NFL Top Ten: Best Cornerbacks
This week, NFL Top Ten stays with it's positional rankings. In the future, we might take a look at NFL free agency rankings, but these are the best CBs in the NFL as of right now.
10. Terence Newman, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo's injury received all of the publicity, but Terrence Newman's hernia was primarily responsible for the collapse of the Dallas defense at midseason. Newman returned to the lineup in Week 11 against Washington, and used two hands to turn the Cowboys' season around, intercepting Jason Campbell in the 3rd quarter.
9. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings
Winfield is not a big guy at all, but he's not afraid to get his head in there in run support, where he has excelled year after year. The book on Winfield is that he loses a lot of his effectiveness when asked to play man to man coverage because aside from being better in zone, he loses his run support ability if his back is to the defense. The signing of Jared Allen was critical for his game because the Vikings could rely on the blitz less often, which meant more room for error for Winfield, and he responded with his best season as a Viking in 2008.
8. Darelle Revis, New York Jets
Revis hasn't been in the league long at all, but he's established himself as one of the game's top man to man corners. He's the best player in a revitalized Jets defense, the one true ballhawk they have.
7. Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers
Woodson has really had a career reclamation since joining the Packers in 2006. He was the best corner on the team just last year with Al Harris banged up and less effective, but with Harris returning to form this year, Woodson actually played some strong safety near the end of the season, and did a pretty good job in that role.
6. Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos
Bailey might be the only guy on this entire list who is trending downwards over time, but he appears to have earned the 'injury-prone' tag. When healthy, Bailey is still a lockdown man cover corner, but his transition to the Broncos five years ago has not quite been the narrative that Bailey was hoping to write. After helping the Broncos to 13 wins and a AFC Championship berth in 2005, the Broncos have declined in each of the three past years on defense, and without Bailey, the unit was totally exposed in 2008 having no other talent on it.
5. Carlos Rogers, Washington Redskins
Rogers is the complete cornerback in coverage, and breaks on the ball as well as any, but he will always be remembered for his inability to catch interceptions that he will almost certainly take to the house if he can just hold on to them. He's one of the very best players in what is widely regarded as the most talented division in football.
4. Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans
Finnegan might have hit a bump in the road this year when he was expected to reach elite cornerback status, but he might have made it there anyway. Finnegan doesn't always handle the spotlight and on-field media attention as well as maybe he should, and tends to be a hot head that can earn the Titans some penalty yardage. With that said, he studies film with the best of them, and diagnoses routes at an elite level already.
3. Chris Gamble, Carolina Panthers
Gamble enjoyed his breakout season in 2008, and will also enjoy being paid like an elite corner now and into the future. Gamble is Carlos Rogers, but without the hands issues. He is just that good.
2. Al Harris, Green Bay Packers
Harris has been a mainstay on the top ten CBs list for at least four years now, but boy did he bounce back hard in 2008. Harris re-established himself as the shutdown corner on the Packers, wresting the title away from Charles Woodson. The big question is: how long can Harris keep going. He's well into his 30's now, and due to decline in 2009, but the Packers hope to squeeze one more pro bowl caliber year out of him.
1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
Not much needs to be said about this choice at No. 1. He's a future hall of famer whose best years might have been spent on the worst six year run of any team in NFL history. For his sake, you hope that the Raiders fore-go the Franchise Tag this season, and either show him the money, or let him go play for a better organization. This guy was my defensive MVP at midseason, and he really deserves to be paid like one.
Copyright 2008 Most Valuable Network, LLC
Rodney Harrison, Tom Brady's Knee, and Matt Cassel's Future
There's a surprising amount of information flowing out of the Patriots camp this month. What with the departure of Josh McDaniels, Rodney Harrison's decision that he may retire, a possible franchise tag on Matt Cassel, oh, and, of course, Tom Brady's knee.
We know Tedy Bruschi wants to return for a 14th season. But Junior Seau is most likely not coming back, and as evident from the 2008 season and that game at the end of the 2007 season that we won't mention, the team needs a better defense.
