Darrell Green vs. Deion Sanders vs. Rod Woodson (3 Viewers)

[Raider Nation]

They are each coming out of college this year, and will be in the 2008 draft.

Assume you already know how each of them will turn out as an NFL player...

Forget the ancillary things like Deion playing baseball, and jumping from team to team in the NFL. For sake of argument, your team has all the cap space in the world every year, and you can keep these players as long as you wish. They have their same punt/kickoff return skills, same injury history, same longevity... and same everything else on the field, including their personalities.

IN WHAT ORDER SHOULD THEY BE DRAFTED?

Green - 7 Pro Bowls, member of 1990's NFL All-Decade Team, 54 INTs in 20 seasons.

Sanders - 8 Pro Bowls, member of 1990's NFL All-Decade Team, 52 INTs in 14 seasons.

Woodson - 11 Pro Bowls, member of NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, 71 INTs in 17 seasons.

 

[RavensUNFL]

I have never been a Sanders fan, but his cover skills changed entire game plans, I am not sure you can say the same for the other 2. They were both great, don't get me wrong, but Deion was a true game changer and teams had to plan for him accordingly. Just mho.

 

[Raider Nation]

I have never been a Sanders fan, but his cover skills changed entire game plans, I am not sure you can say the same for the other 2. They were both great, don't get me wrong, but Deion was a true game changer and teams had to plan for him accordingly. Just mho.

I'm with you, and I don't think it's a very tough decision.A buddy of mine claims Woodson AND Green were better all-around players than Deion. Better tacklers? Sure. Better all-around players? Not a chance. That's why I included the "everything stays the same about each player" stipulation.

 

[TheGreatest]

Sanders

Green

Woodson

I love Green as a player but nobody has ever impacted the game at corner the way Deion did.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

The Sanders hype knows no bounds. The guy was too much of a ##### to attempt to tackle. He lacked the heart and so he was a major liability against the run. As for cover skills he was among the best, but his ego demanded of him that he make plays. Given that, he gambled for the pick jumping routes and abandoning assignments. All those plays where he chases a guy down from behind, well those were his guys to begin with. Yes he made playes, but he gave them up too. In a team sport I need to know my guy has his assignments at all times.

Woodson

Green

Sanders

 

[Rodeojones]

I went Green, Woodson, and Sanders. It was purely based on emotion. I always loved Darrell Green growing up. I still remember him winning the NFL's Fastest Man contest after he was retired.

 

[Jedimaster21]

I have never been a Sanders fan, but his cover skills changed entire game plans, I am not sure you can say the same for the other 2. They were both great, don't get me wrong, but Deion was a true game changer and teams had to plan for him accordingly. Just mho.

I'm with you, and I don't think it's a very tough decision.A buddy of mine claims Woodson AND Green were better all-around players than Deion. Better tacklers? Sure. Better all-around players? Not a chance. That's why I included the "everything stays the same about each player" stipulation.

Woodson is the best all around player, and it isn't really that close. If he wouldn't have blown out his knee, he would have been even better, for even longer. After his hall of fame corner career, he became a Hall of Fame safety. Sanders was probably the best "cover" man in history...he could shut down most players with his amazing speed and instincts. However, physical receivers could bully him and he was a below average tackler. Green was great, but a step below the other two players. Keep this in mind...in 1992, Woodson had 4 picks, 100 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, was one of the best return men in the NFL, and 6 sacks. Just a better all around player than Sanders, and probably the best DB ever.

 

[renesauz]

I voted Sanders/Woodsen/Green, but could easily see somebody putting Woodsen first.

Sanders changed games, and could singlehandedly shut down virtually any WR. Woodsen may have been a more complete player, but Neon Deion could change a game all on his own. Green was reliable, long-lasting, all around good guy, but not quite up to par with the other two.

PS: Several guys mentioned Woodsen as a returner...Sanders had some great return years too!

