Lions DB Darius Slay is a shutdown corner.
Fourth-year Lions DB Darius Slay is too busy enjoying the game of football to mind being commended for his discipline at the cornerback position.
At age 25, Lions DB Darius Slay is still processing the surreal experience of playing in the National Football League. During an OTA interview this spring, Slay was asked whether he noticed his name ever coming up as a top defensive back in the NFL? With all sincerity he negated, stating that he’d never even inferred about such accolades.
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It’s hard not to harp on the lowliness Slay possesses at such an early stage in his career. While defensive backs like
(New York Jets),
(Arizona Cardinals),
(Seattle Seahawks) and
(Arizona Cardinals) have consumed the spotlight in most recent years, a few young defensive backs are preparing to peak into their prime as “shutdown” cornerbacks in the NFL. There aren’t many reasons not to consider Slay as one of those up and coming guys.
In a heavily awaited start to the 2016 NFL season, Slay welcomes back defensive guru OLB De’Andre Levy, welcomes to town DB Darin Walls, admonishes veteran Safety Glover Quinn and is overjoyed to play alongside team leader DE Ezekiel Ansah. If the Lions slot cornerbacks, DB Quandre Diggs and DB Nevin Lawson can squeeze opposing slot receivers in the quick-hit routes and take away the slot option from opposing QB’s in passing situations. This may give Slay more opportunities for interceptions. Since Slay will be covering the opposing team’s top receiver, he will get chances to make himself either the victim or suspect of the highlight reel.
Since Slay will be covering the opposing team’s top receiver, he will get chances to make himself the victim or suspect of the highlight reel.
Now, let’s be a tad analytical here. There has never in the History of the NFL been a highly acclaimed DB who played on a team without top-notch pass rushers. In the early 2000’s, New England Patriots retiree, DB Ty Law was accompanied by DE Willie Mcginest. When you talk about trash talker DB Richard Sherman and his terror in 2013, you can’t disregard DT Michael Bennett & OLB Cliff Arvil disrupting things up front. Even Last year, the Denver Broncos took their top-ranked defense all the way to a Super Bowl championship. Though at the games end, NFL analyst welcomed DB Aqib Talib to the panel for discussion, Von Miller & DeMarcus Ware were the ones causing havoc at the line of scrimmage for Panthers QB Cam Newton. In 2014-15 Slay had 2 interceptions and in 2015-16 he had 2 interceptions. He’s undoubtedly motivated to get more! With rookie DT A’Shawn Robinson, DE Ezekiel Ansah and DE Devin Taylor set to do damage in the trenches, Slay may just gallop into fame as one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks in the 2016 season.