Champ Bailey has long been held as the standard for cornerbacks in the NFL.
With the trade of DeAngelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders, many Raiders fans have been quick to proclaim that they have the best pair of cornerbacks in the league.
Let's just examine the top individual cornerbacks in the game today.
No. 5: Chris McAlister, BAL
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD | |
| 411 | 377 | 34 | 0.0 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 458 | 19.9 | 98 | 5 | 131 |
McAlister is not your typical cornerback. He thrives on contact and doesn't get a lot of interceptions. He does get his hands on balls though with 131 passes defended in his career. His best year came in 2006 with 6 interceptions and 22 passes defended.
No. 4: Nnamdi Asomugha, OAK
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD | |
| 218 | 192 | 26 | 2.0 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 69 | 7.7 | 24 | 1 | 43 |
Asomugha is a still developing talent, and he was very slow to develop.
In his first three years in the league, he didn't have a single interception and only had 17 pass defenses. Asomugha really exploded onto the scene in 2006, grabbing 8 interceptions and 19 pass defenses. His numbers fell off last year as teams looked to exploit the Raiders' porous run defense and wind down the clock to maintain their large leads.
No. 3: Charles Woodson, GB
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD | |
| 595 | 507 | 88 | 6.5 | 10 | 23 | 17 | 2 | 29 | 437 | 15.1 | 51 | 4 | 115 |
Woodson has been playing as a top corner for a long time, and he is on the down side of his career but is still an effective corner. Paired with Al Harris, he is part of a great tandem in Green Bay. His best year came in 2006 with 8 interceptions and 26 passes defended.
No. 2: Antonio Cromartie, SD
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD | |
| 68 | 59 | 9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 144 | 14.4 | 70 | 1 | 23 |
Cromartie is a rare talent. Freakishly athletic, he is just tapping into his potential and should be the best cornerback in the league within a few years.
The ball just seems to be a magnet for his hands, as evidenced by the circus catch of Peyton Manning in Week 10. He is still learning the fine details of the NFL game, and needs more work on run support, but he is a corner to be feared.
Cromartie finished 2007 with a league-leading 10 interceptions as well as 18 passes defended.
No. 1: Champ Bailey, DEN
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD | |
| 649 | 592 | 57 | 1.0 | 15 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 42 | 428 | 10.2 | 70 | 4 | 152 |
While his speed is slowing, Bailey still possesses the best instincts in the game and is the closest we have right now to a shutdown corner.
Bailey also excels in the running game, which sets him apart from Cromartie. In 2005 and 2006, Bailey had a combined 18 interceptions and 44 passes defended, while piling up 152 tackles.
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4 months ago
Stat wise I guess but these aren't the top 5
Are you kidding Cromartie at number 2? Most of his INTs were thrown to him or deflected his way. Now don't get me wrong he has a helluva vision of returning the ball, a freakish talent for that, but a top 5 corner? Hell no. He got caught with his pants down when left one on one a lot. The only reason he is successful is because he has Merriman and crew blitzing the hell out of the opposing QB's.
T5- Al Harris
Better than Woodson. Woodson is getting old, good yes, top 5 I don't think so
T5- DeAngelo Hall
Has Freakish Talent, stays cool this year then Damn that Oakland secondary is scary, really scary
T4- Rashean Mathis
The Jags best defensive player
T4- Nnamdi Asomugha
His numbers that you keep track off fell low, INT's, Passes defended. Look at this stat: Asomugha has only been thrown at 27 times this season with 9 completions- only 9 completions thrown to only 27 times, Opposing QB's stayed away from him all year long(SHUTDOWN CORNER). First years he was in the league he was under the two Woodsons: Future HOF Rod Woodson, and maybe HOF Charles Woodson. He learned corner skills from Charles and work ethic from Rod, one helluva combo. Might be my number one corner next season if he does the same he did in 07 or in 06.
3- Asante Samuel
I was going to put Nnamdi here but this guy has been a great corner for a while and I have to give him credit
2- Chris McAlister
Ed Reed helps him or He helps Ed Reed probably both but he plays well in the Ravens. He is part of a team (i thought) that had the best defense in 2006 (only giving up field goals to the Colts in the Playoffs) and their Superbowl year in 2001 (Stopped No. 1 offense by injuring their QB, Raider fans know what I'm talking about)
1- Champ Bailey
Getting slower but his technique is amazing. Only issue is he is getting beat more often, 2007 was possibly his last year as the No. 1 corner
Thats my views of the top 5 (or more like 7) Corners
from 4 months ago
I really tossed back and forth between AL Harris and Charles Woodson, and the same with Rashean Mathis and Chris McAlister but I decided on the two I did. I wasn't going by stats alone. I was going by who can cover whom.