 

[jurb26]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

 

[bostonfred]

The Sanders hype knows no bounds. The guy was too much of a ##### to attempt to tackle. He lacked the heart and so he was a major liability against the run. As for cover skills he was among the best, but his ego demanded of him that he make plays. Given that, he gambled for the pick jumping routes and abandoning assignments. All those plays where he chases a guy down from behind, well those were his guys to begin with. Yes he made playes, but he gave them up too. In a team sport I need to know my guy has his assignments at all times.WoodsonGreenSanders

The hype would be a good argument against Sanders if opposing coaches didn't buy into it. But they did, and so they didn't throw to his side of the field. And while he occasionally gave up big plays when he gambled, he sure scored a lot of touchdowns. I'll gladly take a guy who shuts down the opponent's best receiver for most of the game, and is just as likely to score a touchdown as give up a touchdown when they do pass it to his side of the field.

 

[Raider Nation]

Woodson is the best all around player, and it isn't really that close. After his hall of fame corner career, he became a Hall of Fame safety.

I know you meant that as a compliment, but I don't think it is one.Players generally move from corner to safety because they can't cover receivers anymore.

 

[KoolKat]

Went with Woodson, Green, and Sanders. I may have bias, because Woodson was always one of my favorite player (until he went to the Raiders). I think Woodson is clearly the best of the 3, as far as all around play. He is the best tackler in the group by far, and could cover just as well as the other 2. He also had the speed to take many of his INTs to the house; I think it is a misconception drawn by his late-career play, that Woodson was not a burner. He was.

Went with Green over Sanders primarily due to longevity. Green was a dominant corner longer than Sanders, and was also a better tackler. Also, Green was the consumate team-player, which Sanders obviously was not. This is kind of like picking the hottest Victoria Secret model. It is mainly subjective.

 

[KoolKat]

SandersWoodsonGreenSanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

 

[Andy Herron]

I went with Sanders, Woodson, Green, as did the majority as it turned out. By a large margin I might add. That says alot.

As has been well pointed out, Sanders changed games. Whether it was coverage, Int. or punt returns for TDs. While the other two were very solid defenders by their own right, they weren't NEAR as dangerous. Not even close.

Case in point:

When Deion got his hands on the ball, I would find myself instinctively rising out of my chair with anticipation of what was about to happen (not necessarily cheering).

The other two didn't draw the same reaction. With Deion, it would be like "Oh ****, here we go"! You knew you were going to get a show.

As far as his tackling issues were concerned, I have to point something out here while not making an excuse necessarily.

I played CB in high school, and a corner's outside responsibility vs. the run is to contain and turn the play back inside towards the pursuit of your defense at all costs if you couldn't or didn't make the play yourself. Here lies the problem. The pursuit of the defense is already coming your direction, with players generally much larger than yourself (I was comparatively small). While I was a very capable and willing tackler (one of the reasons I was out there), the chance of injury was still there, even if only to have to miss a play or two. I'd still make the tackle if I could, but always at least turned the play back inside. Angles weren't always in your favor, where you have to make a split-second decision as to whether you want to redirect the runner back inside or "attempt" a tackle at the risk of giving up the sideline. My backup was so poor my defense wouldn't let me leave the game if at all possible. If I got a little shaken up at any point my defense, primarily the safety on my side, would help me hide it in coverage til I got myself together when I usually was in man coverage.

Point is, would you rather miss a tackle or miss a Deion? Some players are far too valuable to not have them on the field.

 

[KoolKat]

I am not buying the argument that Woodson and Green did not change teams or games. If you are a Hall of Fame player, you changed games and teams. It is foolish to think otherwise. I know for a fact Woodson returned many INTs to the house, and I was just as 'excited' when he got his hands on the as when Deion did. The only difference is that Woodson would tuck the ball in to protect his team from a fumble, whereas Deion would stick the ball in the air in a pure act of a selfish 'look at me' play.

