Marshon Lattimore has been playing at the highest level of football he’s possibly ever played in the NFL this season. After negotiations for a new contract and finally agreeing to a five year, $97.6 million deal; he’s playing for every penny and has been worth every penny of that contract.
He’s coming off a game with six pass break ups which is a career high for Lattimore; those six pass break ups are also tied for the most in a game since 2017.
Last week’s game was also his first matchup against his former Ohio State teammate Terry McLaurin. Lattimore was targeted 9 times, but only gave up 2 receptions for 31 yards and won himself a defensive player of the week award.
Lattimore has been playing like the best corner in the league and leads the NFL in total pass break ups with a total of 10. If it wasn’t for the cast on his hand he would probably have a total of 3-4 interceptions.
He’s been playing with confidence and swag which ultimately has had an effect on his play this year. He locked down Davante Adams, Terry McLaurin, and had an outstanding day vs the Patriots.
He’s just had himself an overall outstanding season. What about his play though has changed and how has he looked on film? Well I’m gonna go through some of his plays from the Washington game last week.
Play One
Lattimore knows the down and distance, it’s third and goal and Washington wants to score. He plays five yard off the tight end and is lined up on the goal line. Lattimore once the ball is snapped does a good job of waiting for Ricky Seals Jones to approach him and make his first move; this allows Lattimore to either break inside or outside depending on what Seals Jones route is. Seals Jones runs his route inside and Lattimore does a great job of attacking his hip and getting physical with him. As the ball approaches he keeps one hand on the hip of Seals Jones and uses his other hand to break up the play. Just an outstanding play and overall technique from Lattimore.
Play Two
Lattimore is in straight man coverage and it doesn’t look like there is any safety help. Lattimore presses and waits for McLaurin to make his first move before reacting. Once McLaurin makes his move inside, Lattimore puts his hand on his hip and trails him so if McLaurin cuts back he can still make a play. McLaurin ends up running a post and Lattimore trails him. Pressure got to Taylor Heinicke and forced him to rush his throw and allowed Lattimore to break up the play.
Play Three
First look at this play looks like a cover three look. Both outside corners and the safety take a drop back step. Lattimore (top of the screen) is reading both the inside and outside receiver. Once the inside receiver runs his wheel route pattern Lattimore breaks on Terry McLaurin’s post. Once Taylor Heinicke’s hand comes off the ball Lattimore breaks on the post and breaks up the pass.
Play Four
This play was called as pass interference at the end of the play, but Terry McLaurin just fell. This was a good play by Lattimore from start to finish. Lattimore in press coverage waits for McLaurin to make his first move, once he reacts he keeps his hand on his hip and when Terry tries to cut outside Lattimore gets physical and pushes him to the ground. Then when the play is extended and McLaurin runs outside, Lattimore stays on his hip and if the ball was thrown to a place where it was catchable I don’t think McLaurin would catch it.
Play Five
Lattimore is in straight up man coverage with a one high safety. McLaurin lines up outside the left tackle and the inside slot receiver. He tries to his Lattimore with a double move release, but when McLaurin cuts back outside Lattimore gets his hands on him and gets physical with him. He makes contact with him and presses him throughout the whole route. When McLaurin cuts out, Lattimore keeps his hand on his hip; the pressure forces a bad throw and Lattimore makes a good break on the ball.
Play Six
Terry McLaurin takes an outside release; Lattimore tails his hip. The throw again wasn’t the best due to pressure, and forced Terry to slow down a little and come back to the ball. It’s essentially a 50/50 ball and Lattimore goes up and makes a play. Possibly gets an interception if he doesn’t have a cast on his hand. Not much else to talk about on that play.
Play Seven
It’s fourth down; the game is basically over. The Saints go to man coverage with one high safety and one low safety. Lattimore presses and McLaurin gets an outside release. He runs a comeback to 14 yards and comes back to 12. When McLaurin cuts back Lattimore puts his hand on the waist of McLaurin and breaks on the pass and forces the incompletion.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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