Champ Bailey at the top of the DB rankings?
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 4:29 pm
2005 player ratings: Defensive backs
By Jim Corbett, Sports Weekly
The term "shutdown cornerback" took a beating last season as quarterbacks carved out a cumulative 82.8 passer rating, highest in league history. Things figure to get tougher for defensive backs, the third part of our 2005 NFL player ratings series, developed by The Sports Xchange for Sports Weekly. The Sports Xchange sorted players into seven categories: Elite, A Notch Below, Rock Solid, Under the Radar, On the Rise, On the Rebound and Setting Sun.
Despite a difficult transition to the NFL's new rules governing the passing game, Champ Bailey still rates as the best cornerback in the business.
By Tom DiPace, Sports Weekly
No wonder Champ Bailey wants in on the fun.
A record 732 touchdowns were thrown in 2004 punctuated by league MVP Peyton Manning setting the single-season benchmark with 49 passing touchdowns as NFL defensive backs struggled to adjust to the stricter enforcement of the 5-yard "chuck" rule.
Even Bailey, the $63 million gold standard for cornerbacks, suffered a down year.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that Bailey, a five-time Pro Bowler, is working as hard this offseason on his receiving skills as he is on making adjustments that will help him adapt to the rules that restricted defensive backs last year.
As Bill Belichick's Patriots showed once again, more of a premium has been placed on playing zone coverage and coaching fundamentals as receiver-turned-corner Troy Brown helped overcome the injury losses of starting cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole en route to a third Super Bowl title in four years.
CORNERBACKS
Elite
Champ Bailey suffered a bad rap last season in this sense: He is isolated more than any other corner in Denver's man-to-man scheme. His arrival in the trade for running back Clinton Portis didn't prevent Denver's second straight first-round playoff exit against Peyton Manning and the Colts by another lopsided score. Bailey has elite coverage skills and makeup speed. Expect Bailey to be more comfortable and receive more deep safety help in his second season under defensive coordinator Larry Coyer. He'll need it considering Oakland's acquisition of Randy Moss.
Baltimore's Chris McAlister has ideal size, power and speed but is undone by inconsistent focus. At 6-1, 206-pounds, McAlister is big enough to play strong press coverage and quick enough to turn and run with top receivers. Like Bailey, he had a down season.
The addition of free agent Samari Rolle gives the Ravens what could be the game's best cover tandem.
A notch below
The trade of a second-round draft pick for two-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain gives Kansas City defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham ready-made corner-safety chemistry that should upgrade the left side of the league's 32nd-ranked pass defense. Surtain, an eighth-year corner, has exceptional ball skills as his 29 interceptions, including four last season, attest. He's paired with strong safety Sammy Knight, Surtain's teammate for two seasons in Miami.
Ronde Barber is Tampa Bay's do-it-all cornerback, particularly talented at blitzing out of the slot in Monte Kiffin's nickel defense. With 23 career interceptions and 18 sacks, Barber is a two-time Pro Bowler poised to become the first cornerback in league history with 20 interceptions and 20 sacks.
Nate Clements led Buffalo's second-ranked defense with six interceptions last season. The 6-0, 209-pounder is a rugged tackler and consistent playmaker on the defense that led the league with 39 takeaways.
Detroit's Dre' Bly is undersized at 5-9, but he makes up for it as a big-time playmaker with excellent instincts. The seventh-year pro has 10 interceptions in 27 games for the Lions, including four interceptions and 15 passes defended last season.
Rock solid
Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield give Minnesota a strong cover tandem. Smoot is a proven playmaker, but he gambles and is burned too often by good pump fakes. He is the opposite of Winfield in that he is a good interceptor, but a poor tackler in run support.
On the rise
After four interceptions his rookie year, Chicago's 6-1 Charles Tillman suffered a setback, missing eight games with a right knee injury. But he has the size and toughness to win most physical matchups and emerge as a play-making key to Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren loves Marcus Trufant's ability to blanket receivers and the third-year corner's potential to emerge as an elite cover corner. The addition of Andre Dyson will help offset the loss of Ken Lucas for a secondary that needs to cover well given Seattle's lack of a proven pass rush.
