Just to be clear, me saying "Datone looks so much better" than Perry in coverage... had a lot more to do with Perry looking awkward, confused, and/or out of place in coverage than Datone looking great in coverage. So I am NOT saying Datone is great in coverage... but that in comparison, he looked to be much more comfortable and natural to the idea than Perry.
Datone looked extremely raw in coverage, like he hasn't been doing it long or hasn't trained doing it long (which is probably the case as he's been a DT)... but he seemed mentally comfortable with the idea... as well as looking and moving at the same time. As well as Datone seems athletic enough to stay with the big guys (TEs/big RBs)... he might not be able to mirror or match them in coverage, but when he makes a mistake he's athletic enough to stay in the area with them. But I think Datone has the potential to become as good as Peppers in coverage (well maybe without the super long reach for batted down passes aspect)... not saying Datone will be that level this season, but just he has that potential to grow into that.
I think Perry problem was mental (though he's getting better at it). But in coverage, he felt unsure or out of place and his mind would panic when things didn't go right, leading to loss of reaction time... and when he dropped back into zone watching the QB, he's feet would slow.
Originally Posted by: beast