Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › PFF ranks the playcallers … & other PFF bits
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November 22, 2018 at 9:48 am #94308
znModeratorWhich playcallers around the NFL have that magic touch?@PFF_George and @PFF_Eric take a look:https://t.co/ShlI88ztYr pic.twitter.com/3OLDdgvN9T
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 22, 2018
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from 2018 NFL playcaller ranking
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-2018-pff-play-caller-ranking
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ANDY REID, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Long lauded for his ability as a playcaller, Reid has really shined over the last two seasons in Kansas City. Despite a quarterback with deep limitations in Alex Smith, the Chiefs finished sixth in the NFL in points scored in 2017 and have simply exploded this season, with second-year signal caller Patrick Mahomes generating the second-most points per game through the league’s first 11 weeks. Injuries to key players like Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitch Morse and Sammy Watkins have not slowed this team a bit, in large part due to Reid’s ability to limit the high-variance Mahomes to a turnover-worthy play rate of just 2.5% of his dropbacks.SEAN MCVAY, LOS ANGELES RAMS
The other half of the coaching duo that orchestrated the league’s best game of the season, McVay has to be on any list that includes coaches moving the needle league-wide. In addition to taking Jared Goff from a cluster 6 quarterback as a rookie to a cluster 2 quarterback today, he’s made running the football so easy for Toddy Gurley (1.9 yards per carry before contact) that there are legitimate members of the media that are considering voting for a running back for league MVP. The Rams are one of only three teams in the NFL with positive expected points added in both the early-down passing game and running game, and appear to be an engine to reckon with for the foreseeable future.FRANK REICH, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
As our friend Peter King discussed in his weekly column, the Colts are a new team; utilizing their most-important assets in advantageous ways en route to a possible playoff berth. After a slow start, the Colts have been successful on over 51% of early-down pass plays this year, while Andrew Luck’s passes have netted 0.12 EPA. It’s always difficult to untangle credit – how much of Philadelphia’s success can be attributed to Reich, Pederson, DeFilippo, etc.? It’s looking more and more like Reich was a big part of what happened in Philly, and the Colts lucked into a gem here.SEAN PAYTON, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
An oldie but a goodie here, as Payton is once again (along with Drew Brees) orchestrating arguably the league’s best offense in a league where offense has never been better. While Brees is the highest-graded quarterback in the NFL, and there’s an argument to be made that Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas are the league’s best players at their positions, the Saints have dealt with injuries at other spots offensively, and have only accelerated their early-season pace. Each Drew Brees air yard is being converted into 1.27 actual passing yards, which is easily the best rate in the NFL, a testament to a coach being able to make a collection of brilliant players into more than the sum of their parts and create a Super Bowl favorite with just six weeks left to play in the regular season.RANDY FICHTNER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Another guy in his first year in a new role, Fichtner has been able to oversee substantial efficiency by the Pittsburgh offense, despite the fact that dual-threat running back Le’Veon Bell has played zero snaps this season, and far more importantly, the fact that Ben Roethlisberger has been a cluster 5 quarterback through the season’s first 11 weeks. The Steelers are fourth in the AFC in early-down efficiency throwing the football and only Drew Brees has faced less pressure than Big Ben (24.3%) through 11 weeks. As the offensive coordinator of one of five teams with more than a 10% chance to win the Super Bowl, Fichtner needs to be a bigger name moving forward.DOUG PEDERSON, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
While the results of the 2018 season thus far have not been as stellar for the most successful member of the Andy Reid tree, Pederson is still offering substantial value as he builds his Eagles offense for the future. Carson Wentz is making a negatively-graded throw on fewer than 10% of his dropbacks, while they are making the correct run/pass decision on two-thirds of their second-down decisions so far this year in close games. Injuries to their offensive line, some fourth-down variance and having to come from behind due to a banged-up defense has obscured what continues to be one of the more well-run offenses in the NFL.MATT NAGY, CHICAGO BEARS
Another Andy Reid disciple makes his way onto this list. No quarterback has had a bigger disparity between process (PFF passing grade) and result (EPA generated on dropbacks) than Mitchell Trubisky, a dynamic that can no doubt be attributed to the upgrade in quality that Nagy has represented so far in the Windy City. This was also true about Alex Smith in 2017, Nagy’s only year of (partially) calling plays prior to 2018. To help Trubisky, he’s using role players like Tarik Cohen (third among running backs in yards per route run), far more efficiently than his predecessors, meaning that if Trubisky turns the corner in this season or the next, watch out for Chicago.VIC FANGIO, CHICAGO BEARS
Speaking of the Bears, Vic Fangio was allowed to hold over from John Fox’s staff, due in large part to steering an underrated group during years where offensive struggles kept the Monsters of the Midway an arm’s length away from contention. The Bears are second to the Chargers in early-down passing efficiency allowed (-0.07 EPA per play) with Fangio nurturing standout, homegrown players at each level of the defense in Eddie Goldman (81.7), Leonard Floyd (69.8), Roquan Smith (62.6), Eddie Jackson (92.4), Bryce Callahan (85.1), Kyle Fuller (84.0) and Adrian Amos (76.8), while adding the right pieces in Khalil Mack (89.6), Akeem Hicks (92.1), Danny Trevathan (71.6) and Prince Amukamara (75.3). Defense is hard to sustain, but the Bears have the goods moving forward.ROMEO CRENNEL, HOUSTON TEXANS
