FLOWERY BRANCH – A look at the Falcons pass-rush ratio explains why the team elected to move on from veteran defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Tyson Jackson.
Hoping to get a better pass-rush up the middle next to the emerging Grady Jarrett, they signed two-time Pro Bowler Dontari Poe in free agency. Also, the Falcons are heavily scouting the pass rushers in the upcoming draft, which is set for April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
We started compiling the pass-rush ratio – sacks, hits and hurries – after years of former coach Mike Smith telling us that sacks were not important. Since they couldn’t get stacks, the goal was to affect the quarterback and hurries and hits are part of the pass rush.
The 34 sacks were the most by the Falcons since the 2007 team had 37 sacks.
The Falcons registered their 34 sacks over 655 pass attempts last season. They had a sack per 4.9 pass attempt, which ranked 27th in the league. The Falcons had 19 sacks over 561 pass attempts in 2015. They had a sack per 3.3 pass attempt, which ranked last (32nd) in the league.
In 2016, when you count the hurries and quarterback hits, the Falcons affected the quarterback on 255.5 of 655 pass attempts (39 percent). Beasley led the team with 16.5 hits and 33.5 hurries. With his sacks, he affected the quarterback on 65.5 plays.
In 2015, the Falcons had 19 sacks, 70 hurries and 75 hits (164 plays) on 561 pass attempts for (29.2 percent).which ranked 27th in the league. The Falcons had 19 sacks over 561 pass attempts in 2015. They had a sack per 3.3 pass attempt, which ranked last (32nd) in the league.
In 2016, when you count the hurries and quarterback hits, the Falcons affected the quarterback on 255.5 of 655 pass attempts (39 percent). Beasley led the team with 16.5 hits and 33.5 hurries. With his sacks, he affected the quarterback on 65.5 plays.
In 2015, the Falcons had 19 sacks, 70 hurries and 75 hits (164 plays) on 561 pass attempts for (29.2 percent).
https://infogr.am/falcons_16_pass_rush_ratio
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
https://infogr.am/falcons_16_pass_rush_ratio
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