Better CB: Deion Sanders or Rod Woodson?

Point blank who is better defensive back. Both started as corners in their careers and ended as free safeties. Here is the tale of the tape on both athletes.
Deion Sanders

via Wikipedia

During his 14-year NFL career, Sanders was a perennial All-Pro and one of the most feared pass defenders to ever play the game. He allegedly ran a 4.16 in the 40 yard dash making him the second fastest in the NFL to Darrell Green, who ran a 4.12. At the height of his career, his reputation was so great that opposing offensive coordinators almost always specifically accounted for him in their game-plan. He was widely known to shut down “his” half of the field, causing most quarterbacks to essentially ignore the receiver he was covering. Although critics argued that his tackling was poor and he was not much of a factor in run support, they could not deny his unparalleled closing speed. Sanders' speed and athleticism enabled him to blanket the best receivers while playing one of football's toughest positions.

Sanders also occasionally lined up with his team's offense. During the 1996 season, Sanders skipped the baseball season by concentrating strictly on football and attended the first NFL training camp of his career to better familiarize himself with the nuances of the wide receiver position. He became the first two-way starter in the NFL since Chuck Bednarik for the first half of the season due to Michael Irvin serving a five game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

During his career, Sanders intercepted 52 passes for 1,331 yards (a 25.1 yards per return average), recovered four fumbles for 15 yards, returned 155 kickoffs for 3,523 yards, gained 2,199 yards on 212 punt returns, and caught 60 passes for 784 yards. Sanders amassed 7,838 all-purpose yards and scored 22 touchdowns: nine interception returns, six punt returns, three kickoff returns, three receiving, and one fumble recovery. His 19 defensive and return touchdowns are an NFL record. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls in 1991--1994, 1996–1999. He was also awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1994.

• College Football News named Sanders #8 in its list of 100 Greatest College Football Players of All-Time.
• The Sporting News named Sanders #37 in their Top 100 Football Players of the Century released in 1999.
• ESPN named Sanders #74 in its list of the 100 Great Athletes of the Century released in 1999.

Sanders also had a rushing TD in the playoffs (against the Philadelphia Eagles in January 1996). This makes him (including post season) one of only two players in NFL history (Bill Dudley) to score a touchdown six different ways (interception return, punt return, kickoff return, receiving, rushing, and a fumble recovery).

Career stats
Tackles	513
Interceptions	53
Sacks	1
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
9× Pro Bowl selection (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) 2× Super Bowl champion (XXIX, XXX) 6× Associated Press First-team All-Pro selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998) 2× Associated Press Second-team All-pro selection (1991, 1999) NFL 1990s All-Decade Team 1994 NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1988 Jim Thorpe Award

Rod Woodson

via Wikipedia

In 1987, Woodson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 10th overall draft pick. He returned punts and played defensive cornerback for Pittsburgh through the 1996 season. He was a fan favorite and a banner that hung for years in Three Rivers Stadium stated: "Rod Is God". A highlight came in 1995 when Woodson became the first player to return from reconstructive knee surgery in the same season. That year he tore his ACL against the Detroit Lions in the first game and returned to play in the Super Bowl XXX between the Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys just 19 weeks later. In that game, he broke up a pass intended for Michael Irvin, hopped up and pointed at his reconstructed knee.

Woodson's career took a somewhat nomadic turn after free agency from Pittsburgh, after the Rooney family elected not to renew his contract over a pay dispute as well as the salary cap. (The team had a similar dispute with Franco Harris in 1984 and later with Alan Faneca in 2008.) Although he remained to raise his family in Pittsburgh and later made amends with the Rooneys, he hopped between three additional franchises, becoming one of the few modern cornerbacks to successfully make a transition to the safety position, following in the footsteps of Ronnie Lott. Woodson signed with the San Francisco 49ers for the 1997 season, the Baltimore Ravens for the years 1998 to 2001 (where he won Super Bowl XXXV), and the Oakland Raiders for 2002 and 2003 (where he appeared in his third Super Bowl). In the Raiders 2002 Super Bowl season, 37-year old Woodson led the NFL in interceptions (8) for the first time in his career. Unfortunately his father died in May 1992 after brain surgery, when the emotional decision to withdraw life support led to a physical confrontation between Rod and his brother Jamie (formal charges for battery and resisting arrest were filed as cited by AP May 22, 1992 [1] .)

