Best Cornerbacks and Centers

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Independence Day. More adulation for some Eagles this morning.

Bucky Brooks at NFL.com has pegged his Top 5 cornerbacks. Asante Samuel placed third. Here’s what Brooks said about him:

“The big-play specialist has ascended to the top of the cornerback charts because of his outstanding ball skills and awareness. The two-time Pro Bowler has an uncanny ability to read routes, and his exceptional instincts have netted him 20 interceptions over the past three seasons. Playing in an aggressive zone-blitz scheme that ideally suits his game, Samuel is poised to continue his bandit-like ways and remain worthy of consideration as one of the league’s best cover men.”

Let’s hope he can hang on to the ball better in 2009.

More from our old pal Pete Prisco over at CBSSports.com. This time he’s ranking the unglamorous position of center. Jamaal Jackson barely cracked his Top 10:

“He’s a physical center who sometimes seems to get out of shape. When he’s on, he’s good. When he’s not focused, he has lapses.”

I’d say that’s a relatively accurate assessment. With the added talent around him, I would expect Jackson to pick up his game in ‘09. Fingers crossed.

Don’t miss your daily fix of Eagles news. Subscribe to ITI by clicking here. You’ll be eligible to win a McNabb bobblehead if you do.