Atlanta Falcons: It’s Time to Move on From Cornerback Robert Alford
The Atlanta Falcons dropped a crucial game 22-19 against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas picked on cornerback Robert Alford constantly on the game winning drive. It’s time to replace Alford and here are three reasons why.
Lack of Production
Robert Alford is a 5’10 cornerback in his sixth year out of Southeastern Louisiana. He was taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2013 draft. He has ten career interceptions.
Alford is a very fast cornerback. He runs a blazing 4.39 in the 40 yard dash. Unfortunately that speed has not translated into success for Robert. He is in the mist of a career worse season. He has zero interceptions on the 2018 campaign.
More than just lacking interceptions, Robert Alford has been a penalty machine his entire career. According to Pro Football Focus he has drawn an abysmal 49 flags in his career.
Robert Alford has drawn nine flags this year, with five of the penalties being accepted. Had all nine been accepted, he would lead the NFL in penalties. One of the reasons that only five penalties have been accepted, is Alford has allowed multiple catches, despite being flagged for holding or interfering with the receiver.
One of the most frustrating things about Alford, is many of his penalties come when he is in good position to make a play on the ball. Unfortunately rather than turn back and find the ball, he often panics and grabs the wide receiver when the ball is in the air drawing a penalty.
The struggles for Robert Alford don’t stop at penalties. He has been targeted 51 times in coverage, allowing 35 catches for a whopping 642 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s an average of 18.1 yards per reception.
Robert is allowing opposing quarterbacks to post a 144.0 rating when targeting him. A perfect quarterback rating is 158.3.
Robert Alford ranks as the number 103 of 111 qualifying cornerbacks. Only eight cornerbacks rank worse. Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams is the only notable cornerback who ranks worse than Alford.
Robert Alford is posting a career low Pro Football Focus grade this season. Thus far he has a grade of 50.3 out of a possible 99.9. His coverage grade is a horrible 48.0. This is unacceptable for a starting cornerback. That’s a major reason that the Atlanta Falcons need to cut their losses and move in another direction.