Mr. Laz
07-19-2010, 11:35 AM
By Jason Cole (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/expertsarchive;_ylt=AvOoUK1nIKPENAw9I1xJgBPsYNAF?author=Jason+Cole), Yahoo! Sports Jul 18, 7:43 pm EDT
More rankings: QBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AhVfcrNHokZiRLju6YW9dsnsYNAF?slug=jc-qbrankings051810) | RBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq715foURAGGORb6nwsN2I_sYNAF?slug=jc-rbrankings053110) | WRs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Av0jA2IqKfxSN0zSQGUJQ7HsYNAF?slug=jc-directsnap050710) | OL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AloUSPaALOaJFVDWwn_GWaLsYNAF?slug=jc-olinerankings061810) | DL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aoo0vjYpBsxHLRdKfPGEuGbsYNAF?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810) | LBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ApzvwvKIwdIXXkyQW.JAb.7sYNAF?slug=jc-lbrankings071210)
It should come as little surprise that in the midst of one of the great passing eras in NFL history, secondary play is also at an amazingly high level. From the Jets’ secondary to the ageless Broncos foursome to the amazing potential in Miami, the NFL is loaded with great CB's and safeties these days. In fact, most safeties in this era could have been good CB's 20 years ago. That’s how it has to be. You don’t see the high INT numbers of decades ago because today’s passing game is so sophisticated. That puts a premium on individual cover skills for just about everybody.
It also means that even if your fav team isn’t somewhere in the top 10, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a good secondary. The only questionable groups reside from roughly No. 26 down.
1. New York Jets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nyj/;_ylt=AsWZ73fwsBpguWvLGdRbnGLsYNAF): due respect to Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6367/;_ylt=ArSGsF2kv88hiVycQLLAVNnsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6367/news;_ylt=AsFefMEMR90rrUQbiwTOjWDsYNAF), Darrelle Revis (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8268/;_ylt=AmIuPJfBj9Q_gYSTqrDAT7HsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8268/news;_ylt=AiOJYgkOLa4yN0A6CHNsymXsYNAF) is now the best CB in the game. Revis proved it during the stretch run and the playoffs last season. Sadly, Asomugha has never been on that stage. But here’s the scary thing: As good as Revis is, new fellow Jets CB Cromartie (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7768/;_ylt=AiF2uma73oOhqyWl9UvDjzDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7768/news;_ylt=AvpGU4UfPF96x_SXVqL_TuPsYNAF) has more athletic ability than him. Cromartie has the ability to be the second-coming of Deion Sanders. The problem is that Cromartie doesn’t have the focus and his personal life is a mess (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ar9NKrLOef8tx18OW.TZtPXsYNAF/SIG=13nrmdvns/**http%3A//www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2010/03/18/2010-03-18_new_jet_cromartie_tackles_legal_trouble.html). The depth could be great with Dwight Lowery (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8890/;_ylt=Aqltgzx8U2G7K6mybh7u01DsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8890/news;_ylt=AgnRrL1V05uXq4wc_gD.fmnsYNAF) and Kyle Wilson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24004/;_ylt=AvWMIMtU2NEyTQrj.dPP2ZzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24004/news;_ylt=AmenJ_X66h9Lwq6TbYgxXOTsYNAF) and the safety spots will be above average with Jim Leonhard (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7442/;_ylt=At.G8d92DwmTvje1dZC5enzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7442/news;_ylt=AoQQT8xskNlcxWf02qcTPpjsYNAF) and Eric Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7846/;_ylt=ApAdfuyYwMzRN.CHzCGKsWfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7846/news;_ylt=AlgKNx97.ya1zphRLTJ8Jv7sYNAF). That said, if Revis and Cromartie are as good as projected, the rest of the secondary doesn’t have to be great. The Jets allowed only eight TD passes last season and could be better this year.
