FPF to NFL Comparison: Defensive Players Part 1

After looking at Rushers last week, we have finally arrived at the rest of the defense. Linebackers, Halfbacks, Cornerbacks, and Safeties. The tone setters, and the last line of defense on the field, in a game that is designed for offense, the players who line up at these positions, are the reason games are won and lost.  

Just like with the other positions, I am sticking with the rule that I will only compare FPF players to NFL players who have played within the decade. For today’s Part 1, I will look at 15 players. As I did in the previous articles, I will make one exception. Here it is…

Marc-André Lapointe – Bill Romanowski

Never afraid to tip-toe the line between being aggressive and dirty, Lapointe plays exactly like his NFL comp in Bill Romanowski. I wanted to say Vontez Burfict or D.J Swearinger, but neither player can match the championship pedigree the first two players have, as Lapointe is a five-time champion, and Romanowski is a four-time Super Bowl champ.

Let me clarify and say that Lapointe does go hard every play. I played with him back in the 2019 Summer Season, and I never once doubted his ability or will to win. I also played against him numerous times including this season in Division C. As most can attest to, when he caught a pass and you tried to tackle him, his elbows somehow got in the way more than once. 

Lapointe, is a tone-setter in the true sense of the word. Just like him and many others in this league, I came from playing tackle football, and I am a firm believer that football should be physical, and that some of the pass interference and illegal contact calls that I have witnessed both as a player and spectator, have me thinking we are in a soccer league from time to time. That being said, we are all adults, and the majority of us have to make it to work and/or class the next day, so the physicality should have limits. When you separate the borderline plays, the five-time champion is a standout player, who simply makes plays on defense, as he provides his teams with top-end coverage at various positions, and a ballhawk who has intercepted 77 passes and scored nine touchdowns over his career. Both guys have earned their reputations, and they are they type of players who you would love to play with but hate to play against.

Anthony Brisebois – Minkah Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald led the Steelers with six interceptions last season, and his defensive unit finished first in INTs in the league with 20. Just like Fitzgerald, Brisebois is a leader and difference-maker in whatever secondary he plays in. What makes both players unique, is besides the fact that they are ballhawks, they can play both Cornerback and Safety and not miss a beat. Takeaways, pass deflections, and lockdown coverage, they check all those boxes.  

Fritzgerald Cenatus – Patrick Surtain II

Two young players who early into their respective NFL and FPF careers, have entered the discussion of best in the game at the Cornerback position. Both players have speed, length, hops, and the ability to lock in on a Receiver and shut them down. Surtain II, finished last season with six interceptions. Cenatus has already surpassed that total, as he leads all Division A players with seven INTs. The sky is the limit for both players, and it won’t be long before the talk turns to who are the best CBs in the FPF and NFL, after Cenatus and Surtain II.

Darren Wiltshire – Jalen Ramsey

Length, speed, agility, and a nose for the ball, both players check off all those boxes. They are also elite at their positions and create turnovers for their defense. Ramsey and Wiltshire are Defensive Backs that opposing Quarterbacks must identify where he lined up before the ball is snapped, or it could lead to the ball going the other way.

Tristian Fleury – Kyle Hamilton

If flag football allowed hitting, I think Fleury would be the first Safety taken off the board, as the former Saskatchewan Roughrider draft pick and McGill Redbird, isn’t afraid to lay the hammer down. Hamilton had an impressive showing in his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens, as he covered the slot. He now moves to Free Safety in year two.

Currently in his rookie season in FPF, Fleury has shown steadiness and aggressiveness with his coverage for the second-ranked defense in Division A.

Phil Pharand – Harrison Smith

Both plays have length and underrated speed that they use to track the ball and seemingly arrive at the last possible second to come up with a game-changing interception, or a pass deflection. Just like Smith, Pharand does some of his best work in the endzone and isn’t afraid to lineup against the opposing team’s best Receiver. Theo Ojeaha, AJ Gomes, Pat Jerome, it doesn’t matter, as Pharand has no fear.

Guillaume Beland – Jimmy Ward

I called games his entire career at McGill, and I can tell you that Beland packed a punch when he arrived at the ball-carrier. He also has a nose for the football, as he recorded at least one interception in three out of his four seasons with the Redbirds. Going back to last season with the Braves and Braves 2.0, Beland, has seven INTs. Just like Ward, Beland can play all over the secondary. In FPF, Beland’s versatility has also been a strength as he can play on the outside and inside and excels in both zone and man-to-man.

