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DEEP DIVE: JAMES BRADBERRY’S NUMBERS FROM 2021 SEASON DON’T TELL THE FULL STORY


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DEEP DIVE: JAMES BRADBERRY’S NUMBERS FROM 2021 SEASON DON’T TELL THE FULL STORY

May 20, 2022
 
Bradberry

Ex-Giants cornerback James Bradberry agreed to a one-year contract with Philadelphia on Wednesday, giving the Eagles another top-tier defender alongside Darius Slay.

Since entering the league, Bradberry has been one of the most consistent cornerbacks in the game, only missing five contests across his six-year career. The 28-year-old is coming off a productive two-year stint in New York where he totaled 101 tackles, 35 passes defended, and 7 INTs.

This signing is a steal for the Eagles, who are paying Bradberry less than the dead cap hit New York is eating in 2021 for cutting him. Rival fanbases, however, seem to be under the preconceived notion that Bradberry is washed due to him allowing a career-most 848 yards and 8 TDs last season.

These numbers appear ugly on the surface — but don’t let them discourage you.

Giants’ defensive coordinator Patrick Graham implemented press-man coverage at times, which has never been a strength of Bradberry. He’s an outside zone corner who should be a seamless fit for Jonathan Gannon’s scheme behind a revamped front-seven.

To put into perspective, here are Bradberry’s numbers in man coverage compared to zone from the previous two seasons:

2020

  Man Coverage Zone Coverage
% of snaps played 23.7% 65.1%
Yards allowed 201 208
Pass-breakups 7 7
Passer rating allowed 92.3 48.5
PFF Coverage Grade 66.1 81.5

2021

  Man Coverage Zone Coverage
% of snaps played 22.5% 65.0%
Yards allowed 273 404
Pass-breakups 1 11
Passer rating allowed 127.2 76.5
PFF Coverage Grade 40.1 79.1

There was evident regression last season, partly due to a lingering Achilles injury, but Bradberry is considerably more effective in a zone-heavy system. According to PFF, the Giants were the league’s most aggressive team in terms of running man coverage without a safety net.

Once New York hired Wink Martindale and his Cover 0 defense, the decision to release Bradberry likely became that much easier.

That’s not to say the former Carolina Panther isn’t capable of playing man-to-man; the Giants just hung him out to dry without help over the top far too often.

Bradberry’s instincts have allowed him to challenge receivers and lead his team in pass breakups each year throughout his career.

The addition of Bradberry will allow Gannon to be more creative schematically in his two-deep zone, especially with Jordan Davis commanding attention up front. Slay and his new running mate should take pressure off Anthony Harris and presumed starter Marcus Epps on the back end.

Bradberry is one year removed from his Pro Bowl campaign where he was PFF’s 7th-highest ranked CB. Although he may not be a lockdown corner at this juncture, you’d be hard-pressed to find a superior CB2.

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https://thelibertyline.com/2022/05/20/james-bradberry-eagles-scheme/

Posted

I like this guy who wrote the article.  He looks to be an up and comer on the Philly sports reporting scene.

  • Like 1
Posted

I don't expect him to be a steady HOF level CB. It would be nice if he is however, I do expect him to be reliable and make enough plays to help the team win. If Gannon uses him right, I believe he can be very good for the team.

Posted

As much as Hurts needs to prove a capable leader of this offense (no excuses now … he has a great OL and plenty of weapons to be successful), Gannon needs to prove to be a capable leader of this defense.  Similarly, no excuses now … he also has the right players at every level of defense minus S.  But even taking the latter into consideration, he should have more than enough to field a good defense this year IF he is able to scheme and use his players correctly.  Still not expecting to compete for a championship this year … makes it so much easier to just look forward to watching this team and looking for improvement in many different areas (**knock on wood**).  

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