2. Green Bay Packers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/gnb/;_ylt=Altnl04azwJ_d7t1gq9yEensYNAF): While the combo of Charles Woodson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4271/;_ylt=AhN9W6KvRcuOZQAArU3MaQXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4271/news;_ylt=Ai1GOq9I95JDmpAHOfzmfHvsYNAF), the league’s reigning DPoTY, and Al Harris (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4609/;_ylt=AiEoLNqcmropLgYHhtF4SMrsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4609/news;_ylt=Au_FyyBpEXwA.7jZZ_WxbE7sYNAF), who is returning from injury, is no longer the best CB tandem in the league (you don’t have to look far to find the best pair), it’s not like they have fallen very much. Throw in Atari Bigby (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7593/;_ylt=An5Cdu8Of9dbCmFMbhXTJPfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7593/news;_ylt=AoP_vLxHYfVfnJJamae5b1zsYNAF) and Nick Collins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7227/;_ylt=As4XtaMb5KvN7wCNwzkCceDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7227/news;_ylt=At_1ahUd08RusD31hs0QXK7sYNAF) at safety and you have an extremely quick and athletic group. If the front 7 can generate a little more pressure, they should improve on the 30 INTs from last season and reduce the 29 TD passes. The depth is really good with the likes of Jarrett Bush (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8017/;_ylt=ArPn6vR6eqU2JJIYzfM.8mzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8017/news;_ylt=AhH6CIWRXgKBEHKhiujZCG3sYNAF), Tramon Williams (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8212/;_ylt=AqgqpRx3gCbKg2Y.ibW9OlDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8212/news;_ylt=AiawGDyxJO8uO256jI2HrFjsYNAF) and Will Blackmon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7864/;_ylt=Aprtd..mIWJ8_gfXdWR3_FTsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7864/news;_ylt=AlRc9qwfpEGnT3gUurxZUZnsYNAF).
3. Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/cin/;_ylt=AgW50sWVFMAbFq0SFaC8mansYNAF): Best CB duo in the league: Johnathan Joseph (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7773/;_ylt=At_GXU3mDtmY9vZIyenNSwbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7773/news;_ylt=AmGNSJbtz1WgGU6fQYfxPzvsYNAF) and Leon Hall (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8272/;_ylt=AjtK3_FDd.LoJo1zFAWcpqvsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8272/news;_ylt=AuFbdkIKRVXRdfywNXBy2l3sYNAF). Some might argue for the Green Bay combo. Others might argue for the potential of the Jets. But if you go on the results of last season, Joseph and Hall were the best. Not only are they both excellent cover guys, but they are both terrific tacklers. They are so good that they allowed the Bengals to get away with having an average front 7 and safeties. The Bengals defense is essentially built from the outside in, which works fine in this era. The rest of the secondary has major flaws. SS Roy Williams (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AkMf7LMFX_6fiqH1xGdRF6_sYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Roy+Williams&q=Roy+Williams) can’t cover and FS Chris Crocker (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6420/;_ylt=AnA3ttlFcd0oPipvgYal.0_sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6420/news;_ylt=AgdxU0JzHbXYmUXgTeRWHH3sYNAF) lacks great range. The Bengals are trying their latest reclamation project with Adam “Pacman” Jones. Good luck with that.
4. Denver Broncos (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/den/;_ylt=AjARDfJZm5RhesCGmxVF_8fsYNAF): first half of last season the combo of CBs Champ Bailey (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4655/;_ylt=AqBJLxrOghTjTBShLNanmwHsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4655/news;_ylt=AsB51cc_lVZdO7ZRKeSplcHsYNAF) and Andre’ Goodman (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5954/;_ylt=Apgv57mGelcBrSurwf06SUbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5954/news;_ylt=As8HBocUSEzsKXbjVBL0QwjsYNAF), FS Brian Dawkins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3558/;_ylt=AiottqyrRsDXAhrqy7lSkv3sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3558/news;_ylt=AmGOcRi0lkPUsp4quoET8fDsYNAF) and SS Renaldo Hill (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5650/;_ylt=AonoQ_2IeoCfSMOnAVtx_WbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5650/news;_ylt=AtHq_ykQiNQxWmj59BTX_EbsYNAF) were excellent. Even in the second half, they were still really good. The problem: they’re all really old and there was some inevitable regression. Bailey, Goodman and Hill are all 31 (and turning 32 before or during the season). Dawkins will be 37 before the season ends. You won’t find a smarter, more experienced secondary in the league, which allows the overall defense to function even at the worst moments. The team has Alphonso Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9301/;_ylt=AnVxyv4RSnBwinYt_pwYuKbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9301/news;_ylt=ApgKUiQ4gYbGt40RsYHCQgzsYNAF) in the wings, but that’s not enough because this group could go in a hurry.
5. Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/bal/;_ylt=AkHNTqwbIpXn1mbp8Qtlc1_sYNAF): Ravens are defined by where Ed Reed (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5910/;_ylt=Aj_aBj8EwHKdHbE8kWerG1TsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5910/news;_ylt=AqBjMQ5V_Jg_2XbroUZOvhDsYNAF) is at this point in his career. Is he coming back? Based on his request for more money, you get the feeling he’s going to play. If so, he’s still one of the best ball-hawking safeties in the history of the game, a guy who should make the HOF despite playing only eight seasons. The CB's, Dominique Foxworth and Fabian Washington (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7199/;_ylt=AuEy7gu11.f98McBZ8OyB4jsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7199/news;_ylt=Ak75L35HYUK9.NBuEnrPm.XsYNAF), are discarded parts that play well together. Not great, but solid. SS Dawan Landry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7895/;_ylt=ApRX7oaFTsWbjfAl.dAHeRfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7895/news;_ylt=AmvUt.Z7A36ucTgIh8nSE_DsYNAF) is likewise solid.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/pit/;_ylt=AurADzee7WjqVaNLMEsZ6p7sYNAF): Assuming SS Troy Polamalu (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6352/;_ylt=AmeljkRLPgQUpooyDgEdFuXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6352/news;_ylt=As_mfslN3wQ96Zt89sq6Py_sYNAF) returns to health, the Steelers will have the same starting secondary this season that they had during their 2008 championship run. That’s both good and bad. It’s good because the unit was strong enough to get past strong-throwing teams. It’s bad because, aside from Polamalu, that group isn’t all that fast. Sure, CB Ike Taylor (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6461/;_ylt=AnsQIr0eznG88FP4ff_LtwbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6461/news;_ylt=AoXLfrl821mjfwiWK3H6BrTsYNAF) can still run as well as most CB's in the league, but CB Bryant McFadden (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7238/;_ylt=AhDMPtZHMCPEXvqSoSqO_NnsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7238/news;_ylt=AvR6iVuzq36VXCuXITWsVN_sYNAF) and FS Ryan Clark (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6210/;_ylt=ArWl3dLVRihGXfJY8eIzr5bsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6210/news;_ylt=Aqs5XCH3.FyeIBLnmLB54e7sYNAF) aren’t speed demons. The depth is decent with guys like Willie Gay and Will Allen (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AsVePBmDR3Maliyf3_O0M2bsYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Will+Allen&q=Will+Allen), but hardly remarkable.
7. San Diego Chargers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/sdg/;_ylt=AkdgaInYs0NbIqrGtJeSF7jsYNAF): Chargers grew tired of waiting for Cromartie to join the program, so they chucked his amazing athletic ability for the quiet-yet-consistent style of Quentin Jammer (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5891/;_ylt=Aj_xUkYhczTQ0QASL.8OZUjsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5891/news;_ylt=Avi8ozjcfRXBXIaNDwFvDCfsYNAF) and Antoine Cason (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8804/;_ylt=AsTleHjcsF7wwo18yv8u5ZbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8804/news;_ylt=AvbwmQRfGfaxz7zmsQrpELLsYNAF). Cason has some juice to his athletic ability, but he’s a long way from Cromartie. The depth should be good with Nathan Vasher (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6869/;_ylt=AhVEY1ZCbl7_G1ao.7tV2I7sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6869/news;_ylt=AovybThpwIGERtPOlB4IrwTsYNAF) and Donald Strickland (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6426/;_ylt=AsSYVzfOFIzLdsMJ1RV4i4jsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6426/news;_ylt=Atxei6XP2Tu2E.Q_Gbr1oG7sYNAF). The key to this group is how much the team is able to get out of safety Eric Weddle (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8291/;_ylt=Am5Y6AeTimHGlNop4nQL29DsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8291/news;_ylt=AlFMnsmRS7MDdU8ePR4rsfvsYNAF). Weddle is a terrific player, but he hasn’t played to his full potential over an entire season.
8. New Orleans Saints (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nor/;_ylt=ArtUoULM8z79niR1OHvR0yzsYNAF): At the beginning of last season, this group had a middle-of-the-road look. Somewhere along the way, CB Jabari Greer (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/;_ylt=AmXABqixywTATKK._f891STsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/news;_ylt=Aqul8rnzYUcxelgwXMhYzvbsYNAF) became one of the most consistent cover guys in the league and Tracy Porter (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8817/;_ylt=AjmgR2bkzW65WF3xjElfAcXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8817/news;_ylt=AlE8.O6LN7WAy4zkXS12si7sYNAF) emerged as a wonderful complementary CB. The safety play of Roman Harper (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7792/;_ylt=AqJPsOHcypxkI.oNqpORJxzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7792/news;_ylt=AhGG0r6jZy_WF.mge8UkmobsYNAF) and Darren Sharper (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3921/;_ylt=AhZOt08UC1GEEgW1UP8MH97sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3921/news;_ylt=AnnJfEmnlpD2iICFlCfFeADsYNAF) was consistent, although Sharper showed some decline. The most important element is that the group fits with what DC Gregg Williams likes to do. Beyond that, the Saints are hoping that 2009 1st rd pick Malcolm Jenkins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9278/;_ylt=Aos9RsUHzbzfDwiZ.HPoixfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9278/news;_ylt=AuMgMqjzLCNtBBIjube94r_sYNAF) becomes a playmaking safety to replace Sharper at some point, and that 2010 1st rder Patrick Robinson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24007/;_ylt=Avk6Lby0PBbEJNGZOY0.4jXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24007/news;_ylt=AteiJ879nihHUU_2vH9h1ZLsYNAF) solidifies the depth.
