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Unsurprisingly, Richard Sherman responds to Antonio Cromartie’s ‘best corner’ comments

By Jonathan Bass

January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts after free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
January 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts after free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Richard Sherman has responded to Antonio Cromartie’s comments about being a No. 1 cornerback.

This is going to sound way out there, so prepare to suspend disbelief for a moment. Richard Sherman … had an opinion about Antonio Cromartie’s recent comments regarding what it takes to be the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.

Crazy, right? When has Sherman ever been one to fire back at critics?

Next: 30 Greatest NFL defensive players of all-time

To properly frame this story, let’s first take a look at what Cromartie said to get under Sherman’s skin.

"“Go follow the number one receiver. Follow him around for a whole entire game and let’s see what you can do.“Darrelle Revis has done that his whole career. I’ve done that. Patrick Peterson has done it. Joe Haden has done it. He’s the only defensive back that hasn’t. You want to label yourself as the No. 1 corner, the best corner in the NFL, follow the best guy on every single team.”"

Not just talking smack, but putting Sherman behind contemporaries Haden, Peterson and Revis – yeah, you definitely knew a response was imminent. Calling Cromartie’s criticism “unfortunate,” Sherman offered up his own interpretation of greatness.

"“I think it’s one of the things that’s just the ignorance of the public. How many great left tackles do you see switching to the right side because there’s a great d-end (switching) to the right side? You don’t see it,” Sherman said. “Great players stay on their side and do what they’re supposed to do. How many guys have you seen switching from side to side on a No. 1 defense? We’re the No. 1 defense for a reason.”"

So who’s right? Depends on your vantage point.

Either a corner should roam the field and lock-down his opponent’s biggest threat game-in, game-out. Or he should master his coach’s scheme and be the absolute best player on the field, at his position, within said game plan.

There’s no right answer. There’s no wrong one either. There’s simply no definitive way to quantify who is best. Stats can be skewed in favor of any argument

Player X has more tackles.

Yeah, but nobody throws on Player Y; they’re too scared.

An eye test is about the best you’ll get – again, in no way objective.

Of all the major sports, football is the most dependent on schemes and matchups. It’s the reason you’ll see 10-year veteran look washed-up with his old team, only to go and make the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons after leaving town: find a coach to gel with and let the magic unfold.

One thing that is indisputable is how much more entertaining the cornerback debate is than the tired, retread “elite QB” trope that gets dusted off every August. At least we have these guys going at each others throats and claiming the crown. With the quarterbacks it’s nothing but hot air media members debating while the passers play nice and give PC answers. More CB debates, less QB comparisons – please and thank you.

And with that said, here’s a little more on the Cromartie-Sherman “beef,” complete with some number comparisons.

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