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The worst pass rushing team in the NFL in 2019 was the Dolphins. They were horrible as they were so at so many things.
The next worst [and it was close] was the Chargers.
The next worst [and it was close] was the Chargers.
Shock!
Horror!
Denial!
But it's true.
Everyone loves to love the Chargers but they were pretty shocking last year.
And it might be the same this year
Horror!
Denial!
But it's true.
Everyone loves to love the Chargers but they were pretty shocking last year.
And it might be the same this year
Their pressure leaders last year:
Joey Bosa [obvs] - 72
Melvin Ingram - 47
...
Uchenna Nwosu - 21
Justin Jones - 17
...
Everyone else combined - 59
...
A couple of big names does not make an effective team pass rush
Joey Bosa [obvs] - 72
Melvin Ingram - 47
...
Uchenna Nwosu - 21
Justin Jones - 17
...
Everyone else combined - 59
...
A couple of big names does not make an effective team pass rush
It's mad that Bosa and Ingram created more disruption than the rest of the team combined.
Let's compare that to some good pass rushing teams.
...
The Saints
Cam Jordan + Marcus Davenport - 134
Everyone else - 229
...
Tampa
Shaq Barrett + Vita Vea - 138
Everyone else - 219
...
Steelers
TJ Watt + Cam Heyward - 141
Everyone else - 202
...
The Saints
Cam Jordan + Marcus Davenport - 134
Everyone else - 229
...
Tampa
Shaq Barrett + Vita Vea - 138
Everyone else - 219
...
Steelers
TJ Watt + Cam Heyward - 141
Everyone else - 202
This is pretty logical stuff.
Teams that are good at pass rushing have distributed pressure.
"We've got 5 good rushers. You can't block 'em all!"
Teams with just a couple of studs are relatively easy to stop
"Bosa and Ingram are good - let's just double them every snap"
Teams that are good at pass rushing have distributed pressure.
"We've got 5 good rushers. You can't block 'em all!"
Teams with just a couple of studs are relatively easy to stop
"Bosa and Ingram are good - let's just double them every snap"
Here's a comparison for the worst pass rushing teams in 2019.
Look at the proportion of the Charger's pressure that came from just 2 players compared to the other teams.
How good would this defense be if Joey Bosa got hurt?
Look at the proportion of the Charger's pressure that came from just 2 players compared to the other teams.
How good would this defense be if Joey Bosa got hurt?
Same data but on a comparative total chart.
Now remember that the Chargers did not invest in an edge rusher in the offseason.
They traded up for another inside LB.
Added Linval Joseph as a free agent.
That's a pretty weird approach to me.
They traded up for another inside LB.
Added Linval Joseph as a free agent.
That's a pretty weird approach to me.
I hope as much as anyone else that Jerry Tillery turns it around and isn't as horrible as he appeared as a rookie but even if that's true - the issue is on the edge.
This is the most fragile pass rush in the NFL.
This is the most fragile pass rush in the NFL.