9. Arizona Cardinals (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/ari/;_ylt=AnosLkKlgwix3QmzyO0R2QLsYNAF): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8793/;_ylt=An0zN_kHiIT7NoJ.hAD89NbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8793/news;_ylt=AhCjqsG_gsdOBgfAthqVgo_sYNAF) can claim to be the best CB in the NFL with the last name “Cromartie” the past two years. That’s not a joke. It’s very serious and says a lot about how consistent DRC has been. It also speaks to how little Antonio Cromartie has done, but that’s another matter. DRC not only has 10 ints in his two seasons, he has an impressive total of 44 passes def. That’s a strong total and speaks to how often he gets to the ball. He’s also a strong tackler despite his narrow build. As for the rest, SS Adrian Wilson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5511/;_ylt=ApoBU19t_fS.ixpbXKe.XCfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5511/news;_ylt=AlrHl9kxIVfzijdHQEM0J8_sYNAF) is a big hitter, but probably is living more on reputation than actual performance. FS Kerry Rhodes (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7299/;_ylt=Aj7N9Ncoaip46DtKoIsVjMzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7299/news;_ylt=AvNdZ7QsYlm4j8.DuVGQaXDsYNAF) also gets by on a lot of rep, mostly from his own big talk. The CB depth is, at best, weak after DRC.
10. Oakland Raiders (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/oak/;_ylt=At4e1vOtYQwx0lOfsGIk8_DsYNAF): Any unit that starts with Nnamdi Asomugha is going to be well above average Asomugha is either the best or second-best CB in the NFL, depending on your view of Darrelle Revis. Either way, Asomugha is great and rarely gets challenged. While he’s not overwhelmingly strong, he uses great leverage. He is the ultimate technician. As for the rest, it would be nice to celebrate the Raiders for finding a bunch of solid-to-good starters like CB Chris Johnson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AtMnjg_QS8QlqbIypmrYuD7sYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Chris+Johnson&q=Chris+Johnson), SS Tyvon Branch (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8877/;_ylt=AmlWKGnbBcwS56NvjqzhaDvsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8877/news;_ylt=AtUMtUJmuyUuu6WGFegwgdnsYNAF) and FS Hiram Eugene (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8042/;_ylt=AsjT27REslzZUPasnVMQgYfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8042/news;_ylt=AvW2kxQ2XuhvloJhpqiXVEzsYNAF). Unfortunately, their emergence only highlights the failure of such high picks as Michael Huff (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7756/;_ylt=AqdqqDZ4hmmD5cFZkW5GMebsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7756/news;_ylt=AsD9dNIn4eDbmW_1H0FpfOHsYNAF), Stanford Routt (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7214/;_ylt=AliSR64LA8B7GRWfTHU9QAPsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7214/news;_ylt=AvH8fawC1lSYb1aq7adIzHHsYNAF) and Mike Mitchell (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9311/;_ylt=ApCL06mwzDsvTTU0uotGMi7sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9311/news;_ylt=AtSxSfDFrt4.6G_IUoUwO57sYNAF).
25. Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/kan/;_ylt=AnP2iE2VEsghcsrgiuTr.PfsYNAF): Chiefs may have struck … OK, gold is too strong a word for the double-Brandon combo of Flowers and Carr at CB, but the pair of 2008 draft picks have been solid and certainly good enough for the type of defense the Chiefs want to play. The real key is FS Eric Berry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/;_ylt=Al_65jJeS2AlWOi8B.H8WJPsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/news;_ylt=AkFldnOHd2P7xDYrnh6CosfsYNAF). GM Scott Pioli went against his better judgment in taking a safety so high in the draft, but Berry provides ample reason. He’s a strong hitter and a ballhawk. Some see him as another Ronnie Lott. Even being just a little shy of that would be fine.
