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Posted: July 22, 2008
War Room scouts
The best cornerbacks in the NFL often don't get their named called, because quarterbacks are always throwing away from their direction. The best safeties, however, like to get to familiar with as many ballhanlders as possible, often driving right in their direction.
Whether it's in coverage or run support, it's important for the modern NFL defensive back to get physical with the opposition. Here are 25 that deliver for their teams in that way:
1. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos. A high-character team leader who is generally accepted as the best cover corner in the game. Bailey has the skills to hold up to any style of play and the Broncos are never afraid to single him up on the opponent's best receiver. He is a solid tackler, willing in run support, and has the recognition skills to decipher plays quickly and make plays on the ball.
2. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts. A fast, aggressive player who plays bigger than his size and has emerged as one of the game's hardest-hitting safeties. Although he is at his best playing down in the box to defend the run, he also is a physical presence across the middle for receivers and can take them out of the game, both mentally and physically. His lack of ideal size and his intensity on the field has led to several injuries, and he has yet to play a full 16-game slate in his career, but his skills and playmaking ability make Sanders, when healthy, the best safety in the game.
3. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers. A terrific strong safety who plays with great hustle. He excels in pursuit and never gives up on plays. He has great range and can quickly get to any spot on the field from his pre-snap location. Polamalu's speed makes him a great blitzer, and his physical style makes him a punishing tackler, both as a run defender and across the middle of the field against the pass. He gambles often and sometimes can get caught out of position, and injuries have limited him the past two seasons, but he is still a game-changing player.
4. Nate Clements, CB, San Francisco 49ers. An aggressive corner who is physical and excels in man coverage. He can smother receivers at the line of scrimmage and knock them off their routes, and still has the speed to turn and run with any receiver to make up for mistakes caused by his aggressive style. He has tremendous ball skills, change of direction and closing speed. Clemens shuts down an entire side of the field in the 49ers' secondary.
5. Antonio Cromartie, CB, San Diego Chargers. Cromartie led the NFL in interceptions (10) and passes defensed (28) while starting only eight games in 2007 and earned Pro Bowl honors as a result. He's a smart, explosive player with the speed to make plays on the ball and then take it to the house from anywhere on the field. We need to see it again this year, but based on the raw skills he has already displayed, Cromartie is clearly already among the game's top defensive playmakers.
6. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens. Reed had a down year in '06 but bounced back with 7 interceptions and 20 passes defensed in '07, ranking in the top ten in the NFL in both categories. He has great size and physical tools, and his speed and instincts allow him to cover plenty of ground and make plays on the ball. Reed tends to gamble and get out of position, but he still has the recovery and ball skills to make plays even when you think he can't. A big-time playmaker, he can dominate a game from deep safety.
7. Rashean Mathis, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars. At 6-1, 200 pounds, Mathis is a big, physical corner who is also blessed with great speed and strength. He's an excellent press corner and plays aggressively against the run. Teams threw away from him last year after a career high 8 INT in 2006, but he is one of the NFL's best shut down corners and is still improving.
8. Chris McAlister, CB, Baltimore Ravens. His size, strength, and agility make him a rare talent. He is a physical player who can shut down one side of the field and is comfortable going one-on-one with the league's best receivers. He can also take risks in coverage thanks to the pressure applied by the front seven in the Ravens' defense.
9. Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings. Although the Vikes were terrible against the pass last season, it didn't have a whole lot to do with Winfield. Teams tended to throw away from him given his aggressive style of coverage. He's one of the best tackling corners in the game, and is a top run support corner. Winfield is tough with his jam and some receivers never even get into their routes against him. He occasionally gets beat deep, but the rest of his work earns him a spot high on this list.
10. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Raiders. Hall's athleticism is what jumps out when you watch him play. He displays great speed, quickness, change of direction skills and leaping ability. He is also aggressive in going after the ball. He's not a top technical corner, but has the speed to turn and run with anyone in the NFL. His confidence and swagger will instantly make the Raiders;; defense better, and the change of scenery may be what Hall needs to put a tough couple years with the Falcons behind him and reclaim his spot among the NFL's elite corners.
