I reviewed every defensive play from the 2019 season in stop action and slow motion. For each DL, I determined whether the DL was effectively or ineffectively blocked. Generally speaking, if the DL gets off the block quickly, I consider him to be ineffectively blocked. If no one attempts to block the DL, I make no notation. I do not keep statistics for games against non division one opponents. I do include statistics for plays which are subsequently nullified by penalty.
This analysis is limited to just this one aspect of DL performance and is not an attempt to grade a DL which would take many more aspects of DL’s performance into account.
I express my results in ratios. For example, a 3.0:1 ratio means that a DL was effectively blocked 3 times for every one time he was ineffectively blocked. Obviously, the lower the ratio, the better the performance.
In an attempt to give greater coherence to the data, I have created three categories: clearly good, mediocre, and clearly bad. The delineation of these categories is based solely on past Miami DL performance and has been readjusted from time to time.
Blocked (Run)
Less than 3.3:0=clearly good
3.3:1 - 5.0:1=mediocre
Greater than 5.0:1=clearly bad
Blocked (Pass)
Less than 5.7:1=clearly good
5.7:1 - 9.5:1=mediocre
Greater than 9.5:1=clearly bad
I also keep track of tackles for loss, stuffs (tackles made between the line of scrimmage and two yards downfield), sacks, and QB pressures. I keep performance statistics, not game statistics. Therefore, I do not fractionalize. For example, if more than one defender makes a sack, I give all who are involved complete credit rather than partial credit. My statistics therefore, will usually be greater than the official statistics. For QB pressures, I include plays where a DL forces a QB to scramble even though he never puts the QB under duress when he passes the ball.
Season
Block (Run)
Clearly Good (<3.3:1)
1. Willis 1.6:1
3. Jackson, J. 1.8:1
3. Garvin 1.8:1
4. Patchen 2.0:1
5. McCray 2.5:1
6, Ogenigbo 2.6:1
Mediocre (3.3:1 - 5.0:1)
7. Jackson, D. 3.6:1
8. Ford 3.9:1
9. Bethel, P. 5.0:1
Clearly Bad (>5.0:1)
10. Joyner was effectively blocked on all 4 attempts.
Block (Pass)
Clearly Good (<5.7:1)
1. Joyner 0.9:1
3. Jackson, J. 2.8:1
3. Garvin 2.8:1
4. Willis 3.0:1
5. Patchen 3.0:1
6. Jackson, D. 3.2:1
7. Ogenigbo 4.2:1
8. Silvera 5.3:1
Mediocre (5.7:1 - 9.5:1)
9. Ford 7.8:1
10. McCray 8.1:1
Clearly Bad (>9.5:1)
11. Bethel, P. 9.8:1
Tackles For Loss
1. Willis 25
2, Garvin 20
3. Jackson, J. 14
4. Ogenigbo 12
6. Ford 4
6. Bethel, P. 4
8. Jackson, D. 3
8. Patchen 3
9. Silvera 2
10. McCray 1
Stuffs
1. Willis 26
2. Jackson 21
3. Garvin 16
4. Bethel, P. 13
5. Ogenigbp 9
6. Patchen 8
7. Ford 6
8. Silvera 4
Sacks
1. Jackson, J. 14
3. Willis 8
3. Garvin 8
4. Ogenigbo 2
5. Bethel, P. 1
QB Pressures
1. Garvin 54
2. Jackson 40
3. Willis 23
4. Ogenigbo 15
5. Bethel, P. 7
6. Ford 3
8. Joyner 2
8. Silvera 2
General Observations
1. This is the best DL we have had in a very long time. Willis, Garvin, and Jackson, J. had spectacular seasons and Ogenigbo came on very strong at the end of the year. The departure of Willis, Jackson, J. and Ogenigbo is a huge hit and there will be a marked drop off, especially at DT, this season.
2. I think Garvin’s production will suffer due to the absence of Willis and Jackson, J., even though, intrinsically, he may be a better ball player.
3. Silvera (DT) was pretty much a one trick pony (bull rush), but he looks pretty athletic for his size.
4. Bethel, P. (DT) is pretty good, nothing more.
5. Patchen (DE) is quick, but needs to be a lot stronger. He was consistently manhandled.
6. Joyner (DE) might be a wild card. He looks very athletic.
7. Ford is just OK.
8. At this point, with the exception of Garvin, I don't see a star DL on the roster. Maybe Rousseau will live up to last year's preseason accolades.
