Tag: Corn Elder

Lions training camp awards for 2021

Handing out awards from the Detroit Lions training camp in 2021

The 2021 edition of the Detroit Lions training camp concludes with the final practice session on Wednesday, August 25th. The Lions are off on Thursday before wrapping the preseason on Friday night at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

It was great being back at Allen Park for training camp after a year where neither the public nor the media had access. I was in the media throng for 10 of the practice sessions and paid rapt attention to trusted sources for the days I was not. The honors here lean heavily on the days I was in attendance but do expand out to cover the entire three weeks of action.

It’s time to unseal the envelopes for the 2021 Detroit Lions training camp awards!

Winners and losers from Detroit Lions training camp through the 1st two weeks

With the first two weeks of training camp in the books for the Detroit Lions, here are some of the winners and losers thus far

Heading into the second week of training camp for the Detroit Lions, we get a feel for how players perform and how they will fit on the roster. We have a new coaching staff in place, it has been a completely different vibe than what was there previously. The team seems more lively and upbeat and not just doing drills for the sake of doing them.

Some of the players have risen to the challenge and risen above others to claim their stake on one of those coveted roster spots. On the other side of the coin, either injuries or competition has gotten the better of the players leaving to question their status.

Here some of the winners and losers so far through training camp.

Lions release 1st unofficial depth chart for the preseason

The Lions had a few notable listings on the team’s initial unofficial depth chart for the preseason opener

One of the sure signs that football is about to be back is the release of the first depth charts of the year. The Detroit Lions revealed theirs on Monday in advance of Friday night’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills.

It’s an unofficial depth chart, typically compiled by the team’s media relations staff. But it does give some indication of where players sit within the organization’s own eyes.

There aren’t many surprises on the initial chart. It matches up well with what we’ve seen in practices and our recent bubble watch projections.

A couple of notable spots on the depth chart:

  • Quintez Cephus ahead of rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown on the WR line. That does not match up with the practice rep rotation.
  • Rookie DE Levi Onwuzurike on the third-team defense. He’s been injured, but Da’Shawn Hand and Jashon Cornell have also looked impressive above him too.
  • Corn Elder, one of the team’s prominent defensive free agents, on the same fourth-team line as undrafted rookies A.J. Parker, Jerry Jacobs and Alex Brown. That’s reflective of Elder’s first two weeks of camp, where he’s battled injury as well.

Lions will face a slew of top slot receivers in 2021

The Lions will see many of the NFL’s top slot receivers in 2021

There will be trial by fire for the new Lions slot defenders in 2021. Detroit’s defense is set to face off against a slew of the NFL’s top slot receivers in the coming season.

It’s an area where opponents found ample success in 2020 against the Lions, primarily Justin Coleman and Darryl Roberts. Both of those slot corners are now gone, leaving Amani Oruwariye (118.9 passer rating allowed in the slot) and little-used Mike Ford to compete with free-agent signee Corn Elder (108.5 passer rating, 2 TDs allowed in the slot) to shore up the massive weakness.

The schedule does the Lions sot defenders no favors. Six of the top 11 slot receivers in Touchdown Wire’s rankings are on the docket, including Minnesota’s Adam Theilen twice.

Keenan Allen, Chargers – No. 2

Tyler Lockett, Seahawks – No. 3

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers – No. 4

Cooper Kupp, Rams – No. 5

Adam Theilen, Vikings – No. 6

Robert Woods, Rams – No. 11

The list doesn’t include Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowler who spends more than 55 percent of his snaps in the slot and has caught at least 72 passes in each of his seven NFL seasons. It also omits Green Bay’s Davante Adams, who snagged 48 of his 115 catches a year ago operating out of the slot, and it only seems like he made half of those against Detroit. Cincinnati’s Tyler Boyd, Denver’s Jerry Jeudy and Chicago’s Anthony Miller are also capable weapons out of the slot.

It presents a huge challenge for Elder, Ford and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who once upon a time was a pretty good slot corner himself.

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Lions sign free agent CB Corn Elder

Elder started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2020

The Detroit Lions have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent cornerback Corn Elder. Elder’s agent confirmed the signing via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Elder was originally a fifth-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2017 NFL draft. He missed his rookie campaign with a knee injury. The New York Giants signed him in 2019 after the final roster cuts, but Elder returned to Carolina later that season.

The 26-year-old Miami product started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2020. The 5-foot-10 Elder has primarily aligned in the slot but does have some experience playing on the outside as well. He joins a Lions defense with no clear starter in the slot.

His given name is Cornelius but he has gone by Corn throughout his football career.

Jalen Ramsey wants Rams to sign CB Corn Elder: ‘Would be a great addition’

Jalen Ramsey says he’s been trying to get the Rams to sign CB Corn Elder.

Troy Hill’s departure in free agency has left a gaping hole at cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams. He was the team’s starting nickel corner last season, but he also lined up outside at times, showing excellent position flexibility.

David Long Jr. is a candidate to replace him in 2021, but Jalen Ramsey has another idea if the Rams want to add an outside free agent: Corn Elder. On Thursday, Ramsey said he’s been trying to get the Rams to sign Elder and hopes he’ll visit Los Angeles next after meeting with the Lions.

He says Elder “would be a GREAT addition” and he has similar versatility to Hill in that he can play inside and outside. Rams fans would love Elder, too, according to Ramsey.

Elder was a fifth-round pick by the Panthers in 2017, but he missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury. The former Miami Hurricane has played 30 games since, all with the Panthers, and has made one start.

