From the Hart: Rookie sacks exploded in 2011
Posted by ahart on February 22, 2012 – 3:52 pm
The Patriots weren’t part of the party, but 2011 was a banner year for rookie pass rushers. While New England was one of just two NFL teams (Eagles) with a pair of double digit sack masters – both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson had 10 sacks! – the team didn’t have the young, developing pass rusher that fans have been clamoring for during the pre-draft process in recent years.
In the past we’ve heard that New England avoided top-end pass rushers near the top of the draft because so few of them actually panned out early in their careers. And the statistics backed that up in recent history. But those stats got thrown for a loop in 2011.
This past fall 13 rookies had five or more sacks. Seven players had seven or more sacks, led by Aldon Smith’s 14. Von Miller wasn’t too far behind with 11.5. Patriots fans’ pre-draft favorites like Jabaal Sheard (8.5), Ryan Kerrigan (7.5) and Brooks Reed (6), all had very productive rookie seasons. Sheard added to his numbers with an impressive five forced fumbles for the Browns. Kerrigan had four in Washington.
Those numbers were a huge increase from recent years. In 2010 only three rookies had five or more sacks. A year earlier only two guys had five or more. In each of the two years before that, three rookies had five or more sacks in each season.
While only 11 rookies had five or more sacks in the years from 2007-2010 combined, more than that reached the number this past fall alone.
Is that a one-year statistical aberration based on an impressive rookie class of pass rushers that Bill Belichick chose not to tap into? Is it the start of a trend toward young edge players having an impact in a league that becomes more pass-heavy by the day?
This year’s crop of pass rushers isn’t as good as the group that was at the Combine at this time a year ago. But the Patriots still need to find a young guy to develop on the edge of the front seven. As we saw last fall, plenty of those guys can play right away and add an instant impact to a defense.
Whitney Mercilus, anyone? Melvin Ingram?
Is this the year Belichick finally goes after a pass rusher at the top of the draft? Do you think he needs to? Let us know with a comment below!
Posted in NFL Scouting Combine (2012) | 14 Comments »
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By Tim on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
Absolutely the Patriots need a pass rusher! With a solid pass rush, the Patriots could easily build a capable defense. Even if they don’t get one of the very big names like Mercilus or Ingram, I have faith that BB could take at least a capable rusher and turn him into the likes of Von Miller. Although, I do think the Safety position needs to be addressed more urgently.
By Corey on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
Don’t we have this discussion every year? Belichick will not move up to draft a top tier player and no one should expect that. We would all like to find a young pass rusher to have an immediate impact but there is no guarantee this class will mirror last year’s As much as I would like to see them beef up the pass rush, I think this year we are good with Carter/Anderson on the edge for one, maybe two years and sure up the pass coverage. Hopefully Dowling can stay healthy and contribute all year. If he can and the Pats get another corner and safety, watch out.
I am also petitioning to get both Mike Wallace and Brandon Lloyd. Bid adieu to Deion and open up a roster spot for the both of them and see if anyone can stop that train.3 50 passing guaranteed every week? Yes, please! Trade the Saints’ 27 to the Steelers and pay Wallace like the beast he is and give Lloyd the chance to play in a super bowl, I say he’ll take the hit financially.
Love the articles and I look forward to following everything you guys do this off-season!!
By Bill in Carlsbad on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
I think Vinny Curry is the guy for us. he’s the size Bill likes and can play 3-4 backer or 4-3 end He’ll probably be available late in the first…and I think he’d be a steal there
By Alexander on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
“Rookie sacks exploded” You’re funny Andy.
By Glen Poirier on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
Agree that Patriots need to draft a pass rusher, but I expect BB to draft OL or OT to protect Brady. Draft options for Patriots are once again wide open with 2 picks in first two rounds. Let’s not forget FA, Hou DE Mario Williams is a FA…could BB give up a draft pick to Hou? 2012 Draft is going to be very interesting–especially with the Rookie cap on salaries. Any fan would like to see Wallace or Marshall on their team but both? Can Patriots afford them? Love the article!
By bryce on Feb 22, 2012 | Reply
Who knows.Need is relative [ he nearly won a bowl without drafting one so you tell us...].Everyone including pfw and espn boston and patriot nation were crying bb never drafted one last year and look what happened.wouldn’t count on it- but hey you never know,this could be the year he’ll do a 180 and get that edge rusher.
By MIKE D on Feb 23, 2012 | Reply
Hey, Andy.
Jabaal Sheard would have been an interesting pick at No.33 last year. But isn’t he a DE? Can he stand up and play OLB, let alone drop back in coverage? Well, the funny thing is, that’s the question we’re gonna be asking ourselves about Mark Anderson (if he’s re-signed). At least Sheard would have come a bit cheaper.
Whitney Mercilus seems like a one-year-wonder to me. Hopefully he isn’t, for his sake (and the Pats’, if we draft him). But Melvin Ingram, now there’s a potential stud. But there’s no way he falls to No.27.
Maybe Courtney Upshaw. Andre Branch, perhaps?
By bigwave on Feb 23, 2012 | Reply
Corey,
Let’s get real. Andre Carter is old and coming off a possible career-ending injury. He might not be back at all. Anderson’s contract is up and he might want more $$$ or more years than the Patriots will give. They could both be gone this summer.
By Lundahl le gueulard on Feb 23, 2012 | Reply
what’s next ? “Deep threats” or whatever that means ? Guys who run down the field 50 yards and catch the football. Who does that ? No one. Yes, someone did, that was 2007 Randy Moss. And since then ? No one. Don’t throw at me Andre Johnson because the guy is 32 years old and what has he done compared to Moss and Welker for a number one overall pick ? Nothing unbelievable. And CJ is a number one overall pick as well, I’d rather have Gronk than CJ, Gronk is a rock, last time the Pats played the Lions McCourty owned CJ. What’s a deep threat ? It’s a marketing slogan launched by people like you after the 2007 Randy Moss season.
By John from Lynn on Feb 24, 2012 | Reply
The Pats need a backer’ more able
to pass rush and run stop like Vrabel
we may find some appealing
But when Bill’s done his dealing
we’ll wind up with another Shawn Crable!
By John from Lynn on Feb 24, 2012 | Reply
At the combine they’ll put on a show
full of beasts, not like boring May-o
But Pats fans should beware
The next L.T. we snare
Could be a a Gholston getting the dough!
By Hayden on Feb 24, 2012 | Reply
John! How can you say Jerod Mayo is boring? He’s a versatile line backer and makes more of an impact on the D then most people would think. He’s not exactly Terrel Suggs, but he’s not awful either. He’s a solid player in my opinion.
Also, I would love to see the patriots draft a stud pass rusher like Vinny Curry, Whitney Mercilus, or Melvin Ingram. But in all honesty I think they might play it safe with a lineman like Peter Konz. Who knows, it’s a BB draft which means anything goes!
By John from Lynn on Feb 24, 2012 | Reply
Mayo is boring in that he doesn’t register eye-popping sack and FF stats. He’s a very good solid player unlike the fools’ gold that Gholston turned out to be.
In hindsight I’d take a “boring” Mayo over a Gholston but on draft day who looked like the playmaking game-changer? I would have taken the bait, but Bill doesn’t swing for the fences like that and the Jets beat him to it anyway!
By Karthik on Feb 27, 2012 | Reply
And they could have got jabaal sheard or brooks reed instead of the injury prone Ras I dowling. Now they still have two positions to fill- CB and pass rush.