Cornerback by trade, Cox has skills to thrive at safety

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 22, 2006 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD — A cornerback by trade and a swing player between positions early in his NFL career, Curome Cox has needed some time to get used to the notion of calling himself a safety proper.

"I think this week might be the first time, going into this situation," he said, knowing he’ll get the call because two of the Denver Broncos’ safeties are out for the season.

The circumstance is such that, with Nick Ferguson and Sam Brandon out because of knee injuries, Cox must be a safety, and only a safety.

Cox will inherit Ferguson’s responsibilities on the strong side next to John Lynch, beginning with Thursday night’s game in Kansas City, which is sure to be a learning experience given Cox has made only one previous start.

But the ability to adapt might be one of Cox’s best qualities.

When current teammate Domonique Foxworth met Cox at the University of Maryland, he could tell his fellow cornerback still was getting used to the sport after having only taken it up a few years previously.

The difference between Cox now and then, in terms of his knowledge of the game, is striking, Foxworth said.

"He went from a high school student to a Ph.D," Foxworth maintained. "It’s been an amazing transition. But he’s a smart guy, so it doesn’t take a long time for a smart guy to pick it up. He’s even picked up some of the intricacies."

The biggest adjustment from his cornerback days is having to know everyone’s position defensively and be positioned to cover up any mistakes.

There’s also more physical requirements in terms of tackling, especially in run support.

"The safeties’ angles are so much different than playing corner," defensive backs coach Bob Slowik said. "When you’re coming downhill and the running back’s coming straight downhill at you, as a corner you’re always coming from outside. It just doesn’t look the same."

Cox likely will get plenty of game-time repetitions against the Chiefs, who will pound the ball with Larry Johnson running behind a stout offensive line.

Slowik admitted replacing Ferguson with Cox is "somewhat" of a concern, just because of a lack of game action. But, he added, the physical aspect is not a worry.

"This guy is as good a special-teams player as he is because he’s fast and physical," Slowik said. "It’s just a matter of experience and finding the angles on game day, not just in practice."

Cox played sparingly Sunday against the San Diego Chargers but made his presence felt when he separated receiver Vincent Jackson from the ball along the right sideline on a third-down play in the second quarter.

Cox talked about his transition being made easier by having veteran players such as Lynch, Ferguson and Champ Bailey to guide him. A full workload at safety this preseason also aided his development.

"That’s where the real learning curve took place," Slowik noted.

Cox is tied for the team lead in special-teams tackles but didn’t make his defensive debut until Nov. 5 against Pittsburgh. He made his presence felt then, too, when he snared a Hines Ward fumble out of midair and intercepted a pass intended for Santonio Holmes in the fourth quarter. He subbed for Brandon in Denver’s three-safety look against Oakland the following week before briefly replacing Ferguson against the Chargers.

Cox added 11 tackles, one interception and five pass break-ups last season. On Oct. 5, he was signed off the practice squad, where he’d spent nearly a year after being released by the Atlanta Falcons in the final round of cuts in 2004.

"He’s been preparing for this," cornerback Karl Paymah said of Cox. "Now it’s time to showcase what he’s been working so hard for."

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com

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