Corners exhibit plenty of talent, face consistency issues

17th century English poet John Donne once wrote, "No man is an island."

Nebraska secondary coach Marvin Sanders takes exception with the poet's words.

"As a corner, you are out there on that island," Sanders said. "You start drifting, and soon you're a castaway, by yourself."

Of course, the poet never played cornerback either.

Sanders doesn't need to use poetry to explain that concept to his players.

"I definitely feel like I'm the only one out there," NU cornerback Prince Amukamara said.

Amukamara is one of the "castaways" that is looking for playing time this year.

He's certainly not marooned in that regard.

Sanders said the Cornhuskers have a deep, talented group returning this year. Their other options include Anthony West, Eric Hagg, Alfonzo Dennard, Dejon Gomes and Anthony Blue.

"It's good to have because now you aren't wearing the guys out," Sanders said. "I feel confident that if the guy in front of you is not doing it, then I got a guy behind you that can get it done."

Sanders thinks he has a couple guys that can shut down the opposing team's passing game, saying he even has a shut-down corner.

"A lock-down guy would be Eric Hagg," Sanders said. "I'd put him on anybody."

But Sanders has more to work with than just Hagg.

"I'd have no hesitation with Anthony West or Prince (Amukamara) or Alfonzo (Dennard)," Sanders said. "From what these guys have shown, I'd take any of them."

Despite the depth, Sanders said he's still not happy with the consistency level. He said as a whole, the group's play changes from one day to the next.

At the crux of that inconsistency is Amukamara.

"Prince reminds me of Two-Face," Sanders said. "You flip a coin because you don't know what's going on with him. He's an enigma."

The rest of NU's corners have much of the same problem.

"I think what's hurting all of us is just our eyes," Amukamara said. "Our eyes are just in the backfield, and that's hurting us a lot."

Dennard said it is a major adjustment from high school to college.

"High school, you can get away with it, but in college, it's another level," Dennard said. "There are faster people and more smarter players than high school."