Packers rookie embraces demanding coaching style as he works to accelerate development ahead of crucial first NFL season
Second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse has built a strong relationship with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Cornerback Brandon Cisse played at NC State and South Carolina in college football. He’s only 20 years old, but has already been through successful experiences that led him to being drafted in the second round by the Green Bay Packers. But don’t get it wrong. Cisse wants to get better, and wants to make an impact in the NFL.
And that’s why he’s had a strong connection with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon from the jump. The tough love, as Cisse says, is part of the process to get him where he wants to be.
“It’s been great,” Cisse said during the offseason program about his relationship with Gannon. “He’s super tough on me, but that’s something I embrace. It’s tough love. Even when I do make plays, he’s super excited, and he’s going to get on me in the film room. He may cuss me out, but it’s all out of love. He’s just a great coach, and I couldn’t ask for somebody better who’s really invested in me.”
Investment to make the position better
The Packers drafted Cisse and Domani Jackson this season, but cornerback development isn’t just a hope. The team actively built the new defensive coaching staff with a focus on making their defensive backs better.
Gannon himself has a background coaching the secondary. The Packers also added former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich as a secondary coach/pass game coordinator, and former San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Daniel Bullocks as a cornerbacks coach.
“Even when I am performing great, I still want to be critiqued on everything that I’m doing wrong because that’s just kind of how I am,” Cisse added. “I’m not necessarily a perfectionist, but I like playing at a high level. I want to be in those kinds of positions, so that’s something I thrive on. Even if I make a good play, [Gannon] probably isn’t going to show the good play. He’s going to show all the other clips where I probably didn’t have good footwork or something like that. That’s what comes with it, and I’m excited for somebody to challenge me like that.”
It’s a long process for Cisse
Because Cisse is so young, the Packers don’t necessarily expect an immediate impact from him. Throughout the offseason program, the defense had veterans Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as starters at boundary cornerback. However, the rookie knows this is part of a big-picture plan to eventually get him in the right position to contribute.
At the same time, the second-rounder seems to be comfortable with life in the NFL, despite some differences compared to college.
“I would say there’s obviously a long way to go, so there are going to be many more growing pains and many more things to work through,” Cisse mentioned. “But I would say it’s the different kinds of coordinators. Every coordinator sees every little thing, every little detail. That’s why you try to make sure that you improve every weakness so you don’t give anybody a beat on what you do. You want to be unpredictable, so that’s what I would say.”
The Packers may or may not have a huge rookie season from Brandon Cisse. But the defensive back’s main goal for now is to get better, and leaning on Jonathan Gannon is part of that process.