GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Just like last season, the Green Bay Packers cut out the highly competitive one-on-one pass-blocking/pass-rushing drill from practice after the second preseason game.
But we still got enough data to make some meaningful evaluations of those who participated in the drill thanks in part to Luke Stanke, a Green Bay native and graduate student at the University of Minnesota who has an interest in statistical analysis and has offered to help put the results into context. We introduced you to Stanke last year during training camp.
He has been analyzing the results in the drill since 2011 and has developed an RPI and block rating, both of which are in the chart below, to determine the best and worst players in the drill.
Here are some thoughts on the results and rankings:
If you're skeptical about undrafted rookie Jayrone Elliott, who is tied for the NFL preseason lead with four sacks, he has backed it up in practice with a solid record (5-5) against top-line competition, which is why he rates sixth overall and first among all defensive players who took at least 10 reps in the drill.
Last year, outside linebacker Nick Perry, a former first-round pick, finished fifth overall in the rankings. This year, he did not win a single turn, although he had only four reps.
In his two NFL camps, defensive end Datone Jones has a 20-21 record in the drill. In that same span, defensive tackle Mike Daniels is 25-23, tops among defensive players.
With starting center JC Tretter out for up to six weeks because of a knee injury, there's reason to be concerned about the drop off to rookie Corey Linsley. But at least in pass protection, that should not be an issue. Linsley was actually one spot higher in the overall block rating than Tretter and had a better winning percentage.
As always, there are no ties given when scoring this drill. If the defensive player's move would not have resulted in a sack, a quarterback hit or pressure, then the offensive player is credited with a victory (as long as he did not commit a penalty). Under that grading system, the drill is heavily slanted toward the offensive player.
