More rankings: QBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AhVfcrNHokZiRLju6YW9dsnsYNAF?slug=jc-qbrankings051810) | RBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq715foURAGGORb6nwsN2I_sYNAF?slug=jc-rbrankings053110) | WRs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Av0jA2IqKfxSN0zSQGUJQ7HsYNAF?slug=jc-directsnap050710) | OL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AloUSPaALOaJFVDWwn_GWaLsYNAF?slug=jc-olinerankings061810) | DL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aoo0vjYpBsxHLRdKfPGEuGbsYNAF?slug=jc-dlinerankings062810) | LBs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ApzvwvKIwdIXXkyQW.JAb.7sYNAF?slug=jc-lbrankings071210)
It should come as little surprise that in the midst of one of the great passing eras in NFL history, secondary play is also at an amazingly high level. From the Jets’ secondary to the ageless Broncos foursome to the amazing potential in Miami, the NFL is loaded with great CB's and safeties these days. In fact, most safeties in this era could have been good CB's 20 years ago. That’s how it has to be. You don’t see the high INT numbers of decades ago because today’s passing game is so sophisticated. That puts a premium on individual cover skills for just about everybody.
It also means that even if your fav team isn’t somewhere in the top 10, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a good secondary. The only questionable groups reside from roughly No. 26 down.
1. New York Jets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nyj/;_ylt=AsWZ73fwsBpguWvLGdRbnGLsYNAF): due respect to Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6367/;_ylt=ArSGsF2kv88hiVycQLLAVNnsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6367/news;_ylt=AsFefMEMR90rrUQbiwTOjWDsYNAF), Darrelle Revis (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8268/;_ylt=AmIuPJfBj9Q_gYSTqrDAT7HsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8268/news;_ylt=AiOJYgkOLa4yN0A6CHNsymXsYNAF) is now the best CB in the game. Revis proved it during the stretch run and the playoffs last season. Sadly, Asomugha has never been on that stage. But here’s the scary thing: As good as Revis is, new fellow Jets CB Cromartie (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7768/;_ylt=AiF2uma73oOhqyWl9UvDjzDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7768/news;_ylt=AvpGU4UfPF96x_SXVqL_TuPsYNAF) has more athletic ability than him. Cromartie has the ability to be the second-coming of Deion Sanders. The problem is that Cromartie doesn’t have the focus and his personal life is a mess (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ar9NKrLOef8tx18OW.TZtPXsYNAF/SIG=13nrmdvns/**http%3A//www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2010/03/18/2010-03-18_new_jet_cromartie_tackles_legal_trouble.html). The depth could be great with Dwight Lowery (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8890/;_ylt=Aqltgzx8U2G7K6mybh7u01DsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8890/news;_ylt=AgnRrL1V05uXq4wc_gD.fmnsYNAF) and Kyle Wilson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24004/;_ylt=AvWMIMtU2NEyTQrj.dPP2ZzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24004/news;_ylt=AmenJ_X66h9Lwq6TbYgxXOTsYNAF) and the safety spots will be above average with Jim Leonhard (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7442/;_ylt=At.G8d92DwmTvje1dZC5enzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7442/news;_ylt=AoQQT8xskNlcxWf02qcTPpjsYNAF) and Eric Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7846/;_ylt=ApAdfuyYwMzRN.CHzCGKsWfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7846/news;_ylt=AlgKNx97.ya1zphRLTJ8Jv7sYNAF). That said, if Revis and Cromartie are as good as projected, the rest of the secondary doesn’t have to be great. The Jets allowed only eight TD passes last season and could be better this year.
