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i see what jazinho is trying to say, but a lot of people will disagree, interceptions are overrated only if the person's other stats are bad, so interceptions can cause a player to be overrated, interceptions themselves are not neccesarily overrated

I agree with Jazinho, just look at Asante Samuel, or Deltha O'Neal.

I agree with Jazinho, interceptions are very circumstantial. A lot of times, interceptions are tipped and that doesn't show great coverage by a cornerback. Take Asante Samuel and Nate Clements last year. Samuel had 10 picks last year, but Clements is a better player who only had 2 picks. Interceptions are very circumstantial.

When did he add "+ TDs given up"? A broken up pass gives the other team another chance. An interception changes the entire flow of the game.

Jazinho has it right. An INT could easily be fumbled whereas a PD is a sure bet. On 4th down sometimes it's better to have a PD than an INT.

By the way, what is circumstantial?

I would rather have an INT but due to poor spelling skills Jazz gets my jazz.

Does everyone agree Darrell Green was a great CB?

John Gruden, circumstantial means that it depends on the situation, just look at the root word circumstance.

'Cus he never had more than 5 in a year and I dunno if he ever led the league, but after Deion, he's maybe the best cover QB ever. (Champ may deserve consideration when he's hung 'em up)

CB - edit.

Yes Green was a great CB. He was the fastest player to play in the NFL in the 90's. He is in the same tier as Champ Bailey, who I think is the best player in the NFL.

My point is that I would prefer a CB that is constantly blanketing his assignment every game and deflecting passes, over a wild flashy CB that grabs a INT here and there but lets passes get through far too often. If that makes me foolish and of a small IQ then so be it.

You can also bring up the point that a great cover corner just isn't going to get many passes thrown their way. If Darrell Green's coverage was a little looser, he might actually have a few more picks because QBs would throw his way a little more. But when's he locked that tightly on his man, he's not gonna get that many opportunities to get interceptions.

There are also plenty of DBs that are too aggressive and will jump routes too freely. They may rack up interceptions that way, but they often get horribley burned just as much if not more.

Lastly, interceptions often involve more luck than skill. QBs blowing reads, tipped balls, or just flat-out bad throws can all lead to interceptions which has little to do with the skill of the defensive back. He was just in the right spot at the right time.

So yes, an interception is obviously much more of a game changing play than anything else a DB can do, but it's not always the best measure of the talent of a DB.

In fact, there was an article recently that showed that, statistically, "great" CBs aren't thrown at much less than their less illustrious counterparts on the other side. I doubt I'll find it, but I'll try.

The fact is, is that if a defense has a top CB, and the other isn't so good, the defense (FS mainly) will be rolled to some degree to the "weaker" CBs side. But a QB instinctively throws to the guy with less people near him. Thus, in the end, there isn't a great difference in passes seen.

A pass deflected on 3rd down is a turnover, practically speaking. You can't discredit that.

I will go to my defeat honorably. But damn you people! I'm right!

are you kidding i play football in my middle school we play offense and D and let me tell you i get more of a thrill from an INT then a TD (especally if you stiff arm someone and return the INT for a TD!)

It's simpler to defend or deflect a pass, but which would you rather have, an interception at your opponent's 30 or a punt return starting at your 40 or the 50? Interceptions are also much more demoralizing than a defended pass. It's an immediate change of possesion as opposed to giving the offense another chance to try again.

But if you give up an S load of yards during the game, but pick one off too, that's not good! It's better to just shut the other guy down! Coaches know what I'm sellin'.

And young spritle, at that level, awesome as it truly is, you guys aren't throwing a lot of TD passes. Your corners aren't being challenged 50% of the time. Less to defend. Wishbone and all that.