Surprising Grades on Defense
 

We are just good.

No need for curiosity about the about the run gashing. It doesn't happen.

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

I'd say I knew about Lofton for quite a while. He was one of the worst MLB's in the NFL last year too.
Although the more tackles you make, the more you're involved at the point of contact, and the more you'll miss.

I've know Jenkins was a crappy tackler for several years now. He tackles like a CB, that why I roll my eyes at the suggestion he'd make a good SS.

Hicks is a shocker. I would have thought the exact opposite. He plays kinda high which allows the OL to get under him... play over.

Greer's grade doesn't surprise me since he's probably being thrown at the most with Lewis on the other side. And with Greer its a lot of really really good and then one WTF???. The Oops plays really destroy a player's grade.

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Which Jenkins is that?

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

Malcom

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None of that is surprising except Lofton. Playing the run was apparently his strong suit, but I guess not?

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Lofton early in the season was a total beast. Don't know what happened to him but he has not been the same since about week 5. Not around the ball nearly as much.

Still I am a little surprised by his grades ... although being the worst player on our defense this year is probably not all that bad. With the exception of the Jets game everyone has played well. - i.e. if Curtis Lofton is the worst player on your defense you must have some pretty good players.

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

This was the only thing I found surprising as well.

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That was my guess. the big rook has looked pretty stout against the run.

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I'll do the o-line tomorrow...

Quite a few interesting items at first glance.

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Grades? anyone remember their college GPA?
I stll say that scoring defense is the only number that matters-- 18.1 points per game allowed, 4th in the league

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Hard to argue with that one. Especially since scoring defense also includes pick-sixes, fumble returns for TD and special teams TD's.

Fourth in the league is simply a very very good number.

Surprising Grades on Defense
 

Not surprised... Lofton is doing what he can but he was never a great MLB in a 4-3 defense so his new role in this defense would obviously take some getting used to. I'm really curious about C.J. Mosley/Kyle Van Noy in the draft next year even if we have to trade up to get them.

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This is all interesting but.... scoreboard. :)

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When you see all the surprising grades doesn't it make you question the grading system?

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Whats that?

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He was superb in Atlanta. Thing with Lofton, he's not good in pass coverage. Hes also not very fast. I'm interested in getting faster at the position.

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He wasn't superb in Atlanta... They let him go because he wasn't a 3 down player. We were suckered in to signing him and now he's not quite fitting in because of the exact same reason the Falcons let him walk. He's an ok player but the Falcons were unfortunately right... He's not that good in coverage and he's not a good tackler.

Surprising Grades on Defense
 

I must be watching a different team. The Saints are the ones wearing black and gold correct? J/k Chris. But I can't agree with you on Lofton.

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+1 ChrisXVI. I actually think Mosely is top 5 talent in all of college football & has a very promising NFL future. In the right system, he will flourish.

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wow, when did the Lofton is the new Shanle bandwagon start?

Lofton has played over 150 more snaps than ANY other of our LB's. Perhaps Ryan knows something the 'grader' doesn't? FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2013 NFL SNAP COUNTS

Some other folks thinks he's okay too
Linebacker Rankings: 2013 Regular Season - FF Today

Luke Kuechly tops inside linebacker rankings - NFL.com

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

What Lofton are u watching? The one that's not good in coverage or the one that's not good in stopping the run? Just because someone is on our team doesn't mean that they're beyond reproach.

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Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

^

Yes, but you (ChrisXVI) are talking about him like he's some worthless bum. I've said this before but some of ya'll talk about Lofton like he is Orlando Ruff or Mark Simoneau or somebody. Lofton may not be a superstar but he is a good player. I would urge you to re-watch the first 4 or 5 games this season and still try to say bad things about him. Maybe he is dinged-up the last few weeks or something because we can see him not getting to the ball as much but that doesn't mean he isn't still a key piece of the defense.

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

This one

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I guess I am watching the one who has 24 more tackles than any other player on the team, so reproach away.
Again, Ryan thinks enough of him to have him out there much more than any other LB, and that's good enough for me.

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

The thing about these grading services (I am assuming this one is PFF) is that they don't really know any particulars about a given play call or an individual's responsibility for that play.

Obviously if the DE beats his man clean and gets a sack, that's a plus for him, if he gets ragdolled that's a minus. If a corner in press coverage gets torched, it's all on him, etc. etc.

But honestly, you can't really judge linebackers, safeties or even linemen on run defense if you don't know what the play call was. If Lofton is supposed to blitz the A gap and the running back slips just past him, is that really his fault? Or if, say Herring blows his coverage and Lofton tries to make up ground to the ball but just can't make the play, is that his fault?

I agree with somebody above, if Ryan didn't think Lofton was playing at a fairly high level and contributing a whole lot to the defense, he wouldn't be on the field. Hawthorne and Humber have both been real good, yet Lofton is still out on the field most third downs. To me that says way more about his importance to the defense than any grading service.

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missed tackles - their definition of miss tackles?
Lofton is a 43 guy thats why we brought him here. in a 34 he is a 2 down LB that is a bit out of place. besides no one ever concidered him a cover LB. in fact that is why the falclowns let him go. but he seems to be working on it that or he is stumbling into the right passing lanes a bit more this year.

But he is getting better :p

Pass rush takes time. he is a small school kid that i am willing to give 2 more years to develop, way ahead of the curve in my book

of course he gets picked on. never put up great INT numbers so he is a solid risk to attack

some one has to wear the crown

Re: Surprising Grades on Defense
 

I just shared the grades.... Didn't give them.

A missed tackle is a missed tackle. They also listed stops, which I assume to be an assist.

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I've seen more Lewis on #1s.

That wasn't NE #1 that scored the last TD on Greer in the back corner, neither was it Dallas's #1.

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Interesting replies.... So we all agree with the positives but the negatives are flawed? LOL

Surprising Grades on Defense
 

Here, I corrected the OP so it's more to your liking.

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I could care less about respect or injuries. This league is about match ups. Our best against their best that are on the field that day.

People that put form over function are weak and lack self esteem to the point that they seek empty approval.

To me #1 is the clear cut most receptions target. That's Eddleman, he has been that target since the start of the season. Eddleman has 49 receptions making him tied for 13th most receptions in the league.... And that's including Tight Ends. I wasn't guessing on NE, I had Eddleman on my fantasy team because he generated great PPR. Next is Dobson with 31 receptions. 18 rec difference is a huge number in this comparison.

Same as the Saints we a clear #1 but no clear #2 as out 2nd and 3rd highest rec are RBs.

Graham 54
Thomas 46
Sproles 44
Colston 34