 

[renesauz]

This is kind of like picking the hottest Victoria Secret model. It is mainly subjective.

 

[Rodeojones]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

 

[KoolKat]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

There is a reason it is called the shark pool. We do not have to treat discussion with kid gloves in here, and that is why I love it.

 

[Chase Stuart]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...t_td_career.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...e_td_career.htm

 

[KoolKat]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...t_td_career.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...e_td_career.htm

Further proof that Woodson does not get credit for being the gamebreaker that he was.

 

[FUBAR]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

I switched my vote 3 times before hitting submit. I just couldn't decide, they're all among the best ever to suit up. So, I'd trade down

 

[FUBAR]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...t_td_career.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...e_td_career.htm

Further proof that Woodson does not get credit for being the gamebreaker that he was.

true. I'd really like to see the "thrown against" stats for these guys. I clearly remember Deion shutting a side of the field down in many games. I don't remember Woodson having quite the same effect.

 

[KoolKat]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...t_td_career.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...e_td_career.htm

Further proof that Woodson does not get credit for being the gamebreaker that he was.

true. I'd really like to see the "thrown against" stats for these guys. I clearly remember Deion shutting a side of the field down in many games. I don't remember Woodson having quite the same effect.

Did you watch any Steeler Games in the 90s? Woodson was just as much a 'shut down' CB as Deion, and you did not have to worry about a team running a sweep to his side, because he was a very good tackler.

 

[Raider Nation]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

I switched my vote 3 times before hitting submit. I just couldn't decide, they're all among the best ever to suit up. So, I'd trade down

When I created the poll, I tried very hard to put my GM hat on.If a GM this year actually had to make this decision, I don't see how you could pass on Deion. Just my $0.02.

 

[FUBAR]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...t_td_career.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/lead...e_td_career.htm

Further proof that Woodson does not get credit for being the gamebreaker that he was.

true. I'd really like to see the "thrown against" stats for these guys. I clearly remember Deion shutting a side of the field down in many games. I don't remember Woodson having quite the same effect.

Did you watch any Steeler Games in the 90s? Woodson was just as much a 'shut down' CB as Deion, and you did not have to worry about a team running a sweep to his side, because he was a very good tackler.

honestly, not as many as other teams. I'm still fairly certain that Deion shut down his side a little better. Like I said above though, all 3 are close in overall ability and impact. Deion was just the better "shut down" corner, while Woodson had a more complete game.

 

[FUBAR]

Sanders

Woodson

Green

Sanders changed games and teams. The others didn't, though they were great players. Sure, Sanders may have annoyed me with his loud mouth from time to time, but make no mistake. He is the superior player on that list.

And the award for worst argument goes to...If you think any player withe talent level of a Woodson or Green did not change teams and games, you are foolish. How is Sanders clearly the superior player on this list? Was he a better tackler than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better teammate than Green or Woodson? No. Was he a better INT returner than Green or Woodson? Yes. Did he have the longevity of Green and Woodson? No. Was he better in coverage tha Green or Woodson? It is arguable, and I would argure he is definitely worse than Woodson. Therefore, Sanders is anything but the clearly superior player on this list. He is arguably the best player, but 'clearly superior' is an adjective that cannot be attached here.

I switched my vote 3 times before hitting submit. I just couldn't decide, they're all among the best ever to suit up. So, I'd trade down

When I created the poll, I tried very hard to put my GM hat on.If a GM this year actually had to make this decision, I don't see how you could pass on Deion. Just my $0.02.

Depends. If this is Houston, absolutely. If you have no pass rush, I'd strongly consider Woodson. FWIW, I voted Deion, Woodson, Green. But I loved Darrell Green.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

All were great players, but Sanders was more of an impact player than the other two, and offenses had to game plan with him in mind. That is the difference to me.

 

[TwinTurbo]

I give a slight edge to Woodson for the all around game and run support, then Deion, then Green.

