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Deion slows receivers, but time slows Deion

Sanders remains an elite NFL cornerback, but the high-profile Redskin has shown signs of slipping this season.

By ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 29, 2000

Every week, Washington cornerback Deion Sanders goes man-to-man against some of the league's top receivers, but his daily battle is actually man versus myth.

Who's the best corner he has seen?

"Got a mirror?" Sanders said.

Such comments bolster the legendary image Sanders has created in his 12 seasons, but now the future Hall of Famer finds himself chasing his own persona as often as he chases receivers.

As the 33-year-old moves into a new phase of his career with the Redskins, he also moves into a new realm of scrutiny. No one is ready to say last season's two All-Pro corners, Oakland's Charles Woodson and Miami's Sam Madison, are supremely better. But they are saying the Sanders they see today is just a reflection of the Sanders they once knew.

Critics say Prime Time is on his way to being a late-night rerun. They note how Detroit threw at the veteran early and often in Week 2, and how a ball clanged off his face on a punt return against Dallas in Week 3. Sanders has 3.4 yards a return, 7.4 below his average.

Teammates and coaches say Sanders is still among the NFL's best, pointing toward the fact he hasn't allowed a touchdown this season and had a 32-yard interception return Sunday.

"Deion did not have his best game against Detroit," Redskins coach Norv Turner said of a game Sanders called the worst in his career. "But he made it sound worse than it was. They got seven balls for 70 yards. Three of them, he's about a half-foot away from knocking them down. They didn't get a big play on him, they didn't throw a touchdown pass on him. He's come back and put together two outstanding games since then."

Sanders, ever so humble, says he is simply a victim of his own success.

"I am competing against myself," Sanders said. "If I give up two (or) three balls, I've lost a step, but if anybody else gives us two (or) three balls, that was a good day. I haven't given up a touchdown this year, but I've lost a few steps. That's okay. That's the high standard I've made. That's being appreciated because you have to compare me to me."

It's not uncommon for Sanders to end self-critiques with the word "yet." He's convinced his best performances for the 2000 season are ahead of him, and he may be right. ESPN analyst and former NFL receiver Solomon Wilcots said Sanders is having to adjust because of age and injury.

Sanders is coming off a dislocated toe that prompted doctors to insert a pin. It is the same injury that ended the career of Pittsburgh linebacker Jack Lambert, so it's impressive that Sanders is playing.

Michael Jordan transformed from a high-flying dunk specialist to a jump-shot artist after his jumping ability declined. Tommy John went from tommy gun to crafty veteran after his arm was surgically repaired. Can Sanders do the same?

"He's having to adjust to losing a step," said Wilcots, who was on the sideline when Sanders helped hold the Giants to six points Sunday. "He was probably a guy who can be at top speed after the first two or three steps. Now it takes him longer to get up to top speed.

"Even on the perfect pass, he had enough speed to close. Now it's taking him longer. He has to adjust to not having that initial burst."

His coaches expect him to. Secondary coach Ron Meeks said that as you get older, you have to develop better work habits, study more and work harder on little things. In 40-year-old teammate Darrell Green, Sanders has someone next to him who has extended his career by following those principles.

Wilcots said Sanders is still faster than 80 percent of the NFL corners, but he also believes Sanders can be beaten. In fact, Wilcots said Giants receiver Ike Hilliard got by Sanders but was overthrown by quarterback Kerry Collins.

"You have to force him to show he still can play," Wilcots said. "At this point, he's still trying to find a way he can still play. Is he vulnerable? I believe so, but you better get him now before he figures out how to attack the position."

The Bucs get Sanders this weekend, but they're far from convinced he is a weak link in what may be the best secondary they face all season. Coach Tony Dungy said teams may throw at Sanders more only because the alternative is far less appetizing than it was in the past.

"It's not the fact they're going after Deion because he's not playing well," Dungy said. "I think it's been that when he was at other places, they haven't had quality people around him so they went after those guys. Now he has two Pro Bowl caliber guys with him so I think people are just running their offense."

And don't expect Keyshawn Johnson to sound off about Sanders.

"If he's a step slower, then his step slower is faster than half the people in the NFL," the Bucs receiver said. "I'd like to have that step slower."

Whether Sanders is slower is debatable. Whether he has lost confidence is not. The former FSU All-American is convinced he's chasing the expectations that come with a high media profile and a seven-year, $56-million contract.

"If I break a punt, "That was okay, he should have done it a week ago, two weeks ago,"' Sanders said. "If I get an interception, "That's good, he should have done that a few weeks ago.' If I break up a pass, "That's good.' You're competing against me. There's nothing to compare me to."

- Researcher John Martin contributed to this story.

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