In the aftermath of Richard Sherman’s rant against Michael Crabtree, it’s become a given that Sherman is the best cornerback in the game.
That viewpoint isn’t unanimous.
Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall has praised Sherman, but with a caveat.
“I definitely think he’s the best at what they want him to do, what they ask him to do,” Hall told 106.7 The Fan in D.C. on Tuesday. “To sit there and say he’s the best corner in the game is probably not fair because of what they’re defense asks him to do.”
What the Seahawks ask Sherman to do, according to Hall, is limited -- and supplemented by other great
“They play a lot of Cover Three, but their Cover Three is predicated on their corners pressing,” Hall said. “All their linebackers still drop in coverage, obviously they have a heck of a rush, they have probably the best safety in the game; actually, two safeties, because I love Kam Chancellor.”
Hall doesn’t love Sherman.
“To say he’s the best corner in the game is a little bit, um, I guess screwed,” Hall said. “Because I love Patrick Peterson myself, personally, just things that guy does on the football field is just exciting. But you can’t deny Richard Sherman’s numbers. His numbers have been amazing.”
Hall thinks that Sherman needs to continue to produce numbers like that over an extended period time.
“In this league man, it’s all about longevity,” Hall said. “This guy’s been in the league I think three years. Like I said, he’s probably put together two of the best years I’ve ever seen, numbers-wise, but in this league, to be on Champ [Bailey’s] level, [Charles Woodson’s] level, even Ronde [Barber] when he played, it’s about longevity, it’s about being able to keep this going, being able to adapt to receivers, adapt to different schemes, and being able to play different schemes.”
Sherman does indeed benefit from having some incredible talent around him, but Sherman has plenty of talent, too. Whether he’s the best cornerback in the business will continue to be a subject of discussion and debate -- and his performance in 2014 and beyond will be a major factor in determining whether he becomes and remains the best.