“When the trade went down, I got the news on TV and my agent and a few other people called as well, but the trade opens the door for all the other corners who are here as well,” explained Cason. “By (Cromartie) not being here, he was a starter, but obviously no one is just going to give you a job. I’m going in with the mindset that it’s an opportunity.”
Coming to the NFL proved to be a big adjustment for Cason, a four-year starter who was one of the most decorated corners ever to play at the University of Arizona. The chants of “
“We’re all pretty competitive guys,” said Cason of his fellow cornerbacks. “What all three of us understood was that we were all competitors and all three wanted to be out there full-time. When we understood that about each other and played like that, there was a mutual respect between us. There were no hard feelings because we had to be teammates, so we respected one another, but at the same time we were all working to be the best we could be and be out there full time.”
After serving two seasons in various roles, including nickel cornerback, Cason is ready for the challenge of competing for a spot in the starting lineup. Having spent his entire collegiate career as a true cornerback who lined up on the proverbial island, Cason feels the experience of having the nickel position has better prepared him for what’s ahead in 2010 and beyond.
“It’s been an experience,” explained Cason. “I played a position (nickel) that I’ve never played before and it was definitely a challenge, but one that I was up for. It was a good experience. It was football, so I went out there with the mindset that I’ve gone out with every year that it was going to be hard work and I was going to compete.”
Cason had the benefit of coming to the NFL and being well-versed in the adversity that a young player might face. His father, Wendell, spent three years in the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive backfield in the mid-80s and two of his cousins played in the NFL so he had first-hand knowledge of what to expect. Cason grew up around the game he loves to play, and he knows that if he continues to work hard and prepare, that everything else will take care of itself.
“I have goals for myself that exceed the ones that others may put on me,” said Cason. “So if I reach the ones that I’ve set for myself, I’m confident that I’ll be fine. It’s cool to hear encouraging phone calls, but it’s not going to be easy. The NFL isn’t easy and I’m ready for that. But I definitely have confidence in myself that I’m ready to play.”
Since the Chargers’ season ended in January, Cason has been doing the things he’s needed to do in order to be ready for the coming campaign. It’s a regimen that has included rest, stretching and massages. He’s starting to feel fresh again and is eager to return to San Diego to re-join his teammates and participate in the offseason program which kicks off in early April.
“I’m definitely ready to get the workouts going again,” said a spirited Cason. “It’ll be a good thing to get inside the locker room, be around the guys and get going again.”
