With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season

09-05-2018, 02:30 AM

jeanpierre · 09-05-2018, 02:32 AM

BY NICK UNDERHILL | NUNDERHILL@THEADVOCATE.COM SEP 4, 2018 - 11:06 PM

Marshon Lattimore didn’t want his name to end up in a headline this week.

At least not for the thing everyone was asking about. Last year’s altercation with Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans is a thing of the past, and the Saints cornerback is treating this game the same as he would any other week, which is a good thing. He needs to lock into that mentality because it seems like every game this season will be bigger than the last for Lattimore.

If there are any questions about the authenticity of the standout’s rookie season, his credentials will be put through an extensive and thorough examination over the next month. His first four games will feature matchups against Evans, Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry or Josh Gordon (possibly), Atlanta’s Julio Jones and the Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr.

Going through that list of receivers is like picking up a controller to play “Mike Tyson’s Punchout!” and having to fight Tyson every single stage. There is no getting into the swing of things against Glass Joe and Piston Honda. It will not be easy, but Lattimore is ready for it.

“You want to be the best. You got to play the best and be good against the best,” Lattimore said. “I measure myself against them, of course. If they’re the best in the league and I’m shutting them down that has to say something about my game.”

Lattimore already has a robust set of credentials as a shutdown cornerback. He held former Patriots and now Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks to one catch for 15 yards, blanked Green Bay receivers Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson (now with Oakland) and surrendered 38 combined yards to Evans in two games last season. The only player who did much of anything against Lattimore last year was Atlanta’s Julio Jones.

Fresh off winning Rookie of the Year honors, Lattimore has said several times this offseason that his goal is to piece together a legendary career. He isn't expecting it to happen right now. He even made it a point to go back and clarify his previous statements by saying he's only 22 and has a lot to learn. Right now, that's gathering a better understanding of route concepts and playing to his help.

But these things don’t happen on planned timetables. They occur on their own. Legendary might be a strong word, getting there takes time and perspective, but Lattimore can undoubtedly elevate his standing in the game and take a step toward a higher status this year if he handles business. After the first four weeks, he’ll see Jones and Evans again, as well as Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown, Cooks, Philadelphia’s Alshon Jeffrey and Cincinnati’s A.J. Green.

Results drive narratives. Darrelle Revis probably wasn’t expecting to cement his status as early as he did. But the New York Jets’ cornerback had one of the best seasons by a cornerback in NFL history by shutting down Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Terrell Owens (twice), Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, Roddy White and Reggie Wayne during the 2009 season.

Revis was also young with everything before him. It was his third year. He was 24 and quickly became regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL.

This isn't mentioned to place massive expectations on Lattimore. What Revis did that season might be unmatched in NFL history. The reason for summoning his name is because Lattimore has a similar opportunity to cement his status against an extremely difficult lineup of receivers.

And Lattimore can do that many different ways. A shutdown across the board would add a potentially legendary chapter to his story. A strong season with a few yards and touchdowns here and there would keep him on track as one of the league's better cornerbacks.

Either way, Lattimore, who has famously said slights drive him, is already setting himself up to continue feeling shorted by how his successes are allegedly perceived.

“You don’t give the defense any type of props,” Lattimore said. “If I lock them down it’s like, ‘Oh, his quarterback. Oh, his offensive line, the play call.’ We never get full credit when we lock somebody down. I don’t really think about that. I just try to limit the receiver the best I can.”

Lattimore can spin the narrative, but he’ll have all the props if this season goes in his favor. There will be no flying under the radar or misplaced credit. It will all go to him. He’ll simply be regarded as one of the best in the league – if he isn’t already – and on his way to much more.

ChrisXVI · 09-05-2018, 07:40 AM

I just hope fans will be rational if he does give up a TD every now and then this season. Not allowing a single TD his rookie season was incredible but not sustainable. It’s not hard to imagine a lot of people here turning on the guy if he doesn’t replicate last season to a T.

AsylumGuido · 09-05-2018, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

I just hope fans will be rational if he does give up a TD every now and then this season. Not allowing a single TD his rookie season was incredible but not sustainable. It’s not hard to imagine a lot of people here turning on the guy if he doesn’t replicate last season to a T.

I'll bet we can name those people before it happens.

saintfan · 09-05-2018, 09:11 AM

Glass Joe and Piston Honda? This writer is brilliant!

frydaddy · 09-05-2018, 09:18 AM

Mike Evans is vastly overrated. I love Jarvis Landry, but he's no match for Marshon. Julio and OBJ will be tough, but I expect he will step up to the challenge.

K Major · 09-05-2018, 09:43 AM

Tough WR's are on tap for 2018 however QB's won't test him very often.
Lattimore is big time/prime time & damn near shut down.

I'll call it now ... pick 6 on sun vs the bearded guy from Harvard.

Thirty3 · 09-05-2018, 11:08 AM

After first 5 games he will be thrown at seldomly.

jeanpierre · 09-05-2018, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by frydaddy

Mike Evans is vastly overrated. I love Jarvis Landry, but he's no match for Marshon. Julio and OBJ will be tough, but I expect he will step up to the challenge.

If he has a quarterback and time to run all his routes, you might think differently...

jeanpierre · 09-05-2018, 04:05 PM

The most notorized test will be OBJ - that's gonna be the battle that get's attention...

But Julio vs Marshon, that's as good as it gets...

