Cal CB Marc Anthony could be a Day Three target for the Browns next week (Photo: sfgate.com)
DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon
The chorus has been on repeat, singing the same song for months. It’s a little ditty known as, “The Browns Need a Cornerback.” Earlier in the week, NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline reported that sources say Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner is the team’s top priority – and perhaps he is. Then again, with the amount of misinformation being spread right now, the Browns may just be engaging the media in the “poison in the goblet” game that Westley and Vizzini played in The Princess Bride. In reality, Cleveland could just as well wait until Day Three to draft a cornerback like former Cal Bear Marc Anthony.
Marc Anthony CB California 5’11 3/8” 196
Anthony played in 41 games and made 32 starts as a collegian. As a junior in 2011, he picked off one pass and broke up 12 others. In 2012, Anthony tied a career-high with two interceptions, broke up three passes, and recorded seven tackles for loss. Though he flew under the radar for underachieving Cal teams, he drew enough attention to earn a Senior Bowl invite in January.
During practices in Mobile that week, Anthony turned a few heads. Despite modest interception totals over the course of his career, he looked impressive playing the ball and was aggressive in coverage throughout the week.
Anthony isn’t a speed merchant. At the combine and Cal’s pro day, he timed in the mid-4.6 second range on his forty yard dash attempts. But at just under six feet tall and 196 pounds, he has excellent size for a cornerback. Anthony also has fairly long arms, a 35 inch vertical and a nearly ten foot long broad jump. He is not a premiere athlete, but certainly athletic enough to compete.
On run plays, Anthony is not afraid to get in on the action. Though he doesn’t always take the best angles, he does a good job reading run plays and is a strong tackler. His physicality is evident in coverage as well. He is adept at breaking up passes, jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage, and generally causing headaches for opposing receivers.
The stats sheet may not show it, but Anthony plays the ball well on short to intermediate passes, and has shown ability to track deep throws in the air. He has experience lining up all over the field, and that versatility should serve him well at the next level. Anthony is a bit of a gambler, which could leave him prone to double moves and pump fakes – his average speed will make it difficult for him to recover in these instances. Still, if NFL coaches can get him to play within himself, he has a chance to develop into a starter down the road. At the very least, Anthony should be able to provide his next team with good depth and help out on special teams – a must for any Day Three rookie.
Anthony sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of a talented 2013 cornerback class. Before that strong showing in Mobile he was a relative unknown to much of the NFL Draft community. But talented football players tend to find a role on Sunday afternoons, and Anthony has a chance to contribute in a number of roles. He is a player the Browns would be wise to consider if he is still on the board in the fifth round or later.
Game Notes:
Vs. Ohio State (’12)
- Physical at the line of scrimmage (LOS).
- Tracks the ball well on an overthrow and just misses an interception.
- Not afraid to get his nose in there.
- Whiffs on a run tackler.
- Tries to tackle low and misses near the GL.
- Commits to the slot WR in coverage expecting safety help over the top, but they cover the same WR and leave Smith wide open deep for a long TD – not clear who got mixed up on the coverage
Vs. USC (’12)
- Tries to bump the WR at the line but gets pushed off.
- Poor angle on a run play.
- Comes up in run help and gets a tackle for loss (TFL).
- Makes a strong tackle on a WR screen after a short gain.
- Pretty good coverage on Woods in the end zone.
- Lines up all over the field – both sides and the slot.
- Breaks quickly on a short pass.
- Less than ideal angle on a run play but recovers to make the downfield tackle.
- Reads the run and makes the first hit in the backfield on a TFL.
- Reads the run and makes the tackle right at the LOS
Vs. Stanford (’12)
- Nice job cutting off the in route.
- Breaks up a pass over the middle – very physical in coverage, could have been called for pass interference.
- More physical press coverage.
- Delivers a hit on the TE but doesn’t wrap up.
- Stays at home and makes a TFL on a run play.
- Strong tackler, delivers a blow and breaks up a pass.
- Doing a good job jamming WRs at the LOS.
- Gambles for the INT and gives up a big catch and run – just misses breaking up the pass.
- Not afraid to help in run support.
- Steps in front of a pass over the middle for an INT