Question re pass coverage

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"there's no way a safety can cover ____" (usually an athletic tight end); or "there's no way a linebacker can cover _____."

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Most linebackers & safetys aren't going to be able to cover Graham & Gronk.

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Would a cornerback be able to cover them?

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Too small, they can just use their body to more effectively shield them

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then .... who is? It's a pointless comment, guess I'm saying. Would a cornerback be able to cover them? Then why not play 7 cornerbacks on defense? I just fundamentally don't understand the point.

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Every defensive alignment and personnel group has weaknesses. You have to trade off speed for size, strength for quickness, etc. all the time. The key is finding the right balance. You can't just say put all your best cover guys on the field every play so the other team can't pass or put all your best run stoppers on the field every play so the other team can't run. You pick the best balance and alignment based on situations and then it's up to the offense to try and exploit your inevitable weaknesses.

Who is the best defensive player of all time? Lawrence Taylor? If you put 11 Lawrence Taylors on the field would that be a great defense?

Or maybe the best defensive back? Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders, Ronnie Lott? If you put 11 Rod Woodson's on the field would that be a great defense?

Tigerjeff you are not very smart. Good job asking questions in order to learn.

All they are saying is the "athletic tight end" creates match up problems. The bigger safeties/linebackers usually aren't fast enough to cover him, and cornerbacks aren't big enough.

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Most linebackers & safetys aren't going to be able to cover Graham & Gronk.

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IF they have to worry about the run

if it's straight up passing, a bunch can cover them about as well as you possibly can cover a receiver in today's NFL