The most interesting camp and preseason battle for the Green Bay Packers has been at cornerback position that is suddenly making headlines. Whether it is Nixon being disgruntled or rookie Brandon Cisse appearing to make a push for a starting role, there is no question that it has been the primary source of entertainment late in the summer. For Packer fans, it is interesting to look at the current options and consider who has the highest upside for a team that is attempting to build a young roster with a long window of contention.
Head coach Matt LaFleur offered a telling sentiment when talking about what the Packers are looking for when making a decision. ESPN's Rob Demovsky provided LaFleur's comment: “We need corners that are willing and capable tacklers.” This doesn't come as a surprise, and Jonathan Gannon's best defensive unit was previously during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where this was a defining trait.
Philadelphia might not have had the league's best corners, but there was no questioning the physicality or willingness to attack the football. LaFleur is making it clear this is a priority when making the team's final decision as to who will step on the field as part of the Week 1 starting lineup.
Cisse unquestionably benefits from this mindset, as the young corner hasn't hesitate to show off his willingness to attack in camp. The rookie hasn't been anywhere close to perfect, but the effort and physicality he offers have made a high-potential ceiling clear and should make putting him into the lineup an easy decision.
Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Offers Telling Sentiment on Corner Competition
LaFleur's full answer made it clear that he wasn't just talking about being willing to attack the pass but coming up and help in the run game. It is a defining trait for every great defense, needing a full effort from the unit and a trait that Gannon clearly learned to greatly value during his time with the Eagles. Now, the only question for the Packers is how seriously they are going to take making potential changes to the lineup.
The fact that Nixon has been made to compete for a starting role is incredibly telling and shows the level of seriousness that Green Bay is approaching the decision with. LaFleur understands the importance of having corners willing to help cover up mistakes for a defense that is going to be without Micah Parsons for at least the first month of the season.
It will be entertaining to watch the final two preseason contests and see whether or not Green Bay makes any major changes to a position that has been an unquestionable source of summer entertainment.
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