Maybe some room for optimism (tackling)

[Stel]

While wasting some time at work I came across an analysis of missed tackles by team. Last season, the Rams were 27th in the NFL in missed tackles, ahead of only Dallas, Oakland, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and New Orleans. We missed an average of just over 8 tackles per game. Missed tackles are a killer on defense by extending drives and leading to big plays.

Interestingly, we were tied for 2nd best in missed tackles on special teams with one missed tackle every 2 games. Special teams seems to have a lot of back ups and developmental types, especially among the DBs. Maybe better tackling is on the way.


https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/02/10/sig-stats-tackling-efficiency-by-team/

 

[snackdaddy]

Missed tackles are certainly an important factor in a team's success. But I noticed the Seahawks were middle of the pack and the Cardinals were further down. The 49ers were second best. Seahawks were NFC champs and Cardinals were an 11 win team. Apparently the missed tackles didn't hurt them too much. I guess they're good enough to overcome them.

 

[Rams43]

The art of tackling seems to be a lower priority in high school and college, it seems.

Players now come to the NFL lacking even what would have been considered fundamental skills back in the day.

Like sending a college graduate out into the world lacking the ability to scarcely read or write. Oh wait!.....

Seriously, the ESPN highlight reel seems to be the goal of too many of today's players, huh?

I'm sure I'm not the only one that appreciates a solid wrap up tackle. Sometimes a game saver.

Remember SB 34?

 

[Alan]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2015/broken-tackles-2014-defenses
Broken Tackles 2014: Defenses
Most Broken Tackles by Defenders, 2014
Player
BT (Blown Tackles)
Rate

Josh Evans
22
23.9%

Charles Woodson
21
18.6%

Ron Parker
20
18.5%

Rashad Johnson
17
17.7%

Michael Griffin
17
14.8%

Jonathan Cyprien
17
15.5%

Ryan Clark
16
17.0%

Greg Toler
15
21.7%

Paul Worrilow
15
12.4%

Rodney McLeod
14
17.9%

Mike Adams
14
15.1%

Morgan Burnett
14
11.9%

Larry Foote
14
17.1%

Kendrick Lewis
13
16.7%

Janoris Jenkins
13
19.4%

D'Qwell Jackson
13
10.9%

David Hawthorne
13
17.3%

Alec Ogletree
13
12.5%

DeAndre Levy
13
9.2%

E.J. Gaines
12
15.6%

Jimmy Wilson
12
18.8%

D.J. Swearinger
12
16.4%

Mychal Kendricks
12
15.2%

Donte Whitner
12
12.1%

Kareem Jackson
12
19.0%

Dashon Goldson
12
15.8%

 

[LACHAMP46]

Better players get more attempts to "make" tackles, that otherwise wouldn't have been attempted...Better players make players "miss" tackles....Another skewed stat by PFF....If I'm so slow, I can't get a hand on the runner, is this a missed tackle? If I'm so fast, I attempt more tackles than some others at the same position, am I graded lower?

 

[Stel]

Better players get more attempts to "make" tackles, that otherwise wouldn't have been attempted...Better players make players "miss" tackles....Another skewed stat by PFF....If I'm so slow, I can't get a hand on the runner, is this a missed tackle? If I'm so fast, I attempt more tackles than some others at the same position, am I graded lower?

That's why you have to look at both the raw number of missed tackles AND the rate. Whether you're fast or slow, a high percentage of missed tackles isn't a good thing.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Cool topic.

 

[Alan]

LACHAMP46 asking a rhetorical question:
am I graded lower?

Yes!

If it makes you feel any better you're rated two places higher than me.

 

[SaneRamsFan]

Missed tackles are something even the most novice of fans can identify. There are other issues just as big but none more noticeable.