What ever happened in the 2007 season to the 'Shutdown Corner players'

[Pat_Nasty]

Dre Bly was never considered a shutdown corner. Even if he were, it wouldn't matter. There never was or will be a corner in the NFL who can cover a receiver playing behind Denver's pass-rush-less front 7. If the QB is comfortable enough in the pocket, eventually he will find a window.

Nate Clements -- who, IMO, has been living off his reputation since his breakout year, anyway -- also suffers from playing on a team without a good rush.

Ed Reed isn't a corner and has never been described as "shutdown" in coverage.

I don't know if I'd call Samuel a "shutdown" corner, this year or last, but I think you're crazy to suggest he got off to any "slow start" this year, or that he hasn't been every bit the corner he was last year. From what I've seen, he's been even better in coverage this year, to the point that opposing QBs aren't testing him as much. My hesitation to call him "shutdown" has more to do with the Pats not playing a lot of strict man, but he's been working the Pats' schemes to perfection, and playing with impeccable technique.

I understand why the FO wasn't ready to make an investment in him this offseason, but I wish we had, because there's no way he's not getting top dollar after this year.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Corners Dre Bly,Asante Samuel,Nate Clements,Champ Bailey,Safety Ed Reed and some other highly ranked corners and safeties in the NFL are not having anything near what they have been in the past.

Bailey and Bly have not been any factor as the Broncos are getting pounded by the Pass as eveidenced by the last 2 weeks in GB and Detroit.

Clements has not been such a factor as the SF secondary has not been able to keep teams from outscoring them,even the lowly Falcons offense looked good last week against them.

For looking at the Safety position,Ed Reed has been a part of an overated defense in Baltimore in 2007 and I have not seen much in his performance so far.

Asante Samuel without being biased in any way shape or form as myself as a Pats fan thinks he is the best of the highly ranked corners after a semi slow start and is looking more like his 2006 performance lately but still not a shutdown corner,he was close last year to define that but not as dominant yet.

Are there any corners or safeties that have lived up to the billing of an elite shutdown corner or even at safety so far in 2007? - Unless its injury or something else not one of these guys have lived up to the billing.

Sean Taylor has probably been the best overall Safety in the league but even he could not help to stop 52 points being put up against them 2 weeks ago so no he is not a shutdown guy if you look at his overall season but he has played the best at the position with maybe Bob Sanders as well thus far IMO.

 

[Metaphors]

Corners Dre Bly,Asante Samuel,Nate Clements,Champ Bailey,Safety Ed Reed and some other highly ranked corners and safeties in the NFL are not having anything near what they have been in the past.

The league doesn't want shutdown corners, since they obviously shut down the thing that makes the league so much money...offense and points. Does anyone want to see Tennessee and Tampa play? They are both winning teams but their games are like watching paint dry.

I think this is exactly why you will see Asante in another uniform next year and the Pats wait to draft a CB until the 3rd or 4th round. The rules just don't make investing big money into a CB a wise decision unless they can contribute elsewhere (S, returner, WR, etc.).