I started a different thread asking whether what my eyes told me or what the numbers told me was correct regarding the Patriots' seeming improvement on D. Well, you guys brought up some good points, so I re-looked at some numbers starting with the time Talib started playing (week 11 vs. Indy).
PPG allowed
W/O Talib: 21.8
W/ Talib: 21.1
Improvement: +0.9 ppg
YPG allowed
W/O Talib: 382.1
W/ Talib: 369.8
Improvement: +12.4 ypg
3rd Down % allowed
W/O Talib: 44.6%
W/ Talib: 33.3%
Improvement: +11.3%
Yds Per Play allowed
W/O Talib: 5.9
W/ Talib: 5.5
Improvement: +0.4
Note: Talib didn't play every game from week 11 on, and we could be really detailed and look at every single play that he was on the field or not. That's too complex for me at this point, so I'm trying to keep it simple.
The bottom line is that Talib has had a very positive effect on the defense, and the numbers - and not just the eye test - bear it out. This is a better defense with Talib and Dennard at the corners, and McCourty at FS, than it was with other combinations.
PPG allowed
W/O Talib: 21.8
W/ Talib: 21.1
Improvement: +0.9 ppg
YPG allowed
W/O Talib: 382.1
W/ Talib: 369.8
Improvement: +12.4 ypg
3rd Down % allowed
W/O Talib: 44.6%
W/ Talib: 33.3%
Improvement: +11.3%
Yds Per Play allowed
W/O Talib: 5.9
W/ Talib: 5.5
Improvement: +0.4
Note: Talib didn't play every game from week 11 on, and we could be really detailed and look at every single play that he was on the field or not. That's too complex for me at this point, so I'm trying to keep it simple.
The bottom line is that Talib has had a very positive effect on the defense, and the numbers - and not just the eye test - bear it out. This is a better defense with Talib and Dennard at the corners, and McCourty at FS, than it was with other combinations.