First Downs Allowed – Cornerbacks

[michael89156]

Signature Stats: First Downs Allowed – Cornerbacks

Khaled Elsayed | 2013/01/28
ProFootballFocus






For five seasons Pro Football Focus has been dedicated to breaking down the NFL on a play-by-play basis like no other. Speaking for the rest of the staff that has meant long hours and an inability to make full use of all the data we create.
 
Only now the 2012 season is coming to a close, and with PFF more developed, are we starting to really delve into some revealing numbers. The upshot? Shiny, brand new Signature Stats available for discussion before they even hit the premium website — Signature Stats like this one:
 
First Downs Allowed in Coverage
 
It’s a relatively simple concept. We wanted to see which cornerbacks not only gave up the most first downs or touchdowns, but also who gave up the most relative to how often they’re in coverage. After all, someone in coverage for 500 snaps is infinitely more likely to give up results to the offense than a player in coverage for 300.
 
Now to the data.
 


Chain Movers
 
Where better to start than the raw numbers showing who gave up the most first downs? In that respect, the first walk of shame belongs to Sean Smith, who was beaten for 40 first downs and six touchdowns in 2012. Those 46 combined first downs and touchdowns were one more than Cary Williams and Patrick Robinson, both of whom had 45 as their magical number. How about that, two of the three are about to be free agents. Interesting.
 
 

Name



Sean Smith

Cary Williams

Patrick Robinson

DeAngelo Hall

Corey Webster

Antoine Cason

Dunta Robinson

Quentin Jammer

Josh Norman

Cassius Vaughn

Tramon Williams



 
 
Per Snap Struggles
 
However, as I said earlier, how can we really judge those guys given their opportunity to give up first downs are widely different to others? So instead of looking at who gave up the most, let’s look at who gave up the highest percentage relative to their coverage snaps (with a minimum of 300 snaps in coverage).
 
Well, that man would be the Carolina Panthers’ Josh Norman. Life is rarely easy in the NFL, and when you’re a fifth-round rookie thrust into a starting lineup things can go wrong. Norman gave up a first down or touchdown on 8.95% of his coverage snaps, earning his -7.4 coverage grade for the year. Still, rookies will be rookies, and his career won’t be defined by this season.
 
The man with the second-highest rating is a far more interesting case. With his numbers added up for the two teams he played for Aqib Talib, often tasked with manning up with a team’s best receiver, allowed a first down or touchdown on 8.75% of plays. He may be incredibly talented, but don’t be thinking he’s a shutdown cornerback when you go to pay him.
 
 

Name


Josh Norman

Aqib Talib

Cassius Vaughn

Joselio Hanson

Nolan Carroll

Cortez Allen

Cary Williams

Dunta Robinson

Buster Skrine

Josh Robinson

Derek Cox

Corey Webster

Eric Wright

Sean Smith

A.J. Jefferson

Patrick Robinson

Jimmy Wilson

Quentin Jammer

DeAngelo Hall\

Keenan Lewis

 
 
The Shutdown Crew
 
Still, it’s not all bad. While some guys disappointed, others impressed, and none more so than the 49ers’ left cornerback in their nickel package, Chris Culliver. He gave up a first down or touchdown on only 3.45% of his snaps in coverage, a staggeringly low amount when you consider that the next lowest score is that of Leon Hall, with 3.75%.
 
 
 Name

Chris Culliver

Leon Hall

Sam Shields

Prince Amukamara

Casey Hayward

Champ Bailey

Adam Jones

Antonio Cromartie

Kareem Jackson

Alterraun Verner

Robert McClain

Chris Houston

Richard Sherman

Brandon Browner

Josh Wilson

Brandon Flowers

Chris Harris Jr.

Antoine Winfield

Kyle Wilson

Asante Samuel


 

 
 
Sometimes it’s not just about the yards you give up, but the impact of those yards. Do they move the chains or don’t they? There’s a big difference between allowing a 9-yard completion on 3rd-and-10, or giving up a 3-yard completion on 4th-and-2. So looking into who’s giving up touchdowns and first downs is a real indicator of which cornerbacks are truly shutdown.
 
Stay tuned for more stats like this as the PFF Signature Stat area continues to grow.
 
 
 
Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/28/signature-stats-first-downs-allowed-cornerbacks/

[lyronmewis]

The more I look into Sean Smith, the less that I'm convinced of picking him up in free agency. Miami fans don't speak very highly of him.

[The Anti-Java]

Surprised to see Champ Bailey rated so high.  Dude got abused big time against the Ravens.

[Feel Real Good]

Surprised to see Champ Bailey rated so high.  Dude got abused big time against the Ravens.

Most of the other teams in the NFL don't have a QB who can throw the ball out of the stadium, an offensive line that can block Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, and a 4.4 receiver who can catch in order to beat Bailey.

[bradentonian]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

[Holy Facepalm]

Good to see our CBs not making the top "Bad" list

[Benchwarmer#1]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

If Dom passed on revis for this guy I would vomit.

[Blaze688]

Good to see our CBs not making the top "Bad" list

Aqib Talib and Eric Wright both made the bad list, when adjusted for number of snaps in coverage.  Shockingly, Biggers, Johnson, Lewis, and Gorrer didn't.

[MUSCLE_HAMSTER]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

If Dom passed on revis for this guy I would vomit.

Dom isn't looking at these two under a scenario where he can obtain either one on an even playing field

[BucNY]

Good to see our CBs not making the top "Bad" list

Aqib Talib and Eric Wright both made the bad list, when adjusted for number of snaps in coverage.  Shockingly, Biggers, Johnson, Lewis, and Gorrer didn't.

Shocking when you consider our pass defense was historically bad this year. I guess it means it was a good team effort! lol

[NotDeadYet]

    Hmmmm. Don't know how many each of our CBs played, but we had such a revolving lineup going all season, individually our guys may not have made the cut due to insufficient snaps. We all know we gave up a TON of first downs via the pass... Or aybe there were more 1st & 2nd down passes than 3rd down passes resulting in 1st downs?

[The Anti-Java]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

Good post.  I am starting to see just that, as I learn more about the guy.

[GameTime]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

If Dom passed on revis for this guy I would vomit.

Dom isn't looking at these two under a scenario where he can obtain either one on an even playing field

exactly.  i would give a 1 and a reasonable contract to revis but it takes 2 to tango.  smith comes for much much less.

[Benchwarmer#1]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

If Dom passed on revis for this guy I would vomit.

Dom isn't looking at these two under a scenario where he can obtain either one on an even playing field

Dom could sign either one, or both if he were willing to do so.

 Just saying, if the guy had a chance at revis and got smith instead it would suck.

[The Anti-Java]

Smith has great measurable but he's inconsistent and has never really put it all together

If Dom passed on revis for this guy I would vomit.

Dom isn't looking at these two under a scenario where he can obtain either one on an even playing field

exactly.  i would give a 1 and a reasonable contract to revis but it takes 2 to tango.  smith comes for much much less.

I would guess it would take more than that for Revis.  Unfortunately