Freeman's stock rising

[michael89156]

Stock Watch: NFC South

 October, 23, 2012

 
By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

 
FALLING

Ron Rivera, head coach, Carolina Panthers. After Monday’s firing of general manager Marty Hurney, Rivera should be more than a little worried about his future. Hurney was the guy that largely was responsible for hiring Rivera, so the coach has lost a big layer of insulation. Whoever ends up being the general manager might want to bring in his own coach. The only way for Rivera to prevent that would be to go out and win big throughout what’s left of the season. But have you seen anything from the Panthers so far that makes you think they can suddenly turn it around?
 
Tampa Bay’s pass rush. Perhaps the main reason the Bucs got lit up by Drew Brees (377 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday) was because they didn’t put any pressure on the quarterback. A lot of times, the Bucs sent only three rushers. That made no sense, especially because the Saints were without injured tight end Jimmy Graham, who creates all sorts of matchup problems. New Orleans’ wide receivers are good, but they don’t present any special matchup problems. The Bucs didn’t need an extra man in coverage. They just needed to go with a standard pass rush.
 
Jerry Richardson, owner, Panthers. The pressure on Richardson is perhaps greater now than at any point since the Panthers came into the league. Fans are understandably down on the Panthers. Richardson’s got a major decision to make in how he replaces Hurney, and another huge decision on what to do about Rivera. It’s critical that Richardson gets it right this time. Carolina fans are a loyal bunch, but this team hasn’t won since 2008. If the Panthers don’t turn things around quickly, they run the risk of alienating their fans. Also, continued losing isn’t going to help Richardson’s chances of getting public funding for upgrades to Bank of America Stadium.
 


RISING

Malcolm Jenkins, safety, Saints. He still hasn’t turned into the star that I think he has the potential to become. But Jenkins made one of the biggest plays of his career Sunday when he tackled Vincent Jackson at the 1-yard line to prevent a touchdown, and the Saints followed that up with a successful goal-line stand and then went on a touchdown drive of their own. Jenkins was on the other side of the field when Jackson caught the ball and began running free down the sideline. It was a great hustle play by Jenkins, who also took a perfect angle as he got closer to Jackson, who seemed to run out of gas as he neared the end zone.
 
Joe Vitt, assistant head coach, Saints. Vitt is back as the interim coach after serving a six-game suspension. Aaron Kromer did the best he could in a bad situation while filling in as the head coach. But the return of Vitt, who ran the team through training camp, could really help the Saints. Vitt is a wise and experienced coach. He also is the closest thing to Sean Payton you’re going to find. When Vitt was running the team in the preseason, it looked like business as usual. The Saints are in a hole. But they’re on a two-game winning streak, and the return of Vitt should push whatever momentum has built up the past two weeks in a positive direction.
 
Josh Freeman, quarterback, Buccaneers. He didn’t win Sunday, but Freeman got into a shootout with Brees that went right down to the last play of the game. He threw for 420 yards, three touchdowns and was not intercepted. Little by little, you can see Freeman building chemistry with his receivers, grasping a new offense and gaining the confidence of a new coaching staff. I don’t think any final conclusions should be drawn yet. But Freeman is showing signs he can be a franchise quarterback and, if things continue in a positive direction, he could be headed for a nice contract extension in the offseason.

[Ricky Bobby]

If Freeman could consistently put up big numbers against the best of them (defenses), I would agree that his stock is rising.

But, much like my comment on Martin, let's see what he can do against a OK/GOOD/GREAT pass D instead of two weak ones. 

[JavaRay]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

[Ricky Bobby]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.   

So based on that alone, Freeman should be able to have repeat performances the rest of the year (minus Vikes game). If he does not, his stock is not rising. Just food for thought.

[JavaRay]

To be fair, "his stock is rising" because he was the worst rated QB in the league.   He had no way to go but up.   

[jerseybucsfan]

Rams, Broncos and Eagles are ranked 10 through 12 in total defense. Your line of demarcation is totally arbitrary. Any of the three could move up ... Or if he lights them up, down. The Chiefs are ranked 15th. They could move up too. You see what you want to see.

[Detrimental]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

Cowboys have the #2 pass D in the NFL.

Freeman faces the Broncos (#10 pass D), Falcons (#12), STL(#14)

He has 3 more games after the Vikings to see what he is capable of.

[JDouble]

The best QBs in the league struggle verse the top defenses.....but Freeman shouldn't? Hmm....seems legit.

[warrenfb12]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

What was Kansas City's pass defense ranked? Weren't they pretty high?

