He may have lost a step or 2 along the way but one in my eyes that is still a 'shutdown corner" (which with all the rules on defense now adays its really limits the true shutdown corners like in the past, I.E. Sanders, Woodson, Hasty, Darrell Green or Eric Allen) but heres my take on it:
Champ Bailey: Production wise has surpassed Neon Deion for tackles at the same point in their careers and is 2 INTs ahead of him if im not mistaken. He has an extreme presence on defense that makes offenses watch out for. He tho in my eyes is much, much more physical then Sanders ever was and isn't afraid to stick his nose into a play. In my eyes he is the purest shutdown corner left in the league.
Others that could be considered or could be in the future:
Al Harris: WIDELY underrated for what he does for the Packers. He doesn't get alot of the spotlight in fantasy leagues because he doesn't tackle a ton, but thats what makes a shutdown corner a shutdown corner. Look at these stats, the games played compared to tackles, that tells me 2 things: 1. QBs strictly avoid contact with him and 2. that he breaks up alot of passes or is so blanketed on the receiver that they aren't making the receptions
Charles Woodson: Harris' teammate I also think is a little overlooked for the simple fact of him getting a little older. He for sure has lost a step or 2 with his speed but has made it up with experience. The combo of Woodson/Harris has got to be one of the better if not best of the 'pure shutdown corner' tandems in the league remaining.
DeAngelo Hall: I think if his experience curve keeps widening and he sticks to getting better that he could potentially be one of the best shutdown corners in the league, and could eventually have his name on the same page as Deion, Woodson, Allen, Green, maybe not same paragraph but same page.
Others that could be considered:
Rhonde Barber: He isn't as shutdown as the others, but definitely causes a ruckess on the outside and is possibly the only other CB in my eyes as physical as Champ or Harris. Getting up there in age also, but his career has to point to being a 2nd tier shutdown CB at least.
Sheldon Brown: If he would stop b!tching about how the NFL is implementing all these rules to hurt the progression of a shutdown CB and just play the position his skill level would put him close to the top of this list. He has great quickness and shows the ability to hawk the ball, but has his mind wandering off on too many other things.
WAY Future: (i know this thread is for now, but just have to throw this name out there)
Vontea Davis - He will be the newest class of the up and coming shut down corners in the league. This kid has great speed and once his game knowledge climbs he will become on of the top CBs in the league. Right now hes behind Will Allen on the Miami depth chart, but this allows him room to grow without pressure. Give him time tho his name will be able to be put in the same sentence as Sanders, Hasty, Woodson and Allen IMO.
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