ExtremeRavens Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago Public service announcement to every NFL top wideout, Nate Wiggins wants to guard you. When the Ravens played the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the sophomore cornerback requested the challenge of shadowing former top-10 draft pick, Rome Odunze, who has produced among the best receivers in the NFL this season. Same thing happened in Week 6, when Wiggins went to his coaches mid-week advocating that he should be the one to match up with future Hall of Famer Davante Adams, saying, “I got No. 17 this week, right?” “I’m at the top of my game right now,” Wiggins explained, with some bravado. “I feel like no receiver can match up with me, so why not put me on that guy?” Wiggins wanted Houston’s Nico Collins and held him to 14 yards on two catches. He took the challenge of squaring off across from Detroit’s Amon-Ra St-Brown, who went nowhere versus Wiggins, according to Pro Football Focus. Same with Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy. Only Odunze got the better of him, at least to start. Chicago’s No. 1 receiver torched Wiggins for 57 yards on four catches in the first quarter. But Wiggins backed up that unimpeachable confidence in Sunday’s win when, in the fourth quarter, he hit a fifth gear to undercut Caleb Williams’ throw intended for Odunze. Wiggins’ second interception of the season (he has the Ravens’ only two picks through seven games) gave Baltimore a huge boost in a critical spot in prime field position. “He made a great break on the play,” Williams said. Two plays later, quarterback Tyler Huntley lofted his only touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Kolar, extending Baltimore’s lead to two scores with about eight minutes to go. Credit Wiggins as the setup man. “He’s a student of the game,” coach John Harbaugh said. “To see it pay off with a big play like that in a critical moment, that’s what guys dream about.” Wiggins stood beside his locker with a bright pink hoodie and blinding chain around his neck. Naturally, the first question was about his interception. Wiggins, as he does responding to any inkling of praise, mentioned “dropping a couple” of would-be interceptions last year. There were at least three and they all still eat at him. Now, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said he’s trying to match Wiggins’ pick total. “Share the wealth,” he joked. Harbaugh commended Wiggins for how the Bears went after him early, then “Nate steps up and really put the pedal to the metal and played great football.” Harbaugh admitted of all the position groups he’ll text film to, defensive backs hear from him the most. The longtime coach laughed admitting he blows up Wiggins’ phone perhaps more than anyone. Wiggins is a quick responder. “I’ll tell you,” Harbaugh said, “he is a joy to coach.” Through eight weeks, Wiggins ranks third in passer rating against among all starting cornerbacks (minimum 80% of 334 coverage snaps) behind only Carolina’s Jaycee Horn and New York Giants’ Cor’Dale Flott. Each Ravens win this season has included a Wiggins pick. In Week 2, he grabbed a Joe Flacco overthrow along the sideline and showed off his 4.28-speed on a 60-yard return. Similarly, that put the Ravens offense in prime field position to punch in a touchdown for a more comfortable second-half lead. Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in a Week 2 win over the Browns. Wiggins is the only Ravens defender with an interception this season, and he has two. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Both instances were timely takeaways that helped decide a win, something the Ravens talked all summer about. In the interception category, Wiggins has been the only one to cash in on their promise and its paid dividends come game day. “Everybody is looking to have a guy like Nate,” senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano said recently. “A true No. 1 corner that when you face guys like Adams or whoever — we’re going to face some great ones coming up — the guy is willing, No. 1, and No. 2, he’s got the capability, the athleticism and the skill set to go do it.” This week, veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy went on his podcast, “The KVN Show,” campaigning for Wiggins to make the Pro Bowl. “He’s turned into CB1 before our eyes,” Van Noy said. Such was the discourse for much of training camp. Outside of a joint practice skirmish and a few rough days, Wiggins put together one of the more impressive camps in Owings Mills. Hamilton projected Wiggins to have the biggest year-over-year jump of anyone on the team. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr told a story about Wiggins insisting on getting reps versus DeAndre Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who will one day don a golden jacket. That wasn’t just a practice approach. Wiggins wants all the smoke. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.