2. Green Bay Packers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/gnb/;_ylt=Altnl04azwJ_d7t1gq9yEensYNAF): While the combo of Charles Woodson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4271/;_ylt=AhN9W6KvRcuOZQAArU3MaQXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4271/news;_ylt=Ai1GOq9I95JDmpAHOfzmfHvsYNAF), the league’s reigning DPoTY, and Al Harris (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4609/;_ylt=AiEoLNqcmropLgYHhtF4SMrsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4609/news;_ylt=Au_FyyBpEXwA.7jZZ_WxbE7sYNAF), who is returning from injury, is no longer the best CB tandem in the league (you don’t have to look far to find the best pair), it’s not like they have fallen very much. Throw in Atari Bigby (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7593/;_ylt=An5Cdu8Of9dbCmFMbhXTJPfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7593/news;_ylt=AoP_vLxHYfVfnJJamae5b1zsYNAF) and Nick Collins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7227/;_ylt=As4XtaMb5KvN7wCNwzkCceDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7227/news;_ylt=At_1ahUd08RusD31hs0QXK7sYNAF) at safety and you have an extremely quick and athletic group. If the front 7 can generate a little more pressure, they should improve on the 30 INTs from last season and reduce the 29 TD passes. The depth is really good with the likes of Jarrett Bush (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8017/;_ylt=ArPn6vR6eqU2JJIYzfM.8mzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8017/news;_ylt=AhH6CIWRXgKBEHKhiujZCG3sYNAF), Tramon Williams (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8212/;_ylt=AqgqpRx3gCbKg2Y.ibW9OlDsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8212/news;_ylt=AiawGDyxJO8uO256jI2HrFjsYNAF) and Will Blackmon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7864/;_ylt=Aprtd..mIWJ8_gfXdWR3_FTsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7864/news;_ylt=AlRc9qwfpEGnT3gUurxZUZnsYNAF).
3. Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/cin/;_ylt=AgW50sWVFMAbFq0SFaC8mansYNAF): Best CB duo in the league: Johnathan Joseph (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7773/;_ylt=At_GXU3mDtmY9vZIyenNSwbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7773/news;_ylt=AmGNSJbtz1WgGU6fQYfxPzvsYNAF) and Leon Hall (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8272/;_ylt=AjtK3_FDd.LoJo1zFAWcpqvsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8272/news;_ylt=AuFbdkIKRVXRdfywNXBy2l3sYNAF). Some might argue for the Green Bay combo. Others might argue for the potential of the Jets. But if you go on the results of last season, Joseph and Hall were the best. Not only are they both excellent cover guys, but they are both terrific tacklers. They are so good that they allowed the Bengals to get away with having an average front 7 and safeties. The Bengals defense is essentially built from the outside in, which works fine in this era. The rest of the secondary has major flaws. SS Roy Williams (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AkMf7LMFX_6fiqH1xGdRF6_sYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Roy+Williams&q=Roy+Williams) can’t cover and FS Chris Crocker (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6420/;_ylt=AnA3ttlFcd0oPipvgYal.0_sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6420/news;_ylt=AgdxU0JzHbXYmUXgTeRWHH3sYNAF) lacks great range. The Bengals are trying their latest reclamation project with Adam “Pacman” Jones. Good luck with that.
4. Denver Broncos (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/den/;_ylt=AjARDfJZm5RhesCGmxVF_8fsYNAF): first half of last season the combo of CBs Champ Bailey (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4655/;_ylt=AqBJLxrOghTjTBShLNanmwHsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4655/news;_ylt=AsB51cc_lVZdO7ZRKeSplcHsYNAF) and Andre’ Goodman (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5954/;_ylt=Apgv57mGelcBrSurwf06SUbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5954/news;_ylt=As8HBocUSEzsKXbjVBL0QwjsYNAF), FS Brian Dawkins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3558/;_ylt=AiottqyrRsDXAhrqy7lSkv3sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3558/news;_ylt=AmGOcRi0lkPUsp4quoET8fDsYNAF) and SS Renaldo Hill (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5650/;_ylt=AonoQ_2IeoCfSMOnAVtx_WbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5650/news;_ylt=AtHq_ykQiNQxWmj59BTX_EbsYNAF) were excellent. Even in the second half, they were still really good. The problem: they’re all really old and there was some inevitable regression. Bailey, Goodman and Hill are all 31 (and turning 32 before or during the season). Dawkins will be 37 before the season ends. You won’t find a smarter, more experienced secondary in the league, which allows the overall defense to function even at the worst moments. The team has Alphonso Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9301/;_ylt=AnVxyv4RSnBwinYt_pwYuKbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9301/news;_ylt=ApgKUiQ4gYbGt40RsYHCQgzsYNAF) in the wings, but that’s not enough because this group could go in a hurry.
5. Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/bal/;_ylt=AkHNTqwbIpXn1mbp8Qtlc1_sYNAF): Ravens are defined by where Ed Reed (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5910/;_ylt=Aj_aBj8EwHKdHbE8kWerG1TsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5910/news;_ylt=AqBjMQ5V_Jg_2XbroUZOvhDsYNAF) is at this point in his career. Is he coming back? Based on his request for more money, you get the feeling he’s going to play. If so, he’s still one of the best ball-hawking safeties in the history of the game, a guy who should make the HOF despite playing only eight seasons. The CB's, Dominique Foxworth and Fabian Washington (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7199/;_ylt=AuEy7gu11.f98McBZ8OyB4jsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7199/news;_ylt=Ak75L35HYUK9.NBuEnrPm.XsYNAF), are discarded parts that play well together. Not great, but solid. SS Dawan Landry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7895/;_ylt=ApRX7oaFTsWbjfAl.dAHeRfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7895/news;_ylt=AmvUt.Z7A36ucTgIh8nSE_DsYNAF) is likewise solid.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/pit/;_ylt=AurADzee7WjqVaNLMEsZ6p7sYNAF): Assuming SS Troy Polamalu (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6352/;_ylt=AmeljkRLPgQUpooyDgEdFuXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6352/news;_ylt=As_mfslN3wQ96Zt89sq6Py_sYNAF) returns to health, the Steelers will have the same starting secondary this season that they had during their 2008 championship run. That’s both good and bad. It’s good because the unit was strong enough to get past strong-throwing teams. It’s bad because, aside from Polamalu, that group isn’t all that fast. Sure, CB Ike Taylor (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6461/;_ylt=AnsQIr0eznG88FP4ff_LtwbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6461/news;_ylt=AoXLfrl821mjfwiWK3H6BrTsYNAF) can still run as well as most CB's in the league, but CB Bryant McFadden (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7238/;_ylt=AhDMPtZHMCPEXvqSoSqO_NnsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7238/news;_ylt=AvR6iVuzq36VXCuXITWsVN_sYNAF) and FS Ryan Clark (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6210/;_ylt=ArWl3dLVRihGXfJY8eIzr5bsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6210/news;_ylt=Aqs5XCH3.FyeIBLnmLB54e7sYNAF) aren’t speed demons. The depth is decent with guys like Willie Gay and Will Allen (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AsVePBmDR3Maliyf3_O0M2bsYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Will+Allen&q=Will+Allen), but hardly remarkable.
7. San Diego Chargers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/sdg/;_ylt=AkdgaInYs0NbIqrGtJeSF7jsYNAF): Chargers grew tired of waiting for Cromartie to join the program, so they chucked his amazing athletic ability for the quiet-yet-consistent style of Quentin Jammer (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5891/;_ylt=Aj_xUkYhczTQ0QASL.8OZUjsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5891/news;_ylt=Avi8ozjcfRXBXIaNDwFvDCfsYNAF) and Antoine Cason (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8804/;_ylt=AsTleHjcsF7wwo18yv8u5ZbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8804/news;_ylt=AvbwmQRfGfaxz7zmsQrpELLsYNAF). Cason has some juice to his athletic ability, but he’s a long way from Cromartie. The depth should be good with Nathan Vasher (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6869/;_ylt=AhVEY1ZCbl7_G1ao.7tV2I7sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6869/news;_ylt=AovybThpwIGERtPOlB4IrwTsYNAF) and Donald Strickland (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6426/;_ylt=AsSYVzfOFIzLdsMJ1RV4i4jsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6426/news;_ylt=Atxei6XP2Tu2E.Q_Gbr1oG7sYNAF). The key to this group is how much the team is able to get out of safety Eric Weddle (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8291/;_ylt=Am5Y6AeTimHGlNop4nQL29DsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8291/news;_ylt=AlFMnsmRS7MDdU8ePR4rsfvsYNAF). Weddle is a terrific player, but he hasn’t played to his full potential over an entire season.
8. New Orleans Saints (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nor/;_ylt=ArtUoULM8z79niR1OHvR0yzsYNAF): At the beginning of last season, this group had a middle-of-the-road look. Somewhere along the way, CB Jabari Greer (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/;_ylt=AmXABqixywTATKK._f891STsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7032/news;_ylt=Aqul8rnzYUcxelgwXMhYzvbsYNAF) became one of the most consistent cover guys in the league and Tracy Porter (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8817/;_ylt=AjmgR2bkzW65WF3xjElfAcXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8817/news;_ylt=AlE8.O6LN7WAy4zkXS12si7sYNAF) emerged as a wonderful complementary CB. The safety play of Roman Harper (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7792/;_ylt=AqJPsOHcypxkI.oNqpORJxzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7792/news;_ylt=AhGG0r6jZy_WF.mge8UkmobsYNAF) and Darren Sharper (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3921/;_ylt=AhZOt08UC1GEEgW1UP8MH97sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3921/news;_ylt=AnnJfEmnlpD2iICFlCfFeADsYNAF) was consistent, although Sharper showed some decline. The most important element is that the group fits with what DC Gregg Williams likes to do. Beyond that, the Saints are hoping that 2009 1st rd pick Malcolm Jenkins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9278/;_ylt=Aos9RsUHzbzfDwiZ.HPoixfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9278/news;_ylt=AuMgMqjzLCNtBBIjube94r_sYNAF) becomes a playmaking safety to replace Sharper at some point, and that 2010 1st rder Patrick Robinson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24007/;_ylt=Avk6Lby0PBbEJNGZOY0.4jXsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24007/news;_ylt=AteiJ879nihHUU_2vH9h1ZLsYNAF) solidifies the depth.
