Richard Sherman, one of the more outspoken players in the NFL, has nothing but positive things to say about Stephon Gilmore.
Sherman has been the league since 2011 and has spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. If he’s felt that any player was subpar, he wasn’t afraid to outright admit that. On the flip side, he wasn’t afraid to give the New England Patriots cornerback the respect he deserves.
Gilmore established himself as a top-tier cornerback over the past two seasons — his Pro Bowl nods and First-Team All-Pro honors put an emphasis on it. The only thing he’s missing on the resume is a Defensive Player of the Year award — which he’ll likely earn this season.
Sherman’s comments on Gilmore came during Super Bowl media availability on Tuesday, via NESN.
“It’s been outstanding, man,” Sherman said. “I’m just happy that he’s getting the credit that he deserves. He’s had great years before, and he was stuck in Buffalo, and it didn’t matter how great he played. And it’s cool that Tre’Davious (White) is in Buffalo now and he’s having great years and (he and Gilmore) are getting the attention that they deserve. Because it’s a brotherhood of cornerbacks.
“I think everybody who plays the position at least watches film of the other guys’ play and sees their technique and sees what tricks and what techniques that they’re using to be successful, and he’s been playing in a really tough defense, because (the Patriots) have been running a ton of (Cover) Zero. It’s kind of a feast-or-famine defense, and he’s stood up incredibly well.”
When it comes to Defensive Player of the Year conversation, Sherman had an extended response.
“I don’t think corners get enough credit,” Sherman said. “The Defensive Player of the Year conversation is something that I’ve always thought should go to one of the guys on the best defense — just like the Offensive Player of the Year. Just like MVP. Could you imagine MVP going to a dude on an average offense? Like, ‘Oh my God, he has crazy stats, but his offense is ranked 26th.’ You know? It wouldn’t go. But every year, you see a guy get Defensive Player of the Year but then his defense is ranked middle of the pack or low. I think it’s something about great defense, and it’s selfless.”
The Patriots finished the season with the No. 1 defense in yards per game (275.9) and points per game (14.1), while coming in at No. 2 in passing yards allowed (180.4).
“You almost aren’t going to get a ton of stats (when you’re) on a great defense, and Stephon has,” Sherman continued. “And Tre’Davious has. But it’s so difficult to get great stats and get a lot of stats on a great defense because you have to be so sound, so disciplined, so unselfish. Like, on these plays, you might not get targeted at all. You might have to be involved in a run fit. You might just have to take on a double-team or take on this block or hold leverage.
“And that’s why I think that the Defensive Player of the Year should go to a guy on a top-five, top-10 defense every year, because that’s what it takes. Just about every good player in this league could be selfish and just say, ‘I’m going to line up here, I’m going to do my own thing and I’m going to get a ton of stats.’ A lot of guys, it’s possible. But you won’t play on a good defense. You’ll give up some touchdowns. You’ll jump some routes you shouldn’t have. To be on a great defense like Tre’Davious is and like Stephon is and still play at a high level, they deserve a lot more credit than they’re getting.”
Gilmore finished the year with six interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, while the Patriots led the league in interceptions with 25. He’s the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year and Sherman’s endorsement will do nothing but help his case.
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