Harrison was one of the few bright lights (most of the time) on the D, and don't you dare call him a dirty player. That man played hard, and hit hard, but he has never injured anyone.
And he still could be back next year. The good thing with Harrison is that he's no Farve. If he retires, he's done. He's not coming back.
Interesting note on Farve: Apparently, he won't talk to Aaron Rogers, and he may be a Viking next year. OK. Minnesota would be better off grabbing Cassel if he's a free agent than the old man. Remember the tankage at the end of the season?
Back to the Pats. There's still a chance that Cassel will be franchise tagged by the Pats. I'm not so sure this is the best course of action for anyone. Let's face it, Matty could be a starter in a lot of places, and there are several teams hurting for a QB. Now, if the Pats could keep him for less than the $14.6 million franchise tag, then I'm all for it, but otherwise...
And Tom Brady will be back and ready for the season. Yes, I know Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb both struggled after having their knee surgeries, but they had it at the end of the season, so Tommy's had months more to recover.
I think he'll be ready to play on opening day, but I believe we will not hear a word about him, his knee, or anything else until then. Unless you watch TMZ, then you'll see him. But in regards to football, nothing.
The Patriots are like the mob. They don't speak, they keep things "in the family," and weaknesses are never taken public if at all possible. That is why Brady will not be seen on ESPN until August. And we won't know anything about the Cassel decision until it's made.
But I think next season is going to be great. They still have Randy Moss, Wes Welker, a good O-line, a few young guys mixing it up in the defense, and not one, but TWO great quarterbacks (at the moment). They need to fix their woefully bad secondary and add a few linebackers to the aging core.
For instance: James Madison University quarterback Rodney Landers is entering the draft as an offensive linebacker/running back (good arm, better runner). The Pats should pick him up; he can be like Mike Vrabel. He should be in the fourth/fifth/sixth round somewhere.
Also, many on the Baltimore Ravens defense are free agents. If they have the cap room, the Pats should grab them up.
Copyright (c) 2009 Bleacher Report, Inc
Without football, fans have to make sacrifices
My friend Tanny has a saying: "There are two kinds of guys out there - Sunday football guys and Sunday bag guys."
You can spot them right away. The Sunday football guys are the ones walking in groups, wearing jerseys, hats, and giant grins on their faces as they trot from one sports bar to another. They often have Buffalo wing sauce stains on their face and that "I haven't seen sunlight for eight hours," look in their eyes. They're experiencing pure bliss.
The Sunday bag guys are the ones holding their girlfriends' and wives' shopping bags from Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's. They missed the Bears-Texans game in Week 17 because there was a 50% Sale at TJ Maxx. Needless to say, they're never quite as happy.
This weekend? We're all Sunday bag guys and boy, does it sting.
No football after 25 straight Sundays of glorious pigskin action (yes, I count the preseason) is like enjoying the beaches of Maui for six months, only to be dropped off in Antarctica for a quick dose of reality. Though we'd like to think we can stomach a weekend in January without the NFL, it's just not that easy. We're a spoiled group, us football fans, and even one weekend without the sounds of Shannon Sharpe's voice or the sight of 350-pound men sweating profusely under motorized mobile fans gets us flustered and depressed.
Face it, we're all bag guys this Sunday. And if you don't have a woman to drag you around from store to store or children to tend to, it's just an empty day, a Sunday you'll probably forget. Wanted to catch up on this season of VH1's "Tool Academy"? Now's your chance. Haven't gotten a chance to see "Paul Blart: Mall Cop"? I guess that's an option, too. Sanjaya from "American Idol" apparently has a new book out. Might want to get your reading glasses on and breeze through that puppy.
Just writing that paragraph made me long for the FOX robot doing calisthenics on the bottom of my TV screen.
The average Joe sports fan isn't the only one feeling the sting this weekend. Kevin Hooshangi is the owner of The Village Pourhouse, a popular sports bar in Manhattan.
"For the last twenty weeks, our bar has been doing more than double the normal Sunday business," he said. "It's not just for the local fans either. The bar is full of people watching their fantasy teams, teams from other cities, games they bet on, watching to see if Lions would go 0-16, and all the other various drama. After that, the playoffs were responsible for another spike in business. Now, for the first time since the summer, we will have no NFL related business at the bar.
