Yesterday our look back at three-years worth of signature stats saw us begin to break down the pass protection numbers. It started with offensive tackles and today it’s going to move on to offensive guards, as we look at which are the most (and least) efficient pass blockers in the league.
For those not aware how we figure it out, we use our Pass Blocking Efficiency Signature Stat that looks not just at total pressure numbers but adds an extra level of context by looking at how many snaps an offensive player spent in pass protection. Do achieve this we add sacks to three quarters the value of the total number of hits and hurries, divide it by pass blocking snaps and then multiply by 100. We then subtract that number from 100 and the closer the result to 100 the better.
Simple enough. Let’s take a look at how the numbers break down (note: only those guards who spent at least 1,000 snaps in pass protection qualified for the study).
Total Pressure
A list of the guards who have given up the most pressure over the past three years doesn’t make good reading for the agent of Cooper Carlise. The Raider recently re-signed for another year, but after giving up 93 combined sacks, hits, and hurries since 2009 he is 14 ahead of the man in second spot, Davin Joseph. That’s right, the man with the seven-year, $53m contract is second among all guards, giving up nine sacks, 13 hits, and 57 hurries on 1,591 pass blocks. That’s four more than Ryan Lilja in third spot, and six more than another recipient of a big contract, Daryn Colledge. Talented they may be, but you think they’d make life a little easier for their quarterback. Special praise to Chris Kemoeatu who gave up more sacks (12) than any other guard.
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Least Efficient Guards
Sorry Chris Kemoeatu fans but if you thought giving up the most sacks of all guards was bad enough, then things are going to get a lot worse. The free agent has struggled drawing interest on the open market, and it may have something to do with the 12 sacks, eight hits, and 50 hurries he has given up on 1,263 pass blocking situations during these past three seasons. That gave him a slightly lower PBE score than Cooper Carlise, while the retired Alan Faneca finished with the third-worst number. Rounding out the Bottom 5 are a couple of Buccaneers, with Jeremy Zuttah achieving the fourth-lowest mark and Davin Joseph the fifth. Bucs fans will note that Zuttah improved in 2011 and is set to move to center–which should see him engaged with fewer one-on-one blocks–and that Joseph showed improvement last year as well.
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The Top Dogs
At the other end of the table, a hearty congratulations to the New York Jets' model of consistency at right guard, Brandon Moore. While left guards Faneca and Matt Slauson finished among the last seven on the list, Moore, by virtue of giving up just two sacks, two hits, and 34 hurries in three seasons, finished at the top of the pile. Brian Waters may not be the mauling guard he once was, but he remains near flawless in pass protection, finishing second overall. Another veteran, new Ravens guard Bobbie Williams, also finished in the Top 5 (fourth), with Josh Sitton sandwiched between the two. The last member of the top group was Steve Hutchinson, while new Bucs guard Carl Nicks finished in sixth. See, it’s not all bad news Bucs fans.
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As ever, we’ll remind you all that while the PBE stat measures efficiency, it doesn’t measure the best pass protectors in any given season. For a better representation of that you need to get your hands on PFF Premium, because our grading goes further than any stat can; accounting for how quickly the pressure has come, among other things. It doesn’t mean the PBE doesn’t have its place, but it needs to be used as a tool and not an ultimate explanation. We’ll be saying something similar tomorrow when we turn our attention to centers over the past three years.
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