I wouldn't call Asomugha a shutdown corner. If you have a good to great corner on one side and a relative nobody on the other, of course you're going to throw at the nobody. Plus, the fact that teams were doing nothing but running limits the number of throws on his side.
As for Hall and Samuel. Over rated, both of them. They are both extreme risk takers. You need to have balls to play the corner but they can be burned. Hall's yards per pass attempt is 8.8 yards. Tops in the league is 4.5. Samuels is considerably better at 4.7 yards but I think that is a testemant to the fact that teams were using a short passing attack in replacement for a running attack against the Patriots. Almost every Patriot that leaves New England suffers in play. I think Samuel chose a good team to go to because the scheming is similar, but I think he is overrated.
If there was a corner I would toss in the mix that I hadn't already, it would be Rhonde Barber. Amazing in run support and very aware of the field.
4 months ago
Champ Bailey is definitely #1, now I won't pretend to be a DB expert but I know that Al Harris has been dominant for 4 years now. I realize that he doesn't get high interception totals but that has to do with his style of play, and before the Packers got Charles Woodson no one passed Al Harris' way because he would shut down the opposing team's number 1 wide receivers so well...Of course now you have another great corner opposite of Al Harris so you have to throw his way more. Also Chad Johnson called him one of the best corners in the league a few years ago. Some other ones to consider might be Nate Clements, Ronde Barber, Fred Smoot, and Antione Winfied although they aren't necessarily top 5 material.
from 4 months ago
If you pushed me to expand my list to 9, I'd probably include Al Harris, Assente Samuel, Rhonde Barber and Fred Smoot. Not sure what order, but those are probably the next four.
from 4 months ago
Yeah, and it's kinda tough to rate since there are different styles of play...there aren't a whole lot of pure bump and run corners left besides woodson and harris (or at least that's what I hear)
from 4 months ago
There are a few still out there, but the new rules makes it really hard on them. Quentin Jammer (the one with the fitting name) is a bump-and-run corner and had a really tough time adjusting to the rules. He led the league the first year the new rules were in effect (maybe even first two years). Hall is somewhat of a bump-and-run, so is Champ.
They are out there, they've just had to adjust.
4 months ago
This list cant be taken seriously. Woodson maybe 7 years ago. Al Harris- way overrated...they were helped by G.Bays defensive front- so obvious. Ty Law is too old I guess but not C. Wood ??
How can you put whatever his name in from S.Diego over Asomougha...get the tape of Asmougha covering Chad Johnson...Palmer went after him intercepted the second pass...hes big and out fought C.J for the ball. Had like two picks in the game.
Nate Clemens has to be on that list ! Angelo Hall ??? Bailey sure.
Write about something else or go work for espn, lol
from 4 months ago
Eric..you're arguing over two spots for Asomugha. From 4th to 2nd and your acting like it is a travesty. I still have him as 4th out of 64 starting corners. Tell me who else has intercepted Peyton Manning 3 times in one game? Who else has intercepted Tom Brady and Petyon Manning 5 times in a 3 game stretch? The kid is playing on pure instincts and athleticism. Wait until the learns the game.
You must have missed Ty Laws' last few seasons? In fact, Ty Law has only really ever had 3 good seasons. In 2005 he had 10 interceptions and 18 passes defended, 2003 6 and 23 and his best year was back in 1998 with 9 and 27.
Every corner is helped by his d-line. They go hand in hand.
And Clement? Top 5?? What Clement does is he lets the WR catch the ball and then tackles them. Not exactly shut down. He's never had more than 6 interceptions.
And I said Woodson is on the decline, did you actually read the article? or just read the names and started posting? He had 8 interceptions the year before last. Not 7 years ago.
Lots of people want to put Samuel up there, and I understand where they are coming from. I just don't agree. I'd probably have him in the top 8, but not the top 5. DeAngelo Hall on the other hand, does not belong in the top 15, same with Clements.