Lito Sheppard was one of three players to earn Pro Bowl honors from Philadelphia's talented secondary. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson can leave Sheppard and Sheldon Brown alone at corner in his blitzing scheme because they are sound cover men. Despite Sheppard's better athleticism, however, Brown is ahead on technique at this point in their young careers.
Jacksonville's Rashean Mathis quietly had as good a year, if not better, than Sheppard. Mathis needs to refine his technique and ball recognition skills, but the 6-1, 200-pounder is a rugged tackler who fights for balls in the air.
Playing behind arguably the league's best front four should help Ken Lucas' development in Carolina, especially playing opposite young playmaker Chris Gamble. Lucas, a fourth-year pro, had six interceptions last season for Seattle's 23rd-ranked pass defense.
Were it not for Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson might have earned 2004 NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year honors. Robinson had six interceptions, 13 passes defensed and 73 tackles.
On the rebound
Charles Woodson has talent, but he lacks discipline and should be more consistent. He is susceptible to giving up big plays.
This may be his last season in Oakland if the sides can't agree to a long-term deal for their $10.5 million franchise player. In any event, Woodson is playing for his future, wherever it is. But he's all the more valuable considering his ability to play corner and safety and the inexperience of the Raiders' young secondary.
Samari Rolle is a play-making upgrade over Ravens free-agent departure Gary Baxter. ing opposite McAlister, the Ravens give defensive coordinator Rex Ryan the dependable deep coverage he needs to send the house with the "46" defense he will aggressively employ this season. Rolle has been slowed by injuries the past two years and wants to show the Titans how much they'll miss him.
Setting sun
Miami's Sam Madison lost a step even before losing counterpart Patrick Surtain to Kansas City via free agency. With the injury to young talent Will Poole, Madison, 31, will be more exposed than ever and his sound technique won't be able to make up for the speed he's lost the past two years.
SAFETIES
Elite
Baltimore's Ed Reed came into his own last season, not only surpassing two-time league defensive MVP Ray Lewis as 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but emerging as arguably the best defensive player in the game.
The fourth-year safety out of Miami led the league with nine interceptions and his 358 return yards were 63 fewer than Travis Taylor's team-best 421 receiving yards.
Reed enhances excellent instincts for the football with hours of studying game video. He is one of the best in the game at reading a quarterback's eyes or tendencies.
Combined with Baltimore's cover corner tandem of McAlister and Rolle, nickel corner Dale Carter and dime back Deion Sanders, Reed and Will Demps give the Ravens' secondary a feared nest of ballhawks.
Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins keys Jim Johnson's blitz-oriented scheme. Dawkins can bring the hammer as an extra linebacker in the box, he can blitz or turn and run with a tight end or running back, allowing Johnson to send a blitzer off the edge.
Rodney Harrison has been a revelation the past two years in New England after San Diego deemed him to be finished. Harrison brought an unshakeable confidence to a young secondary able to survive injuries to veterans Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.
Whatever he has lost in terms of speed, Harrison makes up for in anticipation and physical intimidation.
A notch below
Dallas' Roy Williams is a player Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott enjoys watching. Williams brings the hammer the way Lott did for the 49ers. The fourth-year pro out of Oklahoma is the definition of today's box safety, whose hard-hitting style equates to an extra linebacker against the run. However, Williams' aggressiveness works against him and has put him out of position at times in coverage, allowing for costly big plays coach Bill Parcells wants eliminated this crucial season. The switch to a 3-4 defense should allow him to make a significant rebound and not be exposed in coverage.
Another box safety, Lawyer Milloy helped forge Buffalo's rise as the league's No. 2 defense in 2004. Together with converted corner Troy Vincent, the Bills have one of the most experienced and talented safety tandems.
Jacksonville's hard-hitting Donovin Darius was frustrated when he was tagged as the team's franchise player. But he earned the honor last season when he took his game to another level, a complete safety who was not a liability in coverage.
Rock solid
Minnesota's Corey Chavous is a converted cornerback with exceptional skills and anticipation. However, Chavous is coming off a down year when he had only one interception after picking off eight passes in 2003. The addition of Darren Sharper and cornerback Fred Smoot should allow Chavous to return to his 2003 form.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Mike Singletary has two players to build around — linebacker Julian Peterson and safety Tony Parrish, the definition of rock solid. A solid tackler in the box, Parrish leads San Francisco's young secondary.
