New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has struck fear into the hearts of the NFL’s best receivers in more ways than one.
It is safe to say the quarterbacks and wide receivers fear going up against him. On 53 targets, Gilmore has only given up 19 receptions (36 percent), 223 yards, an 18.04 passer rating, and not a single touchdown.
The former Buffalo Bill and first-round selection talked with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders after Gilmore’s Patriots beat Sanders’ former team.
Trash talk happens on the field all the time, but none goes Gilmore’s way. One would assume that players know they cannot back it up with the All-Pro’s stellar play.
“The (receivers) don’t talk to me, I think they’re scared to talk to me,” Gilmore said. “Because I am in (their face) every snap.”
"[WRs] are scared to talk to me."@BumpNrunGilm0re balled out on Sunday and @DeionSanders made sure to give him the call! (via @NFLGameDay Prime) pic.twitter.com/E6EiR5icP8
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 25, 2019
Amari Cooper was shutout for the first time in his Cowboy career with Gilmore catching more passes from Dak Prescott than the former Raider.
Gilmore is playing other-worldly defense. The University of South Carolina alum has been making a mockery out of the league’s top talent in a game with rules that favor them.
The NFL has designed a game to favor the big play. The highlight-reel catches that keep fans of all ages glued to their television and tablets. If there is no scoring, the league thinks casual fans will get bored and tune into something else.
With all of the regulations and wide receivers basically unable to be breathed on, Gilmore has found a style that works.
Before the ball is even snapped, the cornerback starts backpedaling, giving him a head-start over any receiver whom he is covering.
What separates the good cornerbacks from the bad cornerbacks is ego. It is the basic and cliché answer, but it is definitely an underlying factor. Cornerbacks believe, to win, they need to go toe-to-toe with a wide receiver in terms of speed.
This concept, with the receiver sprinting forward and the cornerback backpedaling, is nearly impossible. But in a game that is all about proving who is stronger and or faster than who, a player’s ego makes them hit a wall.
What makes Gilmore so dominant is that he has already admitted defeat in terms of a possible footrace. Gilmore knows he certainly cannot outrun the Amari Coopers of the world, but he also is aware that he does not have to.
Take this play against the New York Giants. Look closely at Gilmore’s feet.
In addition to giving himself a head start on Darius Slayton, he spends little-to-no time backpedaling at all. Instead, with his newfound freedom with those pre-snap steps, he can use this extra time to turn around and run with him.
Think of it in terms of a friendly race with a friend. You know you’re not as fast as your friend, so you can ask for a two-second head start to level the playing field. Gilmore is intentionally doing this because, as previously mentioned, he knows he has zero chance of beating these receivers in a footrace. So he starts running pre-snap to avoid playing catch-up.
In terms of his physicality with receivers, Gilmore’s technique is incredible. Taking a look at this play, Gilmore is stride-for-stride with Corey Davis. Rather than trying to get ahead of Davis, Gilmore anticipates when the ball is thrown and jumps in front Davis with an outstretched hand making it impossible for it to be a completion.
Gilmore stands alone in the NFL in terms of his craft, not because he is just that good. It is that he is humbled in his play and knows his limits. Yes, Gilmore is physically gifted. But what makes him the best cornerback in the league are his smarts and field awareness.
