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What I meant was that legitimate shutdown corners are a rare breed, moreso than a great defensive tackle. For every one shutdown corner name you throw out, I can name three great defensive tackles. While we are all in agreement that a great defensive tackle will have a greater impact on your team, the scarcity of a legitimate shutdown corner warrants, in my opinion, taking a second look at one if he is available.
This is a subjective discussion, I don\'t think there is a right or wrong answer. If you feel that taking a great DT over a shutdown corner is the better move for your team, there are several points to support your argument. I, however, would take the shutdown corner, strictly because they are rare.

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B&B, I see your point now. If we already had a pretty good front, I may also be tempted to go with a SCB.

The best CB and the 7th best DT may be a better combo than
The best DT, and the 7th best CB.

If the DT wasn\'t such a desparate need, they may have gone that route.

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BlackandBlue, I misunderstood what you said. I totally agree with you on the shutdown corner. It is much harder to find a shutdown corner than a good DT and anyone who thinks otherwise has been smoking his lunch.

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The front 7 baby!! Those guys mean more than anyone on D. Not that the DB\'s mean nutin, buuuuut..it\'s the front 7..get ready for the pain train baby!!! Want proof? 2 words.

Dome
Patrol

Just ask Montana or Young. they dreaded seeing our guys.

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Past is past and we must live the present to survive the future.
--Martin Ducavne

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Someone asked me if I was a top-flight QB, a Brett Farve, would I have bad dreams about a great front seven or two good CB\'s. I would defintely be more worried about the front seven. There would be constant pressure and I would be getting hitting and having to make quick decisions, ala Bucs v. Packers this past year. But I do have a o-line to stop before I get they get to me, also If I am a Farve, I will make the right decision with the ball more than the wrong one. However, after I release the ball I have to depend on where I put the ball, my receivers skills and the DB defending the play. If I am throwing to Driver and Walker vs. Bailey and Smoot, I will make sure if my guys do not catch, that no one will be able to catch either. I think we will all agree that Farve had several good games against the Buc\'s, who have Sapp for most of that time. What I am trying to say is this, A QB has more buffers and weapons against a good front seven than he does against a good secondary. A front seven is definitely more importanty because of the role they play in entire defense, but to say that the secondary is in just fact that, secondary, is just plain wrong. An entire defense wins championships, proven by the Bucs and the Ravens. The Pats and Rams strengths were in the secondary when they won the Super Bowl. But it is all depending on the players, I think we may be missing what is this, I believe the Saints will have the players this year. If the defense gels togther correctly and does not make as many mistakes, we can be witness to a championship. If not, we will be discussing this situation next off-season.

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Just looking at the article at blackandgold.net I think the author overemphasized the influence of the linemen on stopping the pass. Can they help to stop it? Absolutely. Are they \"the key\"? I don\'t think so. They can be the key if you have a tremendous pass rush, but very few teams have that and the Saints won\'t have it next season. NFL quarterbacks are (or should be) used to let go of the ball in 3 seconds. If they let it fly it all depends on the DBs and the WRs. If you have inadequate CBs your defense will be picked apart.
I liked the Sullivan pick for several reasons, but not because CBs are utterly unimportant. The secondary should get more respect from this writer. They already have gotten the respect from the organization, just look at the contracts.