He saw his first meaningful action last season, recording 40 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 16 games, playing 39% of the defensive snaps.

The Rams do need cornerback help with Hill gone, so perhaps Ramsey will get the front office to at least give Elder a look as a cheaper free-agent option.

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NFL free agency: Former Panthers CB Corn Elder visiting with Lions today

Former Panthers cornerback Corn Elder is visiting with the Lions this morning, according to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.

Former Panthers cornerback Corn Elder is visiting with the Lions this morning, according to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.

A fifth-round pick by Carolina in the 2017 NFL draft, Elder came back to play for the Panthers in the 2020 season after a short stint with the Giants. Returning to his more natural slot cornerback position, Elder thrived with the Panthers last year.

His tackling seemed to have improved the most. Elder showed a willingness to stick his nose in and make difficult tackles in traffic and only missed two attempts all year (4.8%). His coverage also took a big turn in the right direction. Elder allowed one touchdown all year and a 91.0 passer rating – a huge swing from the 158.3 he gave up back in 2018.

Elder is one of several free agents who played for Carolina in 2020 worth re-signing. Kawann Short and Russell Okung should also both get a look.

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Halftime analysis: Panthers tied with Buccaneers, 17-17 in developing shootout

Carolina and Tampa are tied 17-17 at halftime of what’s turning into a shootout.

The Panthers offense had themselves another strong first half. Their defense is having issues stopping the Bucs, though. Carolina and Tampa are tied 17-17 at halftime of what’s turning into a shootout.

Here’s a review of how things are going so far.

Offense

Carolina QB Teddy Bridgewater is throwing about as perfectly as anyone could ask for. He’s picking apart Tampa’s defense with a combination of quick strikes and a few well-timed long range bombs. He is 14/17 for 111 yards, two touchdowns and a 133.1 passer rating. Wide receiver D.J. Moore has been the biggest beneficiary, totaling 62 yards and a score on two catches. The run game has also been productive. Mike Davis has gained a few key first downs and is currently averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Curtis Samuel has been much less effective (three carries, four yards) as a rusher, though.

Defense

Problem is, Tom Brady also brought his A-game. He’s completed 16 of 21 pass attempts, totaling 181 yards, two scores and a passer rating of 133.2. His receivers have been a little off, though. There have been a couple huge miscues, one with Antonio Brown (who had Donte Jackson beat deep) and another from Mike Evans in the end zone that likely cost Tampa two touchdowns. Linebacker Shaq Thompson has been exceptional so far. Slot cornerback Corn Elder is also balling. He’s tied with Thompson for the team lead with six tackles. The other corners and rookie linebacker Jeremy Chinn need to step it up, though.

Special teams

This team’s red zone issues have largely dissolved, leaving less work for kicker Joey Slye. He made his one 46-yard field goal attempt.

The Bucs receive to begin the second half.

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Panthers cornerbacks depth chart in flux vs. Saints

The Carolina Panthers are short-handed at cornerback against the New Orleans Saints, They might have to start Eli Apple, who is questionable

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The New Orleans Saints might not have Michael Thomas back at wide receiver in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, but it could end up not mattering. The Panthers cornerbacks situation is in a rough state, setting up Saints wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith for another big day at the office.

On Friday, the Panthers placed starting corner Rasul Douglas on the COVID-19 reserve list after he missed Thursday’s practice session for non-injury reasons. This will keep Douglas out of action for Sunday’s kickoff, which is a problem: he leads Carolina’s cornerbacks in defensive snaps played (369).

Additionally, both Eli Apple and Donte Jackson are questionable to play with hamstring and knee injuries. Apple still hasn’t taken a snap on defense after getting hurt and missing time. Jackson has only been in on 185 plays on defense this year. Troy Pride Jr. (212 snaps) and Corn Elder (146) are the only other Panthers corners to even get on the field through six weeks.

That makes for a young, inexperienced group that the Saints know how to beat. Sanders went into the bye week after posting one of his best-ever stat lines in the NFL. Smith has been working against Apple in practice for years when they were teammates in New Orleans. It’s a favorable matchup any way you slice it; let’s see if the Saints can take advantage of that.

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2 keys to a Panthers win vs. Chargers in Week 3

Here are two keys to an upset win against LA this afternoon.

The Panthers are currently underdogs by about a touchdown for today’s game against the Chargers. To avoid a dreaded 0-3 start to the season, they need to come through in several important areas of the game.

Here are two keys to an upset win against LA this afternoon.

Offense: Don’t let Joey Bosa wreck your day

These Chargers have a tough defensive unit led by their elite, disruptive defensive end Joey Bosa. When Carolina’s not running away from Bosa, they should be double-teaming him. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady might have gotten a bit of luck, though. With Melvin Ingram going on injured reserve Saturday, their defensive line may be more vulnerable on the other side. Brady needs to keep Bosa from wrecking the gameplan in general and see if he can exploit the inexperienced Uchenna Nwosu, who has just six starts in his career.

Defense: Contain Keenan Allen in the slot

Joey Bosa is LA’s top defender. On offense, their most potent playmaker is wide receiver Keenan Allen. While he hasn’t caught a touchdown pass yet this season, he has 34 in his career and has averaged 74.3 yards per game. Allen led the Chargers with 10 targets last week. The highly underrated Allen (6-foot-2, 211 pounds) may do his best work from the slot. There he’ll have a massive size advantage against Corn Elder (5-foot-10, 183 pounds). If that proves too much for Elder to handle, defensive coordinator Phil Snow has to tinker with his rotations until he finds a way to slow Allen down.

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