Not many Green Bay Packers fans would have believed that when the Packers signed University of Miami (FL) cornerback LaDarius Gunter as an un-drafted free agent after the 2015 draft that he would become a steady player in only his second season. But that is exactly what has happened for Gunter and the Packers.
Green Bay Packers Cornerback LaDarius Gunter: Steady at an Unsteady Position
It wasn’t supposed to be this way for Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Entering this season, the Packers had veteran cornerback Sam Shields, once an undrafted free agent himself, 2015 first round selection Damarious Randall, and 2015 second round draft pick Quinten Rollins at top of their cornerback depth chart. But like with most NFL teams, the Packers were hit by the injury bug and the hardest position hit was cornerback.
The Packers top cornerback, Shields, was lost early to a concussion, an injury that ended his season and possibly his career. Next came Randall, who injured a groin and had to have surgery. Randall has returned, but remains hampered by the groin. Last week in their win over the Detroit Lions, he tweaked his knee. Even when Randall has been on the field, his play has been up and down. Rollins also battled a groin injury early this season and like Randall, he made his way back to the playing field. However, in the same game that Randall went down with a knee injury, Rollins suffered a concussion/neck injury that forced Rollins to be carted from the field. Randall and Rollins statuses for the Packers playoff game against the New York Giants are up in the air, leaving Gunter as the only somewhat proven cornerback for the Packers.
Just going off of Gunter’s measurements (6’2″, 201 pounds) and coming from a football school like Miami (FL), many would have expected him to be a drafted prospect. Unfortunately, his speed was called into question after registering only a 4.64 40 at his pro day, causing Gunter to fall out of the draft. But like Shieids, the Packers saw something in the long-armed Gunter and they believed they could get some production out of him. Gunter has been helped out by being coached by arguably the best cornerbacks’ coach in the NFL in Packers coach Joe Whitt.
Whitt coached Shields into a solid NFL cornerback, and so far he’s done the same thing with Gunter. Whitt shouldn’t get all of the credit, though. Gunter used his rookie season to learn the cornerback position by studying Shields. He played sparingly, but took advantage of his time on special teams to get on the field.
When the injury bug hit the Packers cornerback position, Gunter stepped up. Although lacking top end speed, Gunter has utilized his long arms to jam opposing receivers and has taken advantage of the opportunity given to him. So far this season, Gunter has 50 total tackles, forced two fumbles, and has defended 12 passes. Although those aren’t eye popping statistics, Gunter has brought a steady influence to a position that has gone through some major changes this season.
Gunter will be depended on more than ever against the Giants in the Packers opening playoff game this weekend. Randall and Rollins might not be ready to go, pushing backup safety Micah Hyde into a starting role opposite of Gunter. What makes matters even more difficult for Gunter and the rest of the Packers defensive backs is that they will be facing the Giants receivers who have Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Sterling Shepard.
Gunter has been a steady presence this season, but the Packers will need him to be more than just steady in the playoffs. He will need to show that he is ready for the big stage.
