Detroit Lions Midseason Grades: Cornerback Report Card
By Dean Holden
Bill Bentley
Oct 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Bill Bentley (28) goes airborne jumping over the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Production
The most important number in Bentley’s production right now is that he leads the secondary with four penalties. That said, only one of those has come in the last three weeks. Quarterbacks are completing 73.8 percent of their passes in his area, but Bentley has allowed only one touchdown compared to five passes defensed this season. He’s typical of a young player who hasn’t put it together yet, but he’s clearly a good fit at nickel corner.
Grade: C
Impact
One good thing about Bentley is that while he does allow a high completion percentage, he allows an average of only 9.4 yards per reception. That sounds like a lot, but it’s good for 17th-least among all cornerbacks. That means he doesn’t tend to give up big plays. He also don’t make many big plays of his own, so it evens out.
Grade: C
Vs. Expectations
Bentley played only four games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, so by games played, he’s still a rookie. Still, some were looking for a big jump from him this season, and while he has certainly played better in the last four games than he did in the first four, I’m not sure he’s made a notable jump in performance yet.
Grade: C-
Overall
Like Slay, Bentley needs some time to put things together. Most cornerbacks need three or four years before their physical skills match up with the mental skills needed to play the position. He has shown some improvement, and played a particularly strong game against Dallas, in which he was a major part of shutting down Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Grade: C