Stradley interviews KC Joyner, re: the secondary

by BigTexBD on Jan 19, 2009 11:38 PM CST

Besides giving MDC props, Steph Stradley interviews ESPN's KC Joyner, who uses performance metrics to analyze the League (interesting in the Bill James/Baseball kind of way). She mostly asks about the secondary, and a couple of surprising answers come to light. Using his metrics (in this case YPA), we overrate Dunta and underrate Frenchy. Also, Fred Bennet's struggles were probably just of the "sophomore slump" variety and he should improve noticeably next season.

Head over to her blog at the Chron (it's the good one; you'll know it when you see it) to read why/more, and give her some page views and feedback.

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Thanks BigTex BD for the tip, Steph's interview with KC was good

If the stats say that we are overrating Dunta and underrating Frenchy, then I will have to reiterate one of my football axioms: “Stats are for losers”. While we may have been too hard on Frenchy at times, and here’s hoping that he is young and therefore capable of significant improvement next year, it was very frustrating to see him alternate between giving a 10 yard cushion on 3rd and 6 and not turning his head or even raising his arms on almost every deep ball. He has the physical tools, but not the instincts of a great CB. Dunta on the other hand has all the instincts, great tackling ability and leadership oozing from his pores. I saw flashes of good play from The Fred in the last 6 games, and Molden did not even get a chance. I would like to see us use a 1st, 2nd or 3rd on a CB, because you can never have too many good ones, but our current cast may not be as bad as they seemed last year.

by oiler-texan diehard on Jan 20, 2009 9:25 PM CST reply actions

I agree with you

I tend to believe my eyes more than the numbers, and my eyes tell me that Frenchy can’t even hold a candle to Dunta. Joyner states the d-line is more talented than they play; if they can actually find a way to get more consistent pressure on opposing QBs, the secondary will reap the benefits via bad passes.

by BigTexBD on Jan 20, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

Both Bush and Kollar are already preaching attack, attack, attack

It’s gotta be better than last year even if it’s the same cast. Strongly believe though that either the 1st or 2nd pick will be DT or DE. Kollar says he likes the smallish fast DE’s, and there are some like Everette Brown and Aaron Maybin that may be around when we pick. If not we can probably pick up a big DT even if we trade down. If we just achieve Kollars’s average sack total of 37.5 it will be a 50% increase for us. That would also translate into more hurried throws which is what we saw for the last 6 games (except Oakland) last year.

by oiler-texan diehard on Jan 21, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

Not to mention

Incoming DC Bush said the reason for the improvement over the last half of 2008 was one Dunta Robinson on the field.

Leadership from Dunta is more important than any stats we can see from last year. Almost nobody will argue that play AND leadership was there from Dunta pre-injury.

He’ll still be the leader no matter the #2 we bring in next year. If our QB pressure is better, I bet our secondary isn’t even mentioned among our weaknesses in 2009 even with the same personnel.

Please draft some defensive stars for the next DC.

by texanphil on Jan 22, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions