cb-dustin fox

Don Wassall

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Here from Caste Football's archives is some more info on Fox and how he, one of the few white players playing a "taboo" position and doing so at a very high level, is being steered toward his "proper role" in the NFL:


(9/15/04) Here's a great example of how a very talented white college athlete is already being "demoted" when it comes to playing in the NFL.

Dustin Fox is a starting cornerback for Ohio State, one of the very few starting white cornerbacks in Division I-A. In fact, the 2004 season is notable because besides Ohio State, Arizona State and Boston College also have white starting cornerbacks, which is about three more teams than usual.

Here's a description of Fox provided by a contributor to Caste Football:

He has a 40 inch vertical and can run with the best of them. Dustin was a track star in high school. I think he¡¯s even quicker than Sehorn and that¡¯s saying something. He¡¯s also led the team in solo tackles 2 years ago & was 2nd in solo tackles last season. The big question is will any team in the NFL allow him to play cornerback at the next level? Lets hope so because we need white cornerbacks as bad as white running backs.

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is already being answered some seven months before the 2005 NFL Draft. Jason Sehorn played cornerback for USC. During the run-up to the NFL Draft however, Sehorn was declared by Mel Kiper and other "draft gurus" to be a safety, and that's the position he played for the New York Giants for two seasons before being allowed to play cornerback. Of course he was one of the very best NFL cornerbacks when healthy. The Giants at the time were one of about three NFL teams who would have even given Sehorn the chance to play corner. The rest would have played him at safety or simply cut him.

The same "conversion process" is now underway in the media when it comes to Fox. A service called "Scouts Inc." rates college players for ESPN. In the intro to this year's senior class of prospects at the various offensive and defensive positions, cornerback Dustin Fox is included as a safety: "This year's safety class doesn't have a Sean Taylor (#5 overall pick to the Redskins in 2004), but Oklahoma's Donte Nicholson, UNLV's Jamaal Brimmer, Georgia Tech's James Butler and Ohio State's Dustin Fox (plays cornerback for the Buckeyes but should move to safety in the NFL) are all potential NFL starters that warrant consideration between the late first and second rounds." [emphasis added]

And here is Scouts Inc.'s capsule description of Fox: "Grade 77 [out of 100]. Bottom line: Fox started two of the 12 games he played in as a true freshman in 2001 and saw action both at safety and cornerback. Fox has been a full-time starting cornerback since his sophomore season in '02. He started all 13 games as a junior in '03 and finished with 77 total tackles, three TFL, three INTs and nine PBU. Fox has a chance to make it in the NFL as a cornerback but it likely would have to be in a zone-coverage scheme where he would be protected deep. Fox has great experience at cornerback and less so at safety, but we think his best chance of making an impact in the NFL is at safety, where he will need to add some bulk and adjust a bit to playing in so much space. Regardless of the position move or not, Fox should be a Day 1 draft pick who can contribute immediately on special teams and likely as a sub-package defensive back for the first season or two in the NFL while he is finding his niche."

There you have it  a track star who is a star at cornerback for one of the country's biggest programs can't play that same position in the NFL without being "protected deep." Note that Scouts Inc. doesn't say that Fox doesn't have great speed; he just isn't suited for reasons not given to be a cornerback. Better that he "bulk up" and play safety, similar to how the few white college tailbacks often have to "bulk up" and play fullback, and white wide receivers often have to "bulk up" and try to make it in the NFL as a tight end.

No other standout senior cornerback except for Fox is being pushed to play in the NFL as a safety. There is one reason and only one reason that Dustin Fox "should move to safety" as Scouts Inc. puts it: Dustin Fox is white and whites aren't allowed to play cornerback in the NFL. The media, Division I-A college football, and the NFL all cooperate in this systematic, decades-long racism against deserving white football players.
 

white lightning

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Dustin ran in the mid 4.4 range at the combine to go
with his incredible vertical leap.Now we will wait and
see if they allow him to stay at the corner or move
him to the safety position because he is white.Stand
your ground Dustin.
 