9. Arizona Cardinals (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/ari/;_ylt=AnosLkKlgwix3QmzyO0R2QLsYNAF): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8793/;_ylt=An0zN_kHiIT7NoJ.hAD89NbsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8793/news;_ylt=AhCjqsG_gsdOBgfAthqVgo_sYNAF) can claim to be the best CB in the NFL with the last name “Cromartie” the past two years. That’s not a joke. It’s very serious and says a lot about how consistent DRC has been. It also speaks to how little Antonio Cromartie has done, but that’s another matter. DRC not only has 10 ints in his two seasons, he has an impressive total of 44 passes def. That’s a strong total and speaks to how often he gets to the ball. He’s also a strong tackler despite his narrow build. As for the rest, SS Adrian Wilson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5511/;_ylt=ApoBU19t_fS.ixpbXKe.XCfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5511/news;_ylt=AlrHl9kxIVfzijdHQEM0J8_sYNAF) is a big hitter, but probably is living more on reputation than actual performance. FS Kerry Rhodes (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7299/;_ylt=Aj7N9Ncoaip46DtKoIsVjMzsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7299/news;_ylt=AvNdZ7QsYlm4j8.DuVGQaXDsYNAF) also gets by on a lot of rep, mostly from his own big talk. The CB depth is, at best, weak after DRC.
10. Oakland Raiders (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/oak/;_ylt=At4e1vOtYQwx0lOfsGIk8_DsYNAF): Any unit that starts with Nnamdi Asomugha is going to be well above average Asomugha is either the best or second-best CB in the NFL, depending on your view of Darrelle Revis. Either way, Asomugha is great and rarely gets challenged. While he’s not overwhelmingly strong, he uses great leverage. He is the ultimate technician. As for the rest, it would be nice to celebrate the Raiders for finding a bunch of solid-to-good starters like CB Chris Johnson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players;_ylt=AtMnjg_QS8QlqbIypmrYuD7sYNAF?type=lastname&first=1&query=Chris+Johnson&q=Chris+Johnson), SS Tyvon Branch (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8877/;_ylt=AmlWKGnbBcwS56NvjqzhaDvsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8877/news;_ylt=AtUMtUJmuyUuu6WGFegwgdnsYNAF) and FS Hiram Eugene (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8042/;_ylt=AsjT27REslzZUPasnVMQgYfsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8042/news;_ylt=AvW2kxQ2XuhvloJhpqiXVEzsYNAF). Unfortunately, their emergence only highlights the failure of such high picks as Michael Huff (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7756/;_ylt=AqdqqDZ4hmmD5cFZkW5GMebsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7756/news;_ylt=AsD9dNIn4eDbmW_1H0FpfOHsYNAF), Stanford Routt (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7214/;_ylt=AliSR64LA8B7GRWfTHU9QAPsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7214/news;_ylt=AvH8fawC1lSYb1aq7adIzHHsYNAF) and Mike Mitchell (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9311/;_ylt=ApCL06mwzDsvTTU0uotGMi7sYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9311/news;_ylt=AtSxSfDFrt4.6G_IUoUwO57sYNAF).
25. Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/kan/;_ylt=AnP2iE2VEsghcsrgiuTr.PfsYNAF): Chiefs may have struck … OK, gold is too strong a word for the double-Brandon combo of Flowers and Carr at CB, but the pair of 2008 draft picks have been solid and certainly good enough for the type of defense the Chiefs want to play. The real key is FS Eric Berry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/;_ylt=Al_65jJeS2AlWOi8B.H8WJPsYNAF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/news;_ylt=AkFldnOHd2P7xDYrnh6CosfsYNAF). GM Scott Pioli went against his better judgment in taking a safety so high in the draft, but Berry provides ample reason. He’s a strong hitter and a ballhawk. Some see him as another Ronnie Lott. Even being just a little shy of that would be fine.