Eric Berry: Best blitzing DB

[KCrockaholic]

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog...bringing-heat/


Not long after our Pass Rushing Productivity feature went out, I was doing my usual daily reading and saw ESPN’s always readable – though sometimes anti-Larry Fitzgerald (I kid) – Paul Kuharsky pose the question: “Who’s the best blitzing DB in the NFL?”

Yes! An article that practically writes itself. You see, here at Pro Football Focus, we chart every blitz by every defensive back on every passing play, so you don’t have to. It means we can present this information, for the purest of pure fans, in a simple feature.

Aren’t we great?

Whether you agree, disagree or you chose to ignore that last statement, here’s our deal with this look at blitzing defensive backs: they needed to have rushed the quarterback at least 30 times during the season. That buys them a ticket to this dance, and whether they get to cut some shapes with the prettiest gal is all down to what kind of pressure they were able to bring.

To be clear, as opposed to our Pass Rushing Productivity study, the QB disruptions discussed here are unweighted. Judging all forms equally – sacks, hits, and pressures are simply totaled.

Before we get to the table, here are 10 things we’ve learned from this exercise:

1.) Eric Berry can do it all – remember that performance in the playoffs where he was all over the field? Be sure to include this on his list: his turning 34.29% of his blitzes into some form of pressure led the league.

2.) O.J. Atogwe is going to be the deep safety complement to Laron Landry? Well, rather interestingly, Atogwe turned 25.81% of his blitzes into pressure while Landry was behind at 22.81%.

3.) If you’re a Cardinal fan, you’d like to see the guy who rushed the QB 95 times getting a higher percentage of pressure than the guy who rushed the QB just 34 times. Didn’t work out that way: Kerry Rhodes got pressure on 23.53% of his pass rushing chances to the 14.74% of Adrian Wilson.

4.) No other defensive back rushed the QB more than Charles Woodson (though it should be noted these stats do include his post season numbers.) With fewer attempts, Antrel Rolle and Roman Harper matched his total of 17 quarterback disruptions.

5.) The Raiders are much better off when sending Tyvon Branch (8th overall) than Michael Mitchell (49th out of these 49), but Michael Huff, who just missed the blitz-count cut-off to qualify here, outdid them both.

6.) The Jets are known for their blitzing backs, but only one of them finished in the top 15 (Drew Coleman at 12th.) Conversely, they had four defensive backs in the bottom 15.

7.) No sacks for Ronde Barber, but he still brings the heat when blitzing from the slot. He was 5th overall, generating pressure on 25.49% of his blitzes.

8.) Kyle Arrington rushed the QB 33 times … 26 of these came with him lined up as a defensive end.

9.) We’re big fans of Quintin Mikell in coverage and run support, but he’d do his profile some good by turning his blitzes into more pressure than the 9.43% he managed in his 53 opportunities.

10.) If one defensive back blitz stuck in the memory it was Troy Polamalu against the Ravens as he strip sacked Joe Flacco. Other than that, Polamalu put forth a modest effort, converting 21.21% of his blitzes into pressure – less than his Steelers teammate, William Gay (21.74%.)



(Click the link for a graph)

If it's a repost, I'm sorry. Don't say mean things to me cause I might leave CP. I just can't take it anymore.

[warrior]

First time the Chiefs picked who I wanted.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by warrior

First time the Chiefs picked who I wanted.

You didn't want Glenn Dorsey?

[Dante84]

I wanted Dorsey pretty bad.

I wanted ANYONE BUT Jackson. I believe my quote here the week before was "I will fist **** a goat if we draft Jackson." Luckily, I've not run into any goats thus far.

The bitterness of that brought me down, hard.

And I wanted NO ONE BUT Berry. I was crying out loud for him in early November, and it became a full blown obsession by draft day. I was nervous Pioli was going to make a habit of taking guys I didn't want.

On NFL network, when the Chiefs clock started, Jason La Canfora started blathering about how he had sources that told him it would be Okung, and he was very certain that would be the case. Then it went back to Rich and the boys, who started talking about Okung. My heart was broken.

....but then....

....But then! It cut to the green room, and Berry was sitting there with the phone up to his ear... (I thought someone else behind our pick was calling him, or maybe his agent) AND THEN HE SMILED AND STARTED HUGGING HIS FAMILY. AND I FLIPPED THE **** OUT.

Boom, bitch.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I wanted Dorsey pretty bad.

I wanted ANYONE BUT Jackson. I believe my quote here the week before was "I will fist **** a goat if we draft Jackson." Luckily, I've not run into any goats thus far.

The bitterness of that brought me down, hard.

And I wanted NO ONE BUT Berry. I was crying out loud for him in early November, and it became a full blown obsession by draft day. I was nervous Pioli was going to make a habit of taking guys I didn't want.

On NFL network, when the Chiefs clock started, Jason La Canfora started blathering about how he had sources that told him it would be Okung, and he was very certain that would be the case. Then it went back to Rich and the boys, who started talking about Okung. My heart was broken.

....but then....