11. Terence Newman, CB, Cowboys. Newman is an explosive athlete who shows great speed and agility. He can also be overaggressive in coverage but has the makeup speed to get back in position. He has learned to play with maturity and better technique. He also has become more of a playmaker with 8 interceptions and 144 tackles over the past two seasons. His improved coverage skills are the reason Anthony Henry sees so many balls come his way.
12. Asante Samuel, CB, Philadelphia Eagles. Unlike the players ahead of him on this list, Samuel doesn't possess elite physical skills, but he is a smart, instinctive player who always puts himself in position to make plays on the ball. He has enough range and rarely makes mistakes in coverage. Samuel is also a great open-field tackler and a strong run-support corner. With the pressure the Eagles put on the QB, look for Samuel to get his hands on a lot more passes this season.
13. Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia Eagles. Smart and instinctive, Dawkins does it all, even at an advanced age. He tracks the ball well in coverage, has good range, and makes plays on the ball. He is an aggressive, physical tackler against the run. He has the speed and savvy to attack the line as a blitzer in Philadelphia's zone pressure schemes. The addition of Samuel will take some pressure off Dawkins' coverage responsibilities in '08.
14. Al Harris, CB, Green Bay Packers. Although mileage is beginning to become a concern, Harris is an experienced DB who benefits from having Charles Woodson on the opposite side. Harris excels in press coverage, is a physical tackler and works well in short areas. He struggles when asked to run with top wideouts too long, but that weakness is hidden by the Pack's improved pass rush and the overall play of the front seven. This is likely Harris' last season on this list.
15. Dre' Bly, CB, Denver Broncos. Bly is a top cover corner with great speed and coverage skills. He gets good chances to make plays on the ball because of the presence of Bailey on the opposite side, making quarterbacks more likely to attack Bly. Bly has top-end speed and the ability to turn and run with receivers. He can also close quickly on the ball and the receiver. He is an ideal man-to-man cover corner and shows a great set of hands when making plays on the ball.
16. Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers. Another aging corner who possesses an outstanding combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He is physical at the line of scrimmage, has the height to compete for airborne balls, and is playing with an improved attitude in Green Bay. Woodson and Harris give the Pack one of the best league's best corner duos.
17. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks. Trufant had a great season in '07. He's a big, tall corner who can shut down top receivers with his ability to cover long and close quickly on the ball on shorter routes. He has good hands and is a dangerous runner after the catch. He has improved every year and continues to work his way toward being an elite corner. Once again, he will helped by the Seahawks' prolific pass rush.
18. Leigh Bodden, CB, Detroit Lions. Bodden has the coverage skills and the physical tools at 6-1, 195 pounds to be a top corner and he began to show it in '07 when he ranked in the top five in the NFL in interceptions and passes defensed. Bodden can be beaten deep, but he counters with a strong jam at the line and good instincts that always seem to have him in position to make plays on the ball. A good run defender and a physical tackler, Bodden will excel in the Lions' cover-2 scheme.
19. Roy Williams, S, Dallas Cowboys. Williams is a big, physical safety who is at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage. Although he's a big-time tackler and playmaker who can separate the ballcarriers from balls, he has always struggled in coverage, and teams are learning to exploit that weakness. Dallas has the depth in the secondary to use multiple personnel groups to try to hide Williams' deficiencies, but the fact remains he has become a nearly one-dimensional player, which is why he is so low on this list.
20. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders. Most fans have already heard about how fast Asomugha is, but few people realize just how big he is until they see him in person. He carries a 6-2, 210 frame. As a result, he is not super-athletic and is best in bump and run coverage. He is still improving his route recognition and technique, but nine interceptions over the past two seasons point toward him becoming a top cover man.
21. Dunta Robinson, CB, Houston Texans. Robinson is a matchup corner who can line up across from any receiver in the NFL and run with him. He has great athleticism and is a natural playmaker, but he needs to stay healthy. He will likely still be feeling the effects of ACL and hamstring injuries suffered last year come Week 1, but he can still have an impact with a shortened season.
