Got It Covered: Hanging With Corey Webster

Corey Webster is a starting cornerback for the New York Giants. Towards the end of the 2007 season and throughout the 2008 season, Webster developed himself as one of the best cover corners in the NFL. His individual success helped elevate the Giants to the 12-4 club they were in 2008.

In the beginning of the 2007 season he was limited to special teams duty and was even inactive for a few games. He turned it on down the stretch including scoring a Pick Six against Buffalo in Week 16, tallying an interception and fumble recovery against Tampa Bay in the Wild Card match-up, shutting down Terrell Owens in the Divisional Round, and setting up the Giants winning field goal with an interception of Brett Favre in overtime of the NFC Title Game.

Webster played very well in the Super Bowl as well, despite falling down covering Randy Moss on the Patriots go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Webster has now established himself as one of the best corners in the game and is a cornerstone of the Giants franchise. He was rewarded with a five-year deal in December of 2008.

Here are some questions I would ask Corey Webster if given the chance.

What's the best attribute you bring to the football field?

Corey Webster has 146 tackles, two sacks, and five interceptions in his four year career.

What was the transition like from high school wide receiver to college cornerback?

Webster was a two sport star at St. James High School in North Vacherie, Louisiana.

What were your emotions like on Draft Day?

Corey Webster was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

What was the rollercoaster ride like from the beginning of the 2007 season to the All Pro season you had in 2008?

At the beginning of the 2007 season, Webster was on special teams and, for some games, was inactive. During the playoff run however, Webster was the go to guy for Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

What was running through your mind after the Randy Moss touchdown in the Super Bowl?

Webster had played splendid through the first three quarters of Super Bowl XLII. However late in the fourth quarter and with the Patriots driving, Webster fell down trying to cover Randy Moss, allowing Brady to hit his target for the touchdown and give New England the lead. The Giants would make a comeback of their own directly after to win the Super Bowl.

How would you describe your style of play?

Webster has played to his full potential over the last year and has developed into one of the best corners in the game.

What marked the turnaround for you in the 2007 season?

After a lackluster first few years as a Giant, Webster made huge plays on defense for the Giants during their Super Bowl run.

What got you into football at a young age?

Webster played his college ball at Louisiana State University and won a national title under then head coach, Nick Saban.

What's more gratifying for you: an interception or not having a ball thrown your way for an entire game?

Webster had two interceptions and a fumble recovery en route to the New York Giants third Super Bowl victory.

How important has defensive backs coach Pete Giunta been to your success as an individual and a unit?

Pete Giunta was hired as the Giants secondary coach in 2006. Giunta served as the Defensive Coordinator on the Rams Super Bowl team in 1999.

What's your favorite offseason activity?

Webster will now be expected to be a leader and a mentor to the younger kids on the defense in 2009.