The shutdown cornerback is nearly extinct in NFL

killah said

Did the shut down CB ever exist? There was a guy named D. Sanders out there but not many other guys you can name in the same breath. C. Woodson was supposed to be that kind of player but he never lived up to the hype. In his day, Woodson from the Steelers was one of the best I have ever seen. C. Bailey is clearly the best in the game right now but C. McAllister ain't chopped liver either. These guys don't come along very often, when you have a chance to get one take them.

Which is exactly why I hope we go after Nate Clements for 07.

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In the late 60s and 70s it did exist. The rules tightened and became more difficult for corners during the late 70s due to the aggressive play of players like Mel Blount. Coaches have stated that the rules tightened as a direct result of Mel Blount's physical play against receivers. During his age, he was a "shut down corner". Things later loosened up a bit and we saw players like Everson Walls and then Darrel Green become shut down guys as they were allowed to run down the field and use minimal contact to make plays. Deon also emerged shortly thereafter.

Now, the shutdown corner is rare with only Bailey in my opinion.