Jefferson Makes His Play

[BullheadCardFan]

The Cardinals have liked the undrafted free agent since picking him up in April of 2010, even though he played in just two games while spending the bulk of the season on the practice squad. Then Jefferson showed some of his skills in Thursday night’s preseason opener in Oakland, breaking up three passes in his first chance to start.

“He’s fighting for a shot to play,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We’re going to rotate all those guys in preseason and they will have opportunities against groups we are facing. I can tell you this, A.J. responded (in Oakland). If he can establish consistency and work every day in practice, he’s got a chance to play a lot.”

That’s why Jefferson’s performance in Oakland was so important. He broke up a couple of deep passes, and showed the proper “forgetfulness” of a cornerback when, a play after getting beat on a 26-yard pass to wideout Denarius Moore, Jefferson broke up a pass to receiver Chaz Schilens.

“I guess they were testing me, I don’t know,” Jefferson said. “I’ve got enough confidence to compete every play.

“Just them putting me out there, it’s a blessing they put that responsibility out there, especially where I came from last year.”

Nice to see that AJ is improving. We need all the depth we can get at CB.

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...His-Play/b64f4696-6bf1-4ce8-8e99-3354d520da68

 

[SuperSpck]

Sure was. Pleasantly surprised. Good build, good wheels. Very curious to see what he looks like inside a real gameplan though, going man-on with the track stars the Raiders collect doesn't make for the greatest litmus.

 

[Duckjake]

Sure was. Pleasantly surprised. Good build, good wheels. Very curious to see what he looks like inside a real gameplan though, going man-on with the track stars the Raiders collect doesn't make for the greatest litmus.

I was impressed with how he'd turn and find the ball. Something McFadden was criticized for not doing and what Rashad failed to do that got him a PI call.

 

[PJ1]

He caught my eye last year in camp. Something about him makes you want to see more. Looks like he can make some plays.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He was the lone bright spot in our secondary.

Steve

 

[CtCardinals78]

Love his attitude. The thing I absolutely LOVE about the Cardinals is that they give these guys with great heart and ambition the chance to make an impact on the field. Sometimes it doesn't always work, but when it does it's great to see.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

If he is decent then the depth at corner is actually pretty good. Notnsure about the startersnyet but the depth is there.nthis would make money mike the #5 corner..

 

[D-Dogg]

He was the best corner on the field all night on Thursday.

 

[Osbern61]

He totally looked like he belonged out there.

 

[Garthshort]

Going up against Aaron Rodgers, this week, will be a true test. If he plays well, I'd expect him to be Week One starter.

 

[stewdog1]

I was pleasantly surprised. He reminded me of someone else out there (in a good way) but I couldn't put my finger on it.

 

[JeffGollin]

Dude goes after it.

I'm not a big fan of corners who "cover soft."

Jefferson (& DRC before him) are rare exceptions. Toler too (although not last Thursday).

When AJ got beaten by D Moore last week, you could see him tangibly angry at himself and he channeled his anger into blowing up a pass in the flat by aggressively breaking on the ball on the very next play.

 

[Garthshort]

Jeff, I remember you were on Jefferson, early last year. Good call.

 

[JeffGollin]

Jeff, I remember you were on Jefferson, early last year. Good call.

I wasn't the only ASFNer who did (check the mocks).

The way I saw it - the Cardinal scouting dept. and coaches seemed to have made a breakthru in their evaluation of CB's when they drafted for raw athleticism and took an early chance on DRC.

It worked, and they then came back by drafting sleepers, Toler (and Jorrick Colvin who didn't pan out) from small schools.

Jefferson reminded me of a less-heralded version of DRC - only a more aggressive tackler. I think most of us thought we'd draft him in the 6th or 7th round & were ecstatic that he was there for the taking as an UDFA.

 

[lobo]

I wasn't the only ASFNer who did (check the mocks).

The way I saw it - the Cardinal scouting dept. and coaches seemed to have made a breakthru in their evaluation of CB's when they drafted for raw athleticism and took an early chance on DRC.

It worked, and they then came back by drafting sleepers, Toler (and Jorrick Colvin who didn't pan out) from small schools.

Jefferson reminded me of a less-heralded version of DRC - only a more aggressive tackler. I think most of us thought we'd draft him in the 6th or 7th round & were ecstatic that he was there for the taking as an UDFA.

See bold above...that is exactly what hooked me on him last year!!