NFL records and accomplishments

Woodson is among the NFL's all time leaders in games played as a defensive back and interceptions. In his 17 NFL seasons, Woodson recorded 71 interceptions, 1,483 interception return yards, 32 fumble recoveries (15 offensive and 17 defensive), 137 fumble return yards, 4,894 kickoff return yards, 2,362 punt return yards, and 17 touchdowns (12 interception returns, 1 fumble return, 2 kickoff returns, 2 punt returns). He holds the league record for interceptions returned for touchdowns with 12, and is tied with 11 other players for the record for most fumble recoveries in a single game (3). His 1,483 interception return yards are also an NFL record. His 71 interceptions rank 3rd all time.

Woodson was named to the Pro Bowl eleven times, a record for a defensive back. He was also the first player to earn trips to the Pro Bowl at cornerback, safety and kick returner.^[2] He was named 1993's NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He was also a 9 time All-Pro selection. Woodson finished second to Darrell Green in the 1988 NFL Fastest Man Contest.^[3]

In 1994, he was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team. What made it notable was that Woodson was one of only five active players to be named to the team. The others were Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Reggie White and Ronnie Lott. In 1999, he was ranked number 87 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. The College Football News has also honored him as one of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century.

In 2007, he was ranked number 22 on USA Today list of the 25 best NFL players of the past 25 years.

It is unlikely that the Steelers will remove Woodson's number 26 from circulation, however, since the number is currently being worn by longtime cornerback Deshea Townsend, who as of the 2008 season has now played longer with the Steelers than Woodson did. (The team drafted Townsend in 1998 around the same time that Woodson signed with the archrival Ravens, and still had an acrimonious relationship with the Rooneys at the time.) Mel Blount's number 47 has also conspicuously remained in circulation since his retirement after the 1983 season.

On January 31, 2009, Woodson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility becoming the 18th Steelers related person to be enshrined.

Career stats
Tackles	1,163
Interceptions	71
Sacks	13.5
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
11x Pro Bowl selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) 6x First-team All-Pro selection (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2002) 2x Second-team All-Pro selection (1991, 2000) 7x First-team All-Conference selection (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2002) 2x Second-team All-Conference selection (1991, 1996) NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 1990s All-Decade Team 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1993 UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year Super Bowl champion (XXXV) NFL Records 1,483 career interception yards 12 interceptions returned for touchdowns

Okay, so that is Wikipedia's take on the two athletes. Before I go offering up my two cents watch these two highlight reels of these two great players and comment and I'll follow up with my thoughts.

Can't wait to hear what the people have to say,

Ricky Writer

The Tebow Trance

Tim Tebow is the greatest college quarterback of all time if you let his head coach Urban Meyer tell it.

Last week, Coach Meyer turned Tebow's famed speech after the Gators loss to Ole Miss at home into a plaque outside of Ben Hill Griffin stadium. Meyer essentially said he doesn't like to wait and wanted to honor Tebow as soon as possible even though he is still playing. Now, that is quite the honor to recieve while you are still in school.

Now, before I sound like a hater, let me make it clear. I am a Tebow fan. I like the dude, he is a fierce competitor and a proven winner. In his career, he's thrown 67 TDs and only 11 picks. You can't call him Dan Marino because he isn't in league yet, but we can't call him Alex Smith just yet for the very same reasons. You must give Tebow his props for his numbers and wins, but you have to ask yourself is he merely a system quarterback.

Does he garner all the ESPN attention that he gets? He doesn't throw a pretty ball, he plays in a great system, and has more weapons than the ATF. Is he that good, how would he fare in Texas' offense? Would Pat White outshine Tebow if he were to play same system with that quality of players?