On the rise
Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu had a Pro Bowl season that was blemished when he bit on a Tom Brady pump fake for a crucial touchdown in New England's AFC championship game win. The second-year playmaker can blitz, stuff the run or turn and run in coverage. He led the Steelers with five interceptions, including one for a touchdown.
Philadelphia's Michael Lewis should be an emerging force in his fourth season. He is a smart, physical hitter who has learned well playing alongside Dawkins.
Remember the name Adrian Wilson. You'll be hearing more about one of the most complete safeties few outside of the Arizona Cardinals know about. If the Cardinals rise up as a playoff contender, Wilson will be a key reason why. He's a punishing hitter who rang up 80 tackles, had three interceptions and cut down on the mental errors of the past under first-year defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.
On the rebound
Key to a Rams' resurgence is the return to health of safety Adam Archuleta. He appears close to returning to full health after a herniated disc ended his 2004 season. But will his back hold up considering his physical style?
Chicago's Mike Brown is expected to make a full recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon that wiped out his 2004 season after two games. Brown is a tough playmaker who help set the tone as a guy always in the right place at the right time.
No safety has more to prove than Sean Taylor, who faces a minimum three-year prison sentence if convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm in a dispute with a man he suspected of stealing a pair of his all-terrain vehicles. Taylor was a big-time playmaker at the University of Miami. But he's been a migraine for Redskins coach Joe Gibbs since being drafted fifth overall in 2003.
Setting sun
Highly respected John Lynch won a Super Bowl ring in Tampa Bay and is trying to pull a safety's version of John Elway in Denver, winning a second ring before retiring. It seems unlikely given a team with more questions than answers. Lynch still brings the big hits, but Bailey wasn't getting help needed from the safety position.
Darren Sharper brings his insider knowledge of the Packers to the Vikings' defense, but he's lost a step. Still, he's an upgrade over Brian Russell.
By Jim Corbett, Sports Weekly
The term "shutdown cornerback" took a beating last season as quarterbacks carved out a cumulative 82.8 passer rating, highest in league history. Things figure to get tougher for defensive backs, the third part of our 2005 NFL player ratings series, developed by The Sports Xchange for Sports Weekly. The Sports Xchange sorted players into seven categories: Elite, A Notch Below, Rock Solid, Under the Radar, On the Rise, On the Rebound and Setting Sun.
Despite a difficult transition to the NFL's new rules governing the passing game, Champ Bailey still rates as the best cornerback in the business.
By Tom DiPace, Sports Weekly
No wonder Champ Bailey wants in on the fun.
A record 732 touchdowns were thrown in 2004 punctuated by league MVP Peyton Manning setting the single-season benchmark with 49 passing touchdowns as NFL defensive backs struggled to adjust to the stricter enforcement of the 5-yard "chuck" rule.
Even Bailey, the $63 million gold standard for cornerbacks, suffered a down year.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that Bailey, a five-time Pro Bowler, is working as hard this offseason on his receiving skills as he is on making adjustments that will help him adapt to the rules that restricted defensive backs last year.
As Bill Belichick's Patriots showed once again, more of a premium has been placed on playing zone coverage and coaching fundamentals as receiver-turned-corner Troy Brown helped overcome the injury losses of starting cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole en route to a third Super Bowl title in four years.
CORNERBACKS
Elite
Champ Bailey suffered a bad rap last season in this sense: He is isolated more than any other corner in Denver's man-to-man scheme. His arrival in the trade for running back Clinton Portis didn't prevent Denver's second straight first-round playoff exit against Peyton Manning and the Colts by another lopsided score. Bailey has elite coverage skills and makeup speed. Expect Bailey to be more comfortable and receive more deep safety help in his second season under defensive coordinator Larry Coyer. He'll need it considering Oakland's acquisition of Randy Moss.
Baltimore's Chris McAlister has ideal size, power and speed but is undone by inconsistent focus. At 6-1, 206-pounds, McAlister is big enough to play strong press coverage and quick enough to turn and run with top receivers. Like Bailey, he had a down season.
