Newman vs. Trufant

[AdamJT13]

This debate has come up a number of times, so here is some statistical fodder for the next time it does. These numbers come from K.C. Joyner, the so-called "Football Scientist." I do NOT vouch for the accuracy of these numbers, and I'm quite certain they're not precise (I've caught a few completions where I'm certain he blamed the wrong person), but they're at least fairly close.

His numbers on Newman come from his interview with Rafael Vela --

Terence Newman

His stats for 2004 were excellent. His completion percentage was 8th best, his yards per attempt were tied for 8th best, and he had the 14th best tight/good coverage percentage.

He had terrific short passing stats, with the 7th lowest completion percentage and 17th highest tight/good coverage percentage. His medium stats weren’t as good as the short, but they were good. He ranked tied for 15th lowest completion percentage and tied for 26th in tight/good coverage percentage at the medium level. His deep stats were very solid as well.

And his numbers for Trufant come from his book (posted by seanmac on another board) --

Marcus Trufant

atts 141 - first in the league; no one got thrown at more

completion percentage 61% (tied for 62nd overall)

1191 yards - 80th overall, worst in the league

8.4 yds/att - tied for 61st overall

9 TDs - tied for 75th overall 32.6%

open by 1 step, 41.8%

open by 1-2 steps, 11.3%

open by 2+ steps, 22.0% tight/good coverage,

18 total missed passes for 283 missed yards

2 blown coverages for 13 yards

1 burn for 50 yards, 32.6% soft coverage percentage (3rd overall in playing soft coverage

Statistically, Trufant was the worst cornerback in the NFL in 2004, according to the Football Scientist. And keep in mind that Newman was unquestionably better in 2003 when both were rookies.

 

[joseephuss]

Good stuff. I like Newman and think Dallas is set for a while at the left corner back position. I also like that they are transitioning him to the slot position this season. It may take a while befor he gets completely used to it, but I think he can be very good at it.

I also like Trufant. I thought Newman would be the better of the two, but that they would both be good. Interesting stats. Something to check out again in 5 years for both guys.

 

[AdamJT13]

More stats from K.C. Joyner. Here are the top 20 and bottom 20 cornerbacks from last season in terms of completion percentage to their man --

Top 20
1. Dre' Bly -- 36.5 percent
2. Mike McKenzie -- 40.8 percent
3. Eric Warfield -- 44.0 percent
4. Shawn Springs -- 44.6 percent
5. Deltha O'Neal -- 44.8 percent
6. Will Peterson -- 44.9 percent
7. Asante Samuel -- 46.2 percent
8. Terence Newman -- 46.6 percent
9. Al Harris -- 47.4 percent
10. Nate Clements -- 47.7 percent
11. Sheldon Brown -- 47.9 percent
12. Ahmad Carroll -- 48.0 percent
13. Ronde Barber -- 48.1 percent
14. David Macklin -- 48.3 percent
15. Sam Madison -- 50.7 percent
16. Earthwind Moreland -- 50.9 percent
17. Deshea Townsend -- 51.0 percent
18. Duane Starks -- 51.4 percent
19. Donnie Abraham -- 52.0 percent
20. Dexter McCleon -- 52.2 percent

Bottom 20
80. Andre Woolfolk -- 71.7 percent
79. Von Hutchins -- 71.7 percent
78. Fred Thomas -- 69.7 percent
77. Aaron Glenn -- 69.6 percent
76. Antoine Winfield -- 68.8 percent
75. Daylon McCutcheon -- 68.1 percent
74. DeAngelo Hall -- 65.3 percent
73. Jason David -- 64.9 percent
72. Allen Rossum -- 64.7 percent
71. Shawntae Spencer -- 64.6 percent
70. Phillip Buchanon -- 64.5 percent
69. Anthony Henry -- 64.2 percent
68. Dunta Robinson -- 64.2 percent
67. Champ Bailey -- 63.3 percent
66. Lance Frazier -- 62.3 percent
65. Nick Harper -- 62.3 percent
64. Kevin Mathis -- 61.8 percent
63. Lito Sheppard -- 61.0 percent
62. Marcus Trufant -- 61.0 percent
61. Dewayne Washington -- 60.9 percent


Again, let me say that I DO NOT believe these numbers are precise. But they should be decent ballpark figures.

Newman ranked eighth, and Trufant ranked 62nd. (And, um, Anthony Henry was 69th, and Aaron Glenn was 77th.)

 

[Crown Royal]

Any applicable stats like this for the first week? I for one thought our secondary did very well, considering that I am very impressed with Brees now.

 

[RoyWilliams31]

This week stats will definetly show that both Aaron Glenn and Anthony Henry did great

 

[Rack]

Newman ranked eighth, and Trufant ranked 62nd. (And, um, Anthony Henry was 69th, and Aaron Glenn was 77th.)

I understand that stats have their usefullness, but if a casual fan read these stats he'd think Newman was a better CB then Anthony Henry (by far). Now, Newman may very well be better then Henry (that's debateable), but it sure as hell wouldn't be by that much.


So many other things factor into it that you really can't go by these stats. For example (just comparing Henry and Newman) on every single pass thrown to Henry and Newman, how was the pass rush on the play? Was the QB forced to throw early? Did the QB get hit as he threw? Did the CB have deep help, therefore allowing him to play the shorter routes more aggresively? Stuff like that.


However, it still is interesting to read it. I had no idea Trufant gave up such a high % of completions.