QB sacks under Phillips' teams

[fanfromvirginia]

I just finished researching the QB sacks statistics for WP-coached teams. He has been either a DC or HC since 1981, with the exception of 2001. The NFL apparently began keeping track of sacks since 1982, so that leaves us with 24 seasons of accumulated evidence. And it is impressive. In 24 years, his Ds have sacked QBs 1072 times for a 44.7/season average. In 18 of his 24 seasons, his D has recorded at least 40 sacks. In 14/24, his D has had at least 46 sacks and at least 48 (3/game) 9 times. His Ds have had only two horrific (sub-30) seasons .

Comparing this to the post-Haley Cowboys ('96-'06), the Cowboys have averaged 31.1 sacks. The highest sack total we've had was 37.5 in '97.

Caveats: QB sacks is just one incomplete measure of a D's capabilities.

Interesting nuggets: Well, I didn't pay too much attention to the details but it did seem that in most years WP had a stud sack artist (Fletcher with the Broncos, R. Smith with the Eagles, B. Smith with the Bills, Merriman with SD) and THEN a couple of guys who would consistently get 5-10 sacks as well (Mecklenburg with the Broncos, didn't really notice who else).

Thoughts?

 

[baj1dallas]

Ware, Carpenter, Ellis, Canty & Spears...all these guys stand to gain a lot.

 

[Duane]

First off great research on your part. Secondly, did you see if those sack numbers correlated into less points allowed?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I just finished researching the QB sacks statistics for WP-coached teams. He has been either a DC or HC since 1981, with the exception of 2001. The NFL apparently began keeping track of sacks since 1982, so that leaves us with 24 seasons of accumulated evidence. And it is impressive. In 24 years, his Ds have sacked QBs 1072 times for a 44.7/season average. In 18 of his 24 seasons, his D has recorded at least 40 sacks. In 14/24, his D has had at least 46 sacks and at least 48 (3/game) 9 times. His Ds have had only two horrific (sub-30) seasons .

Comparing this to the post-Haley Cowboys ('96-'06), the Cowboys have averaged 31.1 sacks. The highest sack total we've had was 37.5 in '97.

Caveats: QB sacks is just one incomplete measure of a D's capabilities.

Interesting nuggets: Well, I didn't pay too much attention to the details but it did seem that in most years WP had a stud sack artist (Fletcher with the Broncos, R. Smith with the Eagles, B. Smith with the Bills, Merriman with SD) and THEN a couple of guys who would consistently get 5-10 sacks as well (Mecklenburg with the Broncos, didn't really notice who else).

Thoughts?

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

First off great research on your part. Secondly, did you see if those sack numbers correlated into less points allowed?

Didn't go there -- that would be useful. To get the points/game allowed and compare it to the league average.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

But Team D is an incomplete measure in and of itself. I'm off to check out Aikman's efficiency ratings for last year...

 

[sillycon]

Yeah, sacks is not the end all when it comes to total defense. I'd settle for consistent pressure forcing the qb into mistakes...

 

[theogt]

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

A ranking of 10th could be good or bad. If their secondary is as bad as it is claimed to be, 10th might very well be a nice accomplishment.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

I checked. SD's D last year was 12th in the Aikman ratings -- two spots worse than just going by the NFL's category of yards allowed.

So, good point.

But, then again, I'm straight-up excited about getting more sacks, plain and simple. What's the down side? Geez, we'll get burned long more than other teams. I'm sort of used to that by now.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Yeah, sacks is not the end all when it comes to total defense. I'd settle for consistent pressure forcing the qb into mistakes...

Yep, but there's no way in heck we're gonna measure that going back to '82. Give it up -- you're smiling at the prospect of seeing guys with stars on their helmets hitting the opposing QB.

 

[dboyz]

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

That's a fair point. I like Phillips and am excited about his brand of 3-4, but I sense that some may have blinders on when it comes to having a more aggressive defense. You may get more sacks and turnovers, but also will probably give up more yards and big plays. That's just the nature of things. Unless your the 85 Bears, you're not going to do everything at an elite level.

Having said that, next year if we have 61 sacks and are 10th in total yards, I can certainly live with it.

 

[THUMPER]

I just finished researching the QB sacks statistics for WP-coached teams. He has been either a DC or HC since 1981, with the exception of 2001. The NFL apparently began keeping track of sacks since 1982, so that leaves us with 24 seasons of accumulated evidence. And it is impressive. In 24 years, his Ds have sacked QBs 1072 times for a 44.7/season average. In 18 of his 24 seasons, his D has recorded at least 40 sacks. In 14/24, his D has had at least 46 sacks and at least 48 (3/game) 9 times. His Ds have had only two horrific (sub-30) seasons .

Comparing this to the post-Haley Cowboys ('96-'06), the Cowboys have averaged 31.1 sacks. The highest sack total we've had was 37.5 in '97.

Caveats: QB sacks is just one incomplete measure of a D's capabilities.

Interesting nuggets: Well, I didn't pay too much attention to the details but it did seem that in most years WP had a stud sack artist (Fletcher with the Broncos, R. Smith with the Eagles, B. Smith with the Bills, Merriman with SD) and THEN a couple of guys who would consistently get 5-10 sacks as well (Mecklenburg with the Broncos, didn't really notice who else).