1a: Woodson

1b: Deion

2: Green

My favorite of the 3 is Green, but Woodson and Deion had a bit more talent and impact.

 

[BoltBacker]

If you are drafting based on their entire career I'm really surprised Green doesn't get more love in this thread.

Games played

Green 295

Woodson 238* (a lot of that was played at FS, only about 170 were played at CB)

Sanders 188

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

For the record I think Mike Haynes was the best CB I ever saw play the game. Better tackler than Deion. Better size than Green. More consistent than Woodson imo.

 

[redman]

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

This is not getting enough attention. Green was a first class shutdown corner for 15+ years, which is ludicrous. He was also as good as either Woodson or Sanders as a PR, though Gibbs and subsequent coaches were loathe to risk him back there that often. I certainly given Sanders the edge here on INT's and INT returns, but Green actually tackled, and I just can't get past how one-dimensional Sanders was on defense. On running plays his defenses were playing with 10 guys. I can't rate that first.

 

[jurb26]

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

This is not getting enough attention. Green was a first class shutdown corner for 15+ years, which is ludicrous. He was also as good as either Woodson or Sanders as a PR, though Gibbs and subsequent coaches were loathe to risk him back there that often. I certainly given Sanders the edge here on INT's and INT returns, but Green actually tackled, and I just can't get past how one-dimensional Sanders was on defense. On running plays his defenses were playing with 10 guys. I can't rate that first.

This was actually an enormous advantage only Deon enabled his D's to have, not a liability like you and others are trying to sight it as. Deon is the only CB I have ever seen that could realistically line up on the opposing teams WR1 with no schematic help and not become a liability, rather a strength, in coverage. He allowed his defenses schematic advantages because of this. Sanders was rarely asked to do anything else. That ability was just that rare and in demand that there was no need to ask him to do anything else. That is what separates him form the crowd. Even the crowd of elite CBs IMO. I can't stand the guy, but this is just the reality.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

If you are drafting based on their entire career I'm really surprised Green doesn't get more love in this thread.

Games played

Green 295

Woodson 238* (a lot of that was played at FS, only about 170 were played at CB)

Sanders 188

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

For the record I think Mike Haynes was the best CB I ever saw play the game. Better tackler than Deion. Better size than Green. More consistent than Woodson imo.

But both Woodson and Sanders were the VERY BEST in the game at points in their careers, a claim that is incredibly hard for Green to make.

 

[renesauz]

Who would you rather sleep with?

Jessica Alba, or Jessica Simpson?

Really....this question is akin to that. We have different answers, but we'd be either way. If we had to "settle" for our second, or even third choice, we would still be , and the world to have one of these "girls" (players) "in our bed" (on our favorite team)

 

[Bri]

Woodson is one of my faves so he goes first. Two positions doesn't hurt as well.

I'd take Green over Deion. How many games did Deion play in 14 years? 6 more years for Green seems like a considerable difference.

 

[Raider Nation]

Deon is the only CB I have ever seen that could realistically line up on the opposing teams WR1 with no schematic help and not become a liability, rather a strength, in coverage. He allowed his defenses schematic advantages because of this.

That's what the Raiders are banking on this season. Not saying it will work, but that's the plan. Many times, Hall and Asomugha will be left alone on the island, and Ryan can call more blitzes (not that we have any great blitzers at the moment) and also have the safties help out against the run. I'm cautiously optimistic, even though Hall isn't as good as he thinks he is.

 

[jurb26]

Woodson is one of my faves so he goes first. Two positions doesn't hurt as well.I'd take Green over Deion. How many games did Deion play in 14 years? 6 more years for Green seems like a considerable difference.

