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We're half way through the 2013 NFL season and so it's time to take a deep look at the advanced statistics to see where the Browns and our individual players rank so far this season. Today I will delve into the defensive side of the football.
I need to give special thanks to the guys over at Pro Football Focus for doing all the work to compile these premium stats. Instead of posting a bunch of pictures, I will simply be interpreting PFF's premium stats and describing the story they tell us about each of our defensive starters. All the information based in this article was made available via PFF's premium stats.
Note, all the rankings ( except OLB ) are stacked based on ALL players at that position who played at least 50% of the snaps so far this season. OLB was ranked based on players who played at least 25% of the snaps so far this season. I chose to do this due to injuries as well as to ensure we get a look at our rookie first round pass rusher, Barkevious Mingo.
* Click on all images to enlarge *
The Browns Defense
Overall team defense - Cleveland is ranked 14th best in the NFL with a +13.9 rating:
When looking specifically at run defense - the Browns are ranked 9th best in the NFL with a +18.4 rating:
When looking specifically at the pass coverage - The Browns are ranked 19th best or 13th worst in the NFL and have a rating of - 14.5:
When looking specifically with overall pass rush - The Browns are ranked 19th best or 13th worst in the NFL with a rating of -0.5:
Cumulative Defensive Summaries
DB- Joe Haden
Snap vs. Run
Haden ranks 25th in tackles vs. the run among DB who take at least 50% of the snaps. In 205 total run snaps, Haden has logged 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle and 1 stop. Haden is ranked 38th in the NFL when it comes to his run stop percentage, which is 1.0. Haden's Tackling Efficiency rating is 7 ( ranked 35th in NFL ). This means that for every 7 tackles he makes vs. the run, he misses one tackle.
Snaps vs. Pass
In 350 total passing snaps ( which ranks 4th in NFL ) Haden registered 24 tackles ( ranked tied for 15th in the NFL ). Haden has a Tackling Efficiency rating vs. the pass of 9.0 ( ranked 35th in NFL ), which means for every 9 tackles made, he misses one. In total this season Haden has missed 3 tackles and made 8 stops ( ranked tied for 8th in NFL ).
Snaps in Coverage
Among DB's that have taken 50% of the snaps vs the pass, Haden ranks 24th in the NFL. Haden has allowed 2 TD's and an NFL QB rating of 80.0 when QB's throw his direction, which is tied for 31st in NFL however he has not notched an INT yet this season, which is tied for 50th in NFL among DB's.
Haden ranks 10th in Yards Per Cover Snap ( 0.82 ) meaning the amount of yards given up while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he's in coverage. Haden ranks 24th in Cover Snaps per Reception ( 11.7 ) meaning the amount of times he's in primary coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
DB - Buster Skrine
Snaps vs. Run
Skrine is ranked 10th in the NFL for number of snaps taken vs. the run ( 191 snaps ). In those 191 snaps, he has notched 10 tackles ( ranked tied for 3rd in NFL ), 1 assist, 3 misses and 4 stops. His Run Stop Percentage is 2.1 ( ranked 15th in the NFL ). Skrine's overall Tackling Efficiency vs. the run is 4.7 ( ranked 55th in the NFL ) meaning for every 4.7 tackles he makes, he misses one tackle.
Snaps vs. Pass
Skrine is ranked 7th in total snaps vs. the pass ( 337 ) and is ranked 61st in terms of Tackling Efficiency vs. the pass with a rating of 5.5 - meaning for every 5.5 tackles vs. the pass, he misses one. Skrine ranks tied for 4th with 6 missed tackles so far on the year. However, of his 337 pass snaps, Skrine has an NFL leading 11 stops. When throwing his direction, NFL QB's have a NFL rating of 73.2 - this is ranked tied for 17th best in the NFL ( this is a good thing ).