"By Thursday of a normal week, I have 90% of the bar reserved for Sunday. This week, I haven't taken one reservation. I've tried to reach out to the hockey fans I know and there has been zero interest in the NHL All-Star game."
The NHL All-Star game? The one where the player who received the most votes isn't even playing? The one being broadcasted on a cable station I don't get?
"To be honest, I'll probably be pretty bored this Sunday," Hooshangi said. "I'll try to come up with different music playlists for pregame and commercials for the Super Bowl and next season. I might also try to clean out the rack that houses our DirecTV boxes and all the computers that run our sound system. Yeah, this Sunday won't be so crazy."
Hooshangi and his bar-owning brethren aren't alone. Vegas and the online sports gambling sites are all but dead this weekend. According to Reed Richards of BetUs.com, the MMA fight on Saturday night got the biggest action on his site this weekend. Yes, an MMA fight.
There are dust bolls breezing down the Vegas strip this weekend.
Next week, of course, Vegas insider RJ Bell tells me, "They'll make up for it. The Super Bowl is the biggest single-day sports betting event of the year. Over $10 billion dollars is expected to be wagered on Super Bowl XLIII, by more than 200 million individuals worldwide."
But this Sunday? The Forum Shops at Caesar's - hey, bag guys! - will be far busier than the sportsbooks.
My advice? Savor and cherish this Sunday as a chance to catch your breath before the onslaught. Rest assured, the next seven days will be Super Bowl coverage 24-7. Trust me, you'll read 50 different stories about Larry Fitzgerald's father (he's a sportswriter! And he's covering his son!), probably see two or three dozen Rachel Nichols pieces on how much Matt Leinart has matured since the beer bong party, and at least a couple of in-depth profiles on Kurt Warner's wife. Super Bowl overload is about to begin. Take Sunday to gear up.
Face the music, guys. We're all bag guys this Sunday. There's no avoiding it.
Hopefully, there are some decent sales at TJ Maxx.
(c)2009 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC
Linehan turns down 49ers
Scott Linehan will be on a coaching staff in 2009, but it won't be the 49ers. Linehan turned down the 49ers' offensive coordinator job Sunday, saying that personal considerations prevent him from moving West.
"The timing is just not right,'' he said in a phone interview.
Linehan, 45, emerged as the 49ers' top choice to replace Mike Martz after interviewing last week. Coach Mike Singletary and General Manager Scot McCloughan liked his experience as a successful, run-oriented play caller. Linehan was an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins before going 11-25 as the St. Louis Rams head coach.
It remains unclear whether the 49ers will widen their search. The team has already interviewed former Broncos assistant Rick Dennison, former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Colts receiver coach Clyde Christensen. Dennison is also out of the running, having decided to remain in Denver under new coach Josh McDaniels.
Linehan, reached shortly after he turned down the 49ers, said he wrestled with the decision all weekend. A native of Sunnyside, Wash., he was a big 49ers fan growing up. "I still have Joe Montana posters in my basement,'' he said.
Linehan said his meeting with Singletary and McCloughan had him excited about the possibility of coming aboard.
"I wish they made it easier on me,'' he said. "It was a great meeting and the organization is going in a positive direction. There are just some personal things I need to get ironed out."
Linehan declined to elaborate on his personal situation. His family includes wife Kristen, and sons Matthew, Michael and Marcus.
"It seems like at 25, your decisions are practically made for you as you move up,'' he said. "At 45, it's not so easy."
The 49ers, meanwhile, will resume their attempt for someone who can provide stability in the offensive coordinator job. Starting in 2003, Greg Knapp, Ted Tollner, Mike McCarthy, Norv Turner, Jim Hostler and Martz have spent a year each calling plays for the offense.
Jon Gruden became available last week when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired the offensive-minded coach.
Whoever is next will take over a 49ers offense that finished 23rd in the NFL in total offense. That modest finish actually represented an epic improvement from previous seasons as Martz's complicated schemes managed to coax production out of a unit that had been one of the league's worst.
