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CB dept. : Why there are no true shutdown corners today; my top 5 CB's ~ ~ ~

kelly

By kelly
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kelly

kelly

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Patrick Peterson tops NFL's most valued defensive backs in 2016

 

Defensive backs are of such high value in the NFL -- now more than ever. In the past three seasons, we've seen secondaries help lead their respective teams to Super Bowl championships: Seattle's "Legion of Boom" put on a dominating performance against Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII; New England cornerback Malcolm Butler made the game-winning interception to clinch Super Bowl XLIX; and Denver's "No Fly Zone" helped shut down Carolina's SuperCam in Super Bowl 50.

The value of defensive backs has been influenced by the NFL becoming a true "quarterback league" in recent years. It's a different ballgame from the one I saw when I entered the league as a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003. Look at the difference in QB production over the last dozen seasons: two quarterbacks threw for more than 4,000 yards in 2003, while 12 hit the mark in the 2015 regular season. There are more opportunities for big offensive plays; however, the secondary has just as many chances to create turnovers. In the next few years, teams are going to bring in more DBs who can snatch INTs and tackle -- the kind of players who made up Denver's dominant defense a year ago.Of course, one of the biggest reasons for this aerial evolution is the rule changes in the passing game. In 2003, corners and safeties could put their hands all over opposing receivers when defending passes. Now, it's more of a "basketball on grass" game on the perimeter because there can't be any contact.

Deion "Prime Time" Sanders changed the game for how DBs were viewed in the league, making coaches realize every team needs at least one good corner to present matchup problems. During his time in the league, he was the most valued defensive back in football. When I was with the Steelers, it was Troy Polamalu, for several reasons. Troy had instincts that you can't teach, and he routinely provided the kind of performance that solidified him as one of the very best safeties in the game. Troy just plain gave opponents hell -- not only in regular-season (and divisional) games, but in the postseason, as well. He did everything: made plays that people thought he couldn't make, caught INTs during crucial moments and closed out games. He was the ninth-inning closer, which is why he'll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

There are many DBs in the league today who provide Troy's same spark to their respective teams. The most prized players aren't necessarily the best by statistical measurements, but the ones who bring the most value to their respective secondaries. With that in mind, here are my top five most valuable defensive backs in the league today :

 

~ ~   5) Darrelle Revis, cornerback, New York Jets

A few years ago, Revis was it. Quarterbacks wouldn't even think about throwing the ball his way, and with good reason. Revis changed the game and opposing defenses avoided him -- as they still do when they can. He's been at the top of league at his position for years, and he continues to be a force to be reckoned with, even entering his 10th NFL season. Injuries have hindered his play some, which is why he's at No. 5 on this list, but he was still tied for sixth in INTs (five) last season.

rest of above article : 

> http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000650826/article/patrick-peterson-tops-nfls-most-valued-defensive-backs-in-2016

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