15 replies to this topic

[theFRANCHISE]

As requested by ZIBBY28 and some of the other posters in the Preseason Week 2 game thread, here's a spreadsheet of all 32 team's defensive touchdowns (fumbles and interceptions) from 2005-2008 -- in other words, Rex Ryan's tenure in Baltimore as defensive coordinator.



(NOTE: If you have images blocked on the message board, you can also access the spreadsheet here)

Notably, the Ravens are not league leaders in this category over the past four years; that distinction instead goes to the Minnesota Vikings' defense, beginning with a spark by then-defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin in 2006 that carried over into 2007 after his hiring as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The league average in that span was roughly 10 defensive TDs. Of the 13 teams over that average, 9 had multiple appearances in the playoffs over the past 4 seasons. Interestingly, only the New York Giants have accumulated more than 10 defensive TDs and made the playoffs each of the last 4 years.

It should also be noted that when the Ravens have been in the Top 5 in defensive scoring, they've made the playoffs.

Now, you may ask, why are these numbers relevant to the Ravens? If you examine 2005 and 2007, years when defensive scoring was down under Rex Ryan's scheme, the Ravens fell short of the playoffs both seasons, going 6-10 and 5-11, respectively. As much as we'd like to believe that the defense wins games for us on a frequent basis, the offense must also do its fair share, as 2006 and 2008 showed. The magic of the 2000 season was simply lightning in a bottle, and unfortunately, the formula of "Defense Wins Championships" is only true if the offense plays mistake-free football.

Edited by theFRANCHISE, 27 August 2009 - 10:16 AM.

[Alexir]

I am having trouble thinking of all 6 we got last year. Reed had 2, Suggs had 2, Leonhard had 1 and....

[theFRANCHISE]

Alexir, on 26 August 2009 - 07:41 PM, said:

I am having trouble thinking of all 6 we got last year. Reed had 2, Suggs had 2, Leonhard had 1 and....

Reed had 2 picks but also a fumble returned for a TD (against the Redskins.)

I remember that was the one where he did the backwards walk into the endzone as he stumbled from a would-be tackler.

[Alexir]

theFRANCHISE, on 26 August 2009 - 07:45 PM, said:

Reed had 2 picks but also a fumble returned for a TD (against the Redskins.)

I remember that was the one where he did the backwards walk into the endzone as he stumbled from a would-be tackler.

How the hell did i forget that one?! Thats when I told all my friends who are redskins fans that Ed Reed singlehandedly beat them. 2 picks, FF, FR

[bce086]

Nice work Franchise.

[PuRock]

Minnesota went off the charts. Man. I know Darren Sharper has 3 TDs for Minnesota.

[jfc13]

Watching Ed Reed has spoiled me. I would have thought the number was higher.

That's what happens when you go by perception and not stats. LOL.

[the actual file is being blocked, so I can't see it, I'm just going by Alexir's post where he says 6. What's the Minnesota number that everyone is talking about?]

Edited by jfc13, 27 August 2009 - 10:11 AM.

[theFRANCHISE]

jfc13, on 27 August 2009 - 10:09 AM, said:

[the actual file is being blocked, so I can't see it, I'm just going by Alexir's post where he says 6. What's the Minnesota number that everyone is talking about?]

Minnesota had 19 defensive TDs over the past four years, ranked 1st in the league. Mind-blowing, considering you don't normally think of Minnesota has having a defense capable of scoring. Here's a link to the spreadsheet.

[MKdave]

To be fair, I'd imagine they got passed on alot more than we did because of their porous pass defense and stout run defense, so they had more opportunity to get their hands on the ball and take it back.

[PuRock]

theFRANCHISE, on 27 August 2009 - 10:15 AM, said:

Minnesota had 19 defensive TDs over the past four years, ranked 1st in the league. Mind-blowing, considering you don't normally think of Minnesota has having a defense capable of scoring. Here's a link to the spreadsheet.

It just seems so strange, Minnesota. Last year they had 0 INTs for TDs. 2007 was the year where they made their mark.

In terms of INT TDs, I wonder if we would be first there.

[theFRANCHISE]

PuRock, on 27 August 2009 - 11:41 AM, said:

It just seems so strange, Minnesota. Last year they had 0 INTs for TDs. 2007 was the year where they made their mark.

In terms of INT TDs, I wonder if we would be first there.

I think we're tied with Green Bay for INT TDs over that span, but I can't confirm. Took me a little while to get the spreadsheet together and double-check, but I can go back through and do another if I have the time.

On another note, it amazes me that the Cardinals and the Colts had as many defensive TDs as they did. You normally think of the Cards as having no defensive talent until last season, and the Colts have been a predominantly offensive team with very little defense.

Edited by theFRANCHISE, 27 August 2009 - 11:50 AM.

[jfc13]

theFRANCHISE, on 27 August 2009 - 10:15 AM, said:

Minnesota had 19 defensive TDs over the past four years, ranked 1st in the league. Mind-blowing, considering you don't normally think of Minnesota has having a defense capable of scoring. Here's a link to the spreadsheet.

Thanks for the info!

The spreadsheet is blocked, too. Hard to say what rule it broke. Did you call it "Nude Women Commit Hate Crimes While Gambling"?

I'll check it out from home.

[Sub-Zero]

I'm thinking most of Minny's defensive TD's come off of Brett Favre, who probably gave up too many INT TD's so much so that they had to credit GB some

[Sub-Zero]

PuRock, on 27 August 2009 - 11:41 AM, said:

It just seems so strange, Minnesota. Last year they had 0 INTs for TDs. 2007 was the year where they made their mark.

In terms of INT TDs, I wonder if we would be first there.

a.k.a the same year Brett Favre left, hmmmm

[J-man]

Other teams could just fall on a fumble, but we had to pick it up and run it back because we had no offense.

[wolfzie06]

Two of those years we had a lot of injuries on defense. I'm sure this contributed to the drop-off in turnovers.