But Martz's high-risk offense yielded too many sacks and too many turnovers, prompting Singletary to change direction shortly after the season. In firing Martz, Singletary said he wants to establish a more dominant ground game - the 49ers ranked only 27th in rushing yards last season.
Linehan's resume offered what the 49ers were looking for. While with the Vikings from 2002-04, Linehan's offense never finished lower than fourth in the NFL. He inherited a team that scored 290 points and produced seasons of 390, 416 and 405.
During his one season in Miami under head coach Nick Saban, the Dolphins improved from 29th in total offense in 2004 to 14th in 2005. Most appealing to the 49ers, the Dolphins improved from 31st in rushing yards to 12th.
But Linehan called an audible Sunday and turned down the 49ers. What will he do next?
"I wish I knew,'' he said. "I guess I'll find out over the next few weeks and months. I'll be coaching, I can tell you that."
Copyright (c) 2009 - San Jose Mercury News
Graham and Rocca to battle for Superbowl spot
The march to the NFL Superbowl continued this weekend for Ben Graham and Sav Rocca as their respective teams set up a head to head clash in next week's NFC Championship match. This should see the first Australian, and indeed first former Australian rules footballer play in the world famous gridiron football final.
Both punters had solid games and no doubt their clash next week will feature in the Australian media, ironically unlike their in their former sport the two will not take the field at the same time during the game. Hopefully the origin of the two competing punters is not lost on the US media either and Aussie Rules can gain another free plug across the country.
Graham's Cardinals defeated the Carolina Panthers 33-13 with Graham punting 4 times for 43.5 yards average and 36.3 yards net average. He held for Neil Rackers 4 from 5 field goal attempts and three extra point conversions. Rocca's Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants 23 to 11 this morning with Rocca punting 4 times for 42 yards average and 40 yards net average. Rocca also held for David Akers two successful field goal attempts and two extra point conversions.
The Cardinals will host the Eagles next Sunday.
Copyright (c) 2009 World Footy News
Cowher won't coach in 2009
NEW YORK -- Scratch Bill Cowher off the coaching wish list for next season.
Cowher said during Sunday's "NFL Today" show that he does not plan to coach next season and will remain as an analyst with CBS Sports.
The former longtime coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been linked to coaching vacancies with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns in the past week before saying he was not a candidate for either job.
"It's a privilege and an honor to be a head coach in the National Football League," Cowher said. "And I have been flattered about the attention, but the timing right now is not right. I don't plan on coaching next year."
Cowher coached the Steelers for 15 years, leading the team to a championship in Super Bowl XL in 2006.
(c)2008 The National Post Company
Take a 'Timeout' to prepare for the NFL's Week 17
New York Giants (12-3) at Minnesota (9-6), 1 p.m.: The Giants' excitement of clinching home-field advantage was cut short when they learned police had confiscated Plaxico Burress'' bloody pants, a handgun, a rifle, ammunition and a picture of a young Burress fishing in Waco, Texas, with David Koresh. Ironically, Eli Manning looked as if he wanted to shoot himself after he threw four interceptions in a 42-17 loss to the Vikings last season.
Carolina (11-4) at New Orleans (8-7), 1 p.m.: Despite missing the playoffs for a second straight season, the Saints can hang their hats on quarterback Drew Brees needing only 402 yards to top Dan Marino's record of 5,084 passing yards.
Miami (10-5) at New York Jets (9-6), 4:15 p.m.: If Brett Favre's shoulder injury forces him into retirement after the season the Jets won't have to look far for his replacement. "Shaun Ellis is our guy," said Eric Mangini, after he reviewed Bill Belichick's home video of the defensive end launching a glacier-sized snow ball at Seattle fans last Sunday.
Dallas (9-6) at Philadelphia (8-6-1), 4:15 p.m.: In an attempt to salvage at least a tie and yet another chance for his Cowboys to sneak into the playoffs, Jerry Jones sent a memo to Roger Goodell requesting the game go to overtime so Donovan McNabb's brain would go, "all screwy."
