Bailey, Woodson or Revis, it’s a tough choice. Matt Bowen
On Wednesday, I listed the NFL’s top five defenses — based on total yards allowed per game — and tried to determine which unit I’d take into December, when seasons are won and lost.
I decided on the Packers because they have the ability to create turnovers and field position, plus they can score on defense -- all the things that add up to a playoff-caliber defense.
And now, after looking again over those five units, there are some standout cornerbacks who need to be considered. Champ Bailey of the Broncos, Charles Woodson of the Packers and Darrelle Revis of the Jets could all be considered the best at the position. And I love defenses that have top-flight corners because they are game changers — whether by taking the ball away or taking a receiver away on Sundays.
So in saying that, let’s examine the three corners and decide for ourselves which player you want on the field. I’ll list their stats thought 12 weeks, but let’s remember that great corners usually don’t have big numbers because offenses try to avoid them at all costs.
Note: PBU = passes broken up
Champ Bailey, Denver (61 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT, 10 PBU)
Am I biased toward Champ? Of course. I was his teammate back in the Steve Spurrier glory days of the Redskins. Watching him in practice was the highlight of the day for me because I was always amazed at how well he could use his feet and hands — like he was dancing with the receivers in one-on-one drills. But that was early in this decade. Champ, however, is healthy this season, he looks smooth and fluid in his back-pedal, and I see a corner who’s back to the form that made him a Pro Bowl player. He can play inside on the slot when needed, and it’s because of Champ that defensive coordinator Mike Nolan can send pressure and count on the veteran to play man coverage in the back end. Champ has very fluid hips and is a much better tackler in the open field that he gets credit for.
And what Champ can do compared to a lot of corners in this league is play off-man coverage. It’s a lost art, a skill that allows him to sit at 7-8 yards and jump any route in the 3-step passing game, like the receiver is almost looking into a mirror, with the corner mimicking his steps. Bottom line, you can put Champ on the best receiver in the game and know that he will not give up a big play. A “clinic” guy — as in the player you want on tape to teach your secondary how to play the position.
Charles Woodson, Packers (58 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 FF, 7 INTs, 11 PBU, 2 TDs)
Woodson is a wild card because he has become the league’s new version of the hybrid corner — one that can blitz, tackle, align in different positions on the field and, as we saw Monday night, play on the goal line (where an extra safety is usually brought into the game). It’s no secret that the late-season surge of Dom Capers’ defense can be linked to Woodson because he’s a playmaker, and what’s so amazing about it is that Chuck is doing it at an age when players start to fade — but he’s suddenly playing his best football at a time when his team needs him most.
And unlike most corners in the league, Woodson’s numbers do speak to a bigger role. In Caper’s scheme, I’ve seen Woodson on the slot, in the box, in the deep middle of the field and blitzing from the nickel corner position. And that’s just it. When you make plays, coaches put you in position to make more and design the scheme around you, and that’s why we see Woodson all over the place. We talk about matchups all the time on offense, but if you’re an opposing QB, you come to the line of scrimmage looking for Woodson and adjust your play calling off of him. He’s a guy I like because he uses his hands well at the point of attack and without a doubt is the most physical corner I’ve seen in ’09 when it comes to playing press-man at the line of scrimmage -- and his recovery time on double moves is fun to watch.
Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets (43 tackles, 5 INTs, 23 PBU)
The number that should stick out when you look at Revis’ stat line is the number of passes he’s broken up this season — 23. A big number, but a telling number, because Revis always draws the assignment of the best receiver — no questions asked. Randy Moss, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens, etc, etc. Revis is the ultimate cover corner for the 2009 season and plays in a scheme under Rex Ryan that’s demanding and requires the utmost accountability from the corner position. The Jets will often play a form of Cover 0, which is man-to-man with no safety help in the middle of the field. You put Revis on the best player on the field and take your chances with the rest. But you make a guy like Moss or Owens beat you, and when you watch Revis play, he has all the intangibles of a shutdown corner. He can run at top speed with the best, comes out of his back-pedal with speed and can accelerate downhill to the ball quickly. And his technique — the ultimate judge of the position — is near perfect.
However, what we often miss when talking about a guy with unique cover skills is the physical aspect of the game. We tend to think of Deion when corners are brought up as the league’s best, but you can’t be a guy who just covers anymore — and Revis isn’t. He can tackle, he can set the edge in the Jets’ run defense, and he can shed and take on blocks to make a tackle. I love watching him play because he can do it all from the position.
Make your pick
So, who ya got? Who’s the guy (minus the Raiders’ Nnamdi Asomugha) that you want on the field this month when it’s time to make a play? Who’s the guy you can count on to bring six- or seven-man pressure and breathe easy when the ball goes in the air — because you know he is going to make the play?