Snaps in Coverage
Skrine has played 337 snaps in coverage and ranks 42nd in Yards per Cover Snap ( 1.19 ), meaning the amount of yards Skrine allows while in the primary cover man relative to how many snaps he takes in coverage. Skrine continues to be targeted by NFL QB's with a league leading 68 targets among all DB who play at least 50% of the snaps. Skrine has allowed the 2nd most receptions this season ( 35 ) and has allowed 2 TD's and tallied 1 INT. Skrine ranks 51st in Receptions per Cover Snap, meaning the number of reception he allows whilst in primary coverage relative to the number of snaps he's in coverage.
Slot Performance
Skrine has played the 7th most cover snaps ( 199 ) from the slot and touts the 8th lowest NFL QB rating when QB's throw his direction ( 67.7 ). Skrine hasn't allowed a TD all years from the slot and has tallied 1 INT. Skrine has been targeted 31 times in the slot, which tied for 8th most in the NFL and has only given up 188 yards which is ranked 9th among slot defensive backs. When in the slot, Skrine is rated 7th overall in terms of the amount of Yards per Coverage Snap (0.94 ) - meaning the amount of yards Skrine allows while in the primary cover man relative to how many snaps he takes in slot coverage. Skrine is ranked tied for 9th in Snaps per Reception ( 10 ) - meaning the amount of times Skrine is in primary coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
SS - TJ Ward
Snaps vs. Run ( Total )
Ward ranks 8th in the NFL in amount of snaps taken vs. the run ( 198 snaps ) and is ranked 1st in number of tackles in the run game at 28 and his 7 assists are tied for 3rd overall in the NFL. Ward also boasts the league's best Stop Percentage ( 8.6% ) with 17 total stops.
Snaps vs. Run within 8 yards of LoS
Ward has taken 108 snaps inside 8 yards of the Line of Scrimmage, which ranks 7th most in the NFL and he can be found here on approximately 54% of his total snaps. When playing here, Ward is the best rated player in the NFL in the number of tackles made ( 19 ); he's also ranked tied for 7th best in assists ( 4 ); and is ranked 6th best in NFL for Stop Percentage at 9.3%.
Snaps in Coverage
Ward ranks 3rd among NFL safeties with 331 snaps in coverage. Of those snaps, he has allowed 14 receptions on 21 targets, 144 yards, 1 TD and tallied 2 INT's. Ward ranks 23rd overall in Cover Snaps per Target with 15.8, meaning the amount of times (15.8) Ward is the primary man in coverage relative to how many times his man is targeted. Ward ranks 18th in the NFL ( 0.44 ) in Yards per Cover Snap, the amount of yards a safety allows while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he's in coverage. And finally, Ward ranks 23rd in Cover Snaps per Reception ( 23.6 ) meaning the number of snaps he is primary man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
Tackling
Vs. Run - Ward has a Tackling Efficiency rating of 8.0 which is tied for 34th in the NFL, meaning for every 8 tackles he makes, he misses one. For the season, Ward has missed 5 tackles vs. the run.
Vs. Pass - Ward has a Tackling Efficiency rating of 7.7 which is tied for 35th in the NFL, meaning for every 7.7 tackles he makes, he misses one. For the season, Ward has missed 3 tackles vs. the pass.
FS - Tashon Gipson
Snaps vs. Run ( Total )
Gipson is tied for 6th in the NFL for total snaps vs. the run ( 201 ) of which he tallied 20 tackles which is tied for 6th in the NFL. In those snaps, he missed 4 tackles and assisted on 2 and tallied 6 stops. His Run Stop Percentage ( 3% ) is tied for 26th best in the NFL.
Snaps vs. Run Within 8 Yards of LoS
You can find Gipson within 8 yards of the Line of Scrimmage 30.3% of the time, or 61 total snaps. In those snaps, Gipson has tallied 6 tackles and 2 stops for a Stop Percentage of 3.3%, which is ranked tied for 35th in the NFL.
