Terrence Brown: Video Highlights of the Former Stanford CB

Terrence Brown has taken a risk opting to declare for the 2013 NFL draft. He has joined a deep and talented cornerback class and is likely to be ranked near the bottom of that group.

Brown did enjoy a decent season as Stanford's primary cornerback in 2012. However, he is unlikely to hear his name called until the third day of the draft.

Here are some of Brown's notable highlights from his time with the Cardinal. 

1. Strong Open-Field Tackle vs. Washington, 2012

Given that he played a lot of off-coverage techniques, Brown had to be an above-average tackler at Stanford. This play against Washington is a solid example of his tackling technique.

Brown begins the play giving his receiver an ample cushion on the outside. This was a typical alignment for Brown during his Stanford days.

When a corner is that far off a receiver on the outside, a quick out is the obvious throw for the offense. That's what Washington execute, giving their receiver the chance to use the room Brown has given him to gain some yards.

Brown keeps the play to a minimal gain by quickly coming down toward the ball. He then sets himself well, in a perfect tackling stance. From that position he is able to clamp onto the receiver and wrap him up for only modest yards.

With NFL offenses using more out patterns and wide receiver screens, there is more pressure on cornerbacks to exhibit this kind of sound tackling.

2. Breaking Quickly to Disrupt a Pass vs. Washington, 2012

Brown is adept at breaking suddenly to disrupt quick throws and the connection between quarterback and receiver. He does it very well on this play against Washington.

Stanford run a blitz and their cover-4 shell will morph to man coverage with a single-high safety. Brown is in his familiar off-coverage alignment and will be one-on-one on the outside.

Washington's offense reads the blitz and attempts a quick outside pass to beat the pressure. The throw and catch would result in a first down.

However, Brown shows quick reaction skills to break on his receiver and disrupt the catch. His speed and aggression forces an incompletion.

This the kind of play a corner in single coverage has to make to mitigate the risk of bringing the blitz.

3. Leaping to Intercept a Brandon Weeden Pass vs. Oklahoma State, 2012

Brown showed good ball skills on this interception from the Fiesta Bowl in January, 2012. Brown picked off a pass from current Cleveland Browns starter Brandon Weeden.

In the angle the video uses, you can see Brown pin his receiver to the sideline. He gains inside leverage, taking in-breaking routes away.

He uses the sideline smartly, allowing himself to stay in front of the receiver. Once there, he can turn and face Weeden and track his throw.

This was a clever play from a savvy defensive back who had clearly studied his opponents well. Brown will need that kind of intelligence and dedication to emerge from this draft class as a competent pro.

4. Blitz Skills vs. Oregon, 2012

Any cornerback who has played on a Vic Fangio defense ought to know how to blitz. The current San Francisco 49ers defensive boss and former Stanford coordinator loves a cornerback blitz.

Brown showcases his blitz skills on this play against Chip Kelly's Oregon offense in 2012. The Ducks have split both receivers away from Brown, so he seizes opportunity to attack.

He joins the edge of the defensive front and times his blitz well on the snap. He arrows off the edge and adjusts his body well to react to the inside running play. Brown forces the back into trouble and the runner is quickly felled for a loss.

Every pro defense needs defensive backs who can blitz in the era of pass-happy, spread offenses. Brown can rush the passer if asked.

He also showed he will take the initiative to exploit any openings provided by the offensive formation.

5. Good Force in Run Support vs. Oregon, 2012

Brown has shown he can tackle receivers in space, but his run support is also solid. His reaction to a sweep against Oregon shows Brown providing good support as a force defender on the edge.

Once he spots the sweep, Brown quickly gets into position to make the stop. Again notice how well he sets himself into a technically sound tackling position. He then fires into the ball-carrier, knocking him out of bounds.

In most systems, tackling skills for a cornerback are a bonus. However, in some schemes, particularly versions of the 3-4, corners needs to act as force players against the run.

Brown is used to that responsibility and shouldn't be a liability in run support.

6. Good Mirroring Skills to Match His Receiver, vs. Oregon, 2012

Having earlier seen Brown break on the ball from deep, here's a look at how he fares in tighter coverage. The first thing to notice is that Brown does have some mirroring skills.

That means he can shadow and adjust to the various cuts and moves his receiver makes. Here he adjusts his pre-snap alignment to confuse receiver and quarterback.

Brown begins the play up close in a press alignment. He then backs out. Brown keeps his backpedal steady and doesn't give his receiver too much room.

So when the receiver fakes an out route and then cuts back inside, Brown can see it and quickly make his move. He breaks on the route and bats the pass down.

This was solid coverage from a smart defensive back, who seems no stranger to film study of his own.

Final Thoughts

Brown is obviously a very well-coached player and has benefited from the expertise of Stanford defensive back specialist Derek Mason. He shows evidence of being a studious player who knows his opponent well.

His technique is good, both in off and tight coverage as well as tackling. At 6'1" and 178 pounds, Brown has decent size for the right scheme.

He would suit a 2-deep, man-under concept or a cover-4 scheme, favoring off-coverage techniques. What Brown will have to prove is that he's not just the product of a particular system and great coaching.