22. Donte Whitner, S, Buffalo Bills. Whitner is an instinctive young playmaker who can make plays in traffic or in the open field. This rising young player will be helped even more in '08 with the return of fellow young safety Ko Simpson and the addition of rookie cover corner Leodis McKelvin.
23. Kerry Rhodes, S, New York Jets. Rhodes, a consistent playmaker, he has already been to a Pro Bowl. He has great range in the secondary and does a good job tracking balls in zone coverage -- he has nine interceptions over the past two seasons. Rhodes has also become an effective blitzer and is comfortable playing toward the line of scrimmage.
24. Adam Jones, CB, Dallas Cowboys. Jones is both physical and athletic, and plays bigger than his size. He can run with anyone, make big plays on the ball, and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. The issue, of course, is that his body of NFL work is limited, as is his ability to make good decisions off the field. If his head is on straight, Jones has the skills to be one of the NFL's very best.
25. Ken Hamlin, S, Cowboys. Hamlin ranked in the top 10 in the league in passes defensed last season, and was fourth among safeties with five interceptions. He has great range and can track down many balls while playing in center field. Hamlin is at his best jumping routes in zone coverage, but he can also match up with both tight ends and slot wide receivers. He is a strong complement to Roy Williams and is the player who may best be able to keep Williams on the field.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidates to crack the top 25 for '09:
Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets, and O.J. Atogwe, S, St. Louis Rams. The future is bright for the Jets at corner. Revis started every game as a rookie last season and showed some playmaking flair with three interceptions and a forced fumble. He displays good technique, size, instincts, and toughness and will continue to excel in the Jets' zone coverage schemes.
Atogwe is another young player with smarts and good instincts. He plays deep coverage in the Rams' scheme and has benefitted from the pressure fronts they play. He has improved greatly on his read-and-react skills and began showing a great break on the ball last season. He ranked second in the NFL with 8 interceptions and tied for eighth in the league with 20 passes defensed. Experience will just make him better.
War Room scouts
The best cornerbacks in the NFL often don't get their named called, because quarterbacks are always throwing away from their direction. The best safeties, however, like to get to familiar with as many ballhanlders as possible, often driving right in their direction.
Whether it's in coverage or run support, it's important for the modern NFL defensive back to get physical with the opposition. Here are 25 that deliver for their teams in that way:
1. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos. A high-character team leader who is generally accepted as the best cover corner in the game. Bailey has the skills to hold up to any style of play and the Broncos are never afraid to single him up on the opponent's best receiver. He is a solid tackler, willing in run support, and has the recognition skills to decipher plays quickly and make plays on the ball.
2. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts. A fast, aggressive player who plays bigger than his size and has emerged as one of the game's hardest-hitting safeties. Although he is at his best playing down in the box to defend the run, he also is a physical presence across the middle for receivers and can take them out of the game, both mentally and physically. His lack of ideal size and his intensity on the field has led to several injuries, and he has yet to play a full 16-game slate in his career, but his skills and playmaking ability make Sanders, when healthy, the best safety in the game.
3. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers. A terrific strong safety who plays with great hustle. He excels in pursuit and never gives up on plays. He has great range and can quickly get to any spot on the field from his pre-snap location. Polamalu's speed makes him a great blitzer, and his physical style makes him a punishing tackler, both as a run defender and across the middle of the field against the pass. He gambles often and sometimes can get caught out of position, and injuries have limited him the past two seasons, but he is still a game-changing player.
4. Nate Clements, CB, San Francisco 49ers. An aggressive corner who is physical and excels in man coverage. He can smother receivers at the line of scrimmage and knock them off their routes, and still has the speed to turn and run with any receiver to make up for mistakes caused by his aggressive style. He has tremendous ball skills, change of direction and closing speed. Clemens shuts down an entire side of the field in the 49ers' secondary.
