Digging Deeper: Update Week 4 - Linebackers

OK guys, I think I figured out the problem with my original attempt at this post.  Maybe now with all the kinks worked out, I won't have all the advertisements sucked into my tables.  This is the Bye Week update (stats for Weeks 1-3) for the Linebackers.  Obviously, if the Defensive Line is struggling, it will make it harder for the Linebackers and Defensive Backs (and vice-versa); but hopefully this can give us a slightly clearer picture of who on Defense is struggling. 

Linebackers

For reference, here are numbers representing decent production (around #30 rank for Linebackers):

Stop Rate: ~60%

Average Run Yards: ~3.0

Average Pass Yards: ~5.5

To say Peterson has been reborn here in Atlanta might not be over-stating it.  He has been fantastic so far.  Lofton is making a ton of plays, but he has been cleaning up a bit of trash (especially in the Patriots game).  Nicholas looks poor here, but really one big run is throwing off his average – hopefully that will come down as the season progresses.  Now for the coverage numbers:

Again, Peterson looks like a world-beater.  He was in coverage on the 38 yard TD pass to Chris Baker in the Patriots game, or his numbers would look even better.  The averages for Lofton are bumped up because of a couple plays where he was 20 or so yards deep, Tampa-2 style.  He’s also gotten victimized by great catches when he had good coverage.  He’s fine.  The YAC is high for Nicholas because he’s been the one closest in coverage on a few swing/screen passes that started out behind the Line of Scrimmage.  Overall, the Linebackers are giving a good performance, although Nicholas (in particular) needs to be making his tackles (run and pass) for shorter Offensive gains.

Reminder:

Plays: Total number of Plays including Tackles, Passes Defensed, Interceptions, Forced Fumbles, and Fumble Recoveries (Special Teams tackles are not included).

Stop: Total number of Plays that prevent "success" by the Offense (success is defined by 45% of yards needed on first down, 60% of yards needed on second down, and 100% of yards needed on third and fourth down).

Stop Rate: Percentage of Tackles that were a Stop (I have lumped run and pass Plays together).

Defeat: Prevent Offense from converting a first down on third or fourth down, a Tackle behind the Line of Scrimmage, or a Play that results in a Fumble or an Interception.

Average Run Yards: Average Yards gained on Runs when this defender makes the Tackle.

Targets: Number of plays this defender was listed in coverage.

Distance: Average pass distance in the air on Targets (does not include Yards After Catch).

YAC: Average Yards After the Catch allowed.

Average Pass Yards: Average Yards gained on plays with this defender listed in coverage (including incomplete passes).