David Helman
Dallas Cowboys Insider
Turns out, the kid’s going to be just fine.
Roughly two months have passed since the Cowboys lost Trevon Diggs to a season-ending injury, and speculation followed about how well DaRon Bland might step in for him.
Given what we’ve learned from Bland in the time since, “step in” is hardly the right way to phrase it. With the chance to start every week in place of Diggs, the second-year corner is on a tear — and his predecessor has noticed.
Lest you think Diggs is caping for his young teammate, the numbers completely back it up. Through nine games and seven starts this year, Bland leads all cornerbacks with five interceptions. He notched his latest last week against the Giants, when he dropped off a crossing route and backtracked on a deep post, running the ball down and out-jumping Jalin Hyatt for the interception.
“He had it in his mind he was going to get it — he was the receiver on the play, not the defender,” said Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. “I think that’s a shift that came probably from Tre. In the early space, when the ball is in the air, I’m not going to knock it down, I’m going to make the play.”
Interceptions will get you paid in the NFL; just ask Diggs. But lest you think Bland’s success is all about picks, think again. His six pass breakups tie him for 10th in the league. Per Pro Football Focus, his coverage grade of 89.0 is second in the league among corners who have played at least 50% of their team’s snaps. His completion percentage allowed of 48.8% is fifth in the league, and he has the lowest passer rating allowed when targeted, at 32.8.
That’s a lot of ways to say that, on a defense full of impact players, Bland is developing into a star in his own right.
“We certainly miss Tre not being here, but knowing the torch is being passed — for this season. I’m sure Tre would say it’s just for this season the torch is being passed,” Quinn joked. “But…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/with-daron-bland-shining-how-bright-is-the-future-for-the-cowboys-secondary
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Publish date : 2023-11-16 20:20:00
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