Prater wants to be the man when it comes to 'man-to-man'

IOWA CITY -- The fact that Iowa defensive backs don't play a lot of man converage isn't a deal-breaker for NFL scouts.

Still, it's something scouts definitely want to see. Shaun Prater heard it when he submitted his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board this winter. It's something that's driving him this summer as the Iowa cornerback prepares for his senior season.

"When I got back from the evaluation, the experts, the pros, said I haven't worked on any man-to-man coverage, judging the ball, attacking the ball, going up there and getting the ball at the highest point," Prater said. "I try doing all of that. I ask my coaches, is there anything I can work on? I try to attack it every single day."

Iowa's scheme in the secondary is based in zone quarters coverage (Cover 4 and Cover 6), allowing defensive backs to keep everything in front of them and keeping the safeties heavily involved in the running game. It forces passes short and to the outside. Iowa secondaries rarely get beat deep and that's a product of the quarters coverage.

“We'll play a lot of quarters coverage and a lot of cover 2,” said former Hawkeye safety Tyler Sash, who was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of April's NFL draft. “When we do send pressure, it's usually zone or zone fires, nothing man usually.”

Prater said one of the weaknesses he wanted to attack this summer was his man-to-man skills.

"We have plays where we can match up man-to-man based on the formation to the field," said Prater, a first-team all-Big Ten pick with four interceptions last season. "If we have a dime or nickel in on third down, we're playing man-to-man. It's a small percentage, but when I'm on the field and doing it, I'd like to be at my best to be a shutdown corner."

At the NFL Combine, Sash talked about man coverage.

“I think people are definitely questioning my speed and my man coverage ability,” Sash said. “We play in a pretty controlled defense. It doesn't allow you to go out and move around a lot. We play controlled and I played within the system.

“If a team gives me a chance, I feel as though I could play man. I just need some practice at it. It's something I feel like I can do.”

Iowa does call for corners to play "off man" coverage against vertical routes, which keeps outside leverage on a wide receiver and demands the corner to be aware of where his help is. (The "off man" technique is described very well here by former Hawkeye/Ram/Packer/Redskin Matt Bowen.)

So, it's not like Iowa defensive backs don't have man coverage skills in their arsenal. The NFL draft says as much.

During Kirk Ferentz's 12-plus years at Iowa, Iowa has had eight defensive backs drafted. Five of those went into the league as safeties, including Bob Sanders, who won the NFL defensive player of the year award with the Colts in 2007. Charles Godfrey (2008) and Amari Spievey (2010) were drafted as corners, but made the switch to safety shortly thereafter. They start for the Panthers and Lions, respectively.

The St. Louis Rams drafted Bradley Fletcher as a corner in 2009. He's currently listed as the team's No. 1 right corner.

Prater said he was given a third- or fourth-round grade by the Draft Advisory Board. In a recent post, The National Football Post's Wes Bunting sees Prater as a future starter in the NFL.

"Is still developing his feel in zone and needs to add more weight," Bunting wrote. "However, he's smooth, fluid and coordinated in his drop and out of his breaks. Has a chance to start in the NFL, more of a zone corner though."

The draft evaluation shaped Prater's decision to stay. Maybe more importantly, it focused his attention on what needs to improve. That's the job directly in front of him this week with Iowa's 7-on-7 drills beginning.

"People tell me, when it's time for the Senior Bowl, you can show off your man-to-man skills because that's basically what they play in those [all-star] bowl games," Prater said. "Right now, I'm just going to focus on practicing, beating those weaknesses and, hopefully, when the season gets here, I'll be ready to go."

2000 -- Matt Bowen, S, St. Louis

2003 -- Derek Pagel, S, NY Jets

2004 -- Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis

2005 -- Sean Considine, S, Philadelphia

2008 -- Charles Godfrey, CB, Carolina

2009 -- Bradley Fletcher, CB, St. Louis

2010 -- Amari Spievey, CB, Detroit

2011 -- Tyler Sash, S, NY Giants