09-05-2018, 02:30 AM	#1
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09-05-2018, 02:32 AM	#2
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season BY NICK UNDERHILL \| NUNDERHILL@THEADVOCATE.COM SEP 4, 2018 - 11:06 PM Marshon Lattimore didn’t want his name to end up in a headline this week. At least not for the thing everyone was asking about. Last year’s altercation with Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans is a thing of the past, and the Saints cornerback is treating this game the same as he would any other week, which is a good thing. He needs to lock into that mentality because it seems like every game this season will be bigger than the last for Lattimore. If there are any questions about the authenticity of the standout’s rookie season, his credentials will be put through an extensive and thorough examination over the next month. His first four games will feature matchups against Evans, Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry or Josh Gordon (possibly), Atlanta’s Julio Jones and the Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. Going through that list of receivers is like picking up a controller to play “Mike Tyson’s Punchout!” and having to fight Tyson every single stage. There is no getting into the swing of things against Glass Joe and Piston Honda. It will not be easy, but Lattimore is ready for it. “You want to be the best. You got to play the best and be good against the best,” Lattimore said. “I measure myself against them, of course. If they’re the best in the league and I’m shutting them down that has to say something about my game.” Lattimore already has a robust set of credentials as a shutdown cornerback. He held former Patriots and now Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks to one catch for 15 yards, blanked Green Bay receivers Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson (now with Oakland) and surrendered 38 combined yards to Evans in two games last season. The only player who did much of anything against Lattimore last year was Atlanta’s Julio Jones. Fresh off winning Rookie of the Year honors, Lattimore has said several times this offseason that his goal is to piece together a legendary career. He isn't expecting it to happen right now. He even made it a point to go back and clarify his previous statements by saying he's only 22 and has a lot to learn. Right now, that's gathering a better understanding of route concepts and playing to his help. But these things don’t happen on planned timetables. They occur on their own. Legendary might be a strong word, getting there takes time and perspective, but Lattimore can undoubtedly elevate his standing in the game and take a step toward a higher status this year if he handles business. After the first four weeks, he’ll see Jones and Evans again, as well as Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown, Cooks, Philadelphia’s Alshon Jeffrey and Cincinnati’s A.J. Green. Results drive narratives. Darrelle Revis probably wasn’t expecting to cement his status as early as he did. But the New York Jets’ cornerback had one of the best seasons by a cornerback in NFL history by shutting down Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Terrell Owens (twice), Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, Roddy White and Reggie Wayne during the 2009 season. Revis was also young with everything before him. It was his third year. He was 24 and quickly became regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL. This isn't mentioned to place massive expectations on Lattimore. What Revis did that season might be unmatched in NFL history. The reason for summoning his name is because Lattimore has a similar opportunity to cement his status against an extremely difficult lineup of receivers. And Lattimore can do that many different ways. A shutdown across the board would add a potentially legendary chapter to his story. A strong season with a few yards and touchdowns here and there would keep him on track as one of the league's better cornerbacks. Either way, Lattimore, who has famously said slights drive him, is already setting himself up to continue feeling shorted by how his successes are allegedly perceived. “You don’t give the defense any type of props,” Lattimore said. “If I lock them down it’s like, ‘Oh, his quarterback. Oh, his offensive line, the play call.’ We never get full credit when we lock somebody down. I don’t really think about that. I just try to limit the receiver the best I can.” Lattimore can spin the narrative, but he’ll have all the props if this season goes in his favor. There will be no flying under the radar or misplaced credit. It will all go to him. He’ll simply be regarded as one of the best in the league – if he isn’t already – and on his way to much more. SmashMouth likes this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

09-05-2018, 07:40 AM	#3
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season I just hope fans will be rational if he does give up a TD every now and then this season. Not allowing a single TD his rookie season was incredible but not sustainable. It’s not hard to imagine a lot of people here turning on the guy if he doesn’t replicate last season to a T. jnormand and AsylumGuido like this.

09-05-2018, 08:10 AM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,220	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season Originally Posted by ChrisXVI I just hope fans will be rational if he does give up a TD every now and then this season. Not allowing a single TD his rookie season was incredible but not sustainable. It’s not hard to imagine a lot of people here turning on the guy if he doesn’t replicate last season to a T. I'll bet we can name those people before it happens. jnormand likes this.

09-05-2018, 09:11 AM	#5
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season Glass Joe and Piston Honda? This writer is brilliant! jnormand likes this.

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09-05-2018, 09:18 AM	#6
frydaddy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lafayette Posts: 1,950 Blog Entries: 1	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season Mike Evans is vastly overrated. I love Jarvis Landry, but he's no match for Marshon. Julio and OBJ will be tough, but I expect he will step up to the challenge.

09-05-2018, 09:43 AM	#7
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,619 Blog Entries: 3	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season Tough WR's are on tap for 2018 however QB's won't test him very often. Lattimore is big time/prime time & damn near shut down. I'll call it now ... pick 6 on sun vs the bearded guy from Harvard.

09-05-2018, 11:08 AM	#8
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season After first 5 games he will be thrown at seldomly.
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09-05-2018, 03:57 PM	#9
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season Originally Posted by frydaddy Mike Evans is vastly overrated. I love Jarvis Landry, but he's no match for Marshon. Julio and OBJ will be tough, but I expect he will step up to the challenge. If he has a quarterback and time to run all his routes, you might think differently...

09-05-2018, 04:05 PM	#10
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: With a big test almost every week, Marshon Lattimore has the opportunity to elevate his standing among cornerbacks this season The most notorized test will be OBJ - that's gonna be the battle that get's attention... But Julio vs Marshon, that's as good as it gets...

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