NFL Elite: The Greatest Cornerback Tandems In History -

Employing one standout cornerback is rather tough. Imagine how difficult finding a pair of elite corners simultaneously is

If you subscribe to the thought that elite corners play on an island, what happens when teams find a second defender to occupy the other side? Corners, much like quarterbacks remain rare, especially elite ones. In the NFL, thirty-two top corners do not exist. As a result, sixty-four of them definitely don’t. When franchises, through signing skill or draft luck, find that second shutdown corner, it changes the complexion of their franchises. By the same token, opponents struggle to find a feasible gameplan to attack both sides of the field in the passing game.

5. Ken Riley and Lemar Parrish

Years: 1970-1977

In the 1970s, when the Steelers, Dolphins, and Raiders controlled the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals flew under the radar. Riley and Parrish form the best duo that you’ve ever heard of. Matching up with Cliff Branch and Lynn Swann, the Bengals’ duo more than held their own. While the Bengals were middling in the record books, Riley and Parrish routinely sat in the upper echelon as far as ball hawks. Over their careers, the tandem logged 122 interceptions, eight Pro Bowls, and two All-Pro awards. With them, the Bengals ranked in the top ten in five of their eight seasons together in points allowed.

4. Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross

Years: 1984-1993

When the Kansas City Chiefs began their renaissance in the 1980s, look to Lewis and Ross for the reason. Behind a fearsome pass rush, this combination battled everything the AFC threw at them. Seeing Steve Largent, Wes Chandler, and Charlie Joiner twice a year would test anyone. For Lewis and Ross, they eschewed zone and decided to take opponents on with -bump and run. While the Chiefs did not raise a Lombardi, this pair tallied 72 interceptions, six Pro Bowls, and three All-Pro nods.

3. Lem Barney and Dick LeBeau

Years: 1967-1972

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Two Hall of Fame corners with different approaches. By the time the Lions drafted Barney, LeBeau stood firmly in his prime. As a result, the explosive Barney learned nuance and technique from the wily veteran. What made this combo so difficult was how their styles meshed. LeBeau learned from Night Train Lane, an aggressive, force-based style that mugged receivers, but with the ability to flip the hips and stay with even the fastest wideout. Ten NFL Pro Bowl appearances and five All-Pro awards set these two apart from their contemporaries. Not to mention, 118 interceptions while trying to keep the Detroit Lions in the hunt.

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2. Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes

Years:1983-1986

Alone, you could not find any more dissimilar corners. Haynes, the graceful corner that could flow in and out of different schemes with ease. Hayes, an All-American college safety found his way to corner when he was drafting. With more teams adopting variations of the West Coast offense in the 1980s, the need for speed and physicality became more important. Eighty-five interceptions, one Hall Of Fame gold jacket, one Super Bowl, a DPOY, fourteen Pro Bowl, and three All-Pro trophies. Quite the career for this unlikely duo.

1. Eric Wright and Ronnie Lott

Years: 1981-1990

People forget that Lott, one of the greatest safeties ever, started his NFL journey as a cornerback. Yes, the hard-hitting safety, started off on the island. As a corner, Lott nabbed twenty-three interceptions during his years at corner. Meanwhile, Wright grabbed fourteen in the same amount of time. Eric Wright deserves credit for igniting the 49ers’ dominance. In the 1981 BNFC Championship, Wright’s open-field tackle of Drew Pearson saved the game for the Niners. If not for that, people would forget The Catch. More importantly, Wright and Lott afforded San Francisco the freedom to be defensively creative with the other nine players. Between them: twelve Pro Bowls, three All-Pro, eight Super Bowls, and the top spot.