How effective is a player who only plays 25% of snaps? I mean, how effective can that 25% be to the overall span of a game?
Not a knock on you at all, I'm just throwing this out there because I find that stat a bit enlightening. Thank God Ted drafted Datone and Boyd. I think those two are going to help immensely this season.
To me, Mike Neal still has one hell of a lot to prove. I'll be impressed when he last through the entire season and playoffs, and get's his sacks totals up near 10 or more. Then I'll be impressed.
I thought he played well last year, and also disappeared. We can't have the latter... Say what you will about sacks being overrated. Fuck it. I want 'em! Bring it.
Unblockable means sacks and tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. There was not a single game last season where he had more than 2 tackles... I mean, c'mon... 5.5 sacks in 3 seasons? 7 Tackles for Loss in 3 seasons? "Unblockable?" Give me what he's smokin'!
Mike Neal needs to prove his worth this season. He will have no excuses, not with the talent he will be lining up with.
Originally Posted by: play2win
There are 2 completely different aspects you are talking about.
A.)How good he is
Secondly: How much he contributes.
Per snap production is how good he is.
Season totals is his contribution. (or in your case, 3 season totals)
Neal is unquestionably a very talented player. With a suspension and some injuries, his total production has not lived up to his ability.
There is a reasonable expectation that if Neal has a full healthy year, he could be one of the top 5 linemen in the league. There is not a reasonable expectation that he will have a full healthy year.
He is an interior lineman in the 3-4 which is designed to get the OLBs sacks. Now it is great when the DL can step up and generate a few sacks and pressures. But expecting double digit sacks from them is unrealistic.
And as was mentioned, sacks are not a great indicator of how much contribution a D lineman has. Even if a lineman like Jarred Allen set a record for sacks, it is still only 23 out of 1000 plays. How he does on the other 977 plays also matters. 45% of which are running plays.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.