Meet A New Atlanta Falcon: CB Chris Owens

by Dave Choate on Jun 8, 2009 10:00 AM EDT in Editorial

You call that a jump?

There's no doubt in my mind that Chris Owens is a physically gifted cornerback. Ironically, you may not see him leaping like that too often, at least if you listen to scouts. His draft position means he's got some believers in the front office, which never hurts. Owens has debuted thus far with a minimum of fanfare, so let's get him his dues.

Follow me after the jump--which given my knees will likely barely clear the ground--for more on Owens.

History: A three year starter at San Jose State, Owens was named 1st Team All-WAC in 2008 and 2nd Team All-WAC in 2007. Knocked down eight passes in 2008. Allowed only one touchdown in his last 37 games, which is impressive as all hell.

Pros: Both fast and quick, a distinction that everyone likes to make but nobody seems to understand. Has above-average speed and changes directions quickly. As his long stretch of college success indicates, Owens is a guy who always know where the guy he's covering is and will not let him go anywhere uncontested. Very high awareness of the game around him, as well. Good hands and capable of getting in on rushing plays when needed.

Cons: The most common knock on our cornerbacks is their size, and Owens is yet another short guy. He's a hair under 5'10 and 180 pounds, so your biggest wide receivers are going to be able to work him over a bit. For an athletic guy, Owens isn't a huge jumper, which does not match up well with his height concerns. Needs to work on his tackling form.

Role: The Falcons didn't draft Owens in the third round to have him sit on the bench, but I'm not sure he should be starting in his first year. I like corners who are good tacklers and can prevent a bad play from turning into a sure touchdown, and I'm not sure he's there yet. Owens definitely has excellent coverage skills and is a clear eventual starter for this team, but he'll be best suited locking down slot receivers in a nickel role this year. Injuries or general ineffectiveness could pave his way to a starting gig, though.

Final Thoughts: Owens was kind of a puzzling pick on draft day, but reading up on his coverage skills and wheels makes me feel a lot better about his role. He should get a crack at starting by 2010, but expect to see him plying his trade on special teams this year.

Poll

What will Chris Owens offer in 2009?

Excellence

82 votes

Averageness

120 votes

Practice squaditude

12 votes

Anotherteamical

1 votes

Real words

6 votes

221 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I like the guy

love his speed

his presence is going to make a quick impact on 3rd and long. I think that he will be effective quickly. I look forward to seeing this guy on the field. Though I don’t see an extraordinary player in him immediately, I do see someone that creates solid competition for the CBs we currently have available.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 8, 2009 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

That's more or less what I'm saying

I don’t think there’s any way the team drafted him as early as they did so he can be a long-term backup.

by Dave Choate on Jun 8, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I do see someone that creates solid competition for the CBs we currently have available.

Good point, and I think he’ll help (in that regard) more than some may think. I honestly think Houston will find some kind of “fourth gear” if the rook can find a way to impress.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 8, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Im skeptical

Ive heard bad things about him just in general…

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Jun 8, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Let's keep that thread going

What have you heard? Where from?

by Dave Choate on Jun 8, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

tloz and I made the same note from the public minicamp

the guy is slow in his cuts and can get “outsmarted” at the line (offensive routes) and doesn’t make quick adjustments. That was some of his first practices at this level though and these flaws may have been coached out of him by now. It can’t be easy to go from being the fastest guy on the field in college to being “as fast” as the competition on the next level.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 9, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions

cant find the link

but in the official forum after mini camp, like tloz and MIA, some guys were saying they don’t think he can cut it and didnt appear to be good value for 3rd round. One guy called him an ‘Al Davis’ pick….

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Jun 9, 2009 3:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Owens is a role player.

I don’t expect him to get beat deep very often. Shortness has nothing to do with brains and quickness. I think Grimes illustrates that point well…as long as the guy he’s on isn’t 6’5" or taller.

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Jun 8, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

I understand the point

About short(ish) CB’s – heck, I even convinced myself during the pre-draft talk that there was a cut-off for effective CB height (5’10") – but the fact is that there aren’t that many “tall” (at least not that tall) receivers that are anything special.

For instance, in the division:
CAR – Steve Smith (5’9"), Muhsin Muhammad (6’2"), Dwayne Jarrett (6’4")
NO – Marques Colston (6’4"), Lance Moore (5’9"), Devery Henderson (5’11"), Robert Meachem (6’2")
TB – Antonio Bryant (6’1"), Michael Clayton (6’4"), Dexter Jackson (5’9")

Which one of those names scares you… besides Marques Colston?

by orang3b on Jun 9, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

steve smith....

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Jun 9, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he meant which tall WR scares you

But agreed on Steve Smith.

"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments

by Jesse28 on Jun 9, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Sorry – I did mean the tall guys…

by orang3b on Jun 9, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Chevis Jackson

is going to play a big role this year. I think he gets the nod at the CB spot opposite Houston. He is physical as Dahl minus the weight and sharp fangs. I do think Owens develops into a solid CB. Not great but very solid with few big plays allowed.

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Jun 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions