NFL Rookie Head 2 Head: Royal vs. Flowers

[Bob's your Information Minister]

I think Flowers will hold his own against Royal. I really do. Now tell me why I'm dumb.

http://kan.scout.com/a.z?s=115&p=2&c=794949



When division rivals meet there is always a sense of anticipation. But on Sunday, when the Broncos and Chiefs take the field, a reunion between two players turns into a budding rivalry. Former Virginia Tech teammates Eddie Royal and Brandon Flowers - now starting as rookies in the NFL – will go Head 2 Head. Scout.com’s Chris Steuber breaks down this featured matchup.

When you see someone every day for an extended period of time, you get comfortable with that person, and you know what to expect. You know their strengths, and you discover their weaknesses. It’s a comforting feeling to know that the individual you’ve grown with pushes you to be great and also shows you tough love when you’re not at your best.

That’s the relationship former Virginia Tech teammates Eddie Royal and Brandon Flowers had during their three years together in Blacksburg, and the experiences that they shared during practice will be tested on Sunday when the Denver Broncos travel to Kansas City for a big AFC West showdown.

Both players were selected in the second round this past April, just seven selections apart; Flowers was taken 35th overall and Royal was the 42nd selection. They have made an immediate impact on their respective franchises as starters, but at this point, Royal has gotten more recognition for his efforts.

Three weeks into his professional career, Royal has displayed a knack for being in the right place at the right time and has become an attraction on offense and special teams.

He’s an explosive return specialist who's still developing into a consistent receiver. He runs good routes, is quick in and out of his breaks, gets separation from defenders and displays the awareness of a seasoned veteran. He has excellent vertical speed and adjusts well to deep throws. He's always looking to make a big play and shows great acceleration after the catch.

Royal had an outstanding debut against the Oakland Raiders in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football, and was a major reason for the Broncos 41 – 14 blowout over their divisional foe. He finished the game with nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.

During the Broncos Week 2 matchup against the San Diego Chargers, Royal didn’t finish with the statistical success he enjoyed the previous week. But, he found himself in the spotlight once again, as he caught the game-winning touchdown with just 24 seconds remaining that gave Denver a narrow 39 – 38 victory.

The opposition is beginning to pay attention to Royal, and in the last two games, his opportunities have been limited. Last week against New Orleans, the Saints did a nice job defending him and surrendered just four receptions for 11 yards. Although the Saints contained Royal, they allowed Brandon Marshall to break loose for over 150 yards receiving to ultimately give the Broncos a 34 – 32 win.

Defending Royal and Marshall isn’t an easy task, especially with Jay Cutler, who’s in the midst of having a breakout season completing 67.6-percent of his passes for 914 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in the early going. With the Chiefs in a position of having to start two rookies - Flowers and fifth round pick Brandon Carr - at the cornerback position because of a recent injury to Patrick Surtain, the task becomes much harder.

The familiarity that Flowers has with Royal will benefit the Chiefs and although he may lineup against Marshall in certain situations, the best matchup for him is to defend Royal.

Flowers is a naturally gifted, physical defender who possesses excellent ball skills. He has great footwork and back pedals fluidly. He doesn't lose momentum transitioning in coverage and anticipates the action. He breaks well on the ball and instantly gets into an offensive position defending the pass. He's an instinctive defender who has a great burst of speed, diagnoses a play and defends the run well.

He doesn’t possess elite speed, but his physical nature allows him to challenge most receivers on the outside. Kansas City’s Cover 2 scheme helps Flowers, because he’s able to drop quicker and react faster; something he did exceptionally well at Virginia Tech.

As a team, the Chiefs have been outstanding in pass defense and are currently ranked fourth in the league, allowing 153 YPG through the air. But the one statistic that stands out is the fact that they haven’t created an interception. With all of his ability as a playmaker, Flowers has yet to show his skills as a ballhawk, but he’s displayed his toughness with 12 tackles (11 solo).

The intrigue of this matchup is obvious; two former college teammates set to go Head 2 Head as they’re entrenched into their respective lineups as key figures to their team’s success.

So much for being a rookie.

[The MVPlaya]

You know your team's a damn shame when you have to start looking up individual match ups to get hyped up for the game.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by The MVPlaya

You know your team's a damn shame when you have to start looking up individual match ups to get hyped up for the game.

I won't be hyped. I'm going to sit there tomorrow laughing my ass off as Cutler and Marshall destroy our secondary and our offense bungles around on the field.