There is no doubt that Green had the greatest longevity of the group. Heck, he may have had the most impressive longevity of any player in the history of the game when you consider the athletic demand at the CB position. Playing at the level he did for so long was truly remarkable. That said, I have to agree with the many others who think that Green (while a great CB) was never truly dominant like Deon and even Woodson. I don't think any CB in recent football has been as dominant as Deon was. I'll take that dominance, even if for a shorter amount of time, over the longevity. I guess that is a matter of personal preference.

 

[FUBAR]

Who would you rather sleep with?Jessica Alba, or Jessica Simpson?Really....this question is akin to that. We have different answers, but we'd be either way. If we had to "settle" for our second, or even third choice, we would still be , and the world to have one of these "girls" (players) "in our bed" (on our favorite team)

so what you're saying is... you think Darrell Green is sexy?

 

[Bri]

Woodson is one of my faves so he goes first. Two positions doesn't hurt as well.I'd take Green over Deion. How many games did Deion play in 14 years? 6 more years for Green seems like a considerable difference.

There is no doubt that Green had the greatest longevity of the group. Heck, he may have had the most impressive longevity of any player in the history of the game when you consider the athletic demand at the CB position. Playing at the level he did for so long was truly remarkable. That said, I have to agree with the many others who think that Green (while a great CB) was never truly dominant like Deon and even Woodson. I don't think any CB in recent football has been as dominant as Deon was. I'll take that dominance, even if for a shorter amount of time, over the longevity. I guess that is a matter of personal preference.

For me Bruce Matthews long career is more remarkable in my opinion, but yeah each are stupendous. I think Deion's dominance is overstated around here. I don't think it's more than a handful of the 14 years. Since a CB can so easily be taken out of the game(and usually giving up your top WR, but...by passing away from him) I feel like I've seen alot of CBs be as dominant as a CB for those years. His dominance as a CB doesn't stand out to me as much as the general consensus around here at all. I think people tend to think "what if the QB threw his way" when thinking about CBs and that's just not the case.Aeneas Williams is a very difficult CB to rank all time, maybe the most difficult. It's hard to remember a time teams didn't throw away from him but, when you consider the players that were opposite him, where would you throw? Further, the team was bad and with an early lead teams ate up the clock running often so they weren't even trying to pass as much as a typical game. He's real difficult to compare. If we were to go Aeneas vs opposing #1 WR he would rank so so high you'd recognize something was up. Anyhow.........often times I feel people overstate a CBs dominance.Deion the PR was fun and exciting and I'd put him quite high up on the list but I was under the impression we were thinking defensive play not ST.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

This is not getting enough attention. Green was a first class shutdown corner for 15+ years, which is ludicrous. He was also as good as either Woodson or Sanders as a PR, though Gibbs and subsequent coaches were loathe to risk him back there that often. I certainly given Sanders the edge here on INT's and INT returns, but Green actually tackled, and I just can't get past how one-dimensional Sanders was on defense. On running plays his defenses were playing with 10 guys. I can't rate that first.

This was actually an enormous advantage only Deon enabled his D's to have, not a liability like you and others are trying to sight it as. Deon is the only CB I have ever seen that could realistically line up on the opposing teams WR1 with no schematic help and not become a liability, rather a strength, in coverage. He allowed his defenses schematic advantages because of this. Sanders was rarely asked to do anything else. That ability was just that rare and in demand that there was no need to ask him to do anything else. That is what separates him form the crowd. Even the crowd of elite CBs IMO. I can't stand the guy, but this is just the reality.

This is kind of like picking the hottest Victoria Secret model. It is mainly subjective.

Everyone's vote is going to boil down to what you want on your team if you were the GM.Personally, if I'm drafting a corner, I want someone you can leave on an island and essentially forget. That's why I voted Sanders first, then Green, then Woodson. If Woodson had stayed at corner his whole career he may have gotten the nod over Green, but seeing as I'm a 'Skins homer, I doubt it.

If you wanted the "all around" player you probably voted Woodson first. If you wanted greatness for the longest period of time you probably voted Green. If you wanted the textbook "shutdown" corner you probably voted Sanders. But, like what's been said before, you can't go wrong with whoever you choose.

