The top 12 or 14 tacklers in NFL are LBs the first safety is around 12th an then second around 14
Anthony Harris 27 just 10 solo 17 helpers
Jamal Adams 26 but just 16 solo an 8 helpers
I know the numbers are off not sure why but from NFL page.
So Harris is not playing so bad when you consider his numbers 20 with 16 solo an 4 helpers
You don’t have to like him but his play this season i admit early but is way better than past seasons.
Good point Yote, I have hope for Harris and hope he continues to improve as the season goes on. My only point was that for a game the lead tackler will generally be decided by how the offense plays and what position the defensive players are put in. i.e. If the offense throws more screens passes then the defensive player on whomever the ball is thrown to should get a majority of the tackles, if they are doing their job right.
Probably Phil. Really poor pursuit angles. Peter Gabriel covered up a lot of his deficiencies.
I think we all knew that Collins was a question mark heading into the season. I can think of guys that might be in over the head, but I can’t think of anyone who’s capable of playing without heart or effort.
This year is basically one long preseason for next year. The lions have got to play these young guys and see what they have.
I think Vatai is as good as gone next year. I also think Trey Flowers is not good enough to be making what he makes. Those two are probably goners in my eyes outside of them two I don’t see anyone else who is signed through next year and is making good money Who may be cut. Only guy possible is Goff and that would take a complete meltdown this year.
If Vatai can be productive at guard, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stay, especially next year. Sure, he’s overpriced, but cutting him wouldn’t save a ton compared to what replacement cost would be.
I’m guessing they’ll keep him until there is a replacement groomed and ready to go.
The savings with Flowers would be more, and it appears his replacements are already on the roster. I think he’s likely gone.
“he will be O. U. R. ROG.” not are.
If big V continues to play at the level he is now, I see no reason to get rid of him. Perhaps rework his contract. He is playing well enough that getting rid of him would be removing talent. Right now we need to add talent - not remove it.
I can see cutting ties with Flowers because his contract vs. on field production do not match (as mentioned by another poster). Not bagging on Flowers. He is a good player but was overpaid and in a system that does not fit his strengths.
You are correct that tackle stats for a safety don’t tell the entire story. In fact I agree with you that it is wrong to assume it means he’s playing well.
He’s mostly a box safety so he’s basically a LBer. So he gets to rack up stats as a result. But…… The reason he leads the team in tackles is because he also struggles in coverage and is making the tackle after allowing the completion.
Judging a DB based off how many tackles he has shows your not watching the tape and are instead watching the stat line.
I do think Harris is improving though. But he has a long way to go before I’d consider his play even average. Right now he’s a below average player in my book.
Tackles can be a weird stat.
In 2020, John Johnson led the Rams in tackles.
They were the #1 ranked defense in scoring and yardage. He was #38 in the NFL tackles leaders.
#39?
Jamie Collins. Dead last in NFL defense.
Also… in 2020… only 5 of the top 30 leaders in tackles played on top 10 defenses (yards allowed). On the other hand… 10 of thoss 30 leading tacklers played on defenses that ranked in bottom 10 of NFL.
Bad defenses typically stay on the field longer… so there are more opportunities to make tackles.
I agree with this @BigNatty.
It’s not due to effort but more due to cap situations.
I think he’s in line for a restructuring or a cut. But I think there’s a chance they restructure him. With voidable years …. Which allows him to stick around one more season. But he’s a strong possibility to be gone in the next two seasons any way you cut it.
Excellent point as well.
Also Harris played 100% of the snaps in the first two games and near 100% last game. So he’s getting plenty of opportunities. More than any other player in the NFL actually.
Which helps Harris to have 20 tackles but if his tackle stats suggest his play is good then shouldn’t he show up in other stat categories as well? He has zero sacks, zero passes defended and zero ints.
I think his tackle numbers are a misleading stat and do not reflect on his actual play.
I hear Gabriel was a real Sledge Hammer.
Maybe Flowers. To shake away the last stench of the “Patriot Way”.
I’m not sure I’d cut Williams and count on hand. He just doesn’t seem like he’ll ever be able to shake the injury bug.
I don’t see anyone getting cut like Collins. We don’t have great players and many can be upgraded but they all play with great effort. Collins didn’t.
Flowers is my pick as well, he was paid like a DE sack specialist and that’s just not his game. No fault of Flowers he’s a good player and any of us would have taken that money. It’s just not a good contract for what he brings to the table.