speedster

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Dustin Fox is the player I will pay the most attention to for this years draft.Unfortunately I'm not expecting much because Fox may be one of those athletes whose stock continues to drop the closer we get to the draft,You know,the guy with the arrow pointing downwards,and we know why.It was too bad that Fox got hurt this past year and missed some time because that is the type of fodder draft gurus need to drop a guy down,plus they will look at him as only being an honourable mention in the Big 10 in 2004 while he was First Team 2003 and that will be a sign that he is degressing.All I can say whomever Fox ends up with,he needs desperately to stay healthy,from the start of rookie camp all the way through until the start of the season.If he misses any extended time he will quickly be forgotten as his team will bring in and evaluate all kinds of black CB's and Fox will probably be cut.The worst case scenario would be for him to be put on IR.That would be the kiss of death as his team will have a full year of checking out other CB's and that would be it for Fox.
 

white lightning

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I totally agree.Dustin Fox will have to first get
drafted & then have the training camp of his life to
even get some playing time.Cornerback is the only
position that is worse than running back in football.
Fox could run a 4.2 & they would still doubt him.
 

kevin

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From all of the scouting reports many scouts seem to be very high on him. one scout called him the best athlete in this draft. he is very well rounded has speed of a corner abnd hits like a linebacker. he is also very intellent and doesn't get burned on any plays. he chas potential to be a shute down corner, but i see him becoming a free saty. in my opinion i see him becoming another adam archuleta.
 

Colonel_Reb

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I just want to see him play, because I didn't see him a whole lot when he was in college. hopefully he will get and stay healthy and get a break from someone.
 

speedster

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Maybe I shouldn't have done this,but maybe I'm a martyr for upsetting myself because I looked through a copy of The Sporting News' draft preview.I checked their review on CB's and I couldn't find Dustin Fox,maybe I'm a little slow,but it finally dawned on me,maybe Fox is listed amongst the safteys.Guess what,he was.He was ranked 8th and the drivel they had on him was so typical that I won't bore you all with it,but I'll just give you a bit.They say Fox has above average speed.Yeah right,this former track athlete is just adequate in that department.They also went on to say that he lacks good hip movement and top end speed.Huh? Hip movement,they will use any excuse to put the white guy down so they have to revert to this hip movement bunk.Folk's I'm not feeling so good on Dustin's chances.
 

white lightning

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They said the same thing to Wariner.He couldn't get a
football scholarship because he wasn't fast enough.
Wariner blew by everyone in high school in Texas yet
oddly enough wasn't offered one scholarship.If him and
Dustin Fox could talk.They would have some great
stories.Fox's whole family is athletic.They all played
and excelled in sports.He should be a sure thing.This
really pisses me off.Stay your ground Dustin.Demand a
chance to play at the corner!
 

Colonel_Reb

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What the helk is a lack of hip movement? Is this what keeps white guys from doing excessive end zone celebrations? Man that's lame!
 

Colonel_Reb

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Wow, 43 and a half is unreal! I can't wait to see where he goes.
 

Don Wassall

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According to the latest from Scouts Inc. he's going on the second day as a safety. He should be considered a stud CB prospect, but even transferred to safety for racial reasons he can't get respect:


"Two of the most intriguing, early day two prospects are Ohio State's Dustin Fox and Fresno State's James Sanders. Fox was a cornerback throughout the good majority of his collegiate career, but he's better suited to play safety in the NFL. He will need more time to develop with limited experience at the collegiate level and also will need to add some bulk. However, he has good speed, man-to-man cover skills and the potential for very good range if his recognition skills improve."


Let's see, track star speed, unbelievable jumping ability, great play as a CB at a major program -- equals a second tier safety prospect in the NFL.
 

white lightning

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The closer we get to the draft and the more anxious I
get.I want Dustin Fox to stay at cornerback.Do not give
in and play safety.I know it's easy for me to say this.
He wants to make dollars and will probably do what ever
they tell him.I can hope though.Give him a chance to
be the next Sehorn.This kid can shut down receivers.
They just need to let him try out.If not,then move him
to safety.What would be the harm to play him at corner
in the pre-season?Here is to keeping my fingers crossed!
 
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