What ever the case maybe, does Tebow have us in a trance or is he legitamatley that good? If he is that good why are people already converting him to running back, tight end, or h-back. Yes, the NFL and its executives can be quite stupid at times. Numbers don't lie and Tebow certainly has them to back it up. Alex Smith played in the same system and was taken #1 overall. Tebow, being bigger than Smith probably has a stronger arm, and has prototypical NFL size. So why does everyone want to change his posistion if he is so great?

I'm lost. Given the firepower he has coming back this season Tebow's folklore will continue worldwide. Come this time next year he will have particpated in the combine and his pro day fielding numerous questions on what postion he'd like to play at the next level.

I think Tebow should be given a fair shot to play QB and should not penalized for his style of play or the system he plays in.

I also think that the nation has gone on a tad bit over the top with this Tebow mania. I wonder if Tebow were a black QB if he would get as much attention as he does now.

Either or, keep balling Tim.


Peace,


Richie Wordsmith

The Bronco Bicker

What's up. I had to share my two pennies on the whole Denver Bronco situation that is going on right now. Enjoy.

Peace,


Ricky Writer

Out with the Old and In With the New: Oregon’s Chip Kelley

Oregon announced last week that Mike Belloti would step down as head football coach to take the athletic director position, and highly regarded offensive coordinator Chip Kelley would be his replacement. . While Kelly was offensive coordinator at New Hampshire (1999-2006), the Wildcats' offenses averaged better than 400 yards of total offense in seven of his eight seasons and more than 30 points per game in his final four seasons. Kelly, the mastermind behind I-AA power New Hampshire, employs a spread-based system he put together after consulting with, among others, Rich Rodriguez and the Wake Forest staff. Kelley is the Bobby Fischer of offensive coordinators in college football posting ridiculous numbers with two different quarterbacks in his time at UO. In Kelley’s first year2, he directed a potent attack led by the now Pittsburg Steelers QB, Dennis Dixon. The Ducks more than likely would have challenged for the national title if Dixon had not suffered a severe knee injury late in the year against Arizona State that essentially cost Dixon the Heisman trophy. In 2008, the Duck offensive attack caught fire again under the direction of juco transfer QB Jeremiah. Masoli came to Eugene with an impressive resume playing for St. Louis School of Honolulu in the prep ranks and perennial power CC of San Francisco at the Juco level. Under the tutelage of Kelley, Masoli posted 1744 yards in the air with 13 td’s and 5 int's while posting a 56.9 completion percentage. Masoli was also a serious threat on the ground rushing for 718 yards for the year. A review of the Holiday Bowl versus Oklahoma State will tell you that Masoli will be one to watch as he buried the Cowboys with a physical running style in the second half that will have defensive coordinators working long nights during next season. What is more impressive about these accomplishments is the seasons initial starter for the FLOCK was Nic Costa who injured a knee and missed the rest of the season. Kelley while molding a first year juco quarterback also found time to produce two thousand yard rushers, Jeremiah Johnson and the bruiser LeGarrette Blount. Once more Kelley is the real deal Holyfield and if you cant see that you will once Oregon gets rolling in the next few years.

This move by Oregon is the first of many coach-in-waiting scenarios that become popular amongst the powers of college football. Texas has announced that Will Muschamp will succeed Mack Brown whenever he steps down for the Horns. Florida State has also put such a plan in place to with Jimbo Fisher set to succeed legend Bobby Bowden whenever he steps down in the near future. There are also some “unofficial” hierarchal succession plans at Virginia Tech, Penn State and Kentucky.
Bud Foster is the popular choice to replace Frank Beamer at Tech. The Pope (Joe Paterno) is said to have christened Tom Bradley as the next coach at Penn State. Lastly, Rich Brooks at Kentucky as tabbed Joker Phillips as the next coach down on the Blue Grass.

Contrary to what seems to be popular opinion I think these types of succession plans bring continuity to college football programs that implement them. It provides stability to the program, especially when a longtime coach has been rumored to retire in the near future. This brings peace of mind to possible recruits and current players within the program. The only downside is that there will not be an extensive and “appropriate” search for a new candidate to fill the vacancy. I must admit I am more for this type of strategy even though it has one main negative point.

