With The First Pick
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Sean Smith Will Bounce Back Against the Atlanta Falcons

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) makes a catch while defended by Oakland Raiders defensive back Sean Smith (21). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) makes a catch while defended by Oakland Raiders defensive back Sean Smith (21). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Matchup Nightmare

The worse thing for a smaller, quicker corner is a taller receiver than can catch the ball over them. The worse thing for a taller, longer corner, is a smaller, quicker receiver that can shake them. And that’s exactly what Cooks and Snead are as they both spend time in the slot too.

They’re so sudden and quick, they made Smith miss his jam and beat him for big plays. When you miss a jam on a fast guy, unless you have dependable help over the top, he’s gone. So when Cooks got his big play on him, it was for 98 yards and a TD.

On Snead’s big play, Smith caught up to Snead and was in on the tackle for a gain of 38. On the day, Cooks had 143 yards on six catches with two TDs and 23.8 yards per catch. Snead had 172 yards on nine catches with one TD and 19.1 yards per catch.

Head coach Jack Del Rio benched Smith after he got burnt deep one time too many. His lack of discipline got him in trouble and Del Rio didn’t see where it would get better that day. D.J. Hayden, a smaller, quicker cornerback, went in for Smith and did better.

Next: Better Matchup

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