For me, I’m taking the guy who, as of now, is right in line with the Saints’ Darren Sharper for defensive player of the year -- Charles Woodson, because he’s going to get me that football.
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its easy, woodson!, revis is A GREAT cover corner, but doesnt do much else, woodson is all over the field, did you see that tackle he made to save the TD on Monday night? the most amazing cornerback play of the year.
Revis looks like the corner of the future.
The corner of NOW is Woodson. 4 FF and 7 picks with 2 TD's and a number of those turnovers game changers.
As we saw Monday nite, the new whipping boy is Tramon Williams who is gonna get the majority of balls thrown his way, but that goalline tackle by Woodson showed just another way he can change outcome of a contest. The guy up to this point is the Packers best player and the defensive MVP of the league.
Woodson!!!
With all due respect to Matt, Saints fans, and others who like Darren Sharper... this guy for DPOY is just doesn't seem applicable. He sits back and plays center field. He rarely breaks on balls. Lots of his picks come late in the game with the quarterback in desperation mode. He's not a big run support guy. Yes, he's a big body, but a smaller Woodson plays the run better than Sharper. Woodson does it all from the corner.
Please, leave Sharper off the list for DPOY. He does one thing really well, while Woodson virtually plays ever position besides being a down lineman.
Woodson is #1. Revis is outstanding at covering WRs. But much like Barry Sanders was the greatest runner IMO and Emmit was the best all-around RB, Woodson is the complete player. He brings the whole package. Bailey is having a great season but not in the same way. Woodson's is special.
Sharper is a ball hawk, defined as such: Ballhawks place slightly more emphasis on the pick where-as a top corner or safety keeps it all in a well-rounded perspective. The beauty of the rarities like Woodson is that you rarely see him wiff at an interception like Sharper has done through out his career. The elite know when it's INT time and when it's PBU time and rarely do they guess wrong. If you guess wrong on an INT bid and the WR makes the catch, that can be a sure TD. You've got to be right every time, that's pure instinct, and that's Charles Woodson.
Sharper is 51 tackles, 0.5 sack and 0 forced fumbles... i'm not convinced he's a DPOY
I would take Bailey all day because he demands respect and you don't have to worry about him giving up the big play because quaterbacks( unless your Tony Romo) don't test him. However, Charles Woodson is a heck of a overall player. I would take Revis over them all in about 4 years.
I think the obvious choice is Woodson I may be partial, but not only does he make plays in coverage, as his stats clearly show, he also makes plays in the backfield. Not only does he have a pair of sacks, he also stops the run, as shown on MNF when he made that great play on down by the goal line stopping the HB 3 yards behind the line. I believe he should be considered for MVP not just defenseive, the Packers do miss Al Harris, but if Woodson was the one to go down, I would have to say the our playoff chances would be zero. Unfortunetly, with the Manning's and Brees' it just won't happen. Woodson is clearly the best, and he may be able to pad those number's with a great showing against Cutler this weekend, that is if Cutler is foolish enough to try to throw on CW's side.
They are all great at what they do...
That being said, I think you answered your own question by posting the numbers. Those alone tell you who it is.
I would vote for Woodson, with Revis and Bailey not far behind.
Sharper, on the other hand, gives up more big plays than he should. Tht's one element in this discussion that hasn't been brought up.
What would Namdi Ashmougha do on an elite team? None of these guys would be even close.
Football Outsiders did a review of corners and noted that Mr. Woodson had a substantial lead over the second corner for solo tackles on running backs. Mr. Woodson's tackle stats are not padded by bringing down a receiver after a 13-yard gain, but by making plays on running backs like the great tackle Monday night near the goal. Mr. Woodson has also generated more turnovers than Bailey and Revis, and I believe that game planning for Mr. Woodson is more difficult because Capers uses him all over the field.
Please don't even bring up Sharper for defensive player of the year. He is poor in run support. Although he does make a nice play occasionally, he benefited greatly by opponents that had to pass heavily to keep up with the Saints offense.
Jared Allen has to be given some consideration because offenses do game plan for him as the Cards did with the back chipping. Although Allen has 12.5 sacks in 12 games, 7.5 of those sacks came against the Packers' early season sad-sack line. So he's had 5 sacks in the other 10 games. As I said, you do have to account for Allen, but take away the Packer games and he's probably not in the DPOY discussion.
Rolling with Woodson for the fact you can disguise your defense with him and throw off an offense.
Woodson is THE MAN for this season!
I forgot to mention that Wood plays multiple positions in the Packers' new defense.
Did you see the amazing tackle he made near the goal line, that led to an INT by the Packers?
Matt, thanks for all the attention to GB. Of course, as a Packers fan, I really appreciate it. I'm even old enough to remember both you and Andrew Brandt as part of the Packers organization. I also believe you've chosen the correct corner. Here's hoping he not only goes to the Pro Bowl, but is defensive MVP. I truly believe he has earned it.