Oregon has made the right move in hiring Kelley, expect the Ducks to challenge Troy’s stronghold of the Pac-10 immediately. The offensive will post staggering numbers and Ducks will finally make a move into tip tier royalty in college football after so many years of knocking on the door. Congratulations to Oregon and Chip Kelley let the fireworks begin

Sincerely, Claudius Minimums

Football turning Pansy

The game I love is becoming more and more pansi-fied by the season. I understand the safety precautions that need to take place. But there is a huge difference between a precaution and just plain pansy.

Here is synopsis of the proposed rule changes to be evaluated this week by the owners, via NFL Network. Thanks.

Peace,

Willie Cool

Where Have You Gone Peter Warrick??

I remember watching #9(Peter Warrick) make defenses look like they were standing still in his four seasons at Florida State. He was a two time All-American and the front runner for the Heisman Trophy when Dillards Gate shook the Seminole Nation to the core.

Peter Warrick and teammate (current NFL standout) Laveranues Coles were caught in a shoplifting scam at a Tallahassee Dillard’s. Warrick was suspended for two games and Coles was kicked off the team. The suspension and subsequent negative publicity cost Warrick the Heisman Trophy in his senior season when he was the proverbial “Man Amongst Boys”. To this day I remember Warrick running crazy in the 2000 Sugar Bowl with 163 yards receiving (including 2 touchdowns), a 59 yard punt return for a TD, and also a 2 point conversion. He was the type of player that could literally take it to the house any time he touched the ball from anywhere on the field. Who would have thought that it would be his former teammate and fellow Dillard’s conspirator, Laveranues Coles who would go on to have the productive NFL career.

Warrick was drafted 4th overall in the 2001 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and it seemed that his NFL career was off to a good start when he led the team in receptions his first two seasons. In his third season he was replaced as the team’s leading receiver by some guy named Chad Johnson. Warrick still had a respectable showing with 53 catches, 606 yards receiving, and 6 TDs. It seemed that this would be a duo that would frustrate and confound defensive coordinators for many years to come. In 2003, Warrick again had a solid season and seemed well on his way to achieving all the promise that he displayed while shredding Defenses at FSU. Then it happened…..he was injured and missed the bulk of the ’04 season allowing little known seventh round draft pick TJ Houshmandzadeh (championship!) to take over as the teams #2 receiver, and the rest as they say is history. Warrick was released before the start of the 2005 season and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle was not the redemption that PW was looking for. He did not make an impact as a WR but he did serve as the teams punt returner in their run to the Super Bowl. Warrick was released before the start of the 2006 season and has not played significant football since. He has worked out for numerous teams and has also had stints in the Arena and Canadian Leagues. His most recent transaction was being signed by the Bloomington Extreme of the Indoor Football League in 2009. It seems like it was so long ago when he was in the garnet and gold and seemed to be almost as sure of a thing as death and taxes that he would be a star in the NFL. Did he peak as an elite college player? Did his skills/size not translate to the NFL? Was he just not able to comeback from the injury that allowed TJ Houshmazilly to ascend to super stardom? I hate to think that when football fans hear the name “Peter Warrick” that they automatically associate it with “Peter Wardrobe”. Maybe I’m just a delusional fan, but I think Warrick still has some gas in the tank and I believe he will surface in an NFL city once again.


Peace,



Jonathan " I was never shot" JR Reynolds

Trendsetter

There is a difference between LaDainian Tomlinson and Marvin Harrison. Beside position, height, weight, favorite color, favorite food etc. Those are besides the point, the difference I want to point out is their pride.

Marvin Harrison was asked to take a pay cut by the Indianapolis Colts a few weeks back, which he did not want to do. He asked for his release and the team gave it to him. Understandable. No, I take that back, not understandable. Before I get into my rant, I feel that the Colts should have done everything in their power to keep Marvin. I know that Marvin was not 100% last season, and I know his skills have not diminished and that he is still a #1 receiver. But Marvin could have given in a little as well. Why not restructure your deal to help your team bring in a few more pieces to the puzzle to win another championship, why not end your career as a Colt, and you have to realize that although your skills have not eroded just yet that they soon will and you will not be worth the money you signed for several years ago.