Now if we compete at all early in the game, I'll start getting "hyped." Then I'll be set up for my nice let down.

[Ironlung]

Just another overrated VT corner like D. Hall. Royal will probably burn his ass up too, also I bet Flowers is prayin he gets to line up across from Royal instead of Marshall. Whichever of your scrub corners have to cover Marshall won't be gettin' much sleep tonight.

[Foochacho]

If he does keep eddie under control then I guess that means Brandons getting 20 catches.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Our corners typically stick to one side, so Marshall could be going against our 5th round rookie from time to time. I bet you guys like that.

[Bronx33]

Flowers doesn't stand a chance.

[no-pseudo-fan]

Marshall, Scheffler, Royal, and Stokely might combine for 500 yards receiving tomorrow. Or maybe we will run it down their throats.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Our corners typically stick to one side, so Marshall could be going against our 5th round rookie from time to time. I bet you guys like that.

Marshall made Antonio Cromartie, a Pro Bowl corner last year, look like a 5th round rookie a couple of weeks ago. I don't think it really matters who you stick on him.

Teams are either going to start doubling him or he's going to continue to put up video game numbers.

[Inkana7]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Our corners typically stick to one side, so Marshall could be going against our 5th round rookie from time to time. I bet you guys like that.

From a D-III school.

[LonghornBronco]

I'm currious about this matchup, I'll give the edge to Royal and his deep speed.

[Flaxamaxer]

Eddie set the bar way too high for himself on national TV week 1. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a sign of things to come down the road - but I won't be shocked if he doesn't crack 80 the rest of this season.

Who knows, maybe it evens out. I definitely think he needs some more RZ looks though, he has such dynamic moves and such great hands that he can make some things happen down low.

WR duties aside, I want to see him breakout in the return game tomorrow. And even though Dante Hall is gone - throw up one of those X-Factors after taking one to the house. Twist the knife.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Flaxamaxer

WR duties aside, I want to see him breakout in the return game tomorrow. And even though Dante Hall is gone - throw up one of those X-Factors after taking one to the house. Twist the knife.

You know where Dainty Hall got that from?

For mullets, by a mullet.

[Garcia Bronco]

This is more Hokie on Hokie violence.

Flowers is going to know a thing or two about covering Royal.

[Flaxamaxer]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

You know where Dainty Hall got that from?

For mullets, by a mullet.

Steeeeeeeeeeeeeve Perry.. Steeeve PERRY!

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Flaxamaxer

Steeeeeeeeeeeeeve Perry.. Steeeve PERRY!

I have to rep you for the Baseketball reference.

[SoCalBronco]

I'd be surprised if the Chiefs played more than just a small dose of man to man given that two rookies are starting for them. A host of zone coverages should be expected and some of the more conservative zone coverages at that.

Flowers is a good young prospect, though.

[Goobzilla]

Originally Posted by Flaxamaxer

Steeeeeeeeeeeeeve Perry.. Steeeve PERRY!

Dude, you said no more Journey psych-outs!

Unless Jeff Gilooly is skulking around the sidelines I don't think anyone is slowing down our wideouts.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Goobzilla

Dude, you said no more Journey psych-outs!

"Separate Ways" might be the most unintentionally funny music video ever made. I defy anyone to watch it and not laugh.

[broncofan2438]

yea, I have a feeling Flowers might hold his own. Rookies always have a good first day.

Im going to refrain from the "1000 yards by halftime comments until it actually happens

[bronco610]

I dont care as long as we win !!!

[FISH]

Reference the #4 D in the league vs the run

I figure most teams follow the mantra "why throw when you can run...and until you stop the run...we'll keep running". Heck...we use to follow that mantra religiously...use to anyways. I suspect that KC may slip a few positions on pass "D"

[azbroncfan]

Lots and lots of straight up cover 2. Cutler should have all day to throw with the weak pass rush KC has.

[cutthemdown]

What Broncos will do is put so many receivers in the bunch, and in the spread that not only will KC have to put a rookie on Marshall, Flowers on Royal, but then have to worry what scrub has to try and go 1 on 1 with Stokely in the slot. Broncos will try and make the Chiefs put 3 and 4 cbs on the field to really expose Surtain being out and the depth being poor.

The result will be a chance for KC to get to Cutler, but also it will prevent the Chiefs from really doubling any WR and will prob force them into a zone defense.

[cutthemdown]

I think the result means a big day for Selvin Young and Tony Scheffler.