Chargers need Derek Cox to play better
Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, right, breaks away from San Diego Chargers cornerback Derek Cox during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Share PhotoBut Cox is having a disappointing season so far. The cornerback's misses on big plays told in defeats against Houston and Oakland. Cox was Tom Telesco's most expensive addition last offseason, signing a four year contract for $20 million. No one expected him to become a Pro Bowler. But he is in his fifth season and, having just turned 27 last week, should be in his prime range. By now he ought to be getting in settled in, assuming he's healthy.The Chargers' disastrous breakdown on the crucial third and 18 against the Texans wasn't all on Cox, but his baffling late retreat on the play contributed to an inexcusably easy first down. Cox was playing zone then. Against the Raiders, he failed in off one on one coverage against No. 2 receiver Rod Streater. The result was a 44 yard touchdown off a go route that gave confidence to a suspect passer (Terrelle Pryor) and provided a 7 0 lead to an underdog that lacks firepower.Cox covered well on the TD that Eagles possession receiver Riley Cooper snagged in Week Two. Michael Vick just made a tremendous throw.At times, Cox has mirrored well in press coverage, using his 6 foot 1 frame and long arms to shrink throwing lanes. His length can make him more effective than it appears after a receiver gets a step on him.But the Chargers seem to doubt Cox's footspeed. They often line him up in soft coverage. It's possible Cox hasn't been a full health during parts of his Chargers tenure. (In McCoy speak, he suffered a "little ding" in Week Four against the Cowboys, but didn't miss practice time the next week.) He is a talkative, upbeat interview. But the subject of his injuries with the Jaguars, his employer from 2009 12, elicited no answers of substance this summer.He new balance 996 women's tennis shoes didn't run well in the summer. Here is what I wrote in late August:"Early in training camp, one on one drills weren't kind to Derek Cox. He didn't look any faster than Quentin Jammer, the cornerback he's replacing. In the early games, he ran better, and the trend continued last Saturday, when he closed on a ball for Larry Fitzgerald and knocked it away."Cox didn't join the Chargers with surplus speed. Here is what I wrote when he signed:"Using his long arms well, Cox can new balance 996 women's tennis shoes play faster than his so so speed. Athletic for his position, he's able to track double moves. The quick routes can trouble him." In the same article, I praised Cox's tackling against the Raiders, but noted that "in the second half, Oakland's speed advantage troubled Cox."