 

[BoltBacker]

If you are drafting based on their entire career I'm really surprised Green doesn't get more love in this thread.

Games played

Green 295

Woodson 238* (a lot of that was played at FS, only about 170 were played at CB)

Sanders 188

Green may not have been as high as the other two on their best days but he was one of the best CB's in the game for a lot more games than either Woodson or Sanders.

For the record I think Mike Haynes was the best CB I ever saw play the game. Better tackler than Deion. Better size than Green. More consistent than Woodson imo.

But both Woodson and Sanders were the VERY BEST in the game at points in their careers, a claim that is incredibly hard for Green to make.

I guess then you go back and look at the questions by the OP;"They are each coming out of college this year, and will be in the 2008 draft.

Assume you already know how each of them will turn out as an NFL player... "

So do you draft based on how good they are on their best day... or who has the best career and can help you the most over the course of their career. IMO that's Green.

If you asked me if I'd like a few great years with Bo Jackson/Gale Sayers or Emmitt Smith's high productivity over 15 years, I'd also say Emmitt Smith

 

[Tenderknee]

I voted Woodson/Sanders/Green, but after reading other poster's comments I feel that the answer is not so clear cut one way with the given information.

I think that if you had a good team and needed to get over the hump to become a great team, Sanders was clearly the guy. Evidenced by the success of the Falcons, 49ers, and Cowboys when Sanders played for them. After he left, their team went back to being good but not great. He did have his weaknesses, but the good teams probably were good enough to cover for him in those areas, and what he provided them was the best coverage of the opponent's best receiver. The outcome of having Sanders on a good defensive team is making a 10-player offense play against a 10-player defense, with the occasional ball-poacher pop out of nowhere. Also note that when a team is pinned against their own end zone, and they need to pass, I wouldn't think their first option was their WR1 since Sanders was playing him, and could easily return an interception for a TD, making the defense even more effective.

On an average defensive team that needed to become a very good defensive team, I think a Woodson and Green type of player is more needed. As mentioned before, a good defensive team needs to know that assignments are not being blown, as proven by the textbook play of the average talented players of the New England Patriots yielding amazingly solid performances every game.

That being said, Green was not a shutdown corner, but was a very good match up for teams that had a solid receiving burner like a Michael Irvin, but yet never really shut them down, yet prevented the big play.

Woodson was for some time a great cover guy and did shut down a WR1, almost as good as Sanders. And like Sanders, he played on good defensive teams, so the team probably allowed him to hawk the ball more than other DBs on lesser teams. What set Woodson ahead of Sanders is that he became a great run stuffing Safety that also had more than adequate coverage skills. I'm not saying that he became a better player than Sanders, but he just as effectively became another kind of position player that ended up having the longest-most-effective career out there. Green was effective for a long period of time, but he was never at the level of Sanders or Woodson, or several other DBs, for as long as it would take to make me sway my feelings about the three listed.

Before anyone says that I might be biased against Green.....I am a Redskin and Charger fan, and love Green, while only like Woodson and Sanders, who I thought were not as good people as Green was. But this is not about the person as a whole, only the player as a whole (career) and their effect on a team.

I think Woodson is the best player to choose for any team, Sanders the 2nd best for a good team, Green 2nd best for an average-to-poor team, though my vote does not reflect all of this.

 

[AussieOyOyOy]

I think a lot of this is negative Deion-revisionist history. It's popular opinion that he never made a tackle. That's not true. While he obviously was no Antone Winfield, he did make a few tackles on running plays.

His standard responsibilty was single coverage on the flanker, regardless of the rest of the defensive set. He followed the flanker around the field, pre-snap. There just weren't many running plays that involved him. In general, the strong-side corner is not too involved in run defense. The edge plays are usually deception-based plays that attack the weak side.