The addition of free agent Samari Rolle gives the Ravens what could be the game's best cover tandem.
A notch below
The trade of a second-round draft pick for two-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain gives Kansas City defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham ready-made corner-safety chemistry that should upgrade the left side of the league's 32nd-ranked pass defense. Surtain, an eighth-year corner, has exceptional ball skills as his 29 interceptions, including four last season, attest. He's paired with strong safety Sammy Knight, Surtain's teammate for two seasons in Miami.
Ronde Barber is Tampa Bay's do-it-all cornerback, particularly talented at blitzing out of the slot in Monte Kiffin's nickel defense. With 23 career interceptions and 18 sacks, Barber is a two-time Pro Bowler poised to become the first cornerback in league history with 20 interceptions and 20 sacks.
Nate Clements led Buffalo's second-ranked defense with six interceptions last season. The 6-0, 209-pounder is a rugged tackler and consistent playmaker on the defense that led the league with 39 takeaways.
Detroit's Dre' Bly is undersized at 5-9, but he makes up for it as a big-time playmaker with excellent instincts. The seventh-year pro has 10 interceptions in 27 games for the Lions, including four interceptions and 15 passes defended last season.
Rock solid
Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield give Minnesota a strong cover tandem. Smoot is a proven playmaker, but he gambles and is burned too often by good pump fakes. He is the opposite of Winfield in that he is a good interceptor, but a poor tackler in run support.
On the rise
After four interceptions his rookie year, Chicago's 6-1 Charles Tillman suffered a setback, missing eight games with a right knee injury. But he has the size and toughness to win most physical matchups and emerge as a play-making key to Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren loves Marcus Trufant's ability to blanket receivers and the third-year corner's potential to emerge as an elite cover corner. The addition of Andre Dyson will help offset the loss of Ken Lucas for a secondary that needs to cover well given Seattle's lack of a proven pass rush.
Lito Sheppard was one of three players to earn Pro Bowl honors from Philadelphia's talented secondary. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson can leave Sheppard and Sheldon Brown alone at corner in his blitzing scheme because they are sound cover men. Despite Sheppard's better athleticism, however, Brown is ahead on technique at this point in their young careers.
Jacksonville's Rashean Mathis quietly had as good a year, if not better, than Sheppard. Mathis needs to refine his technique and ball recognition skills, but the 6-1, 200-pounder is a rugged tackler who fights for balls in the air.
Playing behind arguably the league's best front four should help Ken Lucas' development in Carolina, especially playing opposite young playmaker Chris Gamble. Lucas, a fourth-year pro, had six interceptions last season for Seattle's 23rd-ranked pass defense.
Were it not for Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson might have earned 2004 NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year honors. Robinson had six interceptions, 13 passes defensed and 73 tackles.
On the rebound
Charles Woodson has talent, but he lacks discipline and should be more consistent. He is susceptible to giving up big plays.
This may be his last season in Oakland if the sides can't agree to a long-term deal for their $10.5 million franchise player. In any event, Woodson is playing for his future, wherever it is. But he's all the more valuable considering his ability to play corner and safety and the inexperience of the Raiders' young secondary.
Samari Rolle is a play-making upgrade over Ravens free-agent departure Gary Baxter. ing opposite McAlister, the Ravens give defensive coordinator Rex Ryan the dependable deep coverage he needs to send the house with the "46" defense he will aggressively employ this season. Rolle has been slowed by injuries the past two years and wants to show the Titans how much they'll miss him.
Setting sun
Miami's Sam Madison lost a step even before losing counterpart Patrick Surtain to Kansas City via free agency. With the injury to young talent Will Poole, Madison, 31, will be more exposed than ever and his sound technique won't be able to make up for the speed he's lost the past two years.
SAFETIES
Elite
Baltimore's Ed Reed came into his own last season, not only surpassing two-time league defensive MVP Ray Lewis as 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but emerging as arguably the best defensive player in the game.
The fourth-year safety out of Miami led the league with nine interceptions and his 358 return yards were 63 fewer than Travis Taylor's team-best 421 receiving yards.
