Revis Island has become a popular destination.Ignoring Richard Sherman, Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson and Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. is a thing of the past.Opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators no longer are sacrificing the portion of the field patrolled by star cornerbacks. And were not only talking about teams with outstanding receivers such as the Falcons (Julio Jones), Bengals (A.J. Green) and Giants (Odell Beckham Jr.).Just about everyone is willing to attack the shutdown guys these days, though in a limited capacity.There are only certain routes you are going to throw against these guys, says former standout defensive back Herm Edwards, who also was a successful coach before heading to the ESPN studios. Sometimes you get the matchup of the best receivers on a guy you cant stay away from, the No 1 guy. You cant ignore that side (of the field) all day long.The rules of the game really have given the offense an advantage, especially with pass interference. Now, with the back-shoulder throw that has become a staple of the passing game, you have something to use against them. If they play a lot of bump-and-run coverage, and you go at these guys, you can attack them in a technique they might be vulnerable at.But you have to find certain situations and plays where there are opportunities. Youre not going to make a steady diet of it.Although the rock-star CBs certainly want you to come their way.I welcome it. I welcome every challenge, says Norman, 2015 All-Pro who has struggled with penalties and has been kept plenty busy this season, his first with Washington. If you throw the ball (at me) youre only feeding the beast. I enjoy those challenges because I get excited. Im playing the game. Sitting over there and not playing the game is boring. I dont like it. ... Not throwing the ball, Ive got to find something else to do.No boredom this year. According to Football Outsiders, which tracks how often defenders are targeted -- although the numbers cant fully account for zone defenses or for passes behind the line of scrimmage -- Norman has been targeted 42 times in eight games. Revis, once the measuring stick for cornerbacks but clearly on the decline now, has been thrown at 33 times in eight games. For Sherman, its 39, and for the Denver pair: 39 for Harris, 36 for Talib.Tennessee CB Jason McCourty has been challenged the most, 50 times.Against the Broncos, its pretty much impossible to avoid testing Harris or Talib, unless teams want to simply throw to the backs and tight ends all day. Does anyone think the Raiders this Sunday will shut down Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree in their aerial games so they can avoid Harris and Talib?One strategy, relatively but not entirely new in the NFL that teams employ to throw off cornerbacks is the back-shoulder throw. Edwards says that has become a dynamic weapon when performed accurately.It used to be that the hardest thing to cover was underthrown balls, Edwards explains. Then coaches began to think, So why not start throwing back-shoulder fades? When the quarterback and the receiver have that chemistry going, this is that option cant be stopped.Edwards notes that the best cornerbacks also can move inside to cover a slot receiver, which is especially useful when Beckham or Larry Fitzgerald lines up in that spot. So an offense cant necessarily get away from a Sherman or Harris by moving around a Green or a Jones.But its a different world inside, even for the top coverage guys.In Tampa, we had Ronde Barber, says Edwards, an assistant with the Bucs under Tony Dungy. I told him, Were going to train you as a nickel guy, which is the most difficult position for a guy used to being outside to play. Youve got to be a really good tackler; you become a linebacker in a sense in the run game. You not only play man to man but also play zone and have to be able to blitz. If all you ever play with a cornerback in there is man to man, it is a disadvantage.Remember, a receiver can motion wherever, run wherever he wants to on the field, you cant get your hands on the guy and there is a lot of room. When you are a corner, you are playing to the boundary, which is your friend.Edwards points to Charles Woodson and Ronnie Lott as two greats who made the transition from cornerback to safety, something he could see 10-year veteran Revis doing at some point.For now, Revis, who has allowed 12.4 yards per completion, second-highest in the NFL behind Buffalos Stephon Gilmores 12.5, is staying put. So are Sherman, Norman, et al.Talib would have it no other way.Ive been in the league for nine years, he says. Its nothing new, Ive been getting interceptions and I still get balls thrown at me. 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After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals filled the biggest void in their bullpen Monday with Brett Cecil, the only left-handed reliever that piqued their interest on the free-agent market.Cecil was introduced at Busch Stadium after finalizing a $30.5 million, four-year contract. He is expected to provide help in high-leverage situations along with Kevin Siegriest and ahead of closer Seung Hwan Oh, though general manager John Mozeliak said all three are capable of finishing games.Brett was the one person we thought if we were going to make a splash in the bullpen, he was the one we identified, Mozeliak said. There was a lot of demand for him and it was moving.The four-year deal for the 30-year-old Cecil gained attention, but Mozeliak said he was comfortable with the length of the contract because of the interest he was generating.Our offseason plan has been to take steps to try to improve this club and certainly today we feel like we have, Mozeliak said. I think its a way we envision keeping a fresh bullpen.Shoring up the bullpen became one of the Cardinals biggest needs following injuries to Zach Duke and Tyler Lyons. Duke is expected to miss all of next season after Tommy John surgery, while Lyons has had offseason knee surgery that leaves him questionable for the start of the regular season.Cecil had a 3.93 ERA in 36 2/3 innings for the Blue Jays last season. He was slowed by a torn lat muscle but dominated down the stretch, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs.The lat issue, it was kind of an accumulating thing, Cecil said. We tried to rest, tried to let it heal. It wasnt working. I was sidelined for six weeks.ddddddddddddI almost had to start spring training over again in the middle of the season. It took me a little bit to get going, and there in August and toward the end of the season and in the playoffs, I was beginning to feel like my old self again.Cecil, who had a 2.90 ERA in four years as a full-time reliever in Toronto, was testing free agency for the first time. He said that he left most of the negotiations up to his agent, but he was happy that a deal got done relatively early in the process.I honestly didnt know when it was going to happen, he said. I do like to get these types of things over and done with as quickly as possible. That way I can get my focus more toward the offseason, to come to spring training ready to go.Under the deal negotiated by agents Sam and Seth Levinson, Cecil gets a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deals approval by Major League Baseball, and salaries of $7.5 million in each of the next three seasons and $7 million in 2020. He also receives a full no-trade provision and award bonuses.Cecil said he doesnt know anybody on the current roster, which is still in need of an outfielder, but that the longtime American League pitcher is ready to take on the National League.Absolutely. This team is rich with baseball history, he said. They have a rich winning tradition. They always have good teams -- good, winning teams. And like I said, for m
