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13 years ago

Three Years of Pass Rushing Productivity: Interior Defensive Linemen
June 22nd, 2011 | Author: Khaled Elsayed
As you read here on Monday, our three-year Pass Rushing Productivity piece on edge rushers was due to be followed by a companion article focused on the men of the interior. So, on the heels of that look at defensive ends and outside linebackers comes this breakdown of those bigger guys working inside.

These Defensive Interior Pass Rushing Productivity ratings, like the others, are not just for 2010, but will also cover the past three years.

Same format, same simple formula: we take sacks, hits, and hurries (with weighting toward sacks) divide it by the number of snaps spent rushing the passer, apply a multiplier to tidy it up and that all spits out the PRP.

The qualifying minimum for the look at 2010 is, as ever, 200 snaps. That leaves us with 95 defensive tackles and 3-4 ends to sift through, and some interesting names appear near the top. I’d hazard a guess that, unprompted, not many people would say Patriot Mike Wright was the most productive interior pass rushing lineman last year. He was, and it was such a shame (for him, for the Pats, and for football fans) that his season was cut short. Wright may not be that great against the run, but you only need to watch his performance against Pittsburgh to know what he’s capable of as a pass rusher.

In the second spot, we have a defensive tackle that I not too long ago wrote a piece on in the shape of Antonio Garay. I’ll direct you to that piece for a more in-depth look at the underrated Charger, and move on to some ends who you would probably expect to see in these rankings.

Club hand and all, Cullen Jenkins is likely to have quite the market for his services given what he can do (and has done) in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. He was even more productive than a guy who seems to be finally get his due in Justin Smith. He’s another one with a more detailed piece.

It seems this is becoming a link-fest … you’ll also see we’ve published pieces about the performances of Geno Atkins and Shaun Rogers (here and here). Rogers is a particularly interesting one because of the misconceptions that surround him. Many think he’s going to New Orleans to – as a former nose tackle – eat- up blockers and free-up Jonathan Vilma and Co.. Only that’s not his game. He’s a penetrator who is more likely to get up field and do something hurtful to either runner or quarterback. He’ll make the Saints defense better, but not for the reasons you might think.

Enough linking though, here’s a list of the top 20 PRP ratings from the past season:


Pass Rushing Productivity, Interior Defensive Linemen, Top 20, 2010

Rank Player Pos. Team Pass Rush Snaps Total Pressures PRP
1 Mike Wright END NE 218 27 9.98
2 Antonio Garay DT SD 250 29 9.30
3 Cullen Jenkins END GB 411 46 8.88
4 Justin Smith END SF 499 56 8.87
5 Trevor Pryce END NYJ 227 26 8.81
6 Shaun Rogers DT CLV 272 30 8.55
7 Geno Atkins DT CIN 290 31 8.45
8 Wallace Gilberry END KC 404 42 8.23
9 Richard Seymour DT OAK 356 37 8.22
10 Tommy Kelly DT OAK 451 44 7.71
11 Kyle Williams DT BUF 440 43 7.67
12 Shaun Ellis END NYJ 478 46 7.58
13 Jason D. Jones DT TEN 436 40 7.11
14 Vonnie Holliday END WAS 295 25 6.61
15 Sammie Lee Hill DT DET 204 17 6.50
16 Stephen Bowen END DAL 389 33 6.49
17 Calais Campbell END ARZ 424 34 6.37
18 B.J. Raji DT GB 643 51 6.26
19 Fred Robbins DT SL 443 34 6.09
20 Gerald McCoy DT TB 386 30 6.09

In these pieces, we’ll often follow the top guys with a glance at the bottom twenty, but do you really need to be told that Pat Williams and Aubrayo Franklin aren’t great pass rushers? No, the bottom group features names you’d expect to see there because of the style of player they are and, frankly, it just isn’t much fun. Instead, let’s just move along and get to the real juicy, never-before-seen stuff, shall we? That’s right, the three year data.

The qualifying number of pass rushing snaps has risen to 700, giving us 67 valiant defensive linemen qualifying to compete for the top spot. But who will it be? Well, we’ve spoken about him already … Cullen Jenkins is the top dog, ever so slightly finishing ahead of Justin Smith who has, by some distance, produced the most total pressure over the past three years.

The surprise is the man in third, Trevor Pryce, who struggled for playing time with the Jets after being cut by the Ravens earlier in the year. His last performance against the Steelers in the AFC Championship game showed he can still go, and he could be an interesting pick-up for a team looking contributor in the pass D game.

Another name that could be interesting – though it comes with considerable baggage – is that of Albert Haynesworth. Things haven’t gone his way since moving to Washington, but on the field (when he’s been on it) he’s always been productive. For someone willing to take a gamble on Albert the person, they could get one heck of a player. He finished fifth overall, just behind Shaun Rogers and ahead of two of his former Titan teammates in Jason Jones (seventh) and Tony Brown (ninth).

