Hey Jay,
Long time listener, first time caller.
I haven't read or heard much about how our CBs are faring in camp. What's your sense of what we should expect out of the defensive backfield this season. What will you be watching there in the early games?
Anthony Johnson will make you forget your momma. He is long, tall, and physical. The experience he gained last year was an underreported boon to the defense. I believe he has lock down corner potential, but will easily fill Peavy's role. Datrone Young is solid though more prone to guessing on a route than Johnson. He is a hitter.
Run support from the corners is rarely recognized, but Payne and Peavy were excellent. I expect no dropoff from these two.
The question is the depth. In the Big 12, thought less so this year, depth and rotation at corner is important. Jayveon Morton, Tayvon Kyle, and even a couple of the new freshman have impressed. I am hoping that Keonte Jones has done so as well. That depth will be key. CB depth is the only glaring hole on the defense and it can be devastating.
Finally, I think Young and Johnson can play some man, which payne and peavy could not. If they can press, then your blitz packages can get more creative. If that is true then this defense can take another step forward. TCU utilizes man coverage on the outside to aide its pass rush, pressure, and zone coverage inside. ISU is building to what TCU is.