This analysis is limited to just this one aspect of DL performance and is not an attempt to grade a DL which would take many more aspects of DL’s performance into account.
I express my results in ratios. For example, a 3.0:1 ratio means that a DL was effectively blocked 3 times for every one time he was ineffectively blocked. Obviously, the lower the ratio, the better the performance.
In an attempt to give greater coherence to the data, I have created three categories: clearly good, mediocre, and clearly bad. The delineation of these categories is based solely on past Miami DL performance and has been readjusted from time to time.
Blocked (Run)
Less than 3.3:0=clearly good
3.3:1 - 5.0:1=mediocre
Greater than 5.0:1=clearly bad
Blocked (Pass)
Less than 5.7:1=clearly good
5.7:1 - 9.5:1=mediocre
Greater than 9.5:1=clearly bad
I also keep track of tackles for loss, stuffs (tackles made between the line of scrimmage and two yards downfield), sacks, and QB pressures. I keep performance statistics, not game statistics. Therefore, I do not fractionalize. For example, if more than one defender makes a sack, I give all who are involved complete credit rather than partial credit. My statistics therefore, will usually be greater than the official statistics. For QB pressures, I include plays where a DL forces a QB to scramble even though he never puts the QB under duress when he passes the ball.
Season
Block (Run)
Clearly Good (<3.3:1)
1. Willis 1.6:1
3. Jackson, J. 1.8:1
3. Garvin 1.8:1
4. Patchen 2.0:1
5. McCray 2.5:1
6, Ogenigbo 2.6:1
Mediocre (3.3:1 - 5.0:1)
7. Jackson, D. 3.6:1
8. Ford 3.9:1
9. Bethel, P. 5.0:1
Clearly Bad (>5.0:1)
10. Joyner was effectively blocked on all 4 attempts.
Block (Pass)
Clearly Good (<5.7:1)
1. Joyner 0.9:1
3. Jackson, J. 2.8:1
3. Garvin 2.8:1
4. Willis 3.0:1
5. Patchen 3.0:1
6. Jackson, D. 3.2:1
7. Ogenigbo 4.2:1
8. Silvera 5.3:1
Mediocre (5.7:1 - 9.5:1)
9. Ford 7.8:1
10. McCray 8.1:1
Clearly Bad (>9.5:1)
11. Bethel, P. 9.8:1
Tackles For Loss
1. Willis 25
2, Garvin 20
3. Jackson, J. 14
4. Ogenigbo 12
6. Ford 4
6. Bethel, P. 4
8. Jackson, D. 3
8. Patchen 3
9. Silvera 2
10. McCray 1
Stuffs
1. Willis 26
2. Jackson 21
3. Garvin 16
4. Bethel, P. 13
5. Ogenigbp 9
6. Patchen 8
7. Ford 6
8. Silvera 4
Sacks
1. Jackson, J. 14
3. Willis 8
3. Garvin 8
4. Ogenigbo 2
5. Bethel, P. 1
QB Pressures
1. Garvin 54
2. Jackson 40
3. Willis 23
4. Ogenigbo 15
5. Bethel, P. 7
6. Ford 3
8. Joyner 2
8. Silvera 2
General Observations
1. This is the best DL we have had in a very long time. Willis, Garvin, and Jackson, J. had spectacular seasons and Ogenigbo came on very strong at the end of the year. The departure of Willis, Jackson, J. and Ogenigbo is a huge hit and there will be a marked drop off, especially at DT, this season.
2. I think Garvin’s production will suffer due to the absence of Willis and Jackson, J., even though, intrinsically, he may be a better ball player.
3. Silvera (DT) was pretty much a one trick pony (bull rush), but he looks pretty athletic for his size.
4. Bethel, P. (DT) is pretty good, nothing more.
5. Patchen (DE) is quick, but needs to be a lot stronger. He was consistently manhandled.
6. Joyner (DE) might be a wild card. He looks very athletic.
7. Ford is just OK.
8. At this point, with the exception of Garvin, I don't see a star DL on the roster. Maybe Rousseau will live up to last year's preseason accolades.
