Rating: (0 votes - average)

Saints cornerback Ken Crawley consistently making plays in training camp

By Josh Katzenstein jkatzenstein@nola.com,
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

No cornerback on the New Orleans Saints roster has made more plays consistently throughout the first eight training camp practices this year than Ken Crawley.

In many ways, it feels like deja vu because Crawley was a standout performer in training camp last year, too, when he made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of Colorado.

However, as impressive as Crawley was last summer, his strong play didn't completely transfer to the field during the regular season. He was so close to making the game-changing plays he'd been making in practice, but in the NFL, a cornerback making a mistake by an inch can result in a huge play for the opponent.

Now, Crawley is hoping to show he's learned from those struggles as he competes for a role on the Saints' defense.

"I took some growing pains last year, and now I'm prepared and just anticipating what's going to be there and learning the different types of routes, concepts that's going to hurt our defense and the type of defense (we run)," Crawley said of how he's using his experience last year to help him now.

To say Crawley has been the Saints' best cornerback so far in camp isn't a stretch, but it does deserve some caveats. Delvin Breaux is dealing with an injury that caused him to miss two practices, and he was still limited on Friday. First-round pick Marshon Lattimore has missed the past three practices. And plenty of other cornerbacks are making plays in what has been an intense week of practice.

But, each day, Crawley is making a strong case to be a factor on defense. During Monday's practice, Crawley had at least four passes defensed in team drills. He followed that day with at least one interception in team drills on Wednesday and Thursday.

"He's done some really good things," coach Sean Payton said. "I think he's playing with a lot more confidence. Obviously, he's a year into the system now. He can run, and he's long, and those are good traits for a corner."

More here ...

hagan714

lets see what game time brings from the young buck

K Major

Continue to develop Ken ... he has a high ceiling.

jeanpierre

I understand some people were frustrated with some of his play last year, but let's remember that he was a rookie, he was undrafted, and he was a default starter...

I thought he played outstanding last year from where he started; I'd like to have seen what Belichick and staff would've done with him...

And many people are not seeing that we now have a reserve CB with starting experience...

SmashMouth

Championship?

SaintFanInATLHELL

Tied to overall team health, not just one guy. If Crawley remains the #4 or #5 in the DB rotation, then the team has a chance. But if he becomes the #2 because the guys in front of him cannot stay on the field... That would be an issue.

SFIAH

jeanpierre

Right now, right now, if Crawley is our No. 2 CB with the improvements in coaching and personnel in the front seven, this Defense is Top 15...

...and that's all Drew and this offense needs...

skymike

Ok, I avoid being an Armchair Lombardi, as much as I can, but my question is,
Is he getting any interceptions? Or is he just making "Passes defended?"
I realize how ignorant that may sound, but this is my point. You can do that form pass defense, I just saw in a film clip, perfect coverage technique, and still a Larry Fitzgerald, Dez Bryant, or Marques Colston is going to score on you, from a back-shoulder throw, or just simple grappling. I'll be excited, when we have a Ball Hawk, a true threat of an interception, from a guy who considers the ball to be HIS, who's objective is not to defend the pass, but to steal the pass, and take it to the house. People in hell want icewater. I want a LandShark who QBs are afraid to throw near.

my 2 cents, and thanks for letting me.

AsylumGuido

As of August 4th ...

Crawley has made three interceptions, including a spectacular pick of Drew Brees, and his 6-foot frame appears to house a lot more strength.

Danno

Why do people always say it takes a few years for most players to develop in this league, yet blast a guy who didn't play 16 great games his rookie year?