After relinquishing play-calling duties to Mike Vrabel a season ago, Crennel is a sneaky reason why the Texans have won seven-consecutive games and sit atop the AFC South with six games to play. We’ve seen a rebirth in players like Kareem Jackson (87.8 PFF grade) and Tyrann Mathieu (76.3), and a return to brilliance for J.J. Watt (90.5), which has staved off injuries to players like Aaron Colvin and Kevin Johnson. They will always be under stress defensively behind a quarterback that can be as high-variance as Deshaun Watson (15.3% of his dropbacks have earned a negative grade), but to this point they’ve held up and are in the driver’s seat for the AFC South.MIKE ZIMMER, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
In 2013, the year before Mike Zimmer took over the Vikings and their defense, they allowed 30 points per game. In 2017, they led the league in scoring defense, and continue to be one of the league’s best units despite losing players like Everson Griffen, Andrew Sendejo, Mike Hughes and Anthony Barr for significant time due to injuries. Historically a group of players that have not graded up to their reputation in our system, the Vikings defense is a classic example of one with a coach that makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts, able to evolve his approach in a league where all of the advantages are given to the offense. While their ceiling at the quarterback position might always keep the Vikings safely out of the Super Bowl conversation most years, Zimmer consistently creates elite defenses that flirt with being able to overcome said limitations.November 22, 2018 at 10:07 am #94311znModeratorfrom 2019 NFL Draft needs for all 32 teams
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-2019-nfl-draft-needs-for-all-32-teams
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Edge defender, linebacker & safetyIf you watched Monday night, these needs aren’t too surprising. Basically, any position on the defensive side of the ball beside the one Aaron Donald plays is up for grabs. With Lamarcus Joyner set to hit free agency yet again after a year on the franchise tag, safety needs to be addressed, as well.
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https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-32-nfl-observations-week-11-2
Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley has had 90 carries of five or more yards this season, which is 25 more than any other back.
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November 22, 2018 at 10:09 am #94312znModeratorNFL playoff contenders – strengths and weaknesses
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-nfl-playoff-contenders-strengths-and-weaknesses-2
NFC
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Projected regular season record: 13-3Strength: Drew Brees and his 95.6 overall grade looks borderline unstoppable at the moment.
Weakness: The next highest graded cornerback on the Saints roster after Marshon Lattimore is Eli Apple with a 53.1 overall grade.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Projected regular season record: 13-3Strength: Pretty much everything works for them offensively, in large part because of their dominant line. They rank fourth overall in pass blocking and first in run blocking.
Weakness: Have you seen the state of their secondary? Even supposed number one corner Marcus Peters has given up 613 yards – the fourth-most in the NFL.
CHICAGO BEARS
Projected regular season record: 10-6Strength: Khalil Mack has to be accounted for by opposing offenses on every play, and their secondary is too talented in zone coverage to attack without five men out in a route.
Weakness: Mitch Tubisky’s game-to-game consistency is concerning. He’s had two games with grades above 88.0 (Tampa Bay and Detroit) as well as six below 60.0 (Green Bay, Seattle, Arizona, Miami, New England and Buffalo).
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Projected regular season record: 9-7Strength: Outside of the Saints game, this has been one of the stingiest secondaries in the NFL. They’ve allowed a passer rating of 80.1 on throws targeted 10-plus yards down the field, the third-best in the NFL.
Weakness: Alex Smith is done for the season, and Colt McCoy had a 61.5 overall grade on 160 dropbacks in his last action back in 2014.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Projected regular season record: 9-6-1Strength: They have so few weaknesses on defenses for opposing offenses to exploit and have come on strong of late. Only one defensive starter has a grade below 65.0.
Weakness: The Vikings’ offensive line is a double entendre at this point. Their 154 pressures allowed are 17 more than any other line in the NFL.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Projected regular season record: 9-7Strength: The Panthers employ one of the most creative and effective running games in the NFL, as they’re averaging the third-highest EPA per run in 2018
Weakness: Carolina has struggled to consistently impact opposing quarterbacks with their front four. As a team, they rank 23rd in pass-rushing grade.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Projected regular season record: 8-8Strength: The Seahawks’ run game has brought back the option in a big way this season. Their 108 option runs are the most in the NFL, and they’re averaging 5.2 yards per carry on those plays.
Weakness: Seattle’s pass-rush at the moment comes and goes with Frank Clark. He has 38 pressures this season with the next best being Jarran Reed with 22.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Projected regular season record: 8-8Strength: This defense is chocked full of blue-chip talent. Byron Jones, Leighton Vander Esch and Demarcus Lawrence all have grades of 80.0-plus on the season.
