the key point is that Revis followed the #1 receiver no matter if they were in bunch formation in the slot, on the outside or in motion.
the idea that we can just gloss that over is wild to me.
No knock on Sherman but there is no way i'd take a LCB over a true shutdown corner who shadows your #1 WR no matter where they go.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Here's the thing, we're overvaluing the sticking to one man thing. The responsibilities of an NFL cornerback shift depending on what the coverage calls for, and if you're not in a defense that is predicated on you staying with one man for 50 snaps, you can't hold that against a guy...
When we have the information on the style of play a defense plays, it's about who is doing what they're asked to do the best. The reason there was always a Sherman vs Revis debate, is because football people knew both excelled in what they were asked to do, to the highest degree...
We saw Revis look completely outclassed in Tampa 2, did not look like he could typically play in space. Because your responsibility is different and that doesn't play the best to his skill set, kinda revealed he was a system player to a degree. We've also seen Sherm get handled in man, also seen him successfully defend and travel with guys, bit we know that isnt his greatest strength. Revis' greatest strength was playing the receiver. Sherman's greatest strength is playing the QB...
I don't think you could go wrong with either, and if I was a coordinator my base coverage would be running zone schemes because it's more flexible to the average guys talent level. That would be my base coverage but I'd also have complex scenarios that we'd have the ability to shift into a press coverage...
I'd take Sherman, but not because I think he's better, I think it's a pick'em. Revis didn't show an ability to consistently play in space, and with a guy with Revis' skillset, you better have an elite front 7. With Sherm's skillset, not only is he elite at playing the zone, but I know I can give him spot duty following a guy and he could hold his own. I don't need to have an elite front 7 because he's mastered how to lock his area of the field. Revis can stick to one guy that great offenses can scheme around and win elsewhere...
Sherm also is more of a ballhawk, his big play potential is a tad higher. But it's a pick'em, if I favored man as a base coverage, I'd take Revis, and that's really what this comes down to. Its about which coverage do you favor, because teams have won championships playing both. If I know the skill of the players in my defense, I put then in a scheme best designed to maximize their strengths, period...
Cornerback isnt defined by having to follow one guy around anymore and hasn't been in over 20 years...
