In his first start of the 2019 season, how did Chicago Bears cornerback Kevin Toliver play?
There is a lot of intrigue around Kevin Toliver, and whether he has upside to be an NFL starter moving forward. With Prince Amukamara potentially being a cap casualty and being injured for Week 14, the Chicago Bears got a first-hand look at a player who could be in the running to start for them next year.
At the end of the day, the Chicago Bears got the win. It was a good performance in that regard. However, digging into the individual performance how did Toliver look?
Slants over the middle
Toliver gave up five receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. It was a performance with ups and downs. To start with the downs, three receptions came on slant routes or inward breaking routes over the middle of the field.
Against a talented receiver in Amari Cooper, Toliver was playing a bit on his heels and making sure that he did not get beat deep. It lets a savvy receiver such as Cooper take advantage of him being off balance and get bits of separation over the middle of the field.
Cooper caught two quick passes for 22 yards on Toliver. Michael Gallup also had a 21-yard reception on a slant route. Toliver also was giving cushion on come back routes and curls, but did not allow a reception on these routes.
Catching up
Getting beat is going to happen in the NFL. Especially when facing a talent like Cooper. The question is how can a young player adjust? Toliver adjusted well in the second half, as he stays tighter to the line, and breaks up a slant route.
Cooper gets last laugh
Unfortunately, the veteran was too savvy for the young corner. Cooper once again faked the slant route to the inside. After multiple challenges, Toliver was ready to step up and defend the inward breaking route. That is until Cooper broke to the outside and caught a touchdown over Toliver’s head. Toliver saw plenty of learning moments against this talented WR.
The Good
Outside of his duel with Cooper, Toliver showed a bit of good, bad and ugly throughout the game. The good starts below. As mentioned, he did adjust well as the game went on. He knocked away a slant and broke up a curl to Tavon Austin. Below, he picks up zone defense well as the inside receiver breaks out, and he stays in his spot and picks his man up.
The Bad
However, this long reception in zone was not good. It looks like Toliver has the short underneath on his side. As the receiver goes past him, he stays short. However, Haha Clinton-Dix is shaded
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much more to the middle, and cannot get over to Toliver’s side. Clinton-Dix didn’t help, but Toliver has to recognize that no one is on his side other than his receiver. He can have eyes on the flats but needs to drift back a little with his man.
The Ugly
The ugly was these two tackling attempts. Both of them were coming towards him with steam after the catch. Toliver ducked in both spots but failed to use leverage or strength. It is questionable how committed he was to these attempts, as he was quickly brushed aside in both tries.
Overall Toliver had ups and downs. There is plenty to go over in film review, and plenty to be desired for next time. Still, he showed growth, got better as the game went on, and is physically talented to hold up in the NFL. With Amukamara still banged up, we may see more Toliver this December.