Going through the list, perhaps the most noticeable thing (and this applies to the 2010 list as well) is the absence of Darnell Dockett. By no means poor (he finished 21st), Dockett largely gets credits which is probably more due the impressive physical specimen that is Calais Campbell. Since getting a starting spot in 2009, Campbell has largely outplayed Dockett, though it seems to have gone unnoticed. I’m chalking it up to my theory about big hair equaling more television time (I look forward to writing an article on that one day.)

Getting back on course, here’s a list of the top 20 interior guys from the past three years:


Pass Rushing Productivity, Interior Defensive Linemen, Top 20, 2008-2010

Rank Player Pos. Team Pass Rush Snaps Total Pressures PRP
1 Cullen Jenkins END GB 1058 111 8.25
2 Justin Smith END SF 1650 174 8.24
3 Trevor Pryce END NYJ 1152 116 7.88
4 Shaun Rogers DT NO 994 99 7.72
5 Albert Haynesworth DT WAS 892 82 7.29
6 Richard Seymour DT OAK 1131 103 7.23
7 Jason D. Jones DT TEN 884 77 6.93
8 Mike Wright END NE 789 67 6.81
9 Tony Brown DT TEN 1216 103 6.62
10 Tommy Kelly DT OAK 1178 99 6.60
11 Randy Starks END MIA 1164 96 6.51
12 Kevin Williams DT MIN 1722 143 6.46
13 Cory Redding DT BLT 968 78 6.30
14 Calais Campbell END ARZ 1074 85 6.28
15 Kyle Williams DT BUF 1156 92 6.21
16 Vonnie Holliday END WAS 966 75 6.16
17 Stephen Bowen END DAL 877 70 6.13
18 Brandon Mebane DT SEA 1126 86 5.93
19 Shaun Ellis END NYJ 1435 105 5.85
20 Jay Ratliff DT DAL 1424 103 5.76

So, there you have it. That’s our look at interior defensive linemen and how productive they are as pass rushers. Of course, there are always factors that stats can’t account for (injuries, level of opposition, etc.), but it’s a pretty good indicator of which guys are getting the job done. Any quarterback that has been harassed by Justin Smith or Cullen Jenkins will tell you the same.


Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled … and our main Twitter feed: @ProFootbalFocus



Article original is here if you want to see the formatted tables. 


And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
SINCITYCHEEZE
13 years ago
Maybe we should rethink dumping this guy quite so quickly.Maybe the front office can work out a deal both they and Jenkins can live with.
Wisconsin Born, Packer Bred
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Pack93z
13 years ago
I have said it a number of times, Jenkins is a very valuable player on the Packers defense.. maybe even more so in the 3-4 and sub packages that Dom deploys.



Durability seems to be the only real question, but even then the cat has played through injuries.. you don't find a ton of 3-4 lineman that can create pressure effectively.. teamed with Raji.. the Packers defense has two.. and maybe more if Neal comes on.



Seems to be the card the Packers are intent on playing.. that Neal can step in and provide a similar level of production..



This is probably the biggest drama that Packers have on their hands this offseason, whenever the lockout ceases.. and the bodes very well for the team overall.



That said... I would prefer holding onto Jenkins for a couple of years yet.. even at a slightly bloated contract.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
beast
13 years ago

I LOVE this article... mainly because it proves me right in some of the things I've been saying over the last couple of year.

People have been saying we need another pressure to go along with Matthews on the other side, I've been saying we have it in Jenkins we just need to keep him (and he needs to stay healthy). Also I love how Zombo is VERY physical and controls his side, though he seriously needs to learn more pass rush moves, but he was a rookie and some good coaching could get him there (plus they drafted Elmore who I think is a pass rush specialist, maybe more if he gets good at run defense and coverage.

But I've also wanted Justin Smith (2) and Shaun Rogers (4), who are in the top 4 over the last 3 years with Jenkins. I wanted to tag and trade Corey Williams and sign/trade for Smith or Rodgers. I was hoping more for Smith since Rogers has some problems off the field, and rumored some problems always following the system.

If we got Justin Smith, he would of played DE with Kampman while Jenkins moved back to DT in the 08 season. Smith reminds me a lot of Kampman but bigger and said to be meaner to guys that line up against him.

