Limiting The YAC
June 17th, 2013
YAC is a wonderful term. And, no, it has nothing to do with the time Joe once got a hold of some rotten scotch.
For those unknowing of the acronym, it stands for “Yards After Catch.” It is often used in offensive terms to judge how much of a home run hitter a wide receiver or a tight end may be.
But defenses use it, too. And in the case of one Bucs cornerback, it’s a stat he will certainly want to reverse.
Recently, Joe shared that the numbers crunchers at Pro Football Focus believed Leonard Johnson may be a secret superstar. Well, the crowd at Football Outsiders, which is a kindred spirit of Pro Football Focus, broke out their calculators and determined that Johnson was the worst corner in the NFL for giving up YAC, so types Rivers McCown.
Johnson, per McCown, was targeted for big gains by opposing offensive coordinators. Receivers who Johnson were guarding were able to get downfield after the catch for an average of 7.3 yards per reception.
The interesting thing about McCown’s story is it also lays out who the worst cornerbacks overall were using a variety of data, and none of the Bucs corners came in the bottom 10, though helmet-wielding, cabbie-slugging, Adderrall-popping, coach-cussing, referee-charging, pistol-friendly, granny-hassling Aqib Talib was third-worst, just behind Nnamdi Asomugha.
And to think there are still Bucs fans sore that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was able to thieve a fourth-round pick from Bill Belicheat for Talib.
June 17th, 2013 at 8:23 am
No surprise Talib ranks near the bottom. He’s just undisciplined player as he is a person.
In LJ’s case, he a rookie trying to make a name for himself. Tackling is paramount if he winds up being our dime CB.
June 17th, 2013 at 8:31 am
I guess Myron didn’t rank….you have to play to get a stat!!!
June 17th, 2013 at 8:48 am
Two plays come to mind that really blew up Johnson’s numbers. The strange catch and run by Danario Alexander of the Chargers… where he kind of looked down… players stopped… he kept running and got a very long TD.. and then the Julio Jones bomb where Johnson played smacked Jones in the butt numerous times but couldn’t pull him down or stop him from another long TD reception. Those two catches alone were worth well over 100 YAC to Johnson’s total. But seriously… whose idea was it to put Leonard Johnson in one-on-one with no safety help over top… on JULIO JONES? Very few CBs in the league can cover Jones with no safety help.
June 17th, 2013 at 8:50 am
I really think at the beginning, coach Schiano took Talib under his own wing, and tried to reach out to him, only to later have Talib let him, and the team down again, when he was suspended for four games. Once he lost Schiano’s trust, and confidence, he was run out of town before a jug of milk could curdle. In hindsight, it was the best thing to happen, considering where we stand today.
June 17th, 2013 at 9:10 am
LJ will play much better this year on the inside as a nickel or dime back. He has good instincts, an eye for the ball, and blitzes well. He lacks the raw speed to play outside in man on a WRs hip except on a situational basis.
He’s aware of this as he tends to play well off of his man to compensate for the speed difference. An experienced QB will exploit Johnson with the inside slant or when he moves up with the go route as Rivers did with Danario Alexander in the San Diego game.
Johnson is smart and learns quickly as he picked Rivers when he went to the well too many times! Johnson will be solid with a year under his belt and playing inside!
June 17th, 2013 at 9:21 am
With Talib still on team, we dont have Revis. Revis > Talib. Simplest math ive ever done.
June 17th, 2013 at 9:42 am
There was a reason the Bucs secondary was the worst in the league and almost the worst in history.
Thankfully, they will likely go from worst to first this year.
June 17th, 2013 at 10:34 am
Well said, buccaneerBonzi!
I haven’t given up on Johnson. He showed some real instincts for the game.
But Goldson, Revis, and Banks will definitely change our secondary into a very good one.
Meybe even Eric Wright can play up to his talent for the first time!!
Either way- feel much better about secondary this year.
If we can get a decent Slot Wr or pass catching TE- to open up the middle of the field- this team will having a winning record this year!
Still to worried about young DL, with both starting DE coming back from injury, to predict playoffs- but for the first time on a long time- it’s possible!
June 17th, 2013 at 11:39 am
I’d much rather have #29 with his average athleticism, humility, and unquestioned work ethic, than have Talib and his million-dollar athleticism that goes along with his 5 cent head. Good riddance to the prima donna wanna-be gangsters!
June 17th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Winner!
June 17th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Say what you want about Talib, but there are times when he plays brilliant football as well. Remember how well he was covering Boldin before going down due to injury, and how that injury foiled all defensive plans NE had?
Talib was a Freeman like inconsistent player, so it is only fair to treat them both the same way based on what they did on the field.
June 17th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Johnny,
No.
No.
I remember Boldin scorching his ass- until Talibum conviently pulled up lame.
Just like he did here. When outclassed- there goes his patented Hammy tweak!
NOT a winner
June 17th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Brandon , point I was about to hunt & peck out. TY for saving me the trouble.
June 17th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
and to think Joe still puts stock into these stat geeks after they stated Biggers was the best and barber sucked.
June 17th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Tim:
Unlike some, Joe doesn’t believe they are gospel, but Joe links to them because, in some cases, it is interesting. and does offer some unique insight, like this Johnson nugget.
As always, Joe is about topics.
June 18th, 2013 at 12:15 am
@ Joe
I don’t agree with all of your articles, but I have to show you love for your topics. You know how to get people talking/amped up and that is what sports is all about. I read your site everyday and therefore I can’t help but post when you get me amped up!!! Keep em coming
FYI, I stop reading all articles from stat geeks when they posted Biggers was the best and Barber sucked. I’ve watched sports a long time and the eye ball test is still the best proven method of evaluation. And no, I’m not talking combine
June 18th, 2013 at 1:17 am
You are more than welcome. Appreciate the kind words.