Here are some of the advanced stats for Defensive Backs through the Week 3 game.  What I am really excited about is the coverage stats I was able to compile.  Obviously, without knowing the defensive play call, or being able to completely see the routes and coverages on TV, some of these could possilby be wrong - I credit the defender that is closest to the receiver as being "in coverage", even if it really was someone else's mistake that allowed him to get open.  In general, though, these numbers should give us a better idea of who is performing well and who needs to improve.

Defensive Backs

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

Stop Rate: ~40%

Average Pass Yards (Cornerbacks): ~6.5

Average Pass Yards (Safeties): ~7.5

Nothing much to report here, as the Safeties are generally playing deep to take care of messes, and the Cornerbacks are providing good run support (like good Cover-2 corners should).  Williams’ low Stop Rate and Houston’s high Stop Rate are a bit of an aberration, based on when their tackles have occurred.  Grimes has one tackle on a 14 yard run – that will eventually correct itself if he gets more opportunities.  Now the coverage numbers:

Have I mentioned my undying love for Thomas DeCoud yet?  If not, let me say it now – the talk about possibly giving Moore some of his playing time is crazy talk.  We noticed him in the Patriots game because of his two near-interceptions, but he played great in the Panthers game, too.  He has not given up a Catch while in coverage on six attempts (although most of them have been low-percentage deep passes).  Here’s a weird quirk – Coleman has given up only three Receptions on his six Targets, but two of them were TD’s.  Houston has played pretty well so far this year, but his Average Pass Yards is still a bit high.  Brian Williams was the Cornerback that had the worst showing against the Patriots.  He was Targeted 11 times, and gave up 8 Receptions for 100 yards.  He also gave them a first down on an Illegal Contact penalty.  While his YAC seems ok, I noticed a few times where he missed the initial tackle, and someone else had to take care of business (Coleman/DeCoud/Linebackers).  Grimes is the one real pleasant surprise from the Cornerbacks.  Teams have tried him deep (as the Distance number indicates); the Pats tried to match him up and attack him with Moss, but he has generally been up to the task.  Not to paint too rosy a picture, he did give up a couple Catches for third down conversions late in the Pats game (plus was called for Pass Interference once).  Chevis Jackson was in Coverage on three passes in Prevent defense against the Panthers.

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).