Snaps in Coverage
Gipson played 330 snaps in coverage so far this season which is tied for 4th most among NFL safeties. QB's targeted him 21 times ( ranked 20th ) in which he allowed 14 receptions, 191 yards, 0 TD's and tallied 2 INT's. ** the highest targeted safety ( Yeremiah Bell - 35 targets ) **
Gipson is ranked 24th for his Cover Snaps per Target ( 15.7 ) - meaning the amount of snaps he is the primary man in coverage relative to the number of times he's targeted. Gipson is ranked 33rd in Yards per Cover Snap ( 0.58 ) - meaning the amount of yards allowed while he is primary man in coverage relative to how many snaps he's in coverage. Gipson is ranked 23rd in Cover Snaps per Reception ( 23.6 ) - meaning the number times he is the primary man in coverage relative to the number of receptions he allows
Tackling
Vs. Run - Gipson has a Tackling Efficiency rating of 6.5 which is tied for 41st in the NFL, meaning for every 6.5 tackles he makes, he misses one. For the season, Gipson has missed 4 tackles vs. the run.
Vs. Pass - Gipson has a Tackling Efficiency rating of 10, which is ranked tied for 25th in the NFL, meaning for every 10 tackles he makes vs. the pass, he misses one. For the season, Gipson has missed 3 tackles vs. the pass.
OLB - Barkevious Mingo
Pass Rush Productivity
From Left - Mingo has only taken 26 snaps from the left side this season, tallying 1 sack, 0 QB hits, 1 QB hurry for 2 total QB pressures for a Pass Rush Productivity of 6.7 ( 9th lowest in NFL )
The Pass Rush Productivity Formula = [sacks + (.75 x hits) + (.75xHurries)] / the total # of snaps where the player rushed from left side
From Right - Mingo took 168 snaps from the right side so far this season, tallying 3 sacks, 3 QB hits, 7 QB hurries and 14 total QB pressures for a Pass Rush Productivity from the right of 6.7 ( 13th worst in the NFL ).
Combined - Mingo combined for 4 sacks, 4 QB hits, 9 QB hurries and 17 total QB pressures, with an overall Pass Rush Productivity of 7.1 ( ranked tied for 7th worst in NFL ).
Run Stop %
Mingo played in 120 run snaps so far this season, tallying 10 tackles ( ranked 16th in NFL ) , 0 assists, 2 missed tackles and 7 stops for a Stop Percentage of 5.8 ( ranked 19th overall in NFL ).
Tackling Efficiency
Vs. Run - Mingo played 120 total run snaps, netting 10 tackles, 7 stops, 2 missed tackles for a Tackling Efficiency vs. the run of 6.0 ( ranked tied for 31st in NFL or 9th worst ) - meaning for every 6 tackles he made vs. the run, he missed one.
Note, at OLB, the Browns have 3 players in the top 10 worst tackling efficiencies vs. the run
Vs. Pass - Mingo has played 227 snaps vs. the pass so far this season, and in those snaps has netted 2 tackles, 4 stops, 1 assist, and 1 missed tackle for a Tackling Efficiency vs. the pass of 4.0 ( ranked tied for 28th in NFL or 11th worst )
Coverage
** Mingo hasn't played in at least 25% of the snaps in coverage to warrant tallying coverage metrics **
OLB - Jabaal Sheard
Pass Rush Productivity
From Left - Sheard took 43 snaps from the left side so far this season. In those 43 snaps from the left side, he tallied 1 sack, 0 QB hits, 10 QB hurries, = 11 total QB pressures ( ranks 16th in NFL ) for a Pass Rush Productivity from the left side of 19.8 ( ranks 6th best in NFL )
The Pass Rush Productivity Formula = [sacks + (.75 x hits) + (.75xHurries)] / the total # of snaps where the player rushed from left side
From Right - Sheard took 64 snaps from the right side so far this season. In those snaps, Sheard tallied 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 4 QB hurries = 6 total QB pressures ( ranked tied for 21st in NFL ) for a Pass Rush Productivity from the right side of 7.4 ( ranked 26th in NFL )
Combined - Sheard's total QB pressures ( 17 ) is ranked tied 22nd in the NFL however his combined Pass Rush Productivity ( 12.4 ) is ranked 10th best in the NFL.
