There are different types of cornerbacks: you've got your longer guys that will try to get physical with you and use their length, and you've got your quick guys that will try to use their quickness, and then you've got your 'tweener' guys that will try to use both.
Defensive backs are the best players on the field. But when you get an exceptional player like a Deion Sanders or a Darrell Green - these guys are fast and they have very good technique. You have to work a little harder.
We always think we can get to the quarterback, put pressure on him.
You have to be physical. If you are not, defensive backs will try to pick on you.
When you let those defensive backs know that you're a physical player, they don't really want to tackle. That's it. That's why you see me get a hurdle every game. Those guys don't want to tackle me when I get to the second level.
A lot of wide receivers, they always run their routes at 100% speed. As a DB, that allows you to get a feel for how you need to play them.
Obviously, teams are passing a lot more, and there are rules that... allow the offense to be more explosive, so you want to have as many defensive players and defensive playmakers and defensive backs that you can.
I feel like I know what defensive backs are going to do before they do it.
I think of guys like Troy Polamalu. These are guys who didn't see much action in the regular season, but when it came postseason time, they made their plays. That's ultimately how they got their names. Ed Reed. Troy Polamalu. Ty Law. Asante Samuel.
I remember players talking to Willie Brown in my presence. Receivers asking, 'Is this who you drafted? I can't believe this is who you drafted.' I was hearing it from my defensive backs: 'Man, you got a long way to go.'
Any time you roll up a corner and you have a safety standing behind him helping out the corner, it's frustrating for any player.