Thoughts?

Nicely done! You may also notice that in addition to losing Haley, Dave Campo (along with his protege Zimmer) took over as the DC in 1995 and our sack & TO totals have been diminished ever since.

I just posted another thread about how Phillips built the Chargers defense. They went from 30 sacks in 2003, to 29 in 2004, to 46 in 2005, and 61 in 2006.

They also went from 25th against the run to 3rd in a year! Then to 1st the following year.

Needless to say, I am very excited about what our defense will be like next season.

 

[speedkilz88]

Going by total yards isn't much better than going by sacks.

The Chargers secondary has always been horrible and the pass rush has covered it up pretty good.

Despite those that like to blame our secondary they are quite good except at FS where I think Watkins will be pretty good with more experience.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Nicely done! You may also notice that in addition to losing Haley, Dave Campo (along with his protege Zimmer) took over as the DC in 1995 and our sack & TO totals have been diminished ever since.

I just posted another thread about how Phillips built the Chargers defense. They went from 30 sacks in 2003, to 29 in 2004, to 46 in 2005, and 61 in 2006.

They also went from 25th against the run to 3rd in a year! Then to 1st the following year.

Needless to say, I am very excited about what our defense will be like next season.

Good job, yourself! The days of consistently watching our "blitz" materialize 10seconds before the snap and then consistently watching the opposing QB play One-Mississippi...ten Mississippi in the pocket may be over.

 

[THUMPER]

Going by total yards isn't much better than going by sacks.

The Chargers secondary has always been horrible and the pass rush has covered it up pretty good.

Despite those that like to blame our secondary they are quite good except at FS where I think Watkins will be pretty good with more experience.

Our secondary will look a WHOLE LOT BETTER with a pass rush to pressure the QB and not allow them all day to sit back there and wait for their receivers to get open.

Total yards is the worst possible way to measure a defense IMO. Stupid NFL! :bang2:

 

[THUMPER]

Good job, yourself! The days of consistently watching our "blitz" materialize 10seconds before the snap and then consistently watching the opposing QB play One-Mississippi...ten Mississippi in the pocket may be over.

Thanks.

BTW, nice sig. I love "A Fish Called Wanda" but my favorite line is when Wanda says to Ken: "You'll have to excuse Otto, dad beat him a lot." Ken's reply: "Good".

Cracks me up every time!

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Thanks.

BTW, nice sig. I love "A Fish Called Wanda" but my favorite line is when Wanda says to Ken: "You'll have to excuse Otto, dad beat him a lot." Ken's reply: "Good".

Cracks me up every time!

You've just talked me into re-renting it. It's been too long.

 

[sillycon]

That's a fair point. I like Phillips and am excited about his brand of 3-4, but I sense that some may have blinders on when it comes to having a more aggressive defense. You may get more sacks and turnovers, but also will probably give up more yards and big plays. That's just the nature of things. Unless your the 85 Bears, you're not going to do everything at an elite level.

Having said that, next year if we have 61 sacks and are 10th in total yards, I can certainly live with it.

Seems like they were already giving up the yardage and big plays with their base defense during the latter half of the season. If they're going to do that anyway, I'd prefer it they smack around the qb in the process...

 

[dbair1967]

I just finished researching the QB sacks statistics for WP-coached teams. He has been either a DC or HC since 1981, with the exception of 2001. The NFL apparently began keeping track of sacks since 1982, so that leaves us with 24 seasons of accumulated evidence. And it is impressive. In 24 years, his Ds have sacked QBs 1072 times for a 44.7/season average. In 18 of his 24 seasons, his D has recorded at least 40 sacks. In 14/24, his D has had at least 46 sacks and at least 48 (3/game) 9 times. His Ds have had only two horrific (sub-30) seasons .

Comparing this to the post-Haley Cowboys ('96-'06), the Cowboys have averaged 31.1 sacks. The highest sack total we've had was 37.5 in '97.

Caveats: QB sacks is just one incomplete measure of a D's capabilities.

Interesting nuggets: Well, I didn't pay too much attention to the details but it did seem that in most years WP had a stud sack artist (Fletcher with the Broncos, R. Smith with the Eagles, B. Smith with the Bills, Merriman with SD) and THEN a couple of guys who would consistently get 5-10 sacks as well (Mecklenburg with the Broncos, didn't really notice who else).

Thoughts?

you forgot Bryce Paup in Buffalo...he had a couple of monster yrs...I think he was player of the yr or something one yr as well

the guy coaches pass rush

David

 

[dbair1967]

Well done!

While we definitely need more sacks out of this defense I think many have fallen in love with sacks.

Last year San Diego had like what 61 and they were 10th in the NFL in total defense.

10th is better than where we were but lets not go "ga-ga" over sacks to the point we're giving up lots of yards.

I'd rather have 61 sacks and be 10th in "yards" than be 1st in yards and allow QB's an eternity to throw

we've been down this road havent we?

yards are impacted by alot of things...sometimes yards are yielded because your way ahead and the other team is forced to throw down after down...sacks dont always tell the whole story, but over time its a measure that you are getting good pressure on the QB, and normally that means more interceptions too...and when you can rush the passer, you can get off the field on 3rd downs and dont usually blow alot of late leads

David