Recently the 32 Observations has given an in-depth look at the passers and receivers in the league. Well fret not defensive players because this time around we're going to give some love to the defensive players of the NFL.
Here is some data to back up how good (or not so good) certain defensive players are in certain situations. Feel free to throw these factoids in the face of your friends and really show them how deep your NFL knowledge goes.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Defensive Tackle Kyle Williams has a Pass Rushing Productivity of 8.3, which is the second-highest mark among all defensive tackles/nose tackles.
Miami Dolphins: Cornerback Sean Smith has been targeted deep (over 20 yards in the air) 10 times this year, but has yet to allow a catch from that range.
New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo has a Tackling Efficiency of 37.5, which is the best for all 4-3 outside linebackers. He has 63 tackles compared to just two missed tackles.
New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson has 27 total stops; second-most amongst 3-4 defensive ends. 15 of them came in two games; at Miami and vs. Indianapolis. He has 12 stops in his other six games.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: On 12.8% of Dannell Ellerbe’s pass rushes, he gets either a sack or a hit. That is the third-highest rate for all players with 40 or more pass rushes.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cornerback Terence Newman has been the most targeted defender on short passes (0-10 yards) to allow a catch rate lower than 50%. On 28 passes he has allowed just 13 completions for 121 yards with an interception.
Cleveland Browns: Safety T.J. Ward has a Tackling Efficiency of 23.5, which is third-highest for all safeties. He has 40 tackles on the year compared to just two missed tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Safety Ryan Clark leads all safeties in Run Stop Percentage at 8.6 percent. On the other hand, neither Will Allen nor Ryan Mundy have made a run stop this year.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Defensive end J.J. Watt has nine combined sacks and hits on first down, which is the most of any player.
Indianapolis Colts: Kavell Conner has a Run Stop Percentage of 15.9%, which is the second-highest for all inside/middle linebackers.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Both Andre Branch and Jeremy Mincey are in the Bottom 10 in terms of Pass Rushing Productivity for 4-3 defensive ends. Branch has a PRP of 5.3 and Mincey is at 6.1, which are both below the league average for defensive ends at 7.9.
Tennessee Titans: Outside Linebacker Akeem Ayers has had 21 of his 30 stops come on first downs, which is the second most of all defensive players.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Outside Linebacker Von Miller has five sacks in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the most regardless of position. His 18 overall pressures in the fourth are also tied for the most.
Kansas City Chiefs: Outside Linebacker Justin Houston has a Pass Rushing Productivity of 14.8, which is the highest for all 3-4 outside linebackers.
Oakland Raiders: On 26.5% of Philip Wheeler’s pass rushes he has generated pressure on the quarterback. That is the most for any player with at least 40 pass rushes.
San Diego Chargers: Donald Butler has been in on 24 plays where the offense needed 1 or 2 yards for a first down and they ran the ball. On five of those plays Butler prevented the opposition from getting a first down.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has 10 sacks in the season, with six of them coming in the second quarter.
New York Giants: Both Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck have had their Pass Rushing Productivity — when lined up at defensive end — decline. Umenyiora has gone from 11.0 to 8.1 from last year to this year, while Tuck has gone from 8.5 to 6.3.
Philadelphia Eagles: Middle Linebacker DeMeco Ryans leads all inside/middle linebackers in Tackling Efficiency at 63.0. He has 32 tackles in the run game and has not missed one, while he has 17 tackles in the pass game with one missed tackle.
Washington Redskins: There were six games in 2011 where DeAngelo Hall gave up 70 or more receiving yards in a game. He has allowed that many receiving yards in six of the last seven games.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Cornerback Charles Tillman has allowed just 8.1 yards per catch, which is the lowest for all corners who have been targeted 40 or more times.
Detroit Lions: The Lions' defensive line has converted 50% of its pressure into sacks or hits, which is the highest rate in the league for defensive lines.
Green Bay Packers: Defensive linemen Ryan Pickett has just one pressure on his 131 pass rushes. That is the lowest rate of getting pressure of any player with one or more pressures.
Minnesota Vikings: Cornerback Antoine Winfield has a Run Stop Percentage of 6.1% which is the highest for all cornerbacks. He has 14 run stops, with DeAngelo Hall being the only other cornerback with more than seven.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon is second amongst 4-3 outside linebackers in Yards Per Coverage Snap at 0.53 and is first in Pass Rushing Productivity at 23.0.
Carolina Panthers: The two cornerbacks leading Yards Per Coverage Snap in the league are Chris Gamble at 0.45 and Josh Thomas at 0.47.
New Orleans Saints: While dime safety Isa Abdul-Quddus has been in coverage for 109 snaps, he has only allowed two catches for 14 yards. His 0.13 Yards Per Coverage Snap is tied for the lowest among safeties.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber has ten defensive stops on third down, which is the most for defensive players regardless of position.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: There have been seven plays where Patrick Peterson has been the target on wide receiver screens. Two of those passes have fallen incomplete, and of the other five Peterson either made the tackle or the assist, allowing just 5 yards and no first downs.
St. Louis Rams: Of JoLonn Dunbar’s 31 stops, 14 have come in the second quarter which is the most of any player.
San Francisco 49ers: Chris Culliver has been the man in coverage on 10 go routes. Of those he allowed just one catch for 39 yards compared to two interceptions.
Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner has 11 run stops in the third quarter which is more than any other player. He also has 11 run stops in the fourth quarter which is also more than any other player.
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