If a nickel corner isn’t a role player than what is it? What percentage of defensive plays do team’s really use 3 CBs? If an offensive or defensive player is only going to be on the field for 20-35% of his units plays, they are a role player. I do realize that a good nickel corner is an asset and wasn’t trying to knock the position, but when you draft a guy who’s only way of contributing will be limited to nickel cornerback, it confuses me.

Teams rarely use players who weigh less than 187-189 pounds on kick coverage. Think about covering a kick for a second. The players sprint at full speed for about 50 yards and then slam into offensive lineman, tight ends, fullbacks, defensive lineman and linebackers who have been running full speed themselves. Now that is definately an oversimplification, but how often do 180 pound players record tackles on kick coverage. Jim Leonahard (185) had 3 ST tackles, Ashton Youboty (188) had 2 tackles and Jerametrius Butler (185) added 2 more. It’s no coincidence that the team’s (and the league’s in general) best special teams players always weigh over 200 pounds.

According to his bio, Greer did record 11 solo ST tackles in 2006. He was also a fulltime gunner in 2005 where he recorded 5 solo tackles. I don’t put much stock into those bios though. Greer’s says he had 20 ST tackles in 2005, but then you read a little further down and it says 5 of them were solo tackles. I was never impressed with Greer as a gunner. I thought Aiken was better getting off the ball and much better at taking down the returner. I doubt Greer is as good as Jenkins (207) or Wendling (222) as a gunner and the biggest difference is size.

I love the idea of specialized packages for the defense this season. Greer on 3rd and 4+ yards and James on 2nd or 3rd and 4 or less yards. That combo should be much better than Thomas, Butler and Youboty were last season.

Sure Asante Samuel has developed into one of the league’s better cornerbacks despite being one of the smallest starters at his position in the league. But then go ahead and realize that he is an inch taller and 10 pounds heavier than Reggie Corner. One of the leagues smallest starters is considerably bigger than Corner is.

Larry Tripplett and Jason Jefferson weigh 10 pounds less than John McCargo and Kyle Williams. John Digiorgio is undersized at 229 pounds, but nobody would say that if he weighed 240 pounds. The weight difference between James Hardy and Lee Evans is 15 pounds. Running backs are defined by their combination of size and speed. 200-210 pound backs are change of pace guys. 210-225 pound backs are feature guys and 225+ guys are between the tackles runners and there are few exceptions. You can’t overlook what those 10 pounds mean.

Most teams that use an undersized corner also have to compensate by playing an above average sized player at the other CB spot. The Bears pair Vasher with 6’1, 196 pound Charles Tilman. Ronde Barber will be playing across from 6’1, 206 pound Aqib Talib. Winfield has 6’0, 203 pound Cedric Griffin and 6’1, 203 pound Marcus McCauley competing for time across from him.

I don’t expect fourth round players to ever develop into starters. That wasn’t my point. I actually often laugh at my screen when people around here start talking about Steve Johnson taking over for Josh Reed in 2009. John Wendling won’t contirbute at safety unless injuries force him into a job. Even the guys you mention don’t lead me to believe that the Bills are especially good at finding players in the later rounds. Jason Peters is an excpetional story, but the Bills brought him in as a TE and it took them a few years before they even realized what they had. Kyle Williams is the 4th DT in the rotation this year. Guards are typically found later in the draft. Greer is a nickel corner who went undrafted. Ko Simpson wasn’t really a late pick considering he was taken 105th overall and he will be “competing” for a starting role this year. Fred Jackson was an NFL Europe guy who is already 27 years old. That only leaves Terrence McGee who was an exceptional pick.

My whole problem with Corner is that he lacks the upside to warrant a 4th round selection. I didn’t think he was a bad pick because Mel Kiper didn’t like it. I don’t care that he went to Akron and I didn’t watch him play every week. The simple truth is that he runs a 4.5-4.55 forty yard dash and is literally the smallest CB in the entire league. That is a total lack of potential and he was a bad pick. Even if he develops into a solid nickel back, I will still think it was a bad pick.

I should have been more clear in my language. I meant still having many years left in terms of age. I do not foresee us letting McGee go, so I’d take that off the table. Why would Greer want to go somewhere else? I really can’t think of many teams that would need Greer because frankly, he’s not a starting caliber CB. I can think of a few teams who might, maybe, take a chance on him like the Browns or the Texans but I don’t even think he’s an upgrade over guys like Dunta Robinson or maybe even Jacques Reeves (well make Jacques a little). Also, Greer has a pretty good deal here. He’s gained the respect of his coaches and the love of the fans because of his admirable play last year and I would say he should have a lock on at least the nickle spot. The Bills will probably give him fair money and I don’t think he’ll get a lot of attention in free agency because I think he’ll lose his spot to McKelvin, giving him less stage space to showcase his skills. Finally, you say drafting Corner makes sense, but I would say drafting A corner makes sense. Like I said, our guys have a lot of years left, age-wise, and I just was surprised to see us take a corner in the 4th round. Of course it makes sense to get another CB but 4th round was a bit confusing. I also don’t see the concerns with James and Youboty. Youboty will not command dollars from anyone, so we have the option of resigning him cheap and I think its good James only has a year left. He hasn’t done anything yet. So I still think Corner did not actually make a lot of sense in the 4th.