- Thread starter
- #1
erckm510
Member
- 870
- 6
- 18
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2011
- Location
- Hawaii
- Hoopla Cash
- $ 1,000.00
- Fav. Team #1
- Fav. Team #2
- Fav. Team #3
1. Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
So what do we expect from the best defensive player in the NFL? Well first we want to see them on the field; situational players aren’t going to cut it for this award. For any position, never mind a 3-4 end, Smith’s 91.1% of all snaps ticks that box. Next, not only do we want them to be productive, we want them to dominate their position and being a full 14 grading points above the next player is exactly the type of supremacy we need. Thirdly we require balance – it’s all very well being some highly touted pass rusher, logging statistics that are easy to hype, but taking no responsibility as a run defender and rushing into the backfield on every play, like a headless chicken, doesn’t cut it with us. Smith shows that all-round ability by ranking first in our ratings as a pass rusher and fourth versus the run. That’s not to say we don’t like numbers; we love them, but in context and spouting subsets of pass rush data such as sacks is about as facile as it comes in our book. How about this instead; Smith generated 69 quarterback disruptions this year which ranks him joint fourth, not just among 3-4 ends, where he had 15 more than the next guy, but among every position. For someone playing over a guard most of the time that is remarkable. If that isn’t enough, lastly we want game changing plays. We won’t list them all but how about a 285lb player chasing 17 yards back downfield to force a fumble from Jeremy Maclin and preserve a one point lead with 2:06 left in the game?
6. Navarro Bowman, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
7. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
Trying to pick the better of these two great inside linebackers is extremely tricky because they both have different things to recommend them. In the end Bowman got the nod for staying injury free and therefore playing over 200 snaps more than Willis. If he’d stayed on the field my money is that Willis would be at least one place higher (and probably more) because he’s lost none of his unbelievable short area acceleration or tackling ability. In fact Willis still ranks number one among inside linebackers in that regard; his two missed tackles (one in the running game, one in the passing) while making 109 (including assists) is by far the best ratio around for someone with as many tackles.
However it’s not just the veteran that has a number one rating. Statistically, as a run defender Bowman is also our joint top player (with Denver’s Joe Mays) as the guy with the highest stop percentage on running snaps and therefore it’s no surprise he comes out ranked first overall in our ratings in this facet of play.
Not to be outdone Willis is among the best rated coverage players around (ranked third). He has an instinct for the passing game which leads to a league leading eight passes defensed while never giving up a pass of more than 22 yards.The numbers are there in abundance, but in truth you best get the value of these teammates by simply watching them in action; hopefully a combination to enjoy for many years.
2011 PFF Defensive Player of the Year | ProFootballFocus.com
So what do we expect from the best defensive player in the NFL? Well first we want to see them on the field; situational players aren’t going to cut it for this award. For any position, never mind a 3-4 end, Smith’s 91.1% of all snaps ticks that box. Next, not only do we want them to be productive, we want them to dominate their position and being a full 14 grading points above the next player is exactly the type of supremacy we need. Thirdly we require balance – it’s all very well being some highly touted pass rusher, logging statistics that are easy to hype, but taking no responsibility as a run defender and rushing into the backfield on every play, like a headless chicken, doesn’t cut it with us. Smith shows that all-round ability by ranking first in our ratings as a pass rusher and fourth versus the run. That’s not to say we don’t like numbers; we love them, but in context and spouting subsets of pass rush data such as sacks is about as facile as it comes in our book. How about this instead; Smith generated 69 quarterback disruptions this year which ranks him joint fourth, not just among 3-4 ends, where he had 15 more than the next guy, but among every position. For someone playing over a guard most of the time that is remarkable. If that isn’t enough, lastly we want game changing plays. We won’t list them all but how about a 285lb player chasing 17 yards back downfield to force a fumble from Jeremy Maclin and preserve a one point lead with 2:06 left in the game?
6. Navarro Bowman, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
7. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
Trying to pick the better of these two great inside linebackers is extremely tricky because they both have different things to recommend them. In the end Bowman got the nod for staying injury free and therefore playing over 200 snaps more than Willis. If he’d stayed on the field my money is that Willis would be at least one place higher (and probably more) because he’s lost none of his unbelievable short area acceleration or tackling ability. In fact Willis still ranks number one among inside linebackers in that regard; his two missed tackles (one in the running game, one in the passing) while making 109 (including assists) is by far the best ratio around for someone with as many tackles.
However it’s not just the veteran that has a number one rating. Statistically, as a run defender Bowman is also our joint top player (with Denver’s Joe Mays) as the guy with the highest stop percentage on running snaps and therefore it’s no surprise he comes out ranked first overall in our ratings in this facet of play.
Not to be outdone Willis is among the best rated coverage players around (ranked third). He has an instinct for the passing game which leads to a league leading eight passes defensed while never giving up a pass of more than 22 yards.The numbers are there in abundance, but in truth you best get the value of these teammates by simply watching them in action; hopefully a combination to enjoy for many years.
2011 PFF Defensive Player of the Year | ProFootballFocus.com