5. Antonio Cromartie, CB, San Diego Chargers. Cromartie led the NFL in interceptions (10) and passes defensed (28) while starting only eight games in 2007 and earned Pro Bowl honors as a result. He's a smart, explosive player with the speed to make plays on the ball and then take it to the house from anywhere on the field. We need to see it again this year, but based on the raw skills he has already displayed, Cromartie is clearly already among the game's top defensive playmakers.
6. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens. Reed had a down year in '06 but bounced back with 7 interceptions and 20 passes defensed in '07, ranking in the top ten in the NFL in both categories. He has great size and physical tools, and his speed and instincts allow him to cover plenty of ground and make plays on the ball. Reed tends to gamble and get out of position, but he still has the recovery and ball skills to make plays even when you think he can't. A big-time playmaker, he can dominate a game from deep safety.
7. Rashean Mathis, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars. At 6-1, 200 pounds, Mathis is a big, physical corner who is also blessed with great speed and strength. He's an excellent press corner and plays aggressively against the run. Teams threw away from him last year after a career high 8 INT in 2006, but he is one of the NFL's best shut down corners and is still improving.
8. Chris McAlister, CB, Baltimore Ravens. His size, strength, and agility make him a rare talent. He is a physical player who can shut down one side of the field and is comfortable going one-on-one with the league's best receivers. He can also take risks in coverage thanks to the pressure applied by the front seven in the Ravens' defense.
9. Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings. Although the Vikes were terrible against the pass last season, it didn't have a whole lot to do with Winfield. Teams tended to throw away from him given his aggressive style of coverage. He's one of the best tackling corners in the game, and is a top run support corner. Winfield is tough with his jam and some receivers never even get into their routes against him. He occasionally gets beat deep, but the rest of his work earns him a spot high on this list.
10. DeAngelo Hall, CB, Raiders. Hall's athleticism is what jumps out when you watch him play. He displays great speed, quickness, change of direction skills and leaping ability. He is also aggressive in going after the ball. He's not a top technical corner, but has the speed to turn and run with anyone in the NFL. His confidence and swagger will instantly make the Raiders;; defense better, and the change of scenery may be what Hall needs to put a tough couple years with the Falcons behind him and reclaim his spot among the NFL's elite corners.
11. Terence Newman, CB, Cowboys. Newman is an explosive athlete who shows great speed and agility. He can also be overaggressive in coverage but has the makeup speed to get back in position. He has learned to play with maturity and better technique. He also has become more of a playmaker with 8 interceptions and 144 tackles over the past two seasons. His improved coverage skills are the reason Anthony Henry sees so many balls come his way.
12. Asante Samuel, CB, Philadelphia Eagles. Unlike the players ahead of him on this list, Samuel doesn't possess elite physical skills, but he is a smart, instinctive player who always puts himself in position to make plays on the ball. He has enough range and rarely makes mistakes in coverage. Samuel is also a great open-field tackler and a strong run-support corner. With the pressure the Eagles put on the QB, look for Samuel to get his hands on a lot more passes this season.
13. Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia Eagles. Smart and instinctive, Dawkins does it all, even at an advanced age. He tracks the ball well in coverage, has good range, and makes plays on the ball. He is an aggressive, physical tackler against the run. He has the speed and savvy to attack the line as a blitzer in Philadelphia's zone pressure schemes. The addition of Samuel will take some pressure off Dawkins' coverage responsibilities in '08.
14. Al Harris, CB, Green Bay Packers. Although mileage is beginning to become a concern, Harris is an experienced DB who benefits from having Charles Woodson on the opposite side. Harris excels in press coverage, is a physical tackler and works well in short areas. He struggles when asked to run with top wideouts too long, but that weakness is hidden by the Pack's improved pass rush and the overall play of the front seven. This is likely Harris' last season on this list.
15. Dre' Bly, CB, Denver Broncos. Bly is a top cover corner with great speed and coverage skills. He gets good chances to make plays on the ball because of the presence of Bailey on the opposite side, making quarterbacks more likely to attack Bly. Bly has top-end speed and the ability to turn and run with receivers. He can also close quickly on the ball and the receiver. He is an ideal man-to-man cover corner and shows a great set of hands when making plays on the ball.
16. Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers. Another aging corner who possesses an outstanding combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He is physical at the line of scrimmage, has the height to compete for airborne balls, and is playing with an improved attitude in Green Bay. Woodson and Harris give the Pack one of the best league's best corner duos.
17. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks. Trufant had a great season in '07. He's a big, tall corner who can shut down top receivers with his ability to cover long and close quickly on the ball on shorter routes. He has good hands and is a dangerous runner after the catch. He has improved every year and continues to work his way toward being an elite corner. Once again, he will helped by the Seahawks' prolific pass rush.
18. Leigh Bodden, CB, Detroit Lions. Bodden has the coverage skills and the physical tools at 6-1, 195 pounds to be a top corner and he began to show it in '07 when he ranked in the top five in the NFL in interceptions and passes defensed. Bodden can be beaten deep, but he counters with a strong jam at the line and good instincts that always seem to have him in position to make plays on the ball. A good run defender and a physical tackler, Bodden will excel in the Lions' cover-2 scheme.
19. Roy Williams, S, Dallas Cowboys. Williams is a big, physical safety who is at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage. Although he's a big-time tackler and playmaker who can separate the ballcarriers from balls, he has always struggled in coverage, and teams are learning to exploit that weakness. Dallas has the depth in the secondary to use multiple personnel groups to try to hide Williams' deficiencies, but the fact remains he has become a nearly one-dimensional player, which is why he is so low on this list.
20. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders. Most fans have already heard about how fast Asomugha is, but few people realize just how big he is until they see him in person. He carries a 6-2, 210 frame. As a result, he is not super-athletic and is best in bump and run coverage. He is still improving his route recognition and technique, but nine interceptions over the past two seasons point toward him becoming a top cover man.
21. Dunta Robinson, CB, Houston Texans. Robinson is a matchup corner who can line up across from any receiver in the NFL and run with him. He has great athleticism and is a natural playmaker, but he needs to stay healthy. He will likely still be feeling the effects of ACL and hamstring injuries suffered last year come Week 1, but he can still have an impact with a shortened season.
22. Donte Whitner, S, Buffalo Bills. Whitner is an instinctive young playmaker who can make plays in traffic or in the open field. This rising young player will be helped even more in '08 with the return of fellow young safety Ko Simpson and the addition of rookie cover corner Leodis McKelvin.
23. Kerry Rhodes, S, New York Jets. Rhodes, a consistent playmaker, he has already been to a Pro Bowl. He has great range in the secondary and does a good job tracking balls in zone coverage -- he has nine interceptions over the past two seasons. Rhodes has also become an effective blitzer and is comfortable playing toward the line of scrimmage.
24. Adam Jones, CB, Dallas Cowboys. Jones is both physical and athletic, and plays bigger than his size. He can run with anyone, make big plays on the ball, and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. The issue, of course, is that his body of NFL work is limited, as is his ability to make good decisions off the field. If his head is on straight, Jones has the skills to be one of the NFL's very best.
25. Ken Hamlin, S, Cowboys. Hamlin ranked in the top 10 in the league in passes defensed last season, and was fourth among safeties with five interceptions. He has great range and can track down many balls while playing in center field. Hamlin is at his best jumping routes in zone coverage, but he can also match up with both tight ends and slot wide receivers. He is a strong complement to Roy Williams and is the player who may best be able to keep Williams on the field.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidates to crack the top 25 for '09:
Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets, and O.J. Atogwe, S, St. Louis Rams. The future is bright for the Jets at corner. Revis started every game as a rookie last season and showed some playmaking flair with three interceptions and a forced fumble. He displays good technique, size, instincts, and toughness and will continue to excel in the Jets' zone coverage schemes.
Atogwe is another young player with smarts and good instincts. He plays deep coverage in the Rams' scheme and has benefitted from the pressure fronts they play. He has improved greatly on his read-and-react skills and began showing a great break on the ball last season. He ranked second in the NFL with 8 interceptions and tied for eighth in the league with 20 passes defensed. Experience will just make him better.
