dwmyers
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I'm pulling this out of the original thread because I don't want this analysis buried on page 27 of some half flame thread, but Alexander made a comment I don't think is justified by examination of some real players.
Back in the days before Jerry Jones started applying his "wisdom" to the development of defensive linemen, the rule of thumb was it took 4 to 7 years to develop a defensive lineman. Since then, post Jimmy Johnson and pre Bill Parcells, I would have to say that the Cowboys were among the world's worst NFL teams at developing defensive linemen of any kind. No experiment was desperate enough for us, no kind of flop embarrassing enough to get us to take our time and develop some blue chip talent. Still, our linemen were supposed to start instantly, and anyone can see just how well that approach worked.
Still, even with knowledgable fans we get comments like this:
If you simply look at the single season sack peak for a DE, often you find it in their first or second season. But peak sack statistics can be misleading. Take Willie McGinest for instance. Total his sacks for his first 5 years (30 sacks) and his last five years (32.5) sometime. Willie's peak was in his second year, but he's been far more consistent in his later years.
Let's take a look at another sack artist, Simeon Rice. He made 51.5 sacks his first five years and his last five years he made 67.5. His peak is in his first five years. He became more consistent in his last five.
How about Michael Strahan? His sack totals in his first five years are 1, 4.5, 7.5, 5, and 14. His last five have been 22.5, 11, 18.5, 4, and 11.5. Which five years yould you prefer?
Okay, how about another player; Leonard Little. He's called a LB now, #91, though it seems he must play a position pretty similar to what Parcells wants Greg Ellis to play, since he's 6-3, 261. Sack totals for his first four years? 0.5, 0, 5, 14.5. His last four years are 12, 12.5, 7 and 9.5. His peak is in his first four years. His best four years are his last four years.
Actually the last two examples underlie a point that Alexander misses entirely. Most defensive ends aren't starting when they begin. They sit on the bench and watch and learn from other experienced defensive ends.
Back in the days before Jerry Jones started applying his "wisdom" to the development of defensive linemen, the rule of thumb was it took 4 to 7 years to develop a defensive lineman. Since then, post Jimmy Johnson and pre Bill Parcells, I would have to say that the Cowboys were among the world's worst NFL teams at developing defensive linemen of any kind. No experiment was desperate enough for us, no kind of flop embarrassing enough to get us to take our time and develop some blue chip talent. Still, our linemen were supposed to start instantly, and anyone can see just how well that approach worked.
Still, even with knowledgable fans we get comments like this:
Alexander said:
If you simply look at the single season sack peak for a DE, often you find it in their first or second season. But peak sack statistics can be misleading. Take Willie McGinest for instance. Total his sacks for his first 5 years (30 sacks) and his last five years (32.5) sometime. Willie's peak was in his second year, but he's been far more consistent in his later years.
Let's take a look at another sack artist, Simeon Rice. He made 51.5 sacks his first five years and his last five years he made 67.5. His peak is in his first five years. He became more consistent in his last five.
How about Michael Strahan? His sack totals in his first five years are 1, 4.5, 7.5, 5, and 14. His last five have been 22.5, 11, 18.5, 4, and 11.5. Which five years yould you prefer?
Okay, how about another player; Leonard Little. He's called a LB now, #91, though it seems he must play a position pretty similar to what Parcells wants Greg Ellis to play, since he's 6-3, 261. Sack totals for his first four years? 0.5, 0, 5, 14.5. His last four years are 12, 12.5, 7 and 9.5. His peak is in his first four years. His best four years are his last four years.
Actually the last two examples underlie a point that Alexander misses entirely. Most defensive ends aren't starting when they begin. They sit on the bench and watch and learn from other experienced defensive ends.
