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Correlation: Pass Rush/Pass D?

I think the note on TR's 'best career season' on the FP put this in perspective for me.

The proverbial 'eye test' tells us the DAL Oline is middling to below average - our Sacks Surrendered total bears this out - Cowboys rank 14 in the league(higher ranking the better).

Conversely, DAL ranks in the Top 10 for sacks, somewhat belying the 'eyeball test' and conventional wisdom the Cowboys don't generate nearly enough pressure.

Star-divide

Disclaimer - this is very high level, does not include, Hurries, Knock Downs, Pressures, etc. However, it should be at least indicative at a high level.

So, here's my dilemma - if our OL is so poor, how can Tony Romo be so good? If you make the case for his escapability limiting sacks, I contend that only reinforces the point - Sack total would indicate the pressure is even greater - would 5-10 more sacks really impact his results that much?

And where is the correlation between our Top 10 Sack Total and Bottom 10 Pass D? I did a rudimentary analysis of Passer Rating for all Defenses against Sacks and the relationship is not conclusive. Agree a full analysis - assigning a relative point value to Pressures, Hurries and Knock Downs with Sacks into an overall 'Pressure' stat would be more comprehensive and should be over several seasons, but I simply don't know where those stats exist, nor really have the time to do it in any short order.

Many posters are insisting that fixing the Pass D requires an upgrade to the Pass Rush - this is intuitive and completely logical. Many Defenses are built, successfully around this concept. For the most part, Wade's successful D's for all their vaunted pressure, were inconsistent for opposing Passer rating(2009 - 7th in Sacks, 20th in OPR; 2007 - 3rd/5th) .

In the final analysis, with such a demonstrably sub-par OLine, how did Tony Romo have his best statistical year ? Granted, I could be reading this all wrong.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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it depends.

simple example. Buddy Ryan’s 46 isn’t a base D in the NFL because it left the secondary depleted and was vulnerable to big plays. West Coast offenses got the ball off before the pressure got home and tore it up.

at the other end of the spectrum, the current version of the Eagles can get pressure with their 4 down linemen and drop 7 into a coverage. very good pass D.

so you’d really have to adjust sacks for blitzes as a % of total defensive snaps.

but there’s no question that if you have 4 guys who can rush the passer that’s a good foundation.

For God and country - Geronimo

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Jan 5, 2012 12:37 PM CST reply actions  

Sacks are a really poor measure of pass rush

It’s not about sacks, it’s about consistently collapsing the quarterback’s pocket. A great pass rush is one that is constantly collapsing the pocket and generally making the quarterback get it out quickly. That is the function of the pass rush, and it has been working forever. Romo thrived off of a lot of deep throws this year, which really tells me that the pass rush of opposing teams was inconsistent with spikes during the Arizona, second Giants, Philadelphia, and others game. This matches what I saw most of this year.

by Scientia on Jan 5, 2012 5:33 PM CST reply actions  

On this point

bq.
And where is the correlation between our Top 10 Sack Total and Bottom 10 Pass D?

I would contend that some of this is a result of where our sacks come from.

"You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a 2x4." -- Dan Birdwell, Oakland Raiders

RR1 = RedRocket / RR2 = RobRyan
RR3 = Ready for Retirement(JerryJones) / rr = rabblerouser

by jstaubach on Jan 6, 2012 12:37 AM CST reply actions  

oops.

"You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a 2x4." -- Dan Birdwell, Oakland Raiders

RR1 = RedRocket / RR2 = RobRyan
RR3 = Ready for Retirement(JerryJones) / rr = rabblerouser

by jstaubach on Jan 6, 2012 12:37 AM CST up reply actions  

Anyway

Half our pressure is from DWare coming from the outside. More pressure in the qb’s face might change the numbers of the pass D. A qb that sees the pressure &/or can’t step into the throw, seems more likely to make a mistake.

"You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a 2x4." -- Dan Birdwell, Oakland Raiders

RR1 = RedRocket / RR2 = RobRyan
RR3 = Ready for Retirement(JerryJones) / rr = rabblerouser

by jstaubach on Jan 6, 2012 12:40 AM CST reply actions  

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