We've mentioned it on several threads...

He's my argument for going to a 3-4...

Would love to hear the coaching staff's reasoning for the reluctance to play him...

We play both 3-4 and 4-3.

He received 1/3 of all the defensive snaps, and only Cam Jordan and Bobby Richardson took more snaps at DE.

I probably wouldn't call that a reluctance to play him. Especially considering he graded out as our 4th worst defensive player on the field.

Assuming the grading out is based on PFF...

Useful tool, but over-reliant and not nearly all encompassing...

Saw too many plays where Cam Jordan ran upfield and right by ball carriers, failing to secure the edge...

That last killer drive by Detroit in the Saints vain comeback comes to mind...

PFF gave Cam Jordan a great grade in that game where I thought his gaffes cost the comeback...

I'd be curious if PFF, using sabremetrics as they do, would factor sacks/plays; that's legitimate production and Edebali leads the team...

GOING BEYOND THE STATS
OUR GRADING SYSTEM IS CONCERNED WITH HOW A PLAYER PERFORMED ON A PARTICULAR PLAY, NOT THE OUTCOME OF THAT PLAY.

For example, if a quarterback hits a wide receiver perfectly in stride on a post route in between two defenders, and the receiver drops the ball, it goes down in the box score as an incompletion. But in our system, that quarterback receives a positive grade for making a great throw. His statistics should not be punished based on the fact that his receiver dropped a pass.

Our detailed analysis starts by adding to the base statistics with critical information, including the depth of the drop by the quarterback, the intended and actual point of attack on a run play, and the hang-time of punts and kickoffs on special teams.

We then add to this with a level of detail that surpasses any other data source: the grading of each player on a play-by-play basis to judge how each player has executed his assignment on a given play.

This in-depth grading allows us to judge player performance in every facet of the game before compiling individual plays into an overall grade for each player by game, by season, and beyond. As a result, we can show things like how two edge defenders may have the same overall grade, but one is a significantly better run defender while the other is significantly more disruptive as a pass-rusher.

STEP 1
We grade.
An analyst grades every single player and every single play on a scale of -2 to +2.

STEP 2
We grade again.
The initial grading is reviewed by a second analyst to ensure accuracy.

STEP 3
We grade a third time.
The second analyst’s grading is checked by a third analyst. You can never be too careful.

STEP 4
We verify.
Our grades are verified by the Pro Coach Network and their 400 years of combined NFL and college coaching experience.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/about/how-we-grade/

I'd like more detail on their grading system too. I know they use former players, scouts and "experts" to grade players but it would be interesting to see what they grade and how.

Often times the player that gets the sack didn't really make the play. Someone else did and created the sack for another player.

Teams may double team Cam, letting someone else go free for the sack. The sack may go to someone else, but Cam is the reason for the sack.

I've heard that they include that in their grades, but haven't seen anything definitive about it.


Edit... From their site...