HEAD TO HEAD: Champ vs. Cromartie

            In light of this week's much anticipated match-up between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers, we will be seeing two (or three) of the best corners in the Nation Football League. Two years removed from his double-digit interception total, Champ Bailey is still widely considered to be one of, if not the best cornerback in the NFL. However, that title may soon belong to a former 1st round draft pick out out of Florida State, by the name of Antonio Cromartie. Just how good is this kid? Well, to start with, he led the NFL in 10 interceptions last season, returning them for 144 yards and a touchdown. Impressed? Well you're going to be after you hear this; Cromartie intercepted Manning three times in a regular season game last season. No, im not talking about Eli, I'm talking about Peyton. Considered to be one of the best QBs in the NFL today, Manning has never been intercepted three times in a game, until he met Cromartie. Furthermore, he currently holds the longest play in NFL history after returning a missed field goal try by Ryan Longwell 109 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. And he did all that in his second year.

             Not to be outdone, Champ Bailey has long held the crown of NFL's best corner. His 42 interceptions rank second amongst active players, just behind Darren Sharper of the Minnesota Vikings. Although he frequently picks off passes, he is better known as a shut-down corner. Voted to the Pro-Bowl eight times, he earned a reputation of not even glancing in direction by opposing QBs. Although his interception totals have dipped significantly over the past year, it could be attributed to the fact that he was tested rarely in games. Playing with Pro-Bowler Dre Bly, they are known to be the best corner tandem in the NFL.

         This week, both corners will have a chance to showcase themselves in order to claim the right of being the best corner in the NFL. However, before we actually get underway, I'm going to break down each corner and give my opinion as to the best.

STATS:

Champ Bailey: 10th year, 142 games played, 652 total tackes, 42 interceptions, 428 yards, and 4 defensive touchdowns.

Antonio Cromartie: 3rd year, 33 games played, 73 tackles, 10 interceptons, 144 yards, 1 defensive touchdown.

VERDICT:  Champ Bailey

Judging solely from stats, Bailey has a more distinguished career. He leads Cromartie in tackles per game (4.6 to 2.2) while Cromartie counters with interception per game (.303 to .295). However, Bailey has more pass break-ups per game (1.07 to 0.73) and more sacks (1 to none) than Cromartie. Cromatie only trails Bailey's defensive touchdown tally by 1, despite playing 109 less games than him.

TALENT:

While talent is hard to measure in a person, I'm going to have to say that Bailey and Cromartie are equally talented, just not at the same time. Bailey has the agility and the quickness to snap of a pick faster a bullet out of a barrel while Cromartie evens the field with his amazing catching ability.

VERDICT: TIE

POTENTIAL:

If I'd written this article about 4 years ago, Bailey would have been the clear-cut winner. However, taking things as they're now, Bailey can not match Cromartie's potentials. Bailey's already celebrated his 30th birthday while Cromartie took the NFL by storm last season at the age of 23. Although Bailey has had a more accomplished career, there is little doubt that Cromartie will have much trouble to equal that feat.

VERDICT: Cromartie

INTANGIBLES:

Ever since Cromartie came into the NFL, the Chargers have made the playoffs for the past two years; and the Broncos have made none. Cromartie played a huge part in their success last season while Bailey was humiliated by his Favre-Burning against the Packers. However, the playing field will be more even this year, with the Broncos' young players maturing and the devastaing loss of Merrimen for the Chargers. This will be a good test to see whether Bailey's Broncos can be on par with the Chargers.

VERDICT:  Cromartie

WINNER: CHAMP BAILEY

With a name like that, who wouldn't be first in everything? Champ Bailey, no matter how old he is, is still the league's best shut-down corner, with countless QBs attesting to that (including MVP Brady). The only dissenter would be Manning, who was burned by Cromartie last season. The deciding factor in my choice was the fact that Bailey was a true shut-down corner. Quaterback cannot throw Bailey's way without expecting a break-up or an interception. Although Cromartie's hands are god, he is still a young, aggresive corner who has a lot to learn. As of right now, Champ is still the better cornerback, but he will be eventually supplanted by Cromartie.