Speaking strictly as a football player, there are few players I respect more than Antwon Blake. Coming out of UTEP, not one NFL team thought highly enough of the diminutive corner to risk a draft choice on him, as Blake was signed by Jacksonville as a free agent. They said he was too small at 5’9, that he lacked NFL-level athleticism, and that four collegiate interceptions showed a lack of ball skills heading into play against a much higher level of competition than he faced in Conference USA.
Most of you know all that, just like you know how Blake eventually worked himself into the starting lineup last season and played well enough to remain at left cornerback this season.