AFC Pro Bowl: Bob Sanders?

[mgteich]

I would take Sanders on my team this year (or any year), instead of any of the players listed. Let put it another way. If Sanders play for us instead of Indy, we'd be the AFC favorite at this point instead of Indy, and we'd have a bye.

 

[Miguel]

Even though Bob Sanders has arguably made a big difference for the Colts D, the Colts have still allowed 66.1% completions to opposing QBs, the highest completion rate for any defense in the NFL; this is even worse than last year's 65.1% completion rate. Though they haven't allowed too many yards passing, this is probably due to their horrible rush defense that teams take advantage; they have allowed 4.3 yards per carry to the running backs they have faced (I'll admit that this number is lower than the 4.6 ypc of last year).

If the pass completion rate has gotten worse, what exactly is Bob Sanders doing that is improving the defense? Though he may be supporting the run well, he is a free safety and his primary job is to defend the pass. Free safeties that do this should be the ones to make the Pro Bowl.

Talk about cherry-picking stats.

The Colts have
given up the 4th least receptions for TDs
the 6th most interceptions
the 5th most sacks
the 2nd lowest YPC rate (10.1)
given up very few big passing plays.

At the end of the game in which you are leading, if you are not giving up long passing plays, you are forcing the other team to use up the clock while they are completing short passes or rushing the ball.

Last year the Colts gave 351 points, or just under 22 points a game.
This year the Colts have given up 206, or just under 15 points a game
That is a 32% decrease in points allowed. I do not see how anyone can't call that an improvement.

 

[Brownfan80]

Talk about cherry-picking stats.

The Colts have
given up the 4th least receptions for TDs
the 6th most interceptions
the 5th most sacks
the 2nd lowest YPC rate (10.1)
given up very few big passing plays.

At the end of the game in which you are leading, if you are not giving up long passing plays, you are forcing the other team to use up the clock while they are completing short passes or rushing the ball.

Last year the Colts gave 351 points, or just under 22 points a game.
This year the Colts have given up 206, or just under 15 points a game
That is a 32% decrease in points allowed. I do not see how anyone can't call that an improvement.

I'm in your corner on this one Miguel.

Anyone can cherry pick stats to back up either side of a story, it's the whole statsheet and what the player does on the field that really tell the story. The Colts D is better this season. Bob Sanders is a big part of that.

 

[drpatriot]

Talk about cherry-picking stats.

The Colts have
given up the 4th least receptions for TDs
the 6th most interceptions
the 5th most sacks
the 2nd lowest YPC rate (10.1)
given up very few big passing plays.

At the end of the game in which you are leading, if you are not giving up long passing plays, you are forcing the other team to use up the clock while they are completing short passes or rushing the ball.

Last year the Colts gave 351 points, or just under 22 points a game.
This year the Colts have given up 206, or just under 15 points a game
That is a 32% decrease in points allowed. I do not see how anyone can't call that an improvement.

That's a fair statement. The Colts have allowed more pass completions, but for less yardage, as opposed to an opposite team, the Saints, who have allowed only 58.1% of passes to be completed but have an 11.8 YPC rate.

Last year, there were about 515 pass attempts on the average team. A team with a 66.1% completion rate with 10.1 yards per catch with 515 pass attempts - the Colts - has allowed 3178 passing yards, or 199 yards per game. A team with a 58.1% completion rate with 11.8 yards per with 515 pass attempts - the Saints - has allowed 3531 passing yards, or 221 yards per game. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that the Saints pass defense is terrible.

Following this same projection system, it is clear that the Colts passing defense has improved. The Colts of last year had 10.6 YPC and a 65.4% percentage passing rate, giving them a projected 3570 passing yards and 223 yards per game - even worse than the Saints this year. This improvement could be due to the play of Bob Sanders, the acquisition of Marlin Jackson, the play of Cato June and other linebackers, the pass rush of the Colts defensive line, or, more likely, a combination of all of these circumstances.

 

[Murphys95]

That's a fair statement. The Colts have allowed more pass completions, but for less yardage, as opposed to an opposite team, the Saints, who have allowed only 58.1% of passes to be completed but have an 11.8 YPC rate.

Last year, there were about 515 pass attempts on the average team. A team with a 66.1% completion rate with 10.1 yards per catch with 515 pass attempts - the Colts - has allowed 3178 passing yards, or 199 yards per game. A team with a 58.1% completion rate with 11.8 yards per with 515 pass attempts - the Saints - has allowed 3531 passing yards, or 221 yards per game. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that the Saints pass defense is terrible.

Following this same projection system, it is clear that the Colts passing defense has improved. The Colts of last year had 10.6 YPC and a 65.4% percentage passing rate, giving them a projected 3570 passing yards and 223 yards per game - even worse than the Saints this year. This improvement could be due to the play of Bob Sanders, the acquisition of Marlin Jackson, the play of Cato June and other linebackers, the pass rush of the Colts defensive line, or, more likely, a combination of all of these circumstances.

I tend to agree with DR here. Good year by Sanders. Kudos. But I don't buy into him, especially as the second coming of Rodney. His size killed him against the Chargers pass attack. Right now I'm willing to say, "good year" Sanders, and leave it at that.