Antoine

Cason

Gilchrist was also torched in Week 8 by Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston. “Obviously, Marcus was having a tough game,” Turner said. “We decided to put (Antoine) Cason in.” Gilchrist’s confidence may be shot. He looked quite promising early in the season, but has now had back-to-back very bad games.

Gilchrist was destroyed by Jordy Nelson and had to be pulled from Week 9’s shootout, and we’re guessing that Norv Turner wants to give him time to get his confidence back. Cason hasn’t been much better, giving up three TDs to Plaxico Burress the week before. Unfortunately, this coverage issue isn’t much help to owners of Raiders receivers, who lack a week-to-week clarity in the game plan.

He returned to the game during overtime and hopefully this isn’t related to the hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 3. Antoine Cason, who was recently benched for rookie Marcus Gilchrist, replaced him and the dropoff is significant. The Chargers get the Packers in Week 9, and they’ll need all the help they can get against Aaron Rodgers and Co.

Detroit considered Jenkins, OT Jeff Otah, and CB Antoine Cason before settling on Gosder Cherilus. Still in need of a veteran cornerback, the Lions could be a viable trade partner for the Cowboys as the two teams get closer to training camp. The cost wouldn’t be more than a fifth-round pick.

Cason was lit up by Plaxico Burress Sunday and has been inconsistent all year. “We’re going to address that,” coach Norv Turner said Monday. “We don’t have to make that decision right now. We’re going to evaluate the two guys through the week.” Gilchrist impressed in a Week 4 spot start in place of Quentin Jammer. The Chargers are still ranked third against the pass heading into Monday’s game against the Chiefs.

Cason has been a starter each of the past three seasons, but it’s not a surprise after Powers brought home a three-year, $10.5 million deal compared to Cason’s one-year, $2 million pact. Cason could fall back to dime duties with Javier Arenas highly experienced in the slot. A rangy press corner, Cason is best suited to the outside. The Cards are deep at cornerback one year after being thin.

Reporter Darren Urban “wouldn’t be shocked” if Cason beat out Powers in camp, however. Urban believes Powers’ experience playing for Cardinals coach Bruce Arians last season gives him a leg up. Cason has been a starter each of the past three years, but played poorly in 2012. He’s also making less than Powers. In other words, Powers is the better bet to start.

Cason came on late in 2012 to finish with 73 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections as a 16-game starter. While San Diego has expressed interest in bringing him back, he likely won’t be returning on a team-friendly contract. Shareece Wright and Marcus Gilchrist are the only other corners on the Chargers’ roster with NFL experience.

The Cardinals are as thin as it gets at the cornerback spot after the release of William Gay last week. Cason is a bigger corner, which is how new DC Todd Bowles likes his corners to be. The Union-Tribune San Diego predicted last month that Cason could get upwards of $5 million annually on the open market.

The Chargers are reportedly “still in the mix.” New Browns DC Ray Horton likes his corners to be taller and able tacklers, and Cason fits the bill. Cason also has ties to OC Norv Turner and coach Rob Chudzinski from their days together in San Diego. The 26-year-old will have plenty of suitors.