Ranking the NFC South defensive backs

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

So that's why Turdo was fired You'll hear no argument from me that he isn't the best in the division but he's not top 5 in the NFL and he's not a shutdown corner.

Top 5 DB in NFL- No

Top 5 Corner in NFL- Possibly

Top 10 DB in NFL- Yes

Top 10 Corner in NFL- Yes

Top DB in NFC South- Yes

Shutdown Corner in the NFL- Yes

That should settle it for you.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

some of you saw the words shutdown and ignored the rest of the statement.

what corner in the nfcs is better than gamble?

depending on how you look at it, the nfcs has a weak core of cornerbacks...or carolina has the best cornerback in the division.

he is the closest thing to a shutdown corner in the division.

[Smithers]

That statement entirely contradicts itself. Elite corners are SHUTDOWN corners and vice versa.

Ummm...no. Elite corners are those that come along every so often that wow the league. They are far and few between. An elite corner possesses more than just shut down abilities. Such as tackling, forcing fumbles, reading the run, etc. Having all of those traits, in an exemplary manner, is the definition of a true elite corner.

[Smithers]

Not true.

SD: Vincent Jackson 3 catches 47 yards and a TD.

CHI: I don't even know who their #1 receiver is

Minny: Bernard Berrian 3 catches for 79 yards

ATL: Roddy White 7 catches 90 yards

KC: Dwayne Bowe 5 catches 57 yards

TB: Bryant 1 catch for 13 yards

NO: Devery Henderson (Colston was out) 3 catches 80 yards

Ariz: Fitz 7 for 115

Oak: Their leading receiver had 22 catches for the season.

DET: Calvin Johnson 6 for 65 and a TD

ATL: White again 4 catches 70 yards

GB: Jennings 8 for 91 and a TD

TB: Bryant 9 for 200 and 2 TDs

DEN: Marshall 5 for 48

NYG: No receiver did much so i don't really know who their #1 receiver was for that time

NO: Colston 7 for 123 and a TD

Overall solid #s but far from shutdown.

Nice research, but really pointless. Stats don't mean a whole lot when the defense plays a coverage like Carolina does. Gamble did not match up against those guys the entire game. In a cover 3 scheme, each is responsible for a certain part of the field. A lot of those receivers got those yards over the middle with Marshal trailing behind them.

[CRA]

Maybe not to the fullest extent, but last year he took a big step.

did he take a big step...or was the combo of Lucas/Godfrey just that bad? I think it was the opposite side of the field was just too tempting. Gamble has been exposed every season in Carolina for having the habit of giving up the big play except for last season.....he is good and our best corner but I think Lucas/Godfrey were just that bad last season and not a matter of Gamble making a big step.

[monstercat]

After reading that list, it is irrelevant anyway. He's got two second year players in Porter(who played what 6 games?) and Talib who was a nickel back last year. Then throw in a rookie who hasn't even played yet. What an idiot.

Hell, all of these rankings are irrelevant.

[rodeo]

gamble is vastly underrated even among our own fans. i don't know why. he's not the smartest or flashiest guy, but he does his job very very well.

i think most people remember 1 play (that he didn't call) on that punt return, and will underrate him forever for it.

[CRA]

gamble is vastly underrated even among our own fans. i don't know why. he's not the smartest or flashiest guy, but he does his job very very well.

i think most people remember 1 play (that he didn't call) on that punt return, and will underrate him forever for it.

that special teams play has nothing to do w/ my knock on him. Every year he has been in Carolina outside last season he has repeatedly given up big plays in coverage. The one season (last year) he didn't do that he happen to play on the opposite side of the field from Lucas/Godrey who probably couldn't shut down a combo of David Carr and Keary Colbert the 2nd half of the season......for me, that isn't a sure sign Gamble has made an improvement over what he has always been......which is a good corner who has a habit of giving up big plays. The shutdown comment has no business in that article. You can say he is the best in the NFCS and I have no problem w/ that.

[carolinarolls]

with our play-catch, soft as hell, bend don't break, bullshit defense we have played for the last 4 years there is no way to tell what any of the corners are actually capable of.

[CRA]

with our play-catch, soft as hell, bend don't break, bullpoo defense we have played for the last 4 years there is no way to tell what any of the corners are actually capable of.

I will agree w/ that to a large degree. But imo Gamble has also found himself in position to make big plays...and more times than not he doesn't take advantage of those. The pass rush goes hand in hand w/ how good corners are and it has been pretty weak in Carolina recently.

[carolinarolls]

I will agree w/ that to a large degree. But imo Gamble has also found himself in position to make big plays...and more times than not he doesn't take advantage of those. The pass rush goes hand in hand w/ how good corners are and it has been pretty weak in Carolina recently.

yeah he seems to be there sometimes but not really capitalize. He is definitely a guy that doesn't take too many risks. Maybe he has been asked to do that.

[Peppa Jack Supreme]

how do I get a job as an espn blogger? if all you have to do is travel and hangout with the NFC south and do a top ten list every other day. SIGN ME UP!!!

[DaCityKats]

i remember gamble making some big plays, yeah he got burnt a couple of times but what shut down corner doesn't.with the league being pass happy the only way for them not to get torched is by not throwing to that player. when he first came to us he took a lot of risk and was jumping everything, maybe trgo made him change.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

Greer at #3?

New Orleans secondary might be the worst in the division yet they rank 4 in the top 10?

Harris deserves better than Roman Harper and might even by better than Coleman.