Surprising Grades on Defense

ScottF · 11-15-2013, 09:51 PM

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

ChrisXVI · 11-15-2013, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by ScottF

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

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.

jeanpierre · 11-15-2013, 10:17 PM

While Greer is not the player he was a few years ago; he's also up against the oppositions' No. 1 WRs - and there's a reason why they're No. 1 on their team...

Moving forward toward the 34, which is easier to staff than a 43, We've really got to make a concerted effort to get younger, faster, there as we've done on the line...

Glad to see Hawthorne getting it turned around after his rough first season...

And I'm becoming more of a fan each week with Corey White...

And I love our depth at safety with Bush and Abdul-Quddus...

Jack Vegas · 11-15-2013, 10:21 PM

^

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.

The Dude · 11-15-2013, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Crusader

Which Jenkins is that?

This one

Leeroy Jenkins - YouTube

ScottF · 11-15-2013, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

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.

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.

Jack Vegas · 11-16-2013, 02:20 AM

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.

hagan714 · 11-16-2013, 05:45 AM