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I'm not advocating copying OR not copying the Seattle Seahawks.
I'm trying to make a convincing argument that, teams who average more yards per pass attempt than their defenses allow per pass attempt win more games. The rushing equivalent of the YDS/A differential stat, does not correlate significantly with Won-Loss records. 6 out of the 9 worst rushing defenses made the playoffs. What else do these stats suggest? If you wish to win in the modern NFL it is more efficient to allocate Salary Cap resources and coaching hires toward establishing superior passing offensive and defensive units.
I found passing YDS/A correlates with won loss record better than any other stat, outside of out scoring your opponents. This stat enables you look under the hood of your favorite football team. What I call YDS/A passing differential is a stat symptom and has an abstract relationship to winning football. I could have delved deeper into non abstract causation in my article, like play action passes, QB progressions, and shutdown cornerbacks, but I didn't have enough room in my article.
That doesn't mean I haven't pondered why Sam Bradford always has a low passing YDS/A. I wrote an article last year listing 21 possible reasons contributing to Bradford's low pass YDS/A. One of my reasons was how a superior rushing attack opens up a more efficient passing attack. So I agree with you. A great rushing attack and rushing defense doesn't hurt, it helps. But the modern Salary Cap makes it difficult to have your cake and eat it too. For example:
The 49'er and the Seahawks have minimum wage quarterbacks. Both Kaepernick and Russell Wilson can extend plays with their legs easier than Sam Bradford, thus exploiting broken coverage downfield. That ability does wonders for your YDS/A. If I was GM, with unlimited job security,of a modern mythical NFL team.
I would use a first round draft pick on a quarterback, who has the ability to extend plays with his legs, yet displays ability to pass from the pocket. Why? First round, because I have an extra option year on him. If my QB is good, I have a winning cheap QB for 5 years, and my saved salary cap money, which I can distribute among elite positional players. If I hit the jackpot and draft an elite QB like Peyton Manning, A Rodgers, or Tom Brady, I will of course extend my elite QB's contract. If my QB is not a top 8 QB I would trade him or not resign him after his 5 year contract is up. Then do it all over again. If I have an average QB after 5 years is up, and our team is close to competing for a Super Bowl, then I would franchise tag the QB.
I'm not saying Wilson or Kaepernick are better than Bradford. I am saying the 49er's and Seahawks have a better QB Salary Cap situation than the Rams at present.
From the perspective of the Bobsy twins having a "better" cap situation.....(for the moment....) I have to agree. But I still believe the Yards per attempt is still a symptom of a scheme. But running QBs have their own problems. (See Steve McNair.....)
Last year we did try to "expand" our downfield passing game (early in the year). And very quickly we were shown we didn't have the capabilities (either in the Oline play....or or receivers.... or you even can point a finger @ Sam...) to create situations taking advantage of pushing down the field. Whether it was Schottemheimer's overall dumb downed offense or our overall lack of execution. We couldn't do it. (Expand the field where it would open up other areas....). It takes a well executes scheme to produce these numbers. Just a "push" to achieve these stats will not produce them.
Now don't get me wrong. I love what you are saying (at this juncture of the offseason....) It's a much better discussion, than the normal will blah blah blah have "X" amount of this or that.... You are actually hitting on some very good perspectives. Scheme and execution are the key. Productivity will rise.
Now your idea about cap management..... I can agree if you are starting from scratch.....but there is a huge learning curve, that those 2 have had a big advantage of great running games and fantastic defenses. And personally, I would rather my QB be a distributor.......to the guys who are paid to run w/ the ball. (And this from a guy that grew up watching the wishbone......)