Richard Sherman will not be satisfied until every human being on earth thinks he is the best cornerback in the NFL. That determination is what makes him an All-Pro, but unfortunately he is never going to get his way. There will always be people like former New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount who have their own opinion.
Earlier this week, Blount congratulated Aqib Talib on signing a monster contract with the Denver Broncos. In doing so, Blount tweeted that Talib deserved ever penny because he is the best defensive back in the league. Of course, Sherman couldn’t let that go. The debate took off from there.
CONGRATS TO MY BROTHER LIB! YOU DESERVE IT BIG BRO! THE BEST CORNER IN THE LEAGUE AND ITS TIME YOU GOT PAID LIKE IT!! pic.twitter.com/cem22QtKJ2
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 12, 2014
@LG_Blount it's all good…. Hard to argue with friendship
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 12, 2014
@RSherman_25 He's the best bruh. I've seen what he does to WR/TE in person and I'm sure you have too. Friendship aside he's the best…
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 12, 2014
@LG_Blount I've seen it …. And done it ….
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 12, 2014
@RSherman_25 I've seen you do it & he has to. But he do it on both sides. He follow the best receiver on the field every game and strap him.
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 13, 2014
@LG_Blount I just totally lock down one! And pick off passes that come over there…. Rarely ever giving up completions….no need to follow
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 13, 2014
@RSherman_25 that one you lock down isn't always the best receiver on the team though… Follow the best receiver every game and do it…
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 13, 2014
@LG_Blount for what? So I can kill the integrity of the defense…. We actually have another good corner who I trust to do his job! We win!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 13, 2014
@RSherman_25 @JakeParmley_26 was Aqib not an all pro/pro bowler this year? I think he was… That's why he got paid like the best… He is..
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 13, 2014
@RSherman_25 @AustinCampos12 Julio Jones & Jimmy Graham…. #STRAPPED
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 13, 2014
Blount is not the first person to raise the shadow argument. Rather than matching up with every opponent’s best receiver or tight end, Sherman plays one side of the field. He almost always locks down that side of the field, but some argue that the best defensive backs shadow the best offensive players with very few exceptions. Of course, Sherman threw the last punch.
@LG_Blount did that help y'all win the bowl or nah?
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 13, 2014
In reality, that’s all that matters. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and they would not have won it without Sherman. But between Talib scoring his mega-deal with the Broncos and analysts claiming the Patriots signed the “best defensive back in the league” in Darrelle Revis, Sherman may enter the 2014 season with more motivation than ever.