Anthony Vendrame – Fred Warner

In the words of Moe Khan: “Vendrame is stout and tough. He reads the play well and doesn’t have any weaknesses.” I would like to add sideline to sideline coverage. To me, that sounds exactly like the best Linebacker in the NFL.

Travis Moses – Tyrann Mathieu

Just like his NFL counterpart, the four-time FPF All-Star in Moses, makes up for his lack of size, with skill, determination, and a nose for the ball. Neither player is afraid to put their body on the line and stick their nose in to make a play. If Mathieu ever came to play FPF, wouldn’t #NR be the perfect team for him to play for?

Sanders Armand – Grant Delpit

Both players are great tacklers, who use their length (they are both taller than 6’2) to disrupt passes. Delpit, led the Cleveland Browns with four interceptions last year, Armand, has the same number combined in both in Division A and B. Where Armand holds the real edge, is in pass deflections, as he leads all players in PDs the last two seasons with 31.

Kevin Laliberte – Asante Samuel Jr.

Both are smaller Cornerbacks who can line up wide or in the slot, and simply makes plays. Going back to the Winter Season, Laliberte has hauled in an impressive seven interceptions, one touchdown, and 13 pass breakups. Just like his father Asante Samuel Sr., junior, is making plays and has already established himself as one of the best CBs in the NFL. Laliberte is doing the same thing in FPF, while proving that the measuring tape only tells you so much about a player.

Matt Bond – Jordan Poyer

Both players have speed for days, and always seem to be around the ball. Usually the last line of defense, multiple Quarterbacks have tried testing both players, and often have come up empty. Bond just like Poyer, is a cerebral player who often tricks QBs into thinking they are out of position, only to use his recovery speed to catchup to Receivers and either bat the ball away, or come up with the INT.

Samuel Lapierre – Tyson Campbell

Both are young players, who excel in both zone and man-to-man coverage, and can use their length and recovery speed to match up with Receivers one-on-one when they go deep. Lapierre and Campbell get better every game and they are starting to place themselves in the rankings among the best Cornerbacks in their respective leagues.

Carl Achy – Azeez Al-Shaair

In his first season in FPF this past winter, the former Laval Rouge et Or defender amassed 25 tackles, three interceptions, and a pick six, playing seven games in Division 3, and one in Division 1. This year in Division A, Achy is third on his team in tackles with 17 and tied for second in pass deflections with two. He provides a good combination of speed and aggression in his coverage, as he gives Receivers very little space to operate.  

Playing in the shadow of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, Al-Shaair still was able to shine as a playmaker with his speed, coverage skills, aggression, and sound tackling ability, as he appeared to get better each game. He turned that production into a multi-year deal with the Tennessee Titans in March. While Achy might not be seeing a million-dollar deal coming his way anytime soon, he just like his comp is just scratching the surface on how good they can be.

Marvin Steinberg – Justin Simmons

Just like Simmons, Steinberg, is a his best when he is patrolling centerfield, baiting Quarterbacks into passes as he disguises his coverage, and then uses his speed and leaping ability to intercept deep throws. Steinberg is a superb tackler who can also play close to the line of scrimmage, as he utilizes his length to get into passing lanes and bat down passes.

There are only three games this week in Division A due to the long weekend, but they are some good ones, as Royaume Luminaire takes on Bless Up, the Party Crashers go up against #NR, and the Braves square off with The Jamesons.

In Division B, we have a trio of games as well. Ambush looks to climb the standings as they go head-to-head with Poseidon’s Kiss. The Silent Ticklers try to make it three wins in their last four games as they square off with Beer Belly Brigade, while Beers and Brownies try to slide into sole possession of first place when they take on a Run It Once squad who are looking to break free of a three-team tie for the sixth seed.

Picks

Royaume Luminaire vs Bless Up – Royaume Luminaire

Party Crashers vs #NR – #NR (Upset Special and my pick for Game of the Week in Div. A)

Braves vs The Jamesons – The Jamesons

Poseidon’s Kiss vs Ambush – Ambush (Upset Special)

Silent Ticklers vs Beer Belly Brigade – Silent Brigade

Beers and Brownies vs Run it Once – Run It Once (My pick for Game of the Week in Div. B)

Last Week: (5-6)

That is it for this week. I will be back next week with my final NFL comp article. I will finish up with more defensive players, and some Receivers. Enjoy the long weekend, and a Sunday of no flag. Be safe and have fun!

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or reach out to me on the FPF Facebook page.