Friendly Disclaimer: The following list is influenced largely -– but not strictly -– by film study of all 32 teams from the 2010 season. Stats weren’t acknowledged, but players with poor numbers generally don’t make top 10 lists anyway. Vague enough for you? Criteria for top 10 lists tend to be. That’s why most of you will have no trouble finding some disagreement with what you’re about to read.
(Last year’s cornerback ranking in parenthesis.)
10. Leon Hall, Bengals (9)
Not the fastest or quickest cat in the litter box, but over the years has handled tough solo coverage assignments with admirable consistency.
9. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (7)
Suffers from Deion Syndrome against the run, but one of the few corners who can be asked to shadow the opposing team’s best receiver without help.
8. Asante Samuel, Eagles (5)
His abhorrence for physicality limits what the Eagles can do with their coverages. On the other hand, he’s the most feared off-coverage corner in the league.
7. Tramon Williams, Packers (NR)
Athletic ballhawk whose ability to buckle down in man coverage has given Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers a license for creativity and aggression up front.
6. Ike Taylor, Steelers (NR)
Hindered by buttery fingers, but is a terrific run-defender and consummate stopper in both man and zone coverage.
5. Devin McCourty, Patriots (not in league)
Masterful at forcing receivers to the sideline and then backpedaling stride for stride with them. Can hunker down in man and also disguise zones like a veteran. Young players aren’t supposed to make it look this easy.
4. Champ Bailey, Broncos (6)
His 2010 campaign didn’t support the notion that he’s slowing down. Often handled opposing No. 1 wideouts one-on-one with no help.
3. Charles Woodson, Packers (2)
Versatility and playmaking prowess make him the most valuable piece of Green Bay’s scheme. Really not a corner so much as a rover, but there aren’t nine other rovers in football to rank him against.
2. Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders (3)
Watch 16 random Raider games from the past three years and you’ll probably see him on your screen during live action no more than 12 times.
1. Darrelle Revis, Jets (1)
If he keeps this up for three more years, we’ll have to have the “all-time?” discussion.
On the cusp:
Joe Haden, Browns; Rashean Mathis, Jaguars; Jabari Greer, Saints; Corey Webster, Giants; Aqib Talib, Bucs; Cortland Finnegan, Titans
Dropped from list:
Cortland Finnegan, Titans (4)
Dunta Robinson, Falcons (8)
Jabari Greer, Saints (10)
By top-10 standards, Greer and Robinson gave up a tad too many plays in ’10. Finnegan, while too good to be written off, fell on his face. (Fans of sportsmanship worldwide rejoiced.)
Youngster who could burst onto next year’s list:
Joe Haden, Browns; and Antoine Cason, Chargers
Haden’s uncanny change-of-direction ability alone will make him top-10 before Halloween. Cason, a 2008 first-round pick, has rare fluidity for someone his size (6-1, 195). Once he’s completely comfortable playing zone on the outside, he’s a star.
Andy Benoit is the founder of NFLTouchdown.com and covers the N.F.L. for CBSSports.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit@nfltouchdown.com.