By the bye- when you ponder who should grace this site for "Eight in the Box", please don't talk to Fortenbaugh. His taste in sexy women is abysmal.
A few things are missing from your analysis Matt, such as, Passes attempted/ received when in man coverage; quality of opposing receivers; and how the CB's are used in the context of the defense. If a CB isn't used to blitz, he won't get any sacks, so that stat is kind of meaningless outside of context. If you look at the guys Revis has matched up against this year, the quality would be much higher than Woodson and the completion rate would be lower. I would take Revis first especially since he is only in his third year. Anyway you look at it, you'd be doing pretty well with any one of these guys.
I say woodson, but Asomugha still the best. People actually challenge bailey,revis, and woodson nobody really challenges nnamdi. Against the cowboys he allowed one catch prob because he was txting on the field LOL that's how little they throw to him after that one catch no more were thrown his way
Revis, no question. Every week, he takes the opponent's top receiver and puts him on a milk carton.
Andre Johnson - 3 for 35, 0 TD
Randy Moss - 4 for 24, 0 TD
Randy Moss - 5 for 34, 1 TD
Marques Colston - 2 for 33, 0 TD (both catches were when he was matched w/other CBs)
Terrell Owens - 3 for 13, 0 TD
Terrell Owens - 3 for 31, 0 TD
Steve Smith - 1 for 5, 0 TD
Memo to kellis who said "revis is A GREAT cover corner, but doesnt do much else" - 1) He's outstanding in run support 2) Did you really say that? I guess you think Drew Brees is great at throwing the ball, but doesn't do much else?"
Revis is a the top corner in the league. Every week he's on "Revis Island" and he locks down the best receivers in the league - he plays either side, wherever his man lines up. I know Asomugha only stays on one side - what about the others?
I would take Woodson hands down. He is amazing. He is the MVP for his football team. It wouldn't be the same team without him.
Matt,
Woodson should be not only a DPOY candidate, he should be one for the league MVP!
Even though it is traditionally awarded to an offensive skill position player, I believe Woodson's consideration has merit. He is playng on a level far above his peers (including Sharper), and on the same game-changing level as Brees, Manning, or Favre. I don't wish to detract from their accomplishments thus far this season; on the contrary, I think they all are worthy of consideration. So is Woodson.
WOODSON! Top guy across the board.
I've only seen Revis a couple of times, and he's terrific with a greatness ahead of him. As a cover corner he's gotta get the nod. But he's not in Woodson's league as an impact player. Not everything can be reduced to simple statistics. Anyone notice Woodsons tackle behind the line against the jRavens? He managed to knife between two defenders to make that play. Statistically its a tackle, but it saved seven points. The man is all over thel field. His leadership and work habits are legendary
Woodson by a landslide! If you have watched him the past few years, his knowledge of the game situation is unreal. His study habits allow him to be in the perfect spot time after time, often running the route better than the receiver he is covering which is how he ends up scoring with his ints. He plays a very physical corner and is always on the injury list but plays every play, every game, which is huge. I've been watching the Packers since the 60's and am not exaggerating in saying Charles Woodson is as good as any player to put on a Packer uniform. I know his $2M donation to the U of M Children's hospital isn't part of this discussion but it really impressed me. A lot of guys put their names on foundations and make appearances, etc., but he has really stepped up and should be recognized for it!
"I say woodson, but Asomugha still the best. People actually challenge bailey,revis, and woodson nobody really challenges nnamdi."
What Woodson does that Asomugha clearly doesn't (based on their INT totals) is play a little off his man, baiting the QB to throw the ball in that direction for a (relatively) easy INT. I would rather have my CB make interceptions than simply cover his man closely and make the QB look elsewhere. Asomugha may be the best at taking the #1 WR out of the game, making it 10 on 10, but Woodson, as the best guy on the defense, makes sure he proactively changes the game.
One thing people forget when judging Champ is how many times he thrown at. You can't have great interception/pbu stats when the ball doesn't come your way. Also, Champ is the best form tackler on the Broncos. For my money, I'll take him over anybody in the league.
No way Sharper should be on the list. He has taken a few picks back for TDs, but he is a marginal tackler and is totally one-dimensional. Remember the Super Bowl MVP from a few years back - Larry Brown - who picked Pittsburgh twice - got a big raise with Oakland as a free agent - and then did NOTHING. When I see Sharper, I think Larry Brown.
Charles changed his study habits leaving Oakland, and having his agents scare teams away, he had extra incentive to return form playing his best.
He had an INT in his own end zone called back in the Vikings game when the score was still close. It was a tick-tack foul call. His play on a long pass this prior week that drew offensive interference was amazing as well, the call probably would have gone against him on another team. He stayed sharp enough to stay on it in another game, that is his maturity. When Charles said "we aren't playing good football" it was a mission statement to his team and the response was to play Packer football and lead their season rally.
1) Nnamdi Asomugha, 2) Darrelle Revis, 3) Champ Bailey, 4) Charles Woodson
I'm not ready to put Woodson above any of those three. Sure, if you want to go for mainly this year, you can make a case for Revis too, but think about it. Woodson demands respect, yes, but he does not demand the same respect Revis, Bailey, and Asomugha do. He's a good corner, I'll give you that, but when he matches up against that 2 receiver sometimes... I go, meh, he probably is going to get the ball. When against that 1 receiver, I'm shocked to see him get it. It's one of those things. Revis has shown he is a top 2 corner in this league for the respect he has drawn and how he prevents ALL of the number 1 wideouts down. Bailey is just... Well, Bailey. Great player and a great Corner for years. Asomugha is single handedly the most respected player in the league cornerback wise. NO ONE throws it his way, and when they do, you can't expect the player to get the ball. He makes opposing offenses HAVE to look at their number 2 and 3 and TE, because of his talent.
Btw, random rambling at 5:27 AM = idiotic posts and sounding like a moron (at times)
My money is on Revis, faces the best every game, takes them away. great closing speed, can tackle and an absolute game changer. by the way, still getting better all the time.
It all depends on what you want/need in a corner? If you want a guy that will eliminate the opponent's #1 receiver: Revis is the man. If you want to lockdown passing on one half of the field: Asomugha is perhaps the best out there. Want shutdown veteran corner? Bailey will rarely let you down. Looking for a guy that is almost as good a cover corner as these other guys but can also give you run support and make some plays in the backfield? Woodson is who you want. (Were it not for injury, another NFC North cornerback: Antoine Winfield might also be part of this conversation as his game is similar to Woodson's - CW is a better ballhawk, AW is better in run support; AW's 2008 stats: 95 tackles, 81 solo, 11 pd, 2 sacks, 4 ff, 2 int.)
Personally, if I were running a franchise, I'd want a pure shutdown corner for my team. I can get linebackers or defensive ends to make plays in the run game and sack the quarterback. But, to completely remove superstar game-changing wide receivers from a contest? Reliably and consistently? That will win my vote every time.
I love Charles Woodson, and his stats this year are top notch. But, based on my previous analysis and the attributes that I prefer in a superstar cornerback, I vote Revis as the best. Though I think franchises that don't have great cornerbacks would be happy to have any of these guys. :)
As a Packer fan, I feel very comfortable having Woodson on the team and have found it a pleasure to watch him compete for the past few years. He's having an amazing season and I think he's well dserving of a DPOY award.
That said, I am in awe of what Darrelle Revis is able to do. I do not doubt his competitiveness, toughness, or anything like that just because he doesn't force fumbles, collect sacks, or score touchdowns. Each player does what he can within the scheme. When you're covering the best in the league and you are playing within a system, there isn't much room left for freelancing. Woodson has the luxury of 1) being a well-established veteran who is known as a playmaker, and 2) having a defensive coordinator who recognizes his ability and calling plays that send him on blitzes to get those sacks and force those fumbles.
I think another guy who was not mentioned who people may want to keep an eye on is Cortland Finnegan.
Woody, hands down. There isn't a cannier DB in the league. He can do it all.
I believe Revis is the best cover corner on this list, and I belive Champ would give anyone a run for their money, but Woodson is by far the best all around player. Run support, M2M, zone, blitzing, even the return game when needed. He does it all and does it all at a pro bowl level. I would take Woodson as the top corner in all of football, Ashmougha included.
Lots of talk of how Revis gets put on the best WR of the opposition. Umm do you not think these other guys don't cover the #1 of their opposition as well?
Charles is playing at a level and at his AGE that is simply amazing. He lures QBs into passing his way - there isn't a QB who WANTS to throw at Chuck - they just don't think he's there, that is until they walk off the field after another INT.
Sharper doesn't belong in the discussion - even a brief glance at this stats dictate that and when your offense is putting up sick numbers - it lets the D play a little looser. Sharper should be more to that D with what Drew's arm buys them.
Woodson is simply a complete package, run stopper, ballhawk, playmaker, shutdown corner.
Sure Reivis is younger and a great cover man, but shutting down TO, Steve Smith, etc. sounds good in a lot of years, but those guys stunk against everybody this past year, not that big an accomplishment. Not as impressive as what Woodson did.
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Dec 10, 2009
08:39 AM
I am going to say Revis, but I am an AFC East guy who watches him play so often. He can handle Moss, so I have to give him the nod, but, watching Woodson a couple of times this season, it is obvious why he is up for DOPY.
Pure cover corner I go with Revis...