That comment about Porter actually made me laugh at your idiodic logic. Every corner gets beat at some point. We both agree that Bailey tops the list, James Jones and Greg Jennings burned him in the same game for an 80 yard touchdown last year, so they must be the top wideouts in the game (I have to laugh again because it is Green Bay, who I actually watch very little of. In Canada Direct TV isn't the only way to get Sunday Ticket, every cable company and sattelite company carries it).
from 4 months ago
Eric, get real Al Harris overrated? Puh-lease he barely gets credit, he got his first pro bowl this year (he should be a 3 time pro bowler, and I actually think this year was his least deserving year)...of course a defensive front helps but did you ever think that the reason opposing teams weren't firing off quick, timing-based passes was because al harris and charles woodson disrupted their timing consistently by playing bump and run coverage? Not to mention you're ranting going on about Asomougha covering Chad Johnson...I distinctly remember Ocho Cinco calling Al Harris one of the best corners in the league...going back to the defensive front "helping Al Harris so much" and how it was "so obvious" how do you explain him utterly dominating opposing wide recievers in '04 and '05 when he was on a for sh*t defense?...although I will admit that if you have a crappy run defense teams are gonna run against you more, and if you have no number 2 corner than you're probably not going to throw to the number 1 corner. It has less to do with his defensive front and more to do with his skills...the only wide reciever i've seen own Harris was Plaxico Burress...and I'm willing to bet in a rematch Harris is going to come out on top.
Oh and btw Charles Woodson "maybe 7 years ago" you neglect the fact that in the 06'-07' season he had 8 picks, and in this last year 07'08' he single handedly won the Packers the Washington game and continued to be a playmaker and shut down corner...honestly would you want to throw against any of these guys?
4 months ago
I see your in Canada that explains all the Green Bay Packer games you get in your area. You probably should get Direct TV and watch some more games...less hockey?
Bailey
Samuel
Asomough( sure wish he had an easier name)
Hall
Clemens, Nate
4 months ago
I guess you would have to put Jerry Porter has top three wrs too because he beat woodson and harris for the ball in the endzone!
see NFL.com highlights
4 months ago
Correction
It was just Al Harris who should have had that pick against JP but maybe his big freakin hair got in the way. If it was top five he would of had that pick....damn hair.
click Raiders then Jerry Porter...NFL.COM
from 4 months ago
Yeah I spose Al's hair "got in the way" when he ripped the ball out of T.O.'s hand in the GB-Dallas game...not bad since TO is such a "physical receiver" if you watched the game you probably also noticed Harris put TO on his back when TO was trying to block...get real Harris is one of the most physical corners in the league, I don't really care if he got beat by Porter, more times than not he shuts down the opposing team's number 1...which is precisely what you want your cornerback to do.
4 months ago
Cromartie is one of the best corners in the NFL. He deserves to be no 2. None of his interceptions were by luck or fault but pure skill. I think he is even better then baily. The only pass that was deflected towards him was in the probowl. Some examples of his skill was week 10 against peyton and also against the Texans.
4 months ago
Forget my comment from above, It was my bandwagon brother not me. As for me, I believe that list is inaccurate. Asante Samuel has 16 interceptions in the last two years; 10 in 2006 and 6 in 2007 and should defenitly be up there amongst the top cornerbacks. DeAngelo Hall should definately be on that list having played on one of the worst teams in the NFL last year and still getting away with 5 interceptions. Hall is also a two time pro bowler and a first round pick. Nmandi is a great CB and I like that he is mentioned up there. He was only slow to devolpe (as you have mentioned up there) because he played safety in college and was asked to play CB by the Raiders. Even with that said he only allowed five catches to be caught in the 2007 season. As for Cromartie, he only had one good season and hes already #2 on that list. He was pretty much unknown the previous years but came away with a pro bowl caliber performance in 2007. Although he showed that he had good talent last year, he doesnt deserve to be #2 just yet.
from 4 months ago
As I explained in a response earlier, I can understand what people think about Samuel, but I think you will see something different now that he has left New England. I could be wrong, I don't know the future, but that's what I think and what I based him being left out on.
Being a first round pick doesn't mean you are a good player. Hall has never lived up to the hype. He's always played well enough and been flashy enough that he doesn't get forgotten. He is not even a top 10 cornerback though. He got 5 interceptions because QBs are not afraid to throw at him. About half the teams in the league would swap him for their #1 corner, so the Raiders are in a good position, but he is not a top 5 corner.
4 months ago
Even if QBs do want to throw the ball at you, you still must have a good amount of skill to intercept the ball. There are alot of CBs in the NFL who have the ball thrown at them but still cant come away with five interceptions. Hall did this on team that was having one of the wort pass defenses in the league. I only mentioned the fact that they were first rounders to also show the fact that they have been great players in college as well. I would be very interested to hear your take on Cromartie though after what I have written above.
from 4 months ago
I'm not saying Hall is absolutely horrid, I still think he is a top 15 corner. Just no where near top 5.
