Category: 2021 season

New Stat: Putting Trevon Diggs’ 2021 yards allowed vs interceptions in proper context

The results are in, and using a method of evaluating QBs that has a strong correlation to winning, the accolades heaped on Diggs’ 2021 season are confirmed. Introducing ANYA/T and ANYA/CS. | From @KDDrummondNFL

It’s a heated and sometimes silly debate. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs had a season for the ages in one respect. He snagged 11 interceptions, the most by an NFL player in 40 years. On the other hand, certain interested parties want to discount the importance of those takeaways because Diggs was often on the receiving end of completed passes for huge gains, allowing 16.8 yards per reception.

One of the industry’s leading (and more controversial) evaluation outlets, Pro Football Focus, falls on the side of the spectrum that claims Diggs’ performance in 2021 wasn’t special at all. They claim that Diggs, a Pro Bowl corner and First-team All-Pro, wasn’t one of the top corners in the league. Rather, his interception total was inflated because some of them were off of tips, others were thrown right to him. Their metric for grading corners on a -2 to +2 scale on each individual play shows that he was really the 36th-best corner in 2021, not a top-10 player as the Pro Bowl nod suggests, and certainly not a top-four player as the All-Pro selection warrants.

Where does the truth lie? I’m no data scientist, but I do know enough about crunching numbers that I wanted to at least start a conversation about finding a better way to evaluate cornerbacks than PFF’s method. Consider this a launch point. I think it’s based on firm enough footing in the analytical world.

Walk with me.

Bears 2021 WR review: Plenty of question marks outside of Darnell Mooney

We’re taking a look at how the Bears wide receivers fared in 2021.

The Chicago Bears wrapped another disappointing season that resulted in the firings of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. With the offseason in full swing, it provides an opportunity for the new regime in GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to look back at went right, what went wrong and how to improve in 2022.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2021 Bears and grading every player. Next up is wide receiver, which will likely look drastically different next season.

PREVIOUS POSITION REVIEWS: QBS, RBs

Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson’s season-long heroics earn recognition for the unsung

Cedrick Wilson was called upon several times to fill voids at wide receiver for the Cowboys in 2021, and he delivered repeatedly. | From @StarConscience

The Cowboys have one of the better receiving corps in the NFL headlined by Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. Or had. In 2021, all three missed time at some point due to either injury or COVID protocols. For most teams that would be a crippling thing to deal with. However, the Cowboys still managed to produce the league’s top offense in points and yards because they had a secret weapon to pick up the slack.

Cedrick Wilson finished with 45 receptions for 602 yards and six yards touchdowns this season, which nearly tripled his totals in all three categories in 2020. Also, his 13.4 yards per catch was second on the Cowboys to the aforementioned Lamb (13.9). Each season, every team has a player who goes beyond what he’s expected to do. NFL.com writer Nick Shook compiled a list of unsung heroes from each NFC team for 2021. After a career year, Wilson was selected for this distinction in Dallas.

Shook on Wilson’s season:

“An overlooked receiver in a star-laden offense, Wilson grabbed his opportunities with a vise grip, catching 45 of his 61 targets for 602 yards and six touchdowns and twice breaking 100 receiving yards in front of national audiences. The first time — Dallas’ heartbreaking 36-33 loss on Thanksgiving day to the Las Vegas Raiders — he hauled in seven passes for 104 yards, and the second time — a Saturday night blowout win over Philadelphia — he led all pass-catchers with 119 yards and two touchdowns on five grabs. He didn’t get a ton of attention from opposing defenses due to the presence of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, but when he was asked to fill in for them, Wilson followed through. He posted a catch rate over expected of +18.6 percent on targets of 10-plus air yards, the third-highest mark in the NFL (min. 20 such targets). Wilson is headed to free agency and is likely to find a new home (and a pay increase) with a team looking for a receiver who can contribute when called upon.”

The 2018 sixth-round draft pick had a rough start to his career. Wilson suffered a torn labrum during training camp of his rookie campaign and was placed on injured reserve. After being released in August of 2019, Wilson was signed to the practice squad in early September and added to the active roster a few weeks later.

He appeared in six games but only registered five receptions for 46 yards before being placed on injured reserve that December due to a knee injury. In 2020, Wilson only tallied 17 receptions for 189 yards but 107 of them as well as two touchdowns came in a Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and the rumblings of could he be a significant part of the Cowboys’ offense began. He also became the Cowboys trick-play artist, throwing a touchdown pass to Dak Prescott in Week 5 and also being involved in multiple special teams plays.

The 2021 season was the perfect time for Wilson to rise to the occasion seeing as he was in a contract year. His performance showed that he could be trusted to handle a heavy load if need be.