[JavaRay]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

What was Kansas City's pass defense ranked? Weren't they pretty high?

The Chiefs are ranked the worst pass defense in the NFL (tied with the Saints for last).

[chace1986]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

Rams, Broncos and Eagles are ranked 10 through 12 in total defense. Your line of demarcation is totally arbitrary. Any of the three could move up ... Or if he lights them up, down. The Chiefs are ranked 15th. They could move up too. You see what you want to see.

F*ck using the total yards allowed stat as who has the best defenses. That stat can be very misleading. One stat never tells the full story.

Opponent Points Per Game:
Minnesota @ #6 with 18.7
Atlanta @ #7 with 18.8
Giants @ #9 with 19.6
STL @ #10 with 20.1
Philly @ #11 with 20.8
Dallas @ #14 with 22.2

Opponent 3rd down %
Philly @ #3 with 29.1%
NYG @ #6 with 33.8%
Dallas @ #10 with 37%
Kansas City @ #12 with 37.3%
STL @ #13 with 37.4%

Opponent RZ%
Philly @ #3 with 35%
Carolina @ #6 with 39.1%
NYG @ #8 with 40%
Minnesota @ #12 with 47.6%
STL @ #14 with 50%

Opponent QB rating
Philly @ #3 with 68.4
ATL @ #5 with 72.2
STL @ #12 with 79.7
NYG @ #13 with 81.12
Minnesota @ #14 with 83.76

Opponent yds per attempt
Minnesota @ #6 with 5.9
Philly @ #8 with 6.0
Denver @ #9 with 6.1
STL @ #11 with 6.3
Dallas @ #14 with 6.7

Opponents pass plays of 20+ yards
Minnesota and STL tied at #4 with 14
Denver @ # 7 with 16
San Diego @ # 9 with 17
ATL @ 12 with 18

Opponents pass plays of 40+ yards
Minnesota @ # 2 with 1
ATL @ # 5 with 2
Carolina, Denver, Philly and STL tied @ 12 with 3

Opponent yards per play
Denver @ #4 with 4.8
Minnesota @ # 7 with 4.8
STL and Philly @ #10 with 5.1

When multiple game stats are looked at...Denver, Minnesota, Philadelphia, STL and ATL all break the top 10-top 15 in multiple categories.

Minnesota definitely has the most stout defense that we play this year. So far, they do not allow many big plays in the pass game...and they limit teams not only in yardage, but also when the opponent breaks into the redzone. Though matchup tomorrow night for our offense.

[Theoldbuc]

Interestingly enough, the Bucs don't play many tough defenses this year.   The Cowboys D is rated 6.   The Vikings are 9.   After that, every team they play the entire year has a defense rated below the 50% mark in the league.    They don't play top rate defensive teams like the 49ers or Steelers all year.

Josh failed miserably against the Cowboys.   It looks like this Vikings game is his last chance to prove himself against a good D.

What was Kansas City's pass defense ranked? Weren't they pretty high?

