Then he turned into one of the greatest cornerbacks ever.Introducing the 79th greatest player in NFL history, as part of #TheAthleticNFL100: Mike Haynes. https://t.co/egrrtZLtMj pic.twitter.com/wIC5Qh7VMG, to be a good player at that game I had to work hard. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Deion Sanders 2. Blounts frame and length led to the rule change, but his hips and speed still allowed him to be voted first-team All-Pro once and second-team All-Pro twice, even after the fact. Athletes need to be role models. In 1952, Dick "Night Train" Lane joined the Los Angeles Rams and immediately etched his name in history. Right? A 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pounder, Ricks, 21, projects as a boundary corner at the next level. To be adaptable and also find ways to work on the craft and get the job done efficiently to be one of the best at the position. After finishing high school, he accepted a scholarship offered by Southern University in Louisiana. Mels superior career finished with 57 interceptions, 736 interception yards, and 2 touchdowns. Tajuan Edward was born on the 10th of February in 1974 in Pennsylvania. Donald has not only finished first in pass rush win rate at defensive tackle in all five seasons of the metric's existence, but his worst PRWR season in that span (24.2% in 2020) is more than two . Darrell Green was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1996, and he received the Bart Starr Award one year later. The two-time Super Bowl winner was born on the Feb 15, 1960 in Houston, Texas. We present them here for purely educational purposes. I pray I let His light shine through me on the field. He switched to free safety upon joining the Rams in 2001 and retired with 55 interceptions, nine touchdowns, five forced fumbles, and 795 tackles. 2) Rod Woodson. I wasnt ready before. He was a good lock down cornerback, but a better return specialist. He missed most of the season after having reconstructive surgery but returned to play in the Steelers 27-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. Answer (1 of 5): A2A. Here are 25 of the Best Cornerbacks of All Time: Thanks to The Pro Football Hall of Fame 's compilation of Hall of Fame players by position and Pro Football Focus' Ben Linsey 's "Cornerback Rankings: The 32 best outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season", which were good resources in compiling this list. So, I want to thank God for number one, making everything possible. There have been countless cornerbacks throughout the history of the National Football League that have played the game at such a high level that the results of a big game, the outcome of a season, or even a rule have been changed as a result of their actions. And thats why you hear people talk about give more than 100-percent because it is possible, because it keeps moving. Champ Bailey was drafted into the NFL in 1999, where he was selected by the Washington Redskins. He contributed 167 total tackles, 28 pass deflections, 13.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, two . I can be faithful. Jesus, I love you. The one-time Super Bowl champion was also named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993, and he made it to the First-Team All-Pro six times during his career. pic.twitter.com/jdEVqA4mre, I am grateful and very proud to be part of this great Class of 2012, and I congratulate the five tremendous men who join me here, Butler said. Green had 54 career interceptions, seven Pro Bowl selections, and once was a first-team All-Pro. During his time playing for the Steelers, Woodson scored six defensive touchdowns and twenty forced fumbles. Jason Hanson holds the NFL record of 21 seasons with the same team as placekicker for the Lions. Now, he told me he always worked on his feet because he tried to stay away from big wide receivers because he was such a small guy. Im representing more than myself sitting here today; Im representing everyone and everything that had an impact on my life to get to this point. Ronnie Lott. Jerry Rice played 303 games as a wide receiver, an NFL record. The eight-time Pro Bowler was also the NFL kickoff return leader in 1992. That was during free agency time. At the moment, Rod Woodson works for the Vegas Vipers as the general manager and head coach. However, nobody can deny he dominated the league during his era. From 2004-2006 Champ Bailey may have had the greatest three-year stretch of any cornerback ever. The seven-time Pro Bowler still holds the NFL record for the most interceptions in a single season. One of the most versatile cornerbacks of his era, Darrell Green helped Washington's franchise collect two Super Bowl titles in a four-year span. Dick Night Train Lane is one of the 7 cornerbacks selected to the #NFL100 All-Time Team! 3x All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl selection Career: 68 INT (4th in NFL history) Single-season NFL record 14 INT in 1952 (as a rookie) pic.twitter.com/HBXdkAGv24, We didnt fly first class, we didnt stay at the holiday Inns, we didnt even have Gatorade, Lane said. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. We present them here for purely educational purposes. You cant wait for somebody else to validate your purpose. Statistically speaking, Darrelle Revis rsum isnt earth-shattering compared to other cornerbacks, but the numbers dont tell the entire story. in his own right. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams The run on talented cornerbacks continues as the Lions take Cam Smith with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that year, but Woodson finally got his ring with the Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Night Train Lane spent fourteen seasons in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, and Detroit Lions. His 1,207 interception return yards are the sixth most by any player in NFL history, and his 298 interception return yards in 1952 were just three yards short of an NFL record, at the time. He was also a member of the universitys track and field team but decided to focus more on his football career. They are well known for hosting the Betting on Sports series of events across the world. Mel Blount Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the best NFL cornerbacks of all time? Mel Blount changed the NFL more than any cornerback has ever done by changing the rule book. Blount was such a ferocious defender that the NFL implemented a rule change, named the "Mel Blount Rule," which eliminated contact with receivers five yards past the line of scrimmage. Green played an outstanding 295 career games, ranking 16th all-time and the most for the cornerback position. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. In September 1995, Woodson tore his ACL in the season opener against the Detroit Lions. Lem Barney is a great example of a player who went to a smaller college but hit the ground running. If all a CB did was play man-to-man coverage and they never tackled someone else's man, you might be onto something. He is a top-15 tackler all time at Wisconsin and totaled 338 stops in his four years. Or write about sports? Adderley was part of some of the greatest defenses ever during his time in Green Bay under Vince Lombardi. They were the Malendes family and a good friend named Doug Taft, and they told me about a man named Jesus. With that said, 30. That I was able to allow my mama to go into a job and say Im not doing it anymore. I give God all the honor and praise for letting an undrafted free agent, country boy from little Angleton, Texas, enter the hallowed ground of the Pro Football Hall of FameThey say Im here because I played the game a certain way. The Ravens' defense was absolutely decimated by injury in 2021, and that left Humphrey to carry much of the . Considered by many the best cornerback ever, Rod Woodson appears second on our list of the best cornerbacks in NFL history with rather impressive statistics. Tom Brady has played the most NFL games at quarterback, 335. Despite his teams not being at the top of the leagues ladder, amazing Aeneas Williams established himself as one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time. Following the competition of his rookie season, the Associated Press named him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the season. Ronnie Lott 4. Your career right now is like wet cement. Samson, even Moses, tried to get away from what God wanted them to do. But before that happened, Sherman was good enough to earn a spot among the best cornerbacks ever. They say I played the game with heart and determination. In the League that we have established, management must realize that times have changed and must adopt a new philosophy and a different approach with the players and the game. Dec 14, 2008; East Rutherford, NJ, USA: New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) reacts after a interception. After leaving the NFL for good, he focused on charity work. Adderley was a five-time first-team All-Pro, five-time NFL Champion, and a three-time Super Bowl champion. He possessed fluid hips and elite ball skill, snatching 48 career interceptions during a time when he had fewer chances than his counterparts today. In Hebrews 11 and12, they called them great men of faith. Revis spent the majority of his career in New York (2007-12, 2015-16), where he reached the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010. I set a goal to be one of the best husbands and best men that I could be. Between 1983 and 2002, Green missed only twenty-five games. He finished that season with 64 tackles. But God had a plan for me. Featuring 2018-2019 Colts and some of the greatest NFL cornerbacks of all time, the best Colts CBs include Vontae Davis, Eugene Daniel, Kelvin Hayden, Nick Harper, and Chris Goode. Aaron Charles Donald (born May 23, 1991) is an American football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He entered the NFL Draft in 2007, and he was selected by the New York Jets, where he remained until 2012. Here are 25 of the Best Cornerbacks of All Time: Now, on to cornerbacks in the Hall of Fame. 16. Darrelle Revis is considered by many the best CB of all time, but he is third-placed on our list of the best cornerbacks of all time. It is led by the famous name of Deion Sanders, regarded as the best cornerback of all time. Were in the stadium and Ive talked for over 20 minutes, but were going to commercial. He spent fourteen seasons playing in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams. After spending five seasons with the Falcons, Sanders signed for the San Francisco 49ers. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Q3m1qGXJQA. I said Im going to be rich one day. CBs making tackles on running plays; 2. He also caught 47 passes for 744 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, posted 84 rushing yards, and returned . That season, Lane also broke the leagues record for most interceptions in a season (14). A post shared by Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey). He retired from the sport with 157 games played, 68 interceptions, 1,207 interception return yards, and 6 touchdowns. His ability to play at an elite level for as long as he did makes him a standout corner during the modern era, but his skill at shutting down some of the best receivers in the NFL places him in the top five of all time at his position. Weve put our handprints in it. This is about we., I encourage each and every one of you to start with a small but great practice of believing in yourself. Yes, I was a part of that. Being 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds with sub-30" arms and a 4.51 40-yard dash makes it tough to justify him in the top-32 -- there simply aren't many cornerbacks who beat those odds. Always gamble responsibly and in moderation. The #Rams have had trade talks about six-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey and league sources now believe it's very likely Ramsey is dealt in coming weeks. Sportsfanbetting.com is an independent source of information for your favorite sports and online betting. Thats not to say the guys 19 through 25 dont belong in the top 10 or even top 5. I came from a beautiful family, a family that struggled in the deep south and instilled in their kids that you can do anything if you are willing to pay a price and you can be as good and you are just as good and it doesnt matter where you come from, it is where you are going that is what makes the difference between failure and success, Blount said. An important part of the Indianapolis defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. You cant wait for somebody else to tell you that youre great. My Dad just mentioned how God plays important part in our lives. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Your email address will not be published. #PFHOF21 (by @postmates) pic.twitter.com/TagxWPmC5d. They have a mission to connect and push the iGaming industry forward through events, news & more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it. NFL Tackles Career Leaders (since 1994) All-Time Tackles Leaders Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. In 2001, he joined St. Louis Tams, where he played for three years before retiring from the sport. + Indicates Hall of Famer, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM. 1. One of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, famed Richard Lane, better known as Dick Night Train Lane, was born on the April 16, 1928 in Austin, Texas. After retiring from the sport in 1983, he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame. Adderley also played in four of the first six Super Bowls, returning an interception for a 60-yard touchdown in Super Bowl II. Racked up 231 career tackles, the most by any cornerback in program history. Pictured from left to right: Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones (59), Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) and USC wide receiver Jordan Addison (3). Not necessarily. Rod Woodson made a compelling case as the most complete cornerback of all time, if not the greatest. One of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, famed Richard Lane, better known as Dick Night Train Lane, was born on the April 16, 1928 in Austin, Texas. The 40-yard dash times are in, and the best of this year so far is also one of the top marks in recent combine history. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 10. Then, he signed for the Washington Redskins in 2000, and he remained on the theme only one season. Doering's stats at Wisconsin do not jump off the page but he goes down as one of the top cornerbacks for one reason, his tackling. Check out our sports betting calendar for a full schedule of events. Following his amazing success with the San Francisco 49ers, Sanders joined the Dallas Cowboys, and he remained on the team for four years until 1999. Fill out the form below to subscribe to the Sports 2.0 Daily Digest email newsletter. You have to believe that for yourself. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 1 15) Dick LeBeau. Life has been good to me and if I die tonight, I wouldnt die blue because I have experienced great things in life. Sports Betting Community is a leader in iGaming industry news, media and events. Law retired back in 2009 with 838 tackles, 169 pass deflections, 53 interceptions, and 7 touchdowns. In 1975 Blount became the first cornerback ever to be voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year, with a league-high 11 interceptions in only 14 games. Its amazingto all the football fans out here, I hope you love this game as much as I do. Champ has the most career Pro Bowl selections of any cornerback with 12. He played the position of cornerback for the New England Patriots between 1005 and 2004. You have to believe in yourself. For his career, he recorded 908 tackles, 52 interceptions (26th all time), and 203 passes defended, the most by any player in NFL history. A blazing undersized corner carved out a 20-year career in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls and making the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team. He totaled 95 tackles, two tackles for loss and 11 interceptions over his career. Williams also talked about begin(ning) with the end in mind. I want everybody over here to shout begin with the end in mind. Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments below. RELATED: 15 of the Best Undrafted NFL Players If They Were All on One Team. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Key stats: 1,350 tackles, 23 INTs, 11 sacks Woodson was the leader of the elite Cowboy defense that complemented "The Triplets" in the early 1990s dynasty. The dedication to the craft was real! In the last game played for the team, he collected over 150 combined receiving and rushing yards, alongside ten tackles. Now more than ever, teams realize the importance of the positions, so lets look at the ten greatest to play the position. Cornerback: Asante Samuel, New England Patriots (2006) 93.2 + Indicates Hall of Famer View Current Leaderboard See leaders through past seasons Leaders Share & Export Modify, Export & Share Table But the Lord was calling, Where are you? God had timing for me. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 6 min read. For opposing quarterbacks, betting the house against these ten shutdown corners was almost always a losing bet. See, Hall of Famers, we die empty. Darrelle Revis 6. ! Upload 1 picture of yourselfONLY you. He was one of the main reasons behind the Cowboys winning their third Super Bowl title in a match with the Pittsburgh Steelers. So actually feel standing here today that I never reached that level, I never reached as good a football player as I could be, but thanks to God and inner talent I was able to present a picture to those individuals who were voting for the Hall of Fame and my longevity and the level of game that I played from my rookie season to my last.. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. He intercepted at least one pass in all 14 of his NFL seasons and topped the league in interceptions (11) in 1975, the same season he claimed Defensive Player of the Year. Anyone under the age of 50 is shaking their head at this selection, but if you want to talk football, you need to do your research first. The Bengals primarily ran a 5-2 base defense under Anarumo last year but would revert to a 4-3 at times involving subpackages against triple option teams, like the Baltimore Ravens during last . They don't do this, however, and there are a few other things to consider. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he intercepted six passes as a rookie and led the league in interceptions (9) the following season. In the 1987 playoffs in the divisional round against the Chicago Bears, Green broke free for a game-changing punt return touchdown. The Most Likable NFL Players In 2022. 21. It seems that every generation of NFL players produces a lineup of elite cornerbacks, so the list of the best cornerbacks in NFL history is rather long. He had four interceptions, two pick-sixes, three forced fumbles and quarterbacks had a 54.0 passer rating when . Deion Sanders Charles Woodson Ronnie Lott Rod Woodson One of the most underrated positions in sports is the cornerback. Bruce Matthews (left) played a record 296 games as an offensive lineman. Brents measured in at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds at the . . You probably know the history by now. It has been written that I played the game with a lot of poise. Im so honored Im going to be in there with them., "Without reservation the greatest defensive back who ever lived": @49ers CB Jimmy Johnson https://t.co/v5bjuZxxcw pic.twitter.com/5AXvsSR4nz, Toiling in a situation, trying to be the best that I could be, but in my mind knowing the only way you can be the best that you could be is by repetition, repetition, Johnson said according to the Pro Football Hall of Fames transcription of his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech. He signed a five-year contract with the team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Read on to learn about the six best NFL cornerbacks of all time. The seven-time Pro Bowler may not have the greatest statistics, at least when compared to other famous NFL cornerbacks. We must play the game of life in order to win and win at all costs. He was ranked by NFL network as the 2nd most feared tackler to ever play the game. At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. Between 2012 and 2022, he also worked as a coach for several other teams, including the Jackson State and Trinity Christian School football teams. 2.5 sacks to his bottom line along with a career-high 82 combined tackles. Take a peek at his most memorable pic.twitter.com/y9laXfcSkx. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Michigan cornerback DJ Turner's official time of 4.26 is tied for fourth . I read computer readouts until they came out of my ears, so that I knew exactly what the offensive ends were going to do or try to do or that they could do. The team were dominating the league thanks to Mels superior defensive abilities. Read his story: https://t.co/9LbraFoAXm pic.twitter.com/2zSvjVMQnN, My wife and I flew out to San Diego, and Gill Bird taught me how to play the cornerback position, but I didnt set a goal to be the best cornerback to play the game, Williams said. My son has blessed me., Charles Woodson: @ProFootballHOF Class of 2021. The seven-time Pro Bowler built a reputation as such a deadly defender that opposing quarterbacks did their best to steer clear of his spot on the field nicknamed Revis Island. Gill and Marilyn Bird modeled not only how to be a great corner, but Gil and Marilyn, thank you. Even in today's NFL, Atwater, standing 6'3 and weighing 218 lbs is the perfect size for a hard hitting safety. I can be honest. Rod Woodson holds the NFL record for the most career interceptions returned for TDs (12). They view me first as a black man. Woodson later won a title in Super Bowl XXXV as a free safety for the Baltimore Ravens. He played in the NFL for seventeen seasons, starting his career in 1987 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That season, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The . Now, if she says its okay, then its okay. Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Green was not only incredibly fast (a trait he attributed to eating Tootsie Rolls), but also durable. He retired from the sport with 1,049 tackles, 71 interceptions, 17 touchdowns, and 20 forced fumbles. Bailey also possessed some of the greatest ball skills ever seen by a cornerback having 52 career interceptions and being asked to play wide receiver when his team needed him during his 15-year career. Today all this glory goes to God, Lott said. Josh Norman had one of the greatest seasons of all time for a cornerback in 2015. What three-time Super Bowl champion Ty Law did in the regular season is nothing to scoff at, but his brilliance in the postseason is what makes his career special. With 1,331 interception yards and 54 interceptions at the end of his extremely fruitful career, it is no wonder Sanders is considered the best cornerback ever. Mel Blount was so good they had to change the rules @steelers pic.twitter.com/PuO7awADLP. In four years, three of which he played mostly outside cornerback, Clark played in 43 games. He chased down HOF RBs throughout his legendary career with ease. The seven-time Pro Bowler also led the league in interceptions (10) in 1954, and ranks fourth all time in interceptions, with 68. Because of you, my legacy lives on. Blount ended his career in 1983 with 57 interceptions (13th in NFL history) and 736 return yards. The following is a list of the NFL career defensive leaders ranked by sacks.Statistics are current through the 2022 NFL season and include stats accrued in NFL, AFL and APFA games. I can remember, it was a little high chair right by the kitchen. But as I stand here in the huddle of greatness, I feel so much of Your spirit. Big Play will always love the fans! Hall of Fame CB Jack Butler was born OTD in 1927. Happy Birthday to former #Lions Cornerback, Lem Barney! 1967 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year 7x Pro Bowl 2x All-Pro 1992 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee pic.twitter.com/fV7rDYN94G, Life does not always deal us a fair hand, Barney said. In 2000, he received the Bart Starr Award and the Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor. The Hall of Famer intercepted 53 passes (24th all time) for 1,331 yards (fourth all time) in his career. Broke up a school-record six passes in a game twice during the 1989 season (Vanderbilt and Southwestern. The new rule didnt affect Blounts production, though. A list of the best cornerbacks in the game. Love you guys so much.. Blount made a name for himself playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers for thirteen years, from 1970 to 1983, when he retired from the sport. I am thankful for my brother, my sister who are here to witness this. And next I would like to thank my brother and father because without them I would not be here mom I appreciate you taking care of me, leading me on the right road with your guidance, Willie Brown is one of the 7 cornerbacks selected to the #NFL100 All-Time Team! 5x All-Pro, 9x Pro Bowl selection Super Bowl XI Champion (75-yard pick-6 in Super Bowl) Career: 54 INT, 2 INT return TD pic.twitter.com/TGltdw30H7, You know before he makes a decision, so the sports writers can get all this straight, before he makes any decision about personnel, he (Al Davis) checks with Mrs. Davis, Brown said. So on behalf of all the black men that Ive mentioned tonight, and many more out there, whove had the most of the same experiences that Ive had in my lifetime, we say this to all of our white friends: When we tell you about our fears, please listen. Sanders was an eight-time Pro Bowl nominee, nine-time first-team All-Pro selection, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. This is about us. I had to understand what a hundred percent was all about and I had to understand that that goal kept moving higher because the better I got, the higher the standard became, Haynes said. + Indicates Hall of Famer, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM. So that I could pick up keys that would allow me to release my decoy pattern a step before I might have. Table of Contents Who are the best NFL cornerbacks of all time? Javier Arenas (2006-09) Arenas was under the leadership of Mike Shula and Nick Saban; In his tenure at Alabama, Arenas recorded 154 tackles, seven sacks and six interceptions. Here is our ranking of the five biggest defensive linemen at the combine Pittsburgh could target in the 2023 NFL draft. Love I believe is our most motivating factor we could have in life. In that time, he won four Super Bowls, After leaving the Redskins, five teams wanted to sign him, but he accepted the offer by the Baltimore Ravens. He went on playing for the team between 1983 and 2002, when he retired from the sport. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year 2009 was born on the Oct 7, 1976 in Fremont, Ohio. Required fields are marked *. Then, he entered the NFL Draft in 1970 and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ranking the 15 greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. In 2009, the two-time NFL interceptions leader (1998, 2005) retired with 53 interceptions, 169 pass deflections, seven defensive touchdowns, and five sacks.