With Gallup also headed for free agency and Cooper’s future uncertain due to his $20 million a year salary, Wilson made a strong case to be retained in 2022, especially seeing as his price tag will be smaller.

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Cowboys’ Micah Parsons on rookie season: ‘I’m going to remember that we lost in the first round’

Micah Parsons took the NFL by storm in 2021 with his elite-level play. However, the playoff loss to the 49ers is what sticks out to him. | From @StarConscience

Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons entered the 2021 season with huge expectations placed on him as the 12th overall pick. He not only lived up to them, but he also exceeded them by being the spearhead of a Dallas Cowboys’ defense that led the NFL in turnovers and was the best at stopping opposing offenses on third down.

The stat sheet for Parsons was outstanding with 84 tackles (20 tackles for loss), 13 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and three passes defensed. It led to Parsons garnering a bevy of honors which most recently included him winning the 2021 Butkus Award as the NFL’s top linebacker. However, what will stick in the mind of Parsons the most about his inaugural season in the pros is the Cowboys’ home exit from the playoffs.

“I’m going to remember that we lost in the first round,” to the San Francisco 49ers, Parsons said at the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas via ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin.

After a 12-5 campaign, that certainly isn’t what Parsons and the Cowboys thought would happen. Unfortunately it did, and it marked the 11th consecutive playoff appearance in which the Cowboys failed to reach the NFC Championship Game, an NFL record.

That isn’t ideal for a Cowboys franchise with 14 appearances in said game, second all-time in the NFC to the 49ers. Parsons mentioned what the goal is for the Cowboys in 2022, and it wasn’t just playing one extra game like this season.

“The expectation is to make it back to the game, get back into the dance, get back into the playoffs, and go way further than we did this year,” said Parsons. “The standard, I think, you know, people had us not even making it so something people were good with that but none of us was ok with the way we went out.”

The 2021 season continued a nearly three-decade period of frustration for the Cowboys and their fan base. They haven’t made it past the divisional round since their last Super Bowl title in 1995, and this latest failure may have been their best shot since that time to make a deep playoff run.

It will be a challenge for the Cowboys to repeat what they did this season with a plethora of free agents to make decisions on, which makes the egg they laid in the playoffs even more disappointing. They do have the best roster in the NFC East so they will be expected to be in the playoffs for some time to come, but every season has its difficulties with injuries and now COVID so it isn’t a foregone conclusion.

As the page turns to the 2022 season, Parsons and company will look to end the postseason agony. No longer can they accept mediocrity and being a punchline. Instead, the Cowboys have to capitalize on the chances they are given to go far in the playoffs seeing as it’s so tough to do year in and year out.

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Bears 2021 RB review: Future is bright with David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert

We’re taking a look at how the Bears running backs fared in 2021.

The Chicago Bears wrapped another disappointing season that resulted in the firings of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. With the offseason in full swing, it provides an opportunity for the new regime in GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to look back at went right, what went wrong and how to improve in 2022.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2021 Bears and grading every player. Next up is running back, which proved to be one of the most reliable position groups.

SEE PREVIOUS REVIEWS: QBS

Bears QB review: Still reason to believe in Justin Fields despite rocky 2021 season

We’re taking a look at how the Bears quarterbacks fared in 2021.

The Chicago Bears wrapped another disappointing season that resulted in the firings of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. With the offseason in full swing, it provides an opportunity for the new regime in GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to look back at went right, what went wrong and how to improve in 2022.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2021 Bears and grading every player. We’re starting with the most important position on the team, quarterback.

Here’s where PFF ranked the Bears’ 2021 rookie class

The Bears 2021 draft class certainly looks promising.

Last year, former Bears general manager Ryan Pace was praised for what many had pegged as the NFL’s best rookie class immediately following the NFL draft.

But, as we all know, you can never grade a rookie draft class before they’ve played a down of football at the NFL level. Only time will tell.

Pro Football Focus ranked all of the rookie classes following the 2021 season, and the Bears landed at No. 11. A big part of that was quarterback Justin Fields, who still flashed his potential despite a less-than-ideal rookie year.

But there were some late-round picks that also impressed, including sixth-round running back Khalil Herbert and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr.

Chicago went all-in by trading up for quarterback Justin Fields in the draft. While the former Ohio State Buckeye didn’t have a banner season, it was slightly above expectation. Running back Khalil Herbert and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. also helped the Bears’ ranking, as both Day 3 picks were thrust into the starting lineup for a game or two and performed better than anyone could expect a sixth-round rookie to perform.

As Bears fans are aware, things don’t always go according to plan, which was certainly the case for the 2021 rookie class. Fields’ rookie season was rough, yet encouraging. Offensive tackle Teven Jenkins missed most of the season following back surgery. And Graham and wide receiver Dazz Newsome didn’t make the 53-man roster to start the season.

