11-19-2018, 01:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-21-2018, 02:45 AM by JKortesi81.)
Playing defensive end, a position of scarcity in the league, meant that Lo Rax was pulled up out of the DSFL immediately upon being drafted to the Second Line. Even as a true rookie, Rax managed to put together a very solid season. In 14 regular season games, he amassed 77 tackles, recovered a fumble, and pulled the passer down 5 times. Having come off a 31 tackle, 5 TFL + 6 sack score line in the DSFL, his numbers really jumped off the page. Part of that was Rax lining up at both the LB and DT positions for NOLA in that rookie year (a testament to his versatility), but regardless, it was enough to put him in DROY talks (despite not going on to win).
After such an impressive season as a rookie, Lo Rax, and undoubtedly Second Line management, expected a step forward in his second season. Perhaps he wouldn't amass the tackle figure he had as a rook, as he'd likely be a full time defensive end, but surely his sack and splash play (fumbles forced, fumbles recovered, INT, safety, TD) totals would increase, if all went well. Now, having completed the regular season, we can take a look and see if he did take a step forward after all.
Tackle wise, Rax saw a big step back from his rookie year- posting the same total as a sophomore that he posted in his lone DSFL season, 31. Naturally, that goes against what you want to see, even if his previous season was buffed by snaps at LB and DT. As far as negative yardage plays go for Rax, despite managing 2 less sacks this season, his 8 TFL served to pick up the slack (having zero in his rookie year). So while he wasn't posting as many double digit loss plays, the accumulation of run stops behind the line kept him productive on early downs. Again, he managed 1 take away by way of fumble recovery, so no change there.
At the surface, it appears that Rax more or less "stood still" his sophomore year. Less tackles as a whole, but more negative plays perhaps cancelling one another out. What did stand out, when you dive deeper into the numbers, though, is his ability to make plays at or behind the LOS. When factoring in yards from scrimmage at the point of his tackles, Rax's number is pretty unbelievable: As a whole, Rax gave up 1 net yard in all of S11. Even once factoring in penalties, which Rax had far too many of this season, his total jumps to only 66. Dividing 66 yards by his number of stops (not counting instances of penalties, as they aren't plays, but including yardage), he gave up 2.06 yards per stop. While I admit to not having that figure from his rookie season, 2 yards per stop is a very nice number, so I believe it's fair to look at his season as a success, even relative to his rookie achievements, although I'd hoped to see him accomplish more.
Another way to look at Rax's performance is in terms of his team's defensive stats, particularly the fellow DL on the roster. NOLA's defensive line contributed 120 tackles, 22 TFL, 2/2 FF/FR, and 13 sacks. That means Rax accounted for 25.8% of the DL tackles, 36% of the DL TFL, and 23% of his team's sacks. Of course one quarter each would indicate equal production, so it's clear Rax is pulling his share of the weight in terms of tackles and sacks, and excelling at tackles behind the LOS, supporting his 1 yard surrendered stat from above. In the context of the team as a whole, Lo is doing his job, and letting the rest of the team do theirs. On a team as talented as the Second Line this season, doing your job in a sound manner is a good recipe for success.
Of course, going into season 3, the expectations are indeed higher than both his rookie and sophomore season. By this point, defensive linemen are generally considered fully mature, so Rax must prove he belongs on the roster, and is deserving of the 4 million dollar AAV contact he signed earlier this season. If he's able to improve on his numbers while cutting down on the penalties, he can cross over into the upper echelon of defensive linemen in the league. Otherwise, he's destined for a career of "pretty good". Not that there's anything wrong with that...
After such an impressive season as a rookie, Lo Rax, and undoubtedly Second Line management, expected a step forward in his second season. Perhaps he wouldn't amass the tackle figure he had as a rook, as he'd likely be a full time defensive end, but surely his sack and splash play (fumbles forced, fumbles recovered, INT, safety, TD) totals would increase, if all went well. Now, having completed the regular season, we can take a look and see if he did take a step forward after all.
Tackle wise, Rax saw a big step back from his rookie year- posting the same total as a sophomore that he posted in his lone DSFL season, 31. Naturally, that goes against what you want to see, even if his previous season was buffed by snaps at LB and DT. As far as negative yardage plays go for Rax, despite managing 2 less sacks this season, his 8 TFL served to pick up the slack (having zero in his rookie year). So while he wasn't posting as many double digit loss plays, the accumulation of run stops behind the line kept him productive on early downs. Again, he managed 1 take away by way of fumble recovery, so no change there.
At the surface, it appears that Rax more or less "stood still" his sophomore year. Less tackles as a whole, but more negative plays perhaps cancelling one another out. What did stand out, when you dive deeper into the numbers, though, is his ability to make plays at or behind the LOS. When factoring in yards from scrimmage at the point of his tackles, Rax's number is pretty unbelievable: As a whole, Rax gave up 1 net yard in all of S11. Even once factoring in penalties, which Rax had far too many of this season, his total jumps to only 66. Dividing 66 yards by his number of stops (not counting instances of penalties, as they aren't plays, but including yardage), he gave up 2.06 yards per stop. While I admit to not having that figure from his rookie season, 2 yards per stop is a very nice number, so I believe it's fair to look at his season as a success, even relative to his rookie achievements, although I'd hoped to see him accomplish more.
Another way to look at Rax's performance is in terms of his team's defensive stats, particularly the fellow DL on the roster. NOLA's defensive line contributed 120 tackles, 22 TFL, 2/2 FF/FR, and 13 sacks. That means Rax accounted for 25.8% of the DL tackles, 36% of the DL TFL, and 23% of his team's sacks. Of course one quarter each would indicate equal production, so it's clear Rax is pulling his share of the weight in terms of tackles and sacks, and excelling at tackles behind the LOS, supporting his 1 yard surrendered stat from above. In the context of the team as a whole, Lo is doing his job, and letting the rest of the team do theirs. On a team as talented as the Second Line this season, doing your job in a sound manner is a good recipe for success.
Of course, going into season 3, the expectations are indeed higher than both his rookie and sophomore season. By this point, defensive linemen are generally considered fully mature, so Rax must prove he belongs on the roster, and is deserving of the 4 million dollar AAV contact he signed earlier this season. If he's able to improve on his numbers while cutting down on the penalties, he can cross over into the upper echelon of defensive linemen in the league. Otherwise, he's destined for a career of "pretty good". Not that there's anything wrong with that...
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