Run Stop %
Jabaal played in 94 run snaps this season ( ranked 11th least snaps for 3-4 OLB vs. run ), tallying 6 tackles ( 7th least in NFL ), 2 assists, 3 missed tackles ( 5th most in NFL ) and 6 stops for a Stop Percentage of 6.4% which is 17th best in NFL.
Tackling Efficiency
Vs. Run - Sheard played in 94 snaps vs. the run, netting 6 tackles, 6 stops, 2 assists and 3 missed tackles for a Tackling Efficiency of 3.7 ( 37th overall in NFL or 3rd worst ) - meaning for every 3.7 tackles he made vs. the run, he missed one.
Vs. Pass - Sheard played a total of 143 snaps vs. the pass, netting 3 tackles, 3 stops, and 0 missed tackles for a perfect Tackling Efficiency vs. pass.
Coverage
Sheard has only played 36 coverage snaps this season, in which he was targeted 4 times, allowed 3 receptions for 35 yards, 0 TD's and 0 INTs.
Sheard's Cover Snap per Target is 9.0 ( ranked 16th ) - meaning the amount of times he was the primary man in coverage relative to how many times his receiver is targeted. Sheard's Yards per Cover Snap is 0.97 ( ranked 6th worst ) - meaning the amount of yards he allowed while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he is in coverage. Sheard's Cover Snaps per Reception is 12.0 ( ranks tied for 10th best in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he is the primary coverage man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
OLB - Paul Kruger
Pass Rush Productivity
From Left - Kruger has rushed from the left 66.8% of the time or 203 snaps ( 2nd among 3-4 OLB ). He tallied 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 20 QB hurries ( 2nd among 3-4 OLB ) , for 24 total QB pressures ( ranked 5th in NFL ) for a Pass Rush Productivity of 9.1 ( ranked 25th in the NFL ).
The Pass Rush Productivity Formula = [sacks + (.75 x hits) + (.75xHurries)] / the total # of snaps where the player rushed from left side
From Right - Kruger has rushed from the right side 12.5% of the time or 38 snaps. He tallied 0 sacks, 2 QB hits ( ranked tied 10th best in NFL ), 3 QB hurries, for 5 total QB pressures
Combined - Kruger's combined 23 QB hurries is ranked tied 5th in the NFL, but his combined Pass Rush Productivity ( 9.2 ) is ranked 26th in NFL or 14th worst.
Run Stop %
Kruger has played 185 snaps vs. the run this season ( ranked 5th most in the NFL ) tallying 13 tackles ( ranked tied for 8th most in NFL ), 2 assists, 6 missed tackles ( most in NFL among 3-4 OLB ) and 10 stops ( ranked tied for 8th best in NFL ) for a Stop Percentage of 5.4 ( ranked 22nd overall among 3-4 OLB )
Tackling Efficiency
Vs. Run - Kruger played 185 snaps vs. run netting 13 tackles, 10 stops, 2 assists, 6 missed tackles for a Tackling Efficiency of 3.5 ( ranked tied for worst in NFL ) - meaning for every 3.5 tackles he made vs. run, he missed one.
Vs. Pass - Kruger played 304 snaps in the passing game so far this season and tallied 3 tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle for a Tackling Efficiency of 4.0 ( ranked tied 28th in NFL or 12th worst )
Coverage
Kruger played 61 snaps in coverage so far this season which is the 8th most in the NFL. In those snaps, he was targeted 8 times allowing 6 catches for 76 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT.
Kruger's Cover Snap per Target is 7.6 ( ranked 3rd worst in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he was the primary man in coverage relative to how many times his receiver is targetedKruger's Yards per Cover Snap is 1.25 ( ranked 3rd most in NFL ) - meaning the amount of yards he allowed while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he is in coverage. Kruger's Cover Snaps per Reception is 10.2 ( ranked 5th worst in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he is the primary coverage man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
ILB - D'Qwell Jackson
Snaps vs. Run
Jackson played 210 snaps vs. the run so far this season ( ranked 4th in the NFL ) and notched 19 total tackles ( ranked tied 25th in NFL among ILB ) , 2 assists ( ranked 34th or 3rd from last among ILB ), 3 missed tackles ( ranked tied 13th in NFL ) and 13 stops ( ranked tied 26th in NFL ) for a Total Stop Percentage of 6.2 ( ranked 33rd in NFL or the 4th worst ) .
