Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
I never understand this line of thought. One elite CB can definitely make your secondary better, and can make the pass-rushers look good - and vice versa. If a CB can cover the best WR, without safety help on top, it can severely hurt the offense for the entire game.
Just like a QB can throw to other options, an elite pass-rusher can be marginalized by employing double team to his side. It goes both ways.
Ahmm...no it really doesn't.
Let's assume all things equal and both guys are elite players. Which means the pass rusher can rush the QB/sack him and the elite corner completely shuts down his side.
Pass rush wins as it effects the whole play. If you double/triple team him it opens up other guys to get to the QB.
An offense can simply plan and avoid throwing to the elite corner's side. What happens if the other guys are not nearly as good?
You think Tramon Williams and Sam Shields are that good?
Give me the pass rush any day of the week. There is no question that a solid pass rush screws up the passing game more than anything else.
I'm not saying a top corner doesn't help the pass rush but not as much as the other helps the secondary.
Look at Oakland. There were years they were getting torched in the secondary even though they had Aso back there. They just didn't throw to him but everthing else was open and the QB had time to find it.
Or to put it another way...even if you double team a pass rusher that gives your defense an advantage because someone will be unblocked. Do you expect 2 receivers to run the same route on the corner to give the same advantage?
Hell look at the Colts. Their defense is really not very good outside of their pass rush. If Freeney and Mathis were bums that secondary would be historically bad.
Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Brown and the other guys are not terrible but they will get burned without a rush.