Rogers has said and done a lot of stupid things off the field but you could say so has Jolly and Barnett. But on the field as a pass rusher Smith is hard as heck to handle. One problem I've heard about Rogers is that even when asked to play a two gap run stopping NT he still kept playing his one gap pass rush role... so while he has the NT size he might not be willing to play NT. But we have Pickett who is a great run stopping NT and Raji has been doing a very good job of it as well so it's not like we were short on the run stopping guys.
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DakotaT
13 years ago
When properly motivated, Shawn Rogers is unstoppable. I'd love to keep Cullen, but would you keep at the price of losing Raji. There's a lot of money already tied up in the front 7, with Clay and Raji to get theirs too. I never want to go back to the days of Wolfonomics or Shermanomics and strap this franchise. It isn't about wanting to keep Jenkins, it's about opportunity cost for me. At what price and who's expense are we keeping a luxury?
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Stevetarded
13 years ago
Yeah he's awesome but the fact that he's missed over a seasons worth of games in the last 3 years kind of takes away from his value some. Also he is always pretty banged up (when he's actually playing) which does hurt his ability.

By all accounts he's a great teammate as well as being a great player and it would be nice to keep him on the team but he might not be worth a huge contract.
blank
Pack93z
13 years ago

It isn't about wanting to keep Jenkins, it's about opportunity cost for me. At what price and who's expense are we keeping a luxury?

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 





Of course there should be a ceiling to the price tag the Pack is willing to spend.. just there is other dead weight contracts that could be eradicated to allow for a productive player like Jenkins some room.. the beauty of non guaranteed contracts that are a life blood to the game.



I just don't see the market being bonkers for Jenkins.. if it is.. then you part ways.. but if it is a fair market deal and the Redskins types don't overfill his salary cup.. you ink him to a long term deal with a realistic life expectancy of the deal to be 2 to 3 years.. about when you will have to re-up Raji and Matthews.



But you are as right as right.. for the right price.. it will be interesting if their is a shortened FA period how rapidly guys begin to settle for a paycheck.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
DakotaT
13 years ago



But you are as right as right.. .

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 




That seems to be a redundancy that gets me in a lot of trouble in all facets of my life. 😉 Yes VR, this is your opportunity for a free shot so make it a good one.
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beast
13 years ago

It isn't about wanting to keep Jenkins, it's about opportunity cost for me. At what price and who's expense are we keeping a luxury?

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



2nd best pass rusher on the team is a luxury? ... then why is it EVERY DRAFT as of late Packers fans talk about NEEDING another good to great OLB to go with Matthews? The reason they have been wrong and we haven't needed one is mainly Jenkins (and some Raji and Woodson on the side).

I think it'd be Colledge and Jones expense as well as maybe someone like Nick Barnetts but I'll get to more about him after another quote.

What cost is the big question to me... and I have no idea but I'd say this might be the perfect place for an incentive contract... with those incentives being staying healthy both in the number of games he plays as well as the % of snaps he takes, also have stat incentives. So if he doesn't stay healthy and make plays he doesn't make big money, if he does then he gets his market value. Though who knows if he would bite on that or not.

Of course there should be a ceiling to the price tag the Pack is willing to spend.. just there is other dead weight contracts that could be eradicated to allow for a productive player like Jenkins some room.. the beauty of non guaranteed contracts that are a life blood to the game.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



Back to my Nick Barnett commit... he seems to be stirring the pot on twitter still, and I can't see him being happy unless he gets a starting position and while he's athletic I don't think he's physical enough for the 3-4 defense scheme. So the Packers could cut or trade him... if they do they would save 12.55 Million over the next two years.

Also Chillar is to get paid 7.7 million over the next 3 years. If they cut or trade him, move Jones over and let them compete for the last ILB position (I think they drafted LB DJ Smith as an ILB).

And if I'm understanding Tausher contract if he retires the Packers will save 5.58 million.

Some of that could go to Jenkins (or who ever they choose to resign) in a 3 year contract.

I just don't see the market being bonkers for Jenkins.. if it is.. then you part ways.. but if it is a fair market deal and the Redskins types don't overfill his salary cup.. you ink him to a long term deal with a realistic life expectancy of the deal to be 2 to 3 years.. about when you will have to re-up Raji and Matthews.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



Rumors has it that all this waiting as made some front offices biting at the bit to sign some FAs and they might be a more over paying than normal. No way to tell if that's true or not until it happens and no way to tell what teams are thinking about offering Jenkins.



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Pack93z
13 years ago



Rumors has it that all this waiting as made some front offices biting at the bit to sign some FAs and they might be a more over paying than normal. No way to tell if that's true or not until it happens and no way to tell what teams are thinking about offering Jenkins.

Originally Posted by: beast 





Well coming off the heals of labor discord, one in which the owners were neck deep in creating, it would take a nads to open up the first salvos of the 2011 season by overpaying in the free agent market.



I am sure that there will be some clown that does it, queue Al Davis (An just to go against the grain) but I think very few players will see a envelope pushing deal on the free agent market. Teams may pay that cash to players reupping.. but one would think the open market would be tighter than that.



We shall see..
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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