| Can CB's move football tickets? We think | | | | Barber is a bit different than Bailey and |
| there are a few who can, and we're going to | | | | Hall in that he plays the "Tampa 2" scheme, |
| continue our positional rankings with that | | | | which means that he's in zone coverage more |
| crucial position today. CB's are invaluable, | | | | often than man-man, but he plays it better |
| and many General Managers will rank them just | | | | than anyone out there, and he's ready to |
| behind QB's on the overall hierarchy of | | | | pounce on the slightest mistake a QB makes. |
| positions on a football team. A good CB can | | | | Barber is also a threat in the open field, |
| not only take away a team's best WR, but shut | | | | and one of the fiercest hitters in the |
| down an entire half of the field. This can | | | | league, so RB's will look for Barber as they |
| seriously limit a team's game plan, and | | | | break through a hole, which is rare for CB's. |
| inhibit its ability to spread the ball | | | | |
| around. Below are the top 5 CB's in the NFL | | | | 4. Ken Lucas |
| today, and as always, more than pure | | | | |
| statistics have been considered. | | | | Many felt that the Panthers overspent when |
| | | | they signed Lucas last year, but all he did |
| 1. Champ Bailey | | | | was bring stability to the field and shut |
| | | | down pretty much every WR he faced all |
| Bailey is perhaps the most feared CB in the | | | | season. Lucas is a big, physical corner who |
| league, and for good reason. He's big for a | | | | can run, and he's also a ballhawk, as he's |
| corner, has legendary speed, the ability to | | | | snagged 12 interceptions over the past two |
| close like a cougar and has great hands. He | | | | seasons. Lucas is not a CB WR's look forward |
| can also play the ball with a high level of | | | | to seeing on the schedule. |
| skill, which is something even some of the | | | | |
| best CB's don't have. Bailey never leads the | | | | 5. Chris McAlister |
| league in INT's because opposing QB's so | | | | |
| rarely choose to test him. However, ask any | | | | McAlister is one of the cornerstones of the |
| WR in the league this very question, and | | | | Raven defense, and that's saying something |
| Bailey will almost always be at, or at the | | | | considering he shares the field with Ray |
| very least near, the top of the list of best | | | | Lewis and Ed Reed, among others. However, one |
| CB's. | | | | of the reasons Lewis and Reed are so revered |
| | | | is that McAlister's blanket coverage allows |
| 2. DeAngelo Hall | | | | them to roam free and make plays. Like many |
| | | | others on this list, McAlister is never |
| Hall may be young, as he's not set to turn 23 | | | | leading the league in INT's because so few |
| until November, but in two years, he's | | | | passes come his way. |
| already become nearly as feared as Bailey. | | | | |
| Hall is not big, but he has lightning speed | | | | 6. Honorable Mention |
| and quickness that's unmatched. He's also a | | | | |
| physical tackler and will stick his nose into | | | | Three players make this list, and they |
| run support without hesitation. Not to | | | | include Nathan Vasher, who's a great ballhawk |
| mention, when he does get his hands on a | | | | but can get beat on that rare occasion. Al |
| ball, he's a threat to make a big play every | | | | Harris may be a bit slow, but Chad Johnson |
| time. Hall's return ability alone is worth | | | | called him one of the best in the NFL, and |
| the price of football tickets. Like Bailey, | | | | that's good enough for us, and Ty Law is |
| you won't see much of Hall on Sundays, but | | | | another legendary thief who's always around |
| that's because the ball isn't coming his way. | | | | the ball, but he's getting up in years. |
| | | | Regardless, any of these CB's is worth the |
| 3. Ronde Barber | | | | effort to obtain football tickets. |
| | | | |