Denver (8-7) at San Diego (7-8), 8:15 p.m.: A lot is riding on this game: the AFC West championship, a trip to the playoffs, and some of Ed Hochuli's pocket change just to name a few. On a serious note, the Broncos should be fined for even allowing this game to matter.
Three Bimbos
New England (10-5) at Buffalo (7-8), 1 p.m.: Commissioner Roger Goodell was roundly criticized for fining Patriots' receiver Wes Welker $10,000 for making a celebratory snow angel last week. The commish defended his decision with this statement: "First, it's just a snow angel or a malicious high five with a teammate. Next thing you know he's writing my name in the snow with his urine. I've seen it a million times."
Chicago (9-6) at Houston (7-8), 1 p.m.: Coming off an improbable overtime win against the Packers, the Bears and Texans rekindle one of the league's most storied rivalries. "There's just a rich history between the teams," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Not only do we need to win to stay in the playoff picture, but we'd like nothing more than to square the all-time series with these guys at 1-1."
Tennessee (13-2) at Indianapolis (11-4), 1 p.m.: Nothing gets the blood pumping like the promise of seeing Jim Sorgi go head-to-head with Vince Young in a meaningless Week 17 game. By the way, LenDale White officially my new favorite player after he stomped on a Terrible Towel.
Jacksonville (5-10) at Baltimore (10-5), 4:15 p.m.: If a huge road win in Dallas wasn't enough to add to the euphoria in Charm City, rapper and human tattoo, Lil Wayne publicly endorsed the Ravens as his Super Bowl pick. "It means the world to us that Little Wayne has our back, especially if we get in a shootout," said Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
Two Bimbos:
St. Louis (2-13) at Atlanta (10-5), 1 p.m.: Even the resignation of Jay Zygmunt, the Rams' president, did not seem to affect the players, who are just ready for it to end. "Jay-Z could've put together a better football organization than that guy did," said Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who has five interceptions, five forced fumbles and five vowels in his first name.
Cleveland (4-11) at Pittsburgh (11-4), 1 p.m.: The Browns have scored less in the last five weeks than Greg Louganis at a bachelorette party. To make matters worse, Bruce Gradkowski, who has been with the team for all of three weeks, will start at quarterback. Meantime, reports that former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher will replace Romeo Crennel are erroneous, but several media outlets are claiming they saw Phil Savage and Cowher's chin talking over coffee last week.
Oakland (4-11) at Tampa Bay (9-6), 1 p.m.: Similar to the all-time-quarterback rule employed in sandlot football games, Al Davis has asked John Gruden to coach both teams.
Washington (8-7) at San Francisco (6-9), 4:15 p.m.: Several 49ers have grown mustaches to promote this weekend's throwback festivities at Monster Park, and to form a Village People tribute band once the season concludes. By the way, if the Lombardi Trophy was handed out in April, Daniel Snyder would have a room full of them to go along with his My Little Pony collection.
One Bimbo:
Kansas City (2-13) at Cincinnati (3-11-1), 1 p.m.: Don't look now, but the Bengals and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick are red-hot with a week to play and nothing on the line. Well, nothing but Marvin Lewis' job. NFL executives strongly considered playing this game in Baghdad to, "expand the league's global marketing and to, you know, kind of downsize if you know what we mean."
Detroit (0-15) at Green Bay (5-10), 1 p.m.: The Lions have one more chance to avoid going defeated this season. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky summed up the season by saying, "We haven't played good football at times." Of course, when he says "at times" he means the first day of training camp until now. Godspeed, Rod Marinelli. Godspeed.
Seattle (8-7) at Arizona (4-11), 4:15 p.m.: Sunday marks the final day in the storied coaching career of Mike Holmgren and his mustache. That is until the Redskins, Cowboys, Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Jets or Chiefs offer him an exorbitant amount of money to booger up their franchises. On other news, the Cardinals have announced that winning the NFC West was good enough for them and they will give their playoff spot to the University of Phoenix Fightin' Phoenixes.
baltimoreexaminer.com
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