He wasn't pathetic in short-yardage defense. He'd usually occupy a blocker, and every now and then, he'd shoot through and actually make a play.

He was absolutely ridiculous in mid-range coverage. His "baiting" skills were the best I've ever seen. I'm probably exaggerating, but an 18-yard out was even money to be a completion or to go the other way for 6.

The guy was phenominal. IMO, he's the best corner I've seen in my life.

 

[Tenderknee]

His "baiting" skills were the best I've ever seen. I'm probably exaggerating, but an 18-yard out was even money to be a completion or to go the other way for 6.

This is exactly what I meant when I said that teams pinned deep against their own end zone would not want to throw to their WR1. It was suicide. It was Favre-like tragic. He made it look like the QB just threw the ball up for grabs, but really they were baited, and I think most QBs knew he was doing it. Only the truly stubborn would think that they could make a completion to Sanders' man, and often they would pay because Sanders would take it back to the house on them. He was truly a delight to watch when he wasn't playing my teams. His play, though not noted statistically might have cause many teams to run on 3rd and 18 on their own 5, leading to many punts, which he also ran back with regularity, or forced the other team to kick it towards the side lines. He was a game changer, no doubt.

 

[Tau837]

I voted Sanders, Woodson, Green and it was an easy decision. A few things not mentioned in this thread so far:

1. Defensive Player of the Year selections: Sanders 1, Woodson 1, Green 0.

2. All NFL selections: Sanders 7 (6 as CB, 1 as KR), Woodson 6 (4 as CB, 1 as S, 1 as KR), Green 3.

3. Rank on Sporting News Top 100 football players list (created in 1999): Sanders #37, Green #81, Woodson #87.

(For those who will bash the Sporting News list as irrelevant, I simply cite it as another objective source.)

 

[renesauz]

Who would you rather sleep with?Jessica Alba, or Jessica Simpson?Really....this question is akin to that. We have different answers, but we'd be either way. If we had to "settle" for our second, or even third choice, we would still be , and the world to have one of these "girls" (players) "in our bed" (on our favorite team)

so what you're saying is... you think Darrell Green is sexy?

LOL.Actually, The Jessicas are Deion and Woodsen. A better comparison for Green would be Joan Collins.....never the hottest, but hot for a very, very, loooooooong time !

 

[Enforcer]

I voted Sanders, Woodson, Green and it was an easy decision.

Same for me. I could be convinced to swap Woodson and Green, but Sanders was head and shoulders ahead of everyone else IMO.

 

[Ack88]

These are clearly the three best corners I have ever seen play, and all of them were dominant. I went with Sanders first because teams went ENTIRE SEASONS without throwing to his side of the field. I remember watching Deion play with the Cowboys and he didn't even go into the defensive huddle sometimes, he just stayed on his side of the field. I think that is testament enough to how great he was.

 

[Knight who says Ni]

If you are drafting based on their entire career I'm really surprised Green doesn't get more love in this thread.Games playedGreen 295Woodson 238* (a lot of that was played at FS, only about 170 were played at CB)Sanders 188

I agree with this, and is the reason I chose Green as my top choice - the question wasn't which was the best player, it was who would you draft. Green played at a high level for longer than the other two ... so while there is some discussion as to who was the better player, Green wins out for durability in my mind.Ni

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

best athlete

Deion

Rankings as the best cb:

Green

Sanders

Woodson

honorable mention to night train layne

 

[Bri]

These are clearly the three best corners I have ever seen play, and all of them were dominant. I went with Sanders first because teams went ENTIRE SEASONS without throwing to his side of the field. I remember watching Deion play with the Cowboys and he didn't even go into the defensive huddle sometimes, he just stayed on his side of the field. I think that is testament enough to how great he was.

I don't recall noticing that but it kinda "rings a bell". I wouldn't much care for that. Another thread another time I guess but if you're playing and the D is gonna huddle up, you go in that defensive huddle.