Pass Rush Productivity
Jackson played 352 snaps vs. the pass so far this season ( ranked 5th in the NFL ) and in those snaps only rushed the QB 15.6% of the time. During passing plays, Jackson tallied 1 sack ( ranked tied for 13th in NFL ), 1 QB hit ( ranked tied 11th in NFL ), 6 QB hurries ( ranked tied 8th in NFL ), and 8 total QB pressures ( ranked tied 10th in NFL ).
In total, Jackson's Pass Rush Productivity was 11.4% ( ranked tied 18th in the NFL )- this is a formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries ( with hits and hurries worth ¾ the value ) relative to how many times they rush the passer.
Tackling Efficiency
Vs. Run - Jackson tallied 19 total tackles vs. the run, 13 stops, 2 assists and 3 misses, for a Tackling Efficiency of 8 ( ranked tied 27th in NFL ) which means for every 8 tackles he made vs. the run, he missed one.
Vs. Pass - Jackson tallied 20 tackles vs. the pass, 10 stops, 2 assists and 1 miss, for a Tackling Efficiency of 23 ( ranked 5th in the NFL) which means for every 23 tackles vs. the pass, he missed one.
Coverage
Jackson has played 297 cover snaps so far this season. He has been targeted 24 times (ranked tied for 10th best in NFL), allowing 18 receptions ( ranked tied 10th best in NFL ) , 115 yards ( ranked 4th best in NFL ), 0 TD, 0 INT.
Jackson's Cover Snaps per Target is 12.4 ( ranked tied 2nd best in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he is the primary man in coverage relative to how many times his receiver is targeted. Jackson's Yards per Cover Snap is 0.39 (which leads the NFL ) - meaning the amount of yards he allows while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he is in coverage. Jackson's Cover Snap per Reception is 16.5 ( ranked 3rd best in NFL ) - meaning the amount of time he is the primary man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
ILB - Craig Robertson
Snaps vs. Run
Robertson played 208 snaps vs. the run so far this season ( ranked 5th in the NFL ) amassing 18 tackles ( ranked tied for 29th in NFL ), 3 assists ( ranked tied for 31st in NFL - or 4th worst ), 1 missed tackle and 15 stops ( ranked tied 15th in NFL ) for a Total Stop Percentage of 7.2% ( ranked 30th in NFL or 7th worst ).
Pass Rush Productivity
Robertson played 345 snaps vs. the pass so far this season ( ranked 6th in the NFL ) and only rushed the passer 15.6% of the time. In these snaps vs. the pass, Robertson tallied 2 sacks ( ranked tied 5th in NFL ), 2 QB hits ( ranked tied 7th in the NFL ), 4 QB hurries ( ranked tied 15th in the NFL ) and 8 total QB pressures ( ranked tied 10th in NFL ).
In total, Robertson's Pass Rush Productivity was 11.8% ( ranked tied 16th in the NFL )- this is a formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries ( with hits and hurries worth ¾ the value ) relative to how many times they rush the passer.
Tackling Efficiency
Vs. Run - Robertson amasses 18 total tackles vs. the run, 15 stops, 3 assists, and 1 missed tackle for a total Tackling Efficiency of 22 ( ranked tied 7th in NFL ) which means for every 22 tackles he made, he missed one.
Vs. Pass - Robertson tallied 21 tackles vs. the pass, 10 stops, 3 assists, and 5 missed tackles for a total tackling Efficiency of 5.8 ( ranked 29th in NFL, or 7th worst ).
Coverage
Robertson has played 290 snaps in coverage ( ranked 7th most in NFL ). He has been targeted 42 times ( ranked 2nd most in NFL ) and allowed 37 receptions ( the most in the NFL ) for 375 yards (Only 5 yards shy of the most in the NFL ), 4 TD ( ranked tied for worst in NFL ) and 0 INT.