As for Cromartie, yes it has only been one real year. But what a year. The guy finished second in defensive MVP. He intercepted Tom Brady and Peyton Manning a combined 5 times this year (as much as Hall all season). I can understand where people are coming from with saying #2 is too high. But You just look at how raw the guy is and still how well he played. If you have an issue with Cromartie on the list, then you should also have an issue with Asomugha, because Cromartie's one good year was amazing. Asomugha's was only extremely good. Don't get me wrong, I think highly of Asomugha as well, just higher of Cromartie.
4 months ago
Well you are all stupid since, Bailey is clearly #1 then ASO. Hands down. You cant compare him to a Cromartie or Samuel. They both play Zone coverage which is why they have good stats. ASO lays man to mna everyplay, and when you only allow 9 catches all season you are the best in the league. Cromartie is good at zone but he would greatly struggle in man to man. Look at Jamarcus to Porter last year, porter beat Cromartie and guess what TD. Samuel not only plays Zone but he had a stacked defense around him.
It goes 1. Bailey
2ASO
3 Charles Woodsen
4 Al Harris
5 Deangelo Hall (plays man to man, has the best hands for any CB and is only 24)
from 4 months ago
Actually, the Chargers play more man to man than zone. They don't shadow, in that Jammer will always play the right and Cromartie will always play the left, but they play man-up. that was why Florence was so highly regarded (over rated in my opinion), because he played man coverage in San Diego.
You obviously missed week 10 with Cromartie's circus catch off of Peyton, I don't think you will have very many arguments favouring Hall over Cromartie for hands. Even for the people that think Hall is a better corner overall, most would agree that Cromartie has the best hands.
from 4 months ago
Ricky I'm liking the love for Woodson and Harris...I would flip their order just because I think Harris provides better coverage, but Woodson does get more interceptions...so I guess it depends on how you value it...also Harris I'm pretty sure matches up almost every play against the opposing team's number 1.
4 months ago
Really liked your list. I think it was smart of you to keep Samuel off of it. Remember Ty Law? Yeah right when he left NE he wasn't anything but a mediocore CB at best. Glad you still have Bailey at #1 - guy is a machine.
4 months ago
Hey maple leaf, go write about hockey cuz you obviously dont know football....
1a) Nnamdi Asomugha...6-2, 210lbs...he's a completely lock down corner with his size. speed, and strength, and tackling ability, he's the best in the league
1b) Champ...if he wasnt as short he'd be #1...he cant jump with a 6-4 guy. Hard to be #1 when you cant cover anyone taller...may i remind everywhere where "champ" got KILLED BY JERRY PORTER (6-2) for 3tds in that snow game?!?! thats NEVER happened to nnamdi
3) Cromartie...i hate him but he's damn good...lets see if he's a one year wonder
4) Woodson...can cover anyone with his speed and size
5) Deangelo Hall...ONLY 24 AND IS A PRESS SHUTDOWN CORNER...this ranking is because of what will happen this year when Nnamdi is on the other side
Theres are all man coverage guys, not those "im good cuz the system and i only have to cover 10 yards of field" players
AND YES THE RAIDERS DO HAVE THE BEST DB TANDEM IN THE GAME
4 months ago
Hey maple leaf, go write about hockey cuz you obviously dont know football....
1a) Nnamdi Asomugha...6-2, 210lbs...he's a completely lock down corner with his size. speed, and strength, and tackling ability, he's the best in the league
1b) Champ...if he wasnt as short he'd be #1...he cant jump with a 6-4 guy. Hard to be #1 when you cant cover anyone taller...may i remind everywhere where "champ" got KILLED BY JERRY PORTER (6-2) for 3tds in that snow game?!?! thats NEVER happened to nnamdi
3) Cromartie...i hate him but he's damn good...lets see if he's a one year wonder
4) Woodson...can cover anyone with his speed and size
5) Deangelo Hall...ONLY 24 AND IS A PRESS SHUTDOWN CORNER...this ranking is because of what will happen this year when Nnamdi is on the other side
Theres are all man coverage guys, not those "im good cuz the system and i only have to cover 10 yards of field" players
AND YES THE RAIDERS DO HAVE THE BEST DB TANDEM IN THE GAME
28 days ago
replace Antonio Cromartie with Asante Samuel and then this will be a perfect list, Antonio has not played long enough to be considered that good, sure he had a hell of a year, but you still have to see what else he can do. Champ is amazing, good at #1,and for those who comment about last year, that was because he had no pass rush so receivers got all day to get open. He still went All-Pro to the pro bowl. Also his tackling is still #1 out of all corners,he tackles like a LB he does not go for legs he tackles like a man.
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