Rk   Team   G   Pts/G   TotPts   Comp   Att   Pct   Att/G   Yds   Avg   Yds/G   TD   Int   1st   1st%   Lng   20+   40+   Sck   Rate
1   San Francisco 49ers    7   14.3    100    124    218    56.9    31.1    1,214    5.9    173.4    6    5    67    30.7    50    13    2    11    73.6
2   Pittsburgh Steelers    6   22    132    112    189    59.3    31.5    1,109    6.2    184.8    10    3    62    32.8    71T    10    2    11    88.3
3   Dallas Cowboys    6   22.2    133    102    167    61.1    27.8    1,124    7.3    187.3    7    2    57    34.1    43    19    1    12    92.3
4   Arizona Cardinals    7   16.9    118    122    229    53.3    32.7    1,339    6.4    191.3    6    8    70    30.6    80T    15    4    22    67.4
5   Houston Texans    7   18.3    128    131    248    52.8    35.4    1,400    6.2    200.0    13    9    66    26.6    48T    24    2    21    74.2
6   Detroit Lions    6   25    150    127    202    62.9    33.7    1,263    6.8    210.5    8    2    64    31.7    71T    12    3    17    91.9
7   Indianapolis Colts    6   26.3    158    115    183    62.8    30.5    1,264    7.3    210.7    12    2    65    35.5    80T    17    2    13    102.2
8   Seattle Seahawks    7   15.1    106    148    256    57.8    36.6    1,486    6.2    212.3    6    6    86    33.6    52    17    2    19    74.2
9   New York Jets    7   24.3    170    132    235    56.2    33.6    1,506    6.6    215.1    8    7    84    35.7    41    20    1    10    75.4
10   Denver Broncos    6   23    138    130    212    61.3    35.3    1,292    6.7    215.3    11    6    84    39.6    60T    16    3    18    86.6
11   Minnesota Vikings    7   18.7    131    168    262    64.1    37.4    1,536    6.4    219.4    8    4    92    35.1    41    14    1    22    86.1
12   Atlanta Falcons    6   18.8    113    119    190    62.6    31.7    1,340    7.6    223.3    6    10    65    34.2    77T    18    2    16    74.5
13   Kansas City Chiefs    6   30.5    183    99    162    61.1    27.0    1,347    8.9    224.5    13    4    63    38.9    62T    19    6    13    106.5
14   St. Louis Rams    7   20.1    141    165    249    66.3    35.6    1,579    6.9    225.6    7    8    87    34.9    68T    14    3    21    82.1
15   Philadelphia Eagles    6   20.8    125    119    226    52.7    37.7    1,358    6.2    226.3    7    7    71    31.4    57    19    3    7    69.4
16   Chicago Bears    6   13    78    149    245    60.8    40.8    1,368    6.1    228.0    6    14    78    31.8    34    21    0    21    62.7
17   Green Bay Packers    7   22.1    155    150    255    58.8    36.4    1,627    7.0    232.4    11    9    90    35.3    80T    23    3    24    79.9
18   Cincinnati Bengals    7   26.7    187    154    230    67.0    32.9    1,632    7.8    233.1    9    3    87    37.8    71T    28    2    23    97.9
19   Carolina Panthers    6   24    144    143    209    68.4    34.8    1,475    7.5    245.8    8    5    77    36.8    60T    18    3    14    93.2
20   Buffalo Bills    7   32.4    227    148    242    61.2    34.6    1,731    7.6    247.3    14    6    86    35.5    53    24    3    17    93.5
21   New York Giants    7   19.6    137    140    220    63.6    31.4    1,773    8.7    253.3    10    12    80    36.4    62T    29    5    17    83.7
22   Oakland Raiders    6   28.5    171    149    220    67.7    36.7    1,528    7.2    254.7    11    3    71    32.3    46    22    3    7    99.5
23   Baltimore Ravens    7   23    161    157    252    62.3    36.0    1,800    7.5    257.1    6    7    97    38.5    59    22    3    12    81.6
24   Jacksonville Jaguars    6   27.3    164    137    224    61.2    37.3    1,587    7.2    264.5    7    4    77    34.4    59    16    3    5    86.0
25   San Diego Chargers    6   22.8    137    154    233    66.1    38.8    1,609    7.2    268.2    14    7    87    37.3    55    17    5    10    94.6
26   Cleveland Browns    7   25.7    180    175    280    62.5    40.0    1,938    7.2    276.9    15    10    92    32.9    57T    20    5    18    87.3
27   Tennessee Titans    7   34    238    186    256    72.7    36.6    1,970    7.9    281.4    16    5    103    40.2    82T    25    4    9    108.2
28   Miami Dolphins    6   19.5    117    146    254    57.5    42.3    1,709    7.2    284.8    7    7    90    35.4    66    23    4    18    77.5
29   New England Patriots    7   23.3    163    169    260    65.0    37.1    2,030    8.1    290.0    16    7    95    36.5    68T    39    5    15    99.2
30   New Orleans Saints    6   30.3    182    141    215    65.6    35.8    1,831    8.9    305.2    12    3    96    44.7    95    25    4    12    106.6
31   Tampa Bay Buccaneers    6   22.7    136    154    233    66.1    38.8    1,938    8.5    323.0    8    9    87    37.3    80T    28    7    8    87.8
32   Washington Redskins    7   28.6    200    189    298    63.4    42.6    2,299    8.0    328.4    16    10    114    38.3    77T    29    7    13    92.2

[Chief Joseph]

PPG can be every bit as misleading as TYA. If the offense turns the ball over inside the twenty, the defense could actually drive the other team backwards and still give up points.

[chace1986]

PPG can be every bit as misleading as TYA. If the offense turns the ball over inside the twenty, the defense could actually drive the other team backwards and still give up points.

I agree. My point was, that there should not be one particular stat that people look at and say "that is the #__ defense in the league".

[deadzone]

PPG can be every bit as misleading as TYA. If the offense turns the ball over inside the twenty, the defense could actually drive the other team backwards and still give up points.

Brilliant!!