Reed enhances excellent instincts for the football with hours of studying game video. He is one of the best in the game at reading a quarterback's eyes or tendencies.
Combined with Baltimore's cover corner tandem of McAlister and Rolle, nickel corner Dale Carter and dime back Deion Sanders, Reed and Will Demps give the Ravens' secondary a feared nest of ballhawks.
Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins keys Jim Johnson's blitz-oriented scheme. Dawkins can bring the hammer as an extra linebacker in the box, he can blitz or turn and run with a tight end or running back, allowing Johnson to send a blitzer off the edge.
Rodney Harrison has been a revelation the past two years in New England after San Diego deemed him to be finished. Harrison brought an unshakeable confidence to a young secondary able to survive injuries to veterans Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.
Whatever he has lost in terms of speed, Harrison makes up for in anticipation and physical intimidation.
A notch below
Dallas' Roy Williams is a player Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott enjoys watching. Williams brings the hammer the way Lott did for the 49ers. The fourth-year pro out of Oklahoma is the definition of today's box safety, whose hard-hitting style equates to an extra linebacker against the run. However, Williams' aggressiveness works against him and has put him out of position at times in coverage, allowing for costly big plays coach Bill Parcells wants eliminated this crucial season. The switch to a 3-4 defense should allow him to make a significant rebound and not be exposed in coverage.
Another box safety, Lawyer Milloy helped forge Buffalo's rise as the league's No. 2 defense in 2004. Together with converted corner Troy Vincent, the Bills have one of the most experienced and talented safety tandems.
Jacksonville's hard-hitting Donovin Darius was frustrated when he was tagged as the team's franchise player. But he earned the honor last season when he took his game to another level, a complete safety who was not a liability in coverage.
Rock solid
Minnesota's Corey Chavous is a converted cornerback with exceptional skills and anticipation. However, Chavous is coming off a down year when he had only one interception after picking off eight passes in 2003. The addition of Darren Sharper and cornerback Fred Smoot should allow Chavous to return to his 2003 form.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Mike Singletary has two players to build around — linebacker Julian Peterson and safety Tony Parrish, the definition of rock solid. A solid tackler in the box, Parrish leads San Francisco's young secondary.
On the rise
Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu had a Pro Bowl season that was blemished when he bit on a Tom Brady pump fake for a crucial touchdown in New England's AFC championship game win. The second-year playmaker can blitz, stuff the run or turn and run in coverage. He led the Steelers with five interceptions, including one for a touchdown.
Philadelphia's Michael Lewis should be an emerging force in his fourth season. He is a smart, physical hitter who has learned well playing alongside Dawkins.
Remember the name Adrian Wilson. You'll be hearing more about one of the most complete safeties few outside of the Arizona Cardinals know about. If the Cardinals rise up as a playoff contender, Wilson will be a key reason why. He's a punishing hitter who rang up 80 tackles, had three interceptions and cut down on the mental errors of the past under first-year defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.
On the rebound
Key to a Rams' resurgence is the return to health of safety Adam Archuleta. He appears close to returning to full health after a herniated disc ended his 2004 season. But will his back hold up considering his physical style?
Chicago's Mike Brown is expected to make a full recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon that wiped out his 2004 season after two games. Brown is a tough playmaker who help set the tone as a guy always in the right place at the right time.
No safety has more to prove than Sean Taylor, who faces a minimum three-year prison sentence if convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm in a dispute with a man he suspected of stealing a pair of his all-terrain vehicles. Taylor was a big-time playmaker at the University of Miami. But he's been a migraine for Redskins coach Joe Gibbs since being drafted fifth overall in 2003.
Setting sun
Highly respected John Lynch won a Super Bowl ring in Tampa Bay and is trying to pull a safety's version of John Elway in Denver, winning a second ring before retiring. It seems unlikely given a team with more questions than answers. Lynch still brings the big hits, but Bailey wasn't getting help needed from the safety position.
Darren Sharper brings his insider knowledge of the Packers to the Vikings' defense, but he's lost a step. Still, he's an upgrade over Brian Russell.
Was he the only player that had to transition to the new rule... or was he the only player that had a difficult transition.
That won't happen this year.
