Another week, another chance to bring you some weird and wonderful numbers in our 32 Teams, 32 Observations weekly feature. With every team now having played at least eight games, we've collected ourselves absolutely oodles of data which means that in theory the stats should get even more eyebrow raising. The challenge is on.
A few weeks back I looked specifically at defensive players, and this week we will turn to the offensive side of the ball. More specifically, I’ll take a look at one player who is doing well on offense that wasn’t playing so well or didn’t see much playing time last year. I’m nice like that.
Let’s get it on – stats style.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Running back Fred Jackson has seen a big improvement in the receiving game, where he had 0.76 Yards Per Pass Route run (53rd out of 58 qualifying backs), but this year it’s up to 2.09. That figure is the seventh best in the league.
Miami Dolphins: Quarterback Matt Moore has seen his PFF rating increase in each week he’s been a starter. He had an Accuracy Percentage of 67.2% last year compared to 71.9% so far this year.
New England Patriots: Last year Brian Waters was the weakest link among Chiefs run blockers with a -7.1 run block rating. He’s turned it around with a +1.4 run block rating this year; second best of the New England linemen.
New York Jets: Tight End Dustin Keller had 12 drops last year which was tied for the most for tight ends. This year he has just one.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Offensive Tackle Michael Oher allowed 21 sacks and hits combined in 2010, but this year has cut it down to just six so far.
Cincinnati Bengals: In 2010, Cedric Benson had a rushing average of 3.6 or better in just four of 16 games. In 2011, he has had an average of 3.6 or better in six of seven games.
Cleveland Browns: Tight End Evan Moore has a positive receiving rating in all eight games, which is only true for one other tight end this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Right Guard Ramon Foster has stepped up big time to make the worst offensive line a little less bad. He allowed 10 hits/sacks and had seven total penalties in 2010, and has cut both numbers down in 2011 to just two hits/sacks and no penalties.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: In 2010, Owen Daniels had a Drop Rate of 9.76%, which ranked him in the league's bottom half. This year he leads the league with a Drop Rate of 0% and has the most catches (33) for a player without a drop.
Indianapolis Colts: While it might surprise you, there is in fact a player on this offense who is performing better in one area this year than last. Running back Donald Brown has forced seven missed tackles on 46 carries, compared to last year where he had nine on 129.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year Eugene Monroe had one of the lowest Pass Blocking Efficiency ratings at 92.5. This year his 96.6 rating puts him at eighth-best for tackles.
Tennessee Titans: Left Tackle Michael Roos allowed nine sacks which was ninth-most among tackles in 2010. This year he has yet to allow one. Of the tackles who have yet to allow a sack, his 319 pass-blocking snaps are the most.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: A change in scenery has done a lot for Willis McGahee. He had a Breakaway Percentage of 22.0% last year and is up to 34.3% this year.
Kansas City Chiefs: After having 59 snaps last year, running back Jackie Battle has proven his worth. He’s had 3.0 yards per carry after contact, which is just slightly lower than Jamaal Charles and his 3.1 last year.
Oakland Raiders: Left Tackle Jared Valdheer in his first year allowed 15 hits/sacks, but has cut it down to just three half way through his sophomore season.
San Diego Chargers: Tight End Randy McMichael allowed seven overall pressures on 124 pass blocks last year, and has improved to just one overall pressure on 82 pass blocks this year.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver Miles Austin had a poor overall rating last year due to seven penalties, and the fifth-worst run block rating. Now he has just one penalty and an average run block rating.
New York Giants: Tight End Jake Ballard was given just six snaps last year, but now is making them forget Kevin Boss. He’s had 2.56 Yards Per Pass Route Run; the highest for any TE in 2011.
Philadelphia Eagles: After not starting since Week 9 of the 2009 season, the Eagles have made the most of left guard Evan Mathis. His +8.5 run block rating is significantly higher than any other left guard this year, with +4.9 being the closest.
Washington Redskins: Unfortunately, the two players who have seen the most improvement are Tim Hightower (on pass plays) and Kory Lichtensteiger (in pass protection), have both landed on injured reserve.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: While 2010 wasn’t a poor year for Matt Forte, he’s been much improved in the run game this year. His Elusive Rating has increased from 28.2 to 59.4, placing him in the Top 10.
Detroit Lions: Last year, guard Stephen Peterman had the worst overall rating of the Lions' linemen, and this year he has the best. He had the sixth-lowest run block rating in 2010, and is now right around the league average, while he allowed 32 overall pressures last year and just seven this year.
Green Bay Packers: After allowing 20 combined sacks and hits on his way to a Super Bowl, Bryan Bulaga has yet to allow one in the six games he’s played in.
Minnesota Vikings: Center John Sullivan has pulled a complete 180 in terms of his blocking for Adrian Peterson. He had the seventh-worst run block rating last year at -7.7, where this year he's third-best at +7.6.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Tight end Tony Gonzalez who was just an average receiver in 2010 has 1.72 Yards Per Pass Route Run; exactly the same as receiver Roddy White.
Carolina Panthers: Wide Receiver Steve Smith had 121 yards on deep passes in 2010, where this year he leads the league with 444.
New Orleans Saints: As an undrafted rookie in 2008, fullback Jed Collins has not played an offensive snap until this year. With his chance, he’s accumulated a +8.2 blocking rating, which is nearly double the second best player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Left tackle Donald Penn allowed a pressure on 8.6% of pass plays in 2010, but has cut that down to just 6.0% of pass plays this year.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Right guard Rex Hadnot who played just seven snaps last year hasn’t missed a snap yet, and has a Pass Blocking Productivity of 97.7; the highest for a Cardinals guard in the four years we’ve graded players.
St Louis Rams: People might point to Sam Bradford’s decrease in passer rating (76.5 to 72.3) as a sign of a sophomore slump. Our version of the Quarterback Rating, however, has him improving with a rating of 77.17 last year to 82.75 this year.
San Francisco 49ers: Quarterback Alex Smith has been much more accurate this year, going from an Accuracy Percentage of 71.1% to 75.0%; just behind Rodgers and Brees.
Seattle Seahawks: Center Max Unger rated as one of the worst run-blocking guards as a rookie in 2009, played just one game in 2010, but now, after moving to center, he rates in the Top 10 in terms of run blocking.
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