Don't Shoot the Messenger: LaBoy Overrated

[DaisyCutter]

Per ESPN.com's KC Joyney, the Football Scientist.

Travis LaBoy, DE, Cardinals: LaBoy's six sacks as a situational pass-rusher in 2007 seem to indicate he has the ability to get after the passer, but the reality is that his 2007 numbers were really not that impressive. One of his sacks was a garbage sack, and a second was a coverage sack.
Two of his other four sacks came against Paul McQuistan, a backup guard for the Raiders. That leaves just two sacks against starting-level offensive tackles. It certainly doesn't seem to be enough to justify a five-year, $22 million contract.

Personally, I think that LaBoy has some upside in moving to a new system, and that a 5-year, $22 million contract isn't that big for a DE who can push for a starting job.

 

[football karma]

Couldnt Joyner apply that analysis to all pass rushers? I would suspect that 20% or so of pass rushers' sacks are coverage rather than pure pass rush.

 

[TJ]

Better than paying Calvin pace nearly $50 mil to do the same if not less

 

[perivolaki]

Couldnt Joyner apply that analysis to all pass rushers? I would suspect that 20% or so of pass rushers' sacks are coverage rather than pure pass rush.

Ya thats what I thought too, we could go back and look at every players sacks and find ones where another player flushed the QB right into him, the QB held onto the ball to long, the offensive line misreads the rush and leaves a guy free, or like Warner he just drops the ball and has to fall on it.

 

[PoolBoy]

aren't their bigger fish to fry for the scientist? Where is calvin pace in all of this overrated stuff from the scientist? and who gave this bumb the nickname scientist. the only real scientist ever was Bill Nie (sp?) the science guy.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So he got one coverage sack. Which is BS cause he got to the QB. If it is soo easy to get a coverage sack where were the other 4 pass rushers ?

One was a garbage sack....ok, still you got to be near the QB to get the garbage sack.

2 where against a back up Tackle. GOOD! A good pass rusher is supposed to own a back up. Wouldn't it be worse if he didn't have any sacks against this guy ?

And 2 were good sacks. Well that is good to hear since we wasn't playing full time.

The guys is a expensive role player. This blurb is nice. But I will judge Laboy for what he does/doesn't do out on the field.

 

[Darth Llama]

Why exactly is it bad that he got a coverage sack? A sack is a sack and he still got to the QB before he could get rid of the ball. A sack is a sack in my opinion.

I'm not saying LaBoy is great, but I'm not going to say he's over rated either. We didn't pay a lot for him, and however you break it down, he still got six sacks as a situational pass rusher. That's pretty good IMO.

 

[az jam]

We got a young player for a decent price with a lot of "upside." He will be competing with Berry for playing time.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

To me, anybody who has to call themself the "football scientist" tells me they know absolutlely nothing about football.

 

[HookemCards]

I think LaBoy will actually be a pretty good pass rusher for us. I'm far more concerned about the concussion history and run support. Pace was excellent against the run this past year. If he can't play the run well or gets multiple concussions this year, that 22 mil is going to look like a huge mistake. I'll hope for the best.

 

[joeshmo]

Couldnt Joyner apply that analysis to all pass rushers?

He does do it for all the pass rushers. That is why I like him he puts every player on an equal playing field and puts stats in context. He broke down Paces sacks as well, just cant find the link. It was a very similar breakdown but brought that Pace was a solid run defender, but not enough so for his price.

 

[SuperSpck]

He does do it for all the pass rushers. That is why I like him he puts every player on an equal playing field and puts stats in context. He broke down Paces sacks as well, just cant find the link. It was a very similar breakdown but brought that Pace was a solid run defender, but not enough so for his price.

I've been interested in picking up his book, just for more football to read.

 

[Pariah]

LOL. Did I miss the parade us Cardinals fans held for LaBoy?

I'm not sure a situational, second-tier FA can be "overratted."

 

[dogpoo32]

LOL. Did I miss the parade us Cardinals fans held for LaBoy?

I'm not sure a situational, second-tier FA can be "overratted."

There's some left over cake in the conference room.

If he is overrated and underachieves, so be it. If he does well and overachieves, then we look like geniuses based on the money.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

The guys is a expensive role player. This blurb is nice. But I will judge Laboy for what he does/doesn't do out on the field.

I am with you on this Rugby. Lets wait to judge him until he actually plays.