....But then! It cut to the green room, and Berry was sitting there with the phone up to his ear... (I thought someone else behind our pick was calling him, or maybe his agent) AND THEN HE SMILED AND STARTED HUGGING HIS FAMILY. AND I FLIPPED THE **** OUT.

Boom, bitch.

This is just such a beautiful, beautiful, story

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I wanted Dorsey pretty bad.

I wanted ANYONE BUT Jackson. I believe my quote here the week before was "I will fist **** a goat if we draft Jackson." Luckily, I've not run into any goats thus far.

The bitterness of that brought me down, hard.

And I wanted NO ONE BUT Berry. I was crying out loud for him in early November, and it became a full blown obsession by draft day. I was nervous Pioli was going to make a habit of taking guys I didn't want.

On NFL network, when the Chiefs clock started, Jason La Canfora started blathering about how he had sources that told him it would be Okung, and he was very certain that would be the case. Then it went back to Rich and the boys, who started talking about Okung. My heart was broken.

....but then....

....But then! It cut to the green room, and Berry was sitting there with the phone up to his ear... (I thought someone else behind our pick was calling him, or maybe his agent) AND THEN HE SMILED AND STARTED HUGGING HIS FAMILY. AND I FLIPPED THE **** OUT.

Boom, bitch.

Sounds remarkably like my draft day.

[-King-]

Lol @ The bitching that happened when we found out that he wasn't going to be the free safety.

[chop]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Once he learns the intricacies of covering tight ends he will be a DMVP candidate.

I agree.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by warrior

First time the Chiefs picked who I wanted.

Same here, and when all is said and done, I believe he'll be my favorite Chief of all time. He's already my favorite current player.

[Urc Burry]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I wanted Dorsey pretty bad.

I wanted ANYONE BUT Jackson. I believe my quote here the week before was "I will fist **** a goat if we draft Jackson." Luckily, I've not run into any goats thus far.

The bitterness of that brought me down, hard.

And I wanted NO ONE BUT Berry. I was crying out loud for him in early November, and it became a full blown obsession by draft day. I was nervous Pioli was going to make a habit of taking guys I didn't want.

On NFL network, when the Chiefs clock started, Jason La Canfora started blathering about how he had sources that told him it would be Okung, and he was very certain that would be the case. Then it went back to Rich and the boys, who started talking about Okung. My heart was broken.

....but then....

....But then! It cut to the green room, and Berry was sitting there with the phone up to his ear... (I thought someone else behind our pick was calling him, or maybe his agent) AND THEN HE SMILED AND STARTED HUGGING HIS FAMILY. AND I FLIPPED THE **** OUT.

Boom, bitch.

I was close to chocking a bitch out when Schefter assumed we were taking Okung

[talastan]

Will be ordering my #29 jersey this year. Berry is Future HOF material in the making. Can't wait to see him in action again this next season; provided there is a season.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by SNR

You didn't want Glenn Dorsey?

I wanted Matt Ryan he went #3 to Atlanta Dorsey was my second favorite.

[warrior]

Originally Posted by talastan

Will be ordering my #29 jersey this year. Berry is Future HOF material in the making. Can't wait to see him in action again this next season; provided there is a season.

Couldn't agree more.

[Wilson8]

5.) The Raiders are much better off when sending Tyvon Branch (8th overall) than Michael Mitchell (49th out of these 49), but Michael Huff, who just missed the blitz-count cut-off to qualify here, outdid them both.

If we have free agency this year, combining Huff at free safety with Eric Berry at strong safety would create an incredible safety duo to blitz and roam the field for KC.

Huff seems to be finally achieving some of his potential.

I like FS Kendrick Lewis, but if you compare Huff with Lewis for this year, Lewis played in 12 games, had 30 tackles, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 interceptions. Huff played in 16 games, had 94 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. Huff also played five seasons without missing a game.

I like the thought of Carr, Flowers, Berry, and Huff in the secondary. Add a good Nose Tackle and another OLB and we we would be looking pretty good on defense.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Wilson8

If we have free agency this year, combining Huff at free safety with Eric Berry at strong safety would create an incredible safety duo to blitz and roam the field for KC.

Huff seems to be finally achieving some of his potential.

I like FS Kendrick Lewis, but if you compare Huff with Lewis for this year, Lewis played in 12 games, had 30 tackles, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 interceptions. Huff played in 16 games, had 94 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. Huff also played five seasons without missing a game.

I like the thought of Carr, Flowers, Berry, and Huff in the secondary. Add a good Nose Tackle and another OLB and we we would be looking pretty good on defense.

We do need depth at safety.

Our heavy nickel package (3 safeties) would be disgusting with Berry, Huff, and Lewis.

Our regular nickel package (3 corners) will also be gross.

[Wilson8]

One big drawback to adding Huff is that’s a lot of money to invest in the safety position. Probably why we will stick with Lewis and maybe add another low round safety in this year’s draft.

Berry’s contract from last year…

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:04:14 -0700
Updating a previous report, Kansas City Chiefs FS Eric Berry signed a six-year, $60 million contract with $34 million guaranteed, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.

http://www.kffl.com/player/22482/nfl#ixzz1HH0ReuXK