Robertson's Cover Snap per Target is 6.9 ( tied for 3rd most in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he was the primary cover man in coverage relative to how many times his receiver is targeted. Robertson's Yards per Cover Snap is 1.29 ( ranked 2nd worst in NFL ) - meaning the amount of yards he allows while in primary coverage relative to how many snaps he is in coverage. Robertson's Cover Snaps per Reception is 7.8 ( 2nd worst in NFL ) - meaning the amount of times he is the primary man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows.
NT - Phil Taylor
Run Stop %
Taylor ranks 18th in the NFL with 135 snaps taken vs. the run. Taylor has notched 11 tackles ( ranked tied for 23rd in the NFL ), 3 assists ( ranked tied for 16th in the NFL ), 0 missed tackles and 10 stops ( ranked tied for 16th in NFL ), for a Stop % of 7.4 ( ranked tied for 20th in the NFL ).
Pass Rush Productivity
Taylor has played 188 snaps vs. the pass this season, and rushes the passer 98.9% of the time in those situations. In those 188 snaps Taylor has notched 2 sacks ( ranked tied 14th in NFL ), 3 QB hits ( ranked tied 14th in NFL ), 4 QB hurries ( ranked tied 27th in NFL ) and 9 total QB pressures ( ranked 25th in NFL ).
Taylor ranks 24th in the NFL for his total Pass Rush Productivity rating ( 3.9 ) - meaning the percentage of pressures where a DT gets a sack, hit or hurry relative to how many times they rush the passer.
DT - Ahytba Rubin
Run Stop %
For the season, Rubin has taken the 23rd most snaps against the run ( 112 ). In those 112 snaps vs. the run, Rubin amassed 17 tackles ( ranked 6th in NFL among 3-4 DT ), 5 assists ( ranked tied for 6th in NFL among DT ), 0 missed tackles and 12 stops ( ranked tied for 12th in NFL ). Ultimately, Rubin has a Stop % of 10.7% ( ranked 6th in the NFL among 3-4 DT ). John Hughes is the only Browns DT with a higher Stop percentage ( 11.8%, which is ranked 3rd in the NFL )
Pass Rush Productivity
Rubin isn't used 50% of the time or more in passing situations. He has only seen the field on 157 passing snaps which ranks 19th among 3-4 DT that play 25% or more of the pass rush snaps. However, his Pass Rush Percentage is 97.5% ( ranks 38th among 3-4 DT that play at least 25% of the total snaps ) - meaning 97.5% is the percentage of pass rush snaps per passing snap played.
Rubin has 0 QB hits ( ranks last, or 35th among 3-4 DT ), 3 QB hurries ( ranked 36th in the NFL or 5th worst among 3-4 DT ) and 4 total pressures ( ranks tied for 38th or 3rd worst in NFL ) in those 157 passing snaps.
DT - Desmond Bryant
Run Stop %
For the season, Bryant has taken the 11th most snaps vs. the run ( 139 snaps ) in which he has tallied 9 tackles ( ranked tied for 20th ), 7 Stops ( ranked tied for 19th ), and a Run Stop % of 5.0 ( ranked 24th - which is 7th worst in NFL among DT ) - meaning the percentage of run stops he is responsible for on running plays he's on the field.
Pass Rush Productivity
Bryant is on the field in pass rush situations 99.6% of the time ( 249 snaps - ranked 8th in NFL ). In these snaps he has produced 4 sacks ( ranked tied for 6th among 3-4 DT ); tallied 8 hits on the QB ( ranked tied for 2nd among 3-4 DT ); 15 QB hurries ( ranked 7th for 3-4 DT ); and created 27 total QB pressures ( ranked tied for 6th in the NFL among 3-4 DT ).
Bryant's Overall Pass Rush Productivity is 8.6 ( ranked tied for 6th overall in NFL among 3-4 DT ). This is a formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries ( with hits and hurries = ¾ the worth ) relative to how many times the rush the passer.