Still, the Bears 2021 draft class proved to be an encouraging group. We’ll see what the next couple of years has in store before coming to a consensus on this group.

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LOOK: Robert Quinn, Jakeem Grant representing Bears at Pro Bowl

Here’s a look at Bears EDGE Robert Quinn and RS Jakeem Grant at Pro Bowl practice.

While there wasn’t much to celebrate during the Bears’ 2021 season, there were some impressive individual performances that certainly have the future looking bright.

Edge rusher Robert Quinn and wide receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant were both named to the Pro Bowl for their impressive seasons, where they proved to be among the best at their positions.

Quinn recorded a single-season franchise record 18.5 sacks, where he registered at least half a sack in 14 of 16 games he played. He recorded 13 sacks in the final nine games. He also totaled 49 tackles and 17 tackles-for-loss, a team-high. It was a sensational bounce-back season after a rough first year in 2020, where Quinn totaled just two sacks.

Grant was a late addition to the roster in an Oct. 5 trade with the Dolphins, but he made an immediate impact as a return specialist. In 11 games with the Bears, Grant averaged 11.9 yards per return, third in the NFL, with one touchdown on 26 returns. He also averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return on 23 returns, which ranked 11th.

With Pro Bowl week in full swing, the Bears Twitter account shared a look at Quinn and Grant both in Las Vegas for Pro Bowl practice on Thursday:

The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played Sunday, Feb. 6 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.

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Cowboys’ Micah Parsons named 2021 Butkus Award winner

Micah Parsons adds to a season full of individual accolades after receiving the 2021 Butkus award given to the NFL’s top linebacker. | From @StarConscience

The accolades for Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons have been plentiful. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, named a First-Team All-Pro, the Defensive Rookie of the Month on two occasions, the NFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL’s 101 awards, and the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

That’s more than an entire career for most players, but Parsons continues to rack up honors. He was recently named the 2021 Butkus award winner given to the league’s top linebacker.

The Butkus award was instituted in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic of Orlando in honor of Hall of Famer Dick Butkus who played nine seasons for the Chicago Bears (1965-1973) and is annually given to the top linebacker on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Parsons joins past winners such as former Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware (2008, 2011), Von Miller (2012), Khalil Mack (2016, 2018), T.J. Watt (2020), and Luke Kuechly who holds the record with three selections (2014, 2015, 2017).

Parsons was given this prestigious honor due to a spectacular rookie campaign in which tallied 84 tackles (20 tackles for loss), 13 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and three passes defended.

This won’t be the last award he takes home though as next week he is expected to be named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and could win the Defensive Player of Year award as well.

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Report: Cowboys WR Michael Gallup to have surgery for ACL tear

Michael Gallup has been waiting since January 2 to have his left knee repaired; then he’ll have to wait to learn if he remains in Dallas. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Michael Gallup’s fourth season in the NFL has been marked by a series of long waits. His latest wait is about to come to an end, but it won’t be his last.

The Cowboys wide receiver suffered an ACL tear in Week 17, the team’s penultimate game of the regular season, a loss to Arizona. He’ll finally undergo surgery to repair the ligament next week, according to a report from Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Cowboys head team physician Dr. Dan Cooper will perform the procedure, per Gehlken’s source. Gallup is expected to be ready for the start of the 2022 season, though his future with the Cowboys remains unclear.

The former third-round draft pick out of Colorado State entered 2021 looking to put up big numbers in a contract year, but a calf injury sustained in the season opener relegated him to the sideline until Week 10. Upon his return, he tallied 31 more receptions, 409 additional yards, and a pair of touchdowns prior to the left knee injury against the Cardinals (which came on an acrobatic scoring grab). He was put on injured reserve to finish the season.

Gehlken notes that ACL injuries typically involve a delay of multiple weeks before surgery, to allow “for symptoms like swelling to improve, which studies have shown to facilitate post-operation rehabilitation.”

With a long list of players about to hit free agency, the Cowboys will have a decision to make on Gallup. Fellow wideout Amari Cooper currently commands a large contract; if the club opts to retain him, it is widely assumed they may move on from Gallup. Releasing or trading Cooper would ostensibly free up enough money to issue the 25-year-old a new deal and have funds left over for other players.

Gallup logged a 1,000-yard season in 2019 and scored a career-high six touchdowns- in only 14 games- in just his second year in the league. His numbers trailed off last season, but much of that drop can be attributed to the revolving door at the quarterback position in Dallas following the injury to quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 5.

What happens next for Gallup may come down to whether he showed the Cowboys enough in nine games this season to warrant betting on him over a four-time Pro Bowler.

That means more waiting for Gallup.

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