Atlanta Falcons All-Falcons Poll: Defensive End
By Dustin Black
We roll on with the All-Falcons poll series where you as the fan can pick which player is your favorite player at each and every position on offense and defense. The basics are as follows:
Each position will have its own set of parameters for a player to make it onto the list, each poll will be accompanied by a chart that shows each players statistics compared to their peers to illustrate why they qualify for the poll and for the readers base of knowledge, the defensive scheme will be a 4-3 (2 CB’s, 1 FS, 1 SS, 2 OLB’s, 1 MLB, 2 DE’s, 2 DT’s), the offensive scheme will be the I-formation (1 RB, 1 FB, 1 QB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 T, 2 G, 1 C). The end of the series will be either a chart on who plays each position and a poll to see how well you think it came out. This paragraph will precede each poll for reference.
This poll will deal with the defensive end position. I would like to start by stating that some players will overlap from one poll to another because out of fairness they do fit the parameters set forth for both positions. In the case of a player winning both positions I will use the position that gets the most votes, and the remaining position will go off of the second or third place finisher. Now after some research the parameters for the defensive end position are going to match the linebacker positions. It goes as follows: the player had to play on the team for AT LEAST 3 consecutive seasons; they have had to record a Weighted Career Approximate Value (as researched on pro-football-reference.com/ http://www.sports-reference.com/blog/approximate-value/ ) of at least a 30, remember the higher the number the better; the player has to have had a recorded statistic in 2 of the 4 following categories tackles, fumble recovery, interception, or sack; lastly the player DID NOT have to begin or end their career with the Falcons. So there are the parameters for the defensive end position. Let’s see who we have (All statistics brought to you by pro-football-reference.com):
Name |
# of Years in League
# of Years on Team
WCAV
TKL/FR/INT/SK
John Abraham
13
7 (’06-’12)
88
429/6/1/122
Claude Humphrey
13
11 (’68-’78)
73
NA/11/2/NA
Chuck Smith
9
8 (’92-’99)
43
270/12/3/58.5
Patrick Kerney
11
8 (’99-’06)
67
361/11/8/82.5
Mike Gann
9
9 (’85-’93)
43
NA/11/1/23.5
So now that you have all of the information let’s see the fans opinion for the defensive end position. Pick 2 of the 5 options. All thoughts and opinions are valued.