LT on the other hand by all accounts is aware of these facts. Set to make 24 milli over the next three years, the Chargers felt LT wasn't worth it. They can say cap space, smap space, but in the end that is what it comes down to. They feel he isn't worth it. Are they correct? I'm not sure. I mean LT was injured last year and his offensive line didn't help him all that much. For those so quick to jump on the Darren Sproles band wagon and annoint him the starter, he only had one rushing td all last year. Whether LT was worth the 24 million or not, he knew he wasn't getting any younger, he wants to help his team win a championship, and he wants to stay loyal to his team and fans. Now, I commend that.

I feel Marvin's stance, and like I said, he is still a #1 receiver in this league in my eyes as LT is a #1 back. The sooner big salary aging veterans realize their skills are deteriorating the better. If you are over the age of 32 you need to be playing at a Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner, Terrell Owens, and Donovan McNabb level to be making A+ money. If not, swallow your pride, take the paycut, stay on your winning team, and bow out gracefully especially if the only team you've ever known still wants as a member of their team.


That's all I've got to type,



Ricky Writer

Good Morning Buffalo, New York

Terrell Owens is now playing for the Buffalo Bills, duh. I'm sure you know this fact by now. My take is why and how did he get there.

T.O. releasing by the Cowboys was about as unexpected as birthday cake on Thanksgiving. No one saw it coming. The murmurs were being rumored around various sports networks, but no one believed it. Why would you, Jerry Jones just signed the receiver to a 4 year $34 million dollar deal last year. Releasing T.O. cost the Boys a $9 million dollar salary cap hit.

Jones said the release had nothing to do with T.O.'s perceived locker room perception. More so that he was slowly starting to deteriorate as a player. Jerry Jones was getting rid of T.O. so he wouldn't have to pay him over the last three years of his contract. Also, there was a thinking as the more T.O. started to deteriorate, the more volatile he'd become in the locker room and the more friction would build between him and quarterback, Tony Romo.

Jerry Jones is sleazier than the serpent who tricked Eve in the Garden of Eden. He did it to Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcells(twice, the first being going behind his back to sign T.O. and then firing him) and now with Owens. Romo, your day in the sun will come too. He claimed in the offseason that T.O. would be around. I don't even know why it would even be questioned. Jones is a highly skilled business man and bs'er. He could have given the media a better excuse than T.O.'s skills deteriorated.

The great Shawn Carter once said, "Men lie, women lie, but numbers don't". Take a look at T.O.'s numbers over the past three years with the Boys.

2008	Dallas Cowboys	16	16	69	1,052	15.2	75T	10
2007	Dallas Cowboys	15	15	81	1,355	16.7	52T	15
2006	Dallas Cowboys	16	15	85	1,180	13.9	56T	13

As you can see T.O.'s skills clearly diminished in one year. He had a 12 catches less than a year ago, 300 yards less, and 5 TD grabs less. It doesn't matter than Tony Romo missed three games with an injury, and backup QB Brad Johnson stunk it up over those three games. Johnson completed only 52% of his passes, and only threw for 2TDs and 5 picks. Don't also forget to mention that Romo didn't have his greatest season either. Yes, he was sixth in the 8th in the league in QB rating at 91.4, sixth in the league with 26 td strikes, but was tops in the league with 14 picks thrown. We are not going to bring up offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett's, play-calling inconsistency.

Ultimately, T.O. was let go because they no longer wanted the distraction in the locker room, which in my opinnion there wasn't much of. No I'm not a T.O. lover, I tend to lead more towards the side of T.O. hater, but he got a raw deal in Big D.

Onward soldiers to Buffalo. T.O. is going to keep his same consistency as he has over the 3 years and help vault the Bills into the playoffs finally. After his one year deal is done, so will T.O. be done in Buffalo. His career will not end, nor will his traveling circus following of the media either, but his short-lived tenure in Buffalo will be done.

Either way you shake it, Jerry Jones has a lot of bad karma on his way(When was the last time the Boys got out of the first round?), T.O.'s still getting paid, Lee Evans is the happiest man in New York, and the real Romo will finally stand up.


Holla for a Dolla,


Risky Richie