Weakness: I’m surprised Skip Bayless hasn’t nicknamed him Sak Prescott yet the way the Cowboys quarterback has been taking bad sacks. We’ve charged him with a ridiculous 12 already this season.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Projected regular season record: 7-9Strength: Their strength is quite obviously Aaron… Jones. Believe it or not, the Packers lead the NFL in EPA per run, and Jones has the third-highest rushing grade among all running backs.
Weakness: Clay Matthews and Nick Perry have been comically bad rushing the passer this season. They’ve combined for a total of 30 pressures.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Projected regular season record: 7-9Strength: This isn’t too far off from the dominant offense we saw a season ago. The talent is still there although their red-zone touchdown rate has dropped from 65.5 percent last year to 54.3 percent this year.
Weakness: Injuries in the secondary look too much to overcome at this point. Safety Rodney McLeod and number one corner Ronald Darby are already on IR, and now their backups, Avonte Maddox and Sidney Jones, could miss time.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Projected regular season record: 7-9Strength: Even without Devonta Freeman, the bevy of weapons on offense is a matchup nightmare for defenses. Julio Jones currently ranks second in yards per route run among receivers while Calvin Ridley is 29th.
Weakness: The Falcons’ edge rush has been non-existent this season. They rank 26th in terms of total pressures despite having the 11th-most pass attempts against.
AFC
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Projected regular season record: 12-4Strength: Have you seen this offense? That.
Weakness: Have you seen this defense? That.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Projected regular season record: 12-4Strength: Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are a handful for even the most talented secondaries. They both rank in the top-12 for receiving yards at the moment.
Weakness: The secondary has settled in considerably well since their early season hiccups, but linebackers Vince Williams and Jon Bostic are still far from consistent in coverage. Williams is currently the 12th lowest-graded linebacker in coverage.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Projected regular season record: 11-5Strength: Tom Brady‘s short-area accuracy and James White’s route running present a lot of problems for opposing defenses. White’s 1.94 yards per route is fifth-best among backs.
Weakness: They’re going to struggle getting pressure against lines the likes of Kansas City’s and Pittsburgh’s. They currently rank 23rd in team pass-rushing grade.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Projected regular season record: 10-6Strengths: Deshaun Watson has rare playmaking ability and even without Will Fuller, he has a stable of receivers that can rack up yards at will.
Weakness: The Texans own quite easily the worst tackle duo in the league. The trio of Julie’n Davenport, Martinas Rankin, and Kendall Lamm have combined to allow 90 pressures so far this season.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Projected regular season record: 10-6Strength: It’s a shame Hunter Henry won’t be returning this season, but even without him, this might be the most dangerous group of weapons in the league. Keenan Allen (9th), Tyrell Williams (37th), and Mike Williams (49th) are all top-50 graded receivers, while Melvin Gordon (2nd) and Austin Ekeler (1st) are the top-two graded backs at the moment.
Weakness: The offensive line is still a talented defensive line away from costing them the game. Left guard Dan Feeney’s 39.7 pass-blocking grade is the second-lowest of any guard.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Projected regular season record: 9-7Strength: Fully healthy, this is one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and ranked third in our most recent line rankings.
Weakness: Marcus Mariota has been a roller coaster this year, and his sack-taking is worrisome. He’s converting pressure to sacks 30.2 percent of the time, the highest in the NFL.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Projected regular season record: 8-8Strength: The Colts’ offensive line has dominated of late, not allowing Andrew Luck to be sacked since Week 5.
Weakness: The talent in the secondary is still marginal at best. Pierre Desir (71.3) is the only corner on the roster with a coverage grade above 65.0.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Projected regular season record: 8-8Strength: This secondary is about as good as it gets in the NFL at the moment. Every starter has at least a 70.0 coverage grade.
Weakness: The Ravens completely flipped the script offensively with a run-heavy attack led by Lamar Jackson. The early returns were encouraging, but he’s still a rookie starting at quarterback.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Bengals 8-8Strength: I’ll be honest, there’s not much of a strength at the moment with an injury-addled receiving corps and defensive line. Geno Atkins is a very strong man, though, so we’ll go with him.
Weakness: The pass defense has completely gone in the tank and their linebackers have been the main culprit. The Bengals’ backers have allowed 1,237 yards in their coverage this season, 172 more than any other team.
November 22, 2018 at 10:21 am #94316
AgamemnonParticipantfrom 2019 NFL Draft needs for all 32 teams
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Edge defender, linebacker & safetyIf you watched Monday night, these needs aren’t too surprising. Basically, any position on the defensive side of the ball beside the one Aaron Donald plays is up for grabs. With Lamarcus Joyner set to hit free agency yet again after a year on the franchise tag, safety needs to be addressed, as well.
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Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley has had 90 carries of five or more yards this season, which is 25 more than any other back.
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I would rather get a defensive lineman than a safety.
AgamemnonNovember 22, 2018 at 10:31 am #94317znModeratorI would rather get a defensive lineman than a safety.
Yeah…they do acquire DBs at an astonishing rate so it’s entirely possible they already have one.
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