Who's Out There? Cornerbacks
Aug 1, 2010, 8:53AM
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The Ravens haven’t confirmed that they are looking to add another body to their secondary.
But with starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth out for the entire 2010 season, it would seem that Baltimore could dip into the free agent pool once again.
The Ravens have already signed two free agent cornerbacks this offseason in Travis Fisher and Walt Harris.
“I really believe that we've got the guys here that can do it, but by the same token, if there's somebody out there that can help us, we'll bring him in,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
Don Banks of Sports Illustrated said Harbaugh tossed out three names to him: Frank Walker, Fred Smoot and Anthony Henry.
Considering teams are in training camp, the market isn’t as robust as it was in late April when the Ravens were searching for help. There could be more options after teams make cuts later in the preseason.
As of now, here are some top options (teams listed are teams for which they last played):
Frank Walker, Baltimore Ravens
Age – 28; Experience – 7; Size – 5-11, 200
2009 Stats: 14 games/ 1 start, 12 tackles, 0 interceptions, 4 deflections
Breakdown: Walker’s travails with pass interference last year are well-known. But Harbaugh has stood by the physical, aggressive cornerback. Walker knows Baltimore’s defensive system after being in it the past two seasons and would like to return.
Anthony Henry, Detroit Lions
Age – 33; Experience – 9; Size – 6-1, 207
2009 Stats: 14 games/6 starts, 46 tackles, 2 interceptions
Breakdown: Henry has had a steady and effective career. Of all of the candidates, he may have the best size. But Henry wasn’t a regular starter for the Lions (who had the NFL’s worst pass defense) last year and could be considered better suited as a safety at this point in his career.
Fred Smoot, Washington Redskins
Age – 31; Experience – 10; Size – 5-11, 185
2009 Stats: 15 games/6 starts, 28 tackles, 0 interception
Breakdown: The longtime Redskin is a fluid coverage corner and his loquacious personality would work well in Baltimore. He’s experienced and talented, but Smoot isn’t the playmaker he was when he averaged four interceptions a year from 2001 to 2004 and isn’t particularly strong versus the run.
Nick Harper, Tennessee Titans
Age - 35; Experience - 10; Size - 5-10, 182
2009 Stats: 11 games/11 starts, 81 tackles, 1 interception
Breakdown: Harper is coming off shoulder surgery, so his health is a concern. Although he set a personal-best in tackles since 2003 last year, that’s not always a good sign. He was the No. 2 corner on a pass defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last year.
Ken Lucas, Seattle Seahawks
Age - 31; Experience - 10; Size - 6-0, 205
2009 Stats: 16 games/6 starts, 34 tackles, 1 interception
Breakdown: Lucas tried out for the Ravens during organized team activities, but Baltimore went with Walt Harris instead. Harbaugh was impressed by all the veteran tryouts, however. Lucas has good size to jam receivers and plenty of confidence, but his interception totals have consistently diminished.
Chris McAlister, New Orleans Saints
Age – 33; Experience – 11; Size – 6-1, 210
2009 Stats: 2 games/0 starts; 4 tackles, 0 interceptions
Breakdown: Fans remember McAlister’s Pro Bowl years in purple and black. But he’s physically not there anymore and was only called on in emergency duty for the Saints. McAlister spent most of the 2008 season on the bench.
Shawn Springs, New England Patriots
Age – 35; Experience – 13; Size – 6-0, 204
2009 Stats: 12 games/8 starts; 40 tackles, 1 interception
Breakdown: Springs is a cagey veteran and former Pro Bowler (1998) who was highly-valued in Seattle and Washington before signing a three-year deal in New England. He was solid, but released after one season in May after the Patriots resigned Leigh Bodden and drafted Devin McCourty in the first round.
Deshea Townsend, Pittsburgh Steelers
Age – 34; Experience – 12; Size – 5-10, 190
2009 Stats: 16 games/2 starts; 27 tackles, 1 interception
Breakdown: Townsend has spent his entire career with the Steelers, so he could probably give an extensive scouting report. The two-time Super Bowl winner posted career-lows in pass deflections and interceptions last year, but has recent experience as a nickel corner – a skill the Ravens could covet.
