What’s that they say about playing cornerback? You have to have a short memory?
Green Bay Packers second-year cornerback Damarious Randall seems to have that down.
Randall was the defender primarily responsible for Larry Fitzgerald’s 75-yard catch and run that essentially sealed the Packers’ fate in their playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals back in January.
Not only did Randall readily accept that — saying he takes “100 percent” of the blame — he also shrugged it off when he was asked about it recently.
“It was just a mistake that was made,” Randall said. “That’s football. … I just know that I’m going to make a lot more plays than I give up for the Green Bay Packers.”
He then proceeded to proclaim himself the best cornerback in the league (or anywhere else).
“People say who their top-five corners are, but at the end of the day I’m going to do what I have to do and I’m looking forward to showing the world why I’m the best cornerback anywhere.”
Bold.
We don’t think anyone would argue that Randall is a pretty good cornerback, even after only one season. However, like most rookies, he was up and down in 2015.
The Oakland game was a microcosm of that. He started the game with a pick six and then proceeded to get abused like rented mule by Amari Cooper for the rest of the afternoon. Cooper caught six for 120 and two on that day, with most of the damage coming against Randall.
So, no. We do not agree with the assessment that Randall is the best cornerback anywhere.
At least not just yet.
He’s got a high ceiling and, obviously, plenty of confidence and those are both pluses. Perhaps someday soon they will actually translate into Randall’s own assessment of himself.