted by Administrator
hgtrerte
Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: December 7, 2011 1:00 pm
This comment has been removed.

Post Deleted by Administrator

Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: December 5, 2011 1:29 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

Good afternoon,marvelous say. Informations have always been heart stopping and thus spared people tremendous amount of free time that typically I had agree within a bit separate traditions instead googling :) Appreciate it!

Since: Jan 26, 2011
Posted on: March 30, 2011 7:51 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

He's a steal because he's the best player in the draft IMO... and getting him at one is a better pick than getting say Cam Newton... if Newton would be a "bust"... then by those meanings, Peterson would be a steal. Hitting a home run and hitting a bunt single are both considered "hitting" the ball... but hitting that home run means you're scoring, thats a win/win

Since: Jan 12, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 4:57 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

I have no idea why anyone would think the Patriots are going to move up to take the first overall pick.  That is a cry to be drug tested right there. It will be a cold day in hell before that happens.

There is nothing wrong with taking a corner at one if you truly believe he is the best player in the draft. I cannot believe that this is true of Peterson. The Panthers have so many needs surely they have to apply the best available player approach.

Smokescreen in my opinion!

Since: Aug 22, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 4:11 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

smart move. no way should scam newton or gabbert go top 10. the idiot bills will probably take 1 of the 2 be set back another 5 years. rivera seems to get it. built a D first.

Since: Mar 28, 2011
Posted on: March 28, 2011 3:14 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

There is no reasonable argument against taking Peterson at number one.  Same for Marcell Dareus.   If those two do not go 1 & 2 - I will be shocked.  Best two players available in this year's draft.  Panthers need blue chip impact players.  Roster does not have many of them.

Since: Apr 20, 2010
Posted on: March 28, 2011 3:08 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

I will try to make this quick - since flight attendant is explaining how to put on oxygen mask which might come in handy if flying to UK versus Chi-town to Detroit.
My opinion is this --NE defense ranked 25th last yr, and 29th in passing D - thus if they stay with 3-4 scheme, if I am GM draft Marcell Dareus, if schanging scheme o 4-3 pick up Da Quan (short for who knows what) Bowers -- or get the shut down CB everybody thinks he is Peterson... before my 1st stage alzheimer's kick in - history does show NE going for draft # versus top 1-2 draft picks, they may want to get out of character since they can score with Brady at helm + last yr their offense with slow wr still produced #8 offense....
gotta go --- getting the finger (not that one) from attendant..... 



Since: Aug 22, 2008
Posted on: March 28, 2011 3:02 pm
 

Rivera: 'Why can't you take a corner first?'

The NFL draft is a chess match. Coaches, GMs, scouts are always pumping up different players in hopes they can make a deal that makes their team better. Teams bring in guys for private workouts that they have no intention of drafting. It is all part of the game.
Being in the #1 spot is different, you don't have to worry about your can't miss guy being gone. But if you can trade out of that pick with someone who loves what Peterson can do, and still get your guy, thats bi-winning (thanks Charlie Sheen). Ditka traded his whole draft to the Skins for #5 pick in the 1999 draft Ricky Williams. 
 
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of CBS Sports or CBSSports.com