(S2) - PT #3 - Bold Predictions

[timeconsumer]

My Bold Prediction: Sack production by defensive linemen and linebackers almost doubles compared to last year.

Defensive ends, tackles, and linebackers focused speed last season, they got really fast. If they got through the line, they were taking the QB down. But most of them are capped out at speed now and starting to push their strength, tackling, and agility. Speed helps you get to the QB, other stats help you get off the block. As defensive linemen and linebackers continue to close the gap between themselves and offensive linemen in TPE (OL start out with quite a bit) we can expect to see quarterbacks taking significantly more sacks than they did last season. We will also see that interior linemen will actually give up the fewest sacks on average compared to the guys on the edge, but the guys on the edge will also generate the most pancakes.

The real question though, is how teams work to mitigate this changing dynamic in the trenches. Do they start getting their linemen faster? Do they move towards mobile quarterbacks? Do they switch schemes to west coast or other quick release plays? Do they curl up into a little ball and cry?