High powered offensive attacks in today’s National Football League presents challenges for the defense unique to that of any other era in professional football history.
Prolific passing, matchup nightmares and advanced offensive schemes, has scoring in the NFL at an all-time high. More now than ever, defensive backs are under more pressure to perform at a consistently high level or risk the chance of not only losing the game, but being embarrassed in the process.
Defensive backs must be intelligent while being both mentally and physically strong. Defensive backs must be able to read plays slow and react fast.
The defensive backfield is made up of four different components: The Free Safety, Strong Safety, and two Cornerbacks, one right and one left. The ‘Secondary’ is a word, similar to defensive backs, used to encompass both safeties and cornerbacks into one unit.
Within the world of professional football and major college football, it is widely agreed upon that cornerback is the easiest position to learn on the football field, however, is second to only quarterback as the most difficult position to execute.
Think of this analogy when talking cornerbacks. In a man to man style defense, corners can be considered snipers, as their job is to work individually as part of a bigger unit, to shut down those able to receive passes.
Cornerbacks are more involved in pass defense. Cornerbacks are some of the fastest players on the football field and must possess football instincts that will allow them to make educated decisions, often times while a play is in motion.
Cornerbacks will often use down and distance, in addition to film study, prior to a play to narrow down which plays an offense may or may not run. This allows cornerbacks to “feel” when a certain play is coming their way prior to the play actually happening.
Safeties must be able to cover skilled offensive wide receivers, running backs and tight ends while being physical enough to not just aid in but be an integral part of run support.
Safeties are generally bigger in stature when compared to cornerbacks and in most cases are more physical. Safeties must be that hybrid guy who can run like a cornerback and tackle like a linebacker.
Below is my list of the top 10 Defensive Backs as we head into the 2014 NFL season.
1. Richard Sherman, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks.
Not only does Sherman play for the best team in the NFL, he is the best defensive player on the best defense in football. Sherman led the NFL with 8 interceptions and was able to stick his head in on 48 stops from his cornerback position in 2013. His consistency and knack for making the big play on the biggest of stages is underrated.
2. Aqib Talib, Cornerback, Denver Broncos.
The evolution of the tight end position has led to major pressure on defensive coordinators to find personnel that can match-up, execute and perform. Aqib Talib has both the skill set and size to match-up against these hybrid receiver/blockers. Talib will often match-up against the opposition’s top pass catcher allowing the rest of the Patriot defense to perform their assignment with reckless abandon.
3. Antrel Rolle, Strong Safety, NY Giants.
Antrel Rolle is the true definition of a safety. Not only a football player, but an exceptional athlete, Rolle combines hawking ball skills and sure tackling, to make the complete defensive back. Finishing the 2013 campaign with 98 tackles and tied for second in the NFL with 6 interceptions, Antrel Rolle has positioned himself as the prototypical safety in the modern day National Football League.
4. Earl Thomas, Free Safety, Seattle Seahawks.
Earl Thomas is the second member of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks secondary to make my top 5. The mental make-up and versatility that Thomas brings to an already talent laden group is reminiscent of a young Troy Polamalu. For what Thomas lacks in stature, he makes up with intelligence, instinct and physicality. The only defensive back to make the list with 100+ tackles (105), Thomas excels in both run support and pass coverage finishing tied for third in the NFL with 5 interceptions.
5. Joe Haden, Cornerback, Cleveland Browns.
Just because you are not a household name does not mean that talent is lacking. In 2000, I played with a guy by the name of Antoine Winfield who was an instinctual and mechanical genius. It took the rest of the NFL years to notice what every player, coach and receptionist within the Buffalo Bills organization already knew. Joe Haden is cut from that same cloth and has gained the respect of the Browns organization since being drafted 7th overall in 2010. This off-season, Haden agreed to a 5yr contract extension worth $67.8 Million. Haden has impeccable footwork and possess the ability to plant and drive, quickly eliminating space between him and the wide receiver immediately putting himself in position to make plays. Haden’s 20 pass breakups in 2013 is a career high.
6. Brandon Boykin, Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles.
Boykin is another one of those steady performers who understands the mental edge that can only come from film study. Boykin enjoyed his most productive year as a professional in 2013 recording 17 pass breakups and tying for second in the league with 6 picks. Boykin combines his study habits with tremendous hip mobility, burst and acceleration giving no advantage to the opposition.
7. Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals.
Patrick Peterson combines size, speed and sheer athleticism to produce one of the most intimidating cornerback specimens in the NFL today. Wide receivers are becoming bigger, faster and stronger making Peterson the physical blueprint at the cornerback spot. Peterson, who will predominantly be assigned man-to-man responsibilities on the oppositions top wide out, only had a pedestrian 3 interceptions in 2013. Quarterbacks choose not to challenge Peterson, often times checking the ball down and throwing to a running back or tight end. What gets overlooked most, however, is the impact a talent of this caliber has on the offense during the practice week. The attention and practice time the offense will devote to game plan for Peterson, not only on the defensive side but in the return game as well, confirms him as a game changer and top flight defensive back.
8. Alterraun Verner, Cornerback, Tennessee Titans.
With 23 pass break ups, 5 interceptions and 57 tackles, Alterraun Verner had a solid season in 2013. An all-pro caliber talent, Verner quickly is becoming a leader on the Titan defense and a star cornerback in the NFL. Verner plays in a small market and may not be a household name as of yet, however, he has gained the respect of his peers with his feisty technique and impressive footwork.
9. Lardarius Webb, Cornerback, Baltimore Ravens.
Lardarius Webb earned his check every week as he saw plenty of action from opposing offenses in 2013. Webb’s 78 tackles was both alarming and eye opening. When a cornerback has an unusually high number of tackles, in most cases, it raises red flags in my mind because I directly relate that to balls being caught and him simply making the tackle. While there is nothing wrong with rallying up and making the tackle, it is the primary function of a cornerback to prevent the ball from being caught, PERIOD! Webb complimented his 78 tackles with 23 pass breakups, indicative of the fact that Webb was in position to make plays on the ball more times than not. The Ravens have a talented duo at the cornerback position as they try to re-gain championship form on the defensive side of the ball.
10. Darelle Revis, Cornerback, New England Patriots.
I admit, I struggled to put Darelle Revis on the list. Revis “Island” had more visitors than Miley Cyrus in 2013. With only 11 pass breakups and 2 interceptions, Revis at times, struggled with getting his body to react as quickly as his instincts needed it to. However, Revis appeared to gain confidence on that knee as the season progressed. His change of direction was more fluid, explosive and natural. His ability to start, stop and re-start became reminiscent of Darelle Revis, before knee surgery.