How many sacks do the Cowboys need to get this season?

[OhSnap]

Cowboys had 34 sacks last year, about 2 per game. Sounds low and a big deal has been made about the defensive line. The 2 SB teams had 37-Balt. and 38-SF sacks apiece so does that mean the Cowboys just need 3 or 4 more sacks this year to be competitive with 2 SB teams?

 

[FiveRings]

Amount of sacks was never the problem. We'll be set if they carry over the sack numbers from the past few seasons, the biggest concern is when we get our sacks. Thankfully, I don't think we'll see the infamous, second down sack, third down three man rush that Rob made famous.

 

[OhSnap]

Amount of sacks was never the problem. We'll be set if they carry over the sack numbers from the past few seasons, the biggest concern is when we get our sacks. Thankfully, I don't think we'll see the infamous, second down sack, third down three man rush that Rob made famous.

I been comparing the Cowboys numbers to these 2 teams when I was bored but I was surprised to see how close this number was. I really expected those 2 teams to at least be in the mid 40's.

 

[noshame]

I want a push up the middle, that's what raises havoc with the running and passing game, ask Romo.

 

[bayeslife]

I'll trade sacks for turnovers.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

A better defensive "efficiency" number than sacks would be "Yards given up per pass attempt".

Here are the top 10 teams when it comes to YPA:
San Francisco
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Chicago
Denver
NY Jets
Cincinnati
Green Bay
Houston
Buffalo

7 out 10 were playoff teams.

Now compare to QB sacks and those top 10 teams:
Denver
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Green Bay
Houston
Minnesota
Miami
Chicago
Carolina
Tennessee

4 out of 10 were playoff teams.

The Cowboys were 20th in sacks and were 26th in YPA at 7.6 yards per attempt given up.

If you want a # that they need to shoot for, based on last season the cutoff seems to be 7.0 YPA. Get under 7.0 YPA and you've got a good pass defense, no matter how many sacks you've gotten.

 

[OhSnap]

I'll trade sacks for turnovers.

Absolutely.

 

[OhSnap]

A better defensive "efficiency" number than sacks would be "Yards given up per pass attempt".

Here are the top 10 teams when it comes to YPA:
San Francisco
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Chicago
Denver
NY Jets
Cincinnati
Green Bay
Houston
Buffalo

7 out 10 were playoff teams.

Now compare to QB sacks and those top 10 teams:
Denver
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Green Bay
Houston
Minnesota
Miami
Chicago
Carolina
Tennessee

4 out of 10 were playoff teams.

The Cowboys were 20th in sacks and were 26th in YPA at 7.6 yards per attempt given up.

If you want a # that they need to shoot for, based on last season the cutoff seems to be 7.0 YPA. Get under 7.0 YPA and you've got a good pass defense, no matter how many sacks you've gotten.

I been lookin at this number for years for QB's same as RB's ypc. Good point.

 

[Red Dragon]

50, roughly three per game.

 

[Red Dragon]

I'll trade sacks for turnovers.

I think the two come hand in hand. More sacks probably = a good pass rush, which then likely = more interceptions and hastily thrown passes.


Also, more sacks probably = more times the opposing QB gets hit and fumbles the ball.

 

[Rack]

I'm more concerned with the amount of turnovers they force than I am with the amount of sacks they get.

 

[Eskimo]

My priorities for the defense in order:

1. Limit points allowed

2. Force Turnovers with goal > 2 per game

3. Limit big plays, especially big play scores

4. Hit the QB regularly

 

[Picksix]

Another aspect that often gets overlooked is pressures, which is just as important (if not moreso). Do you have stats for playoff/SB teams for total pressures?

 

[Eskimo]

The problem with pressures is that they could be an effect of winning rather than the cause.

Here is what I mean. When a team is winning the game the opponent will pass a lot and the team knows it so its DL can shoot off and focus on the pass rush. The opposing QB may try to hold onto the ball a bit longer to try and create a big play and that will lead to extra pressures.

I think one way of neutralizing this effect would be to measure pressures per pass attempt.

I still think QB hits is a better measure because it is more objective. Either the QB got hit and the defense didn't get penalized which means the defender was within two steps and arguably probably was putting some pressure on the QB. Again numbers here should be normalized per pass attempt.

 

[Redball Express]

Amount of sacks was never the problem. We'll be set if they carry over the sack numbers from the past few seasons, the biggest concern is when we get our sacks. Thankfully, I don't think we'll see the infamous, second down sack, third down three man rush that Rob made famous.

Right ?!?

I mean when Ryan would come in with that defense..and on top of that..Ware would be dropping in to coverage as well..
..I just wanted to turn the TV off.

..but I couldn't because it was like needing to look at a car accident. The defense was about to get killed again when he ran that defense.
It was like waving a White Flag.

Never want to see that defense called as long as I'm a fan.
Crazy boy. Ryan.

Kamikazi coach..yikes.
Good luck New Orleans..do we play them this year..? New Orleans..?

 

[Redball Express]

Cowboys had 34 sacks last year, about 2 per game. Sounds low and a big deal has been made about the defensive line. The 2 SB teams had 37-Balt. and 38-SF sacks apiece so does that mean the Cowboys just need 3 or 4 more sacks this year to be competitive with 2 SB teams?

At least 2 per game..maybe 10 more overall just to deal out some physicality.

 

[Vanilla2]

Don't care about the number of sacks.

I'd like to see ALOT of pressure.

This defense could be lethal if the pressure is there.

 

[Afigueroa22]

I`d be fine with the sack total decreasing if the QB makes a bad decision and throws an INT.

 

[Lonestar94]

60

Ware 24
Spencer 13
Hatcher 7.5
Ratliff 5
Bass 3
Lee 2
Carter 2
Scandrick 1.5
Albright 1
Claiborne 1

 

[Fredd]

60

Ware 24
Spencer 13
Hatcher 7.5
Ratliff 5
Bass 3
Lee 2
Carter 2
Scandrick 1.5
Albright 1
Claiborne 1

what, no Wilcox? no safeties at all????


and, sacks are nice, I want the defense to lead the league in 3&outs