[WCH]

Here's the article:
http://www.todaystmj...l/34636194.html

What I wonder about is, are defensive TDs a repeatable skill, or a fluke? I mean, the Hunter TD was obviously a very lucky play, but what about the other guys? Are guys like Woodson and Collins just outstanding at running back INTs, or are they having lucky seasons?

Woodson has 6 career TDs on 34 INTs (17.6%). Deion Sanders, in comparison, had 9 TDs on 53 career INTs (16.9%). Pretty close.

Although we're dealing with a much smaller sample size, Nick Collins has a stunning 4 career TDs on only 9 career INTs (44.4%).

[KC Pack Fan]

They do what our running backs have failed to do most of the season. After the pick they show patience and let their blocks setup, make cuts and then hit the jets.

Note: Just because I said jets I am not trying to make this a BF vs AR debate.

[rpiotr01]

They do what our running backs have failed to do most of the season. After the pick they show patience and let their blocks setup, make cuts and then hit the jets.

Note: Just because I said jets I am not trying to make this a BF vs AR debate.

Agree. It also helps that the two most exceptional athletes on the team are Woodson and Collins. Just ability they were born with.

[eX Oh]

I'd say it is not a repeatable skill, because you need the INT or fumble to happen first and that is not something you can reproduce at will..

I will say, however, that our team has tremendous athleticism across the board. Almost anyone on defense that gets the ball in their hands has a chance to score. In other words you can't increase opportunities - but you can increase the potential for touchdowns when the opportunity knocks.

Out of our 5 top DBs (nickel) who is NOT a threat to score? Bigby maybe?

[strat1080]

Returns for TDs on defense are part skill and part luck. For example it takes a good bit of luck to force the turnover in the first place but it takes a good bit of skill to then return that turnover for a TD. Take a look at the great block Chillar put on Forte to allow Hunter more time to get to the endzone. The fumble in itself was sheer luck. Orton simple botched the snap. The return was simply skill and fundamentals. If Chillar doesn't make that block then Matt Forte would have undoubtedly chased down Jason Hunter. It takes a little bit of both. A lot of teams force lots of turnovers but often fail to convert them to TDs. This is in large part due to lack of skill and fundamentals. Our DBs have had great instincts in allowing players to block for them plus they also are very athletic. Woodson has been a very solid return man for his entire career. Collins is one of the fastest safeties in the NFL. Williams is another very solid return man. He was one of our main kick and punt returners for most of the year last year. It takes luck and talent to force turnovers and lots of talent to turn the turnovers into TDs. Look at Collins's last two INT returns for TDs this year. He didn't have a straight path to the endzone on these plays. He had to make cuts and utilize his blockers. This has nothing to do with luck. Its simply good instincts, athleticism, and solid fundamentals.

I think fumbles are more luck than skill. I don't think INTs are entirely luck though. When DBs can effectively shadow opposing WRs it forces QBs to force throws into coverage. When DBs are closer to WRs they have a better chance at getting INTs. Better coverage also makes the QB take longer to make a throw which can allow the D-line to get more pressure. Pressure forces bad throws.

[craig]

Here's the article:
http://www.todaystmj...l/34636194.html

What I wonder about is, are defensive TDs a repeatable skill, or a fluke? I mean, the Hunter TD was obviously a very lucky play, but what about the other guys? Are guys like Woodson and Collins just outstanding at running back INTs, or are they having lucky seasons? ..

The funny thing is that entering this season, there was a lot of heat on Collins. There wasn't a lot of criticism that he was too slow or weak or poor in either coverage or in run-defense. The criticism was primarily that he didn't make plays, i.e. didn't make interceptions. Now, a couple of interception big-plays and the coin is flipped. Maybe he turned some "interceptions" talent switch on. But I kinda guess it's maybe more coincidence.

[big ror]

The funny thing is that entering this season, there was a lot of heat on Collins. There wasn't a lot of criticism that he was too slow or weak or poor in either coverage or in run-defense. The criticism was primarily that he didn't make plays, i.e. didn't make interceptions. Now, a couple of interception big-plays and the coin is flipped. Maybe he turned some "interceptions" talent switch on. But I kinda guess it's maybe more coincidence.

I don't think it really is coincidence. Perhaps the TDs are more coincidence, but the INTs seem to be due to Nick Collins being an amazing football player.

In years prior, Collins had his fare share of mishaps; at the same time, however, he was often in position to make game-changing plays. The problem, of course, was that he did not make those plays--unfortunately, he dropped INTs, and the image of Collins grabbing his helmet and shaking his head in disgust is probably inculcated in many of our memory banks.

Collins dropped probably about six or seven INTs last year. This year, he is catching those balls. At the same time, I don't simply think the difference has been that Collins is catching balls that he didn't last year. Collins just seems to be a better player all around this season--he has been great in coverage making plays, and he rarely misses a tackle. He is the ideal safety in that regard, easily the most athletic in the league.

Two documented events have seemed to at least contribute to Collins turnaround: (1) his father is healthy after battling cancer (many people noted that Collins was often distracted and unfocused because he was worried about is ailing father); and (2) he has put in the extra time studying film with Woodson.

Those two factors coupled with more experience seems to be a viable reason for Collins' turnaround. For the past couple of years, LeRoy Butler, whose opinion many of use respect, has been lionizing the play and ability of Collins. It wasn't really until he started catching those INTs, however, that we started to believe him. Collins is a great safety, probably the best in the NFC. His superior athleticism in conjunction with the effort he has put in during the off-season has paid major dividends for both him and the Packers.

I look forward to seeing Collins make plays for us for many years to come.

[eire5199]

I don't think it really is coincidence. Perhaps the TDs are more coincidence, but the INTs seem to be due to Nick Collins being an amazing football player.

In years prior, Collins had his fare share of mishaps; at the same time, however, he was often in position to make game-changing plays. The problem, of course, was that he did not make those plays--unfortunately, he dropped INTs, and the image of Collins grabbing his helmet and shaking his head in disgust is probably inculcated in many of our memory banks.

Collins dropped probably about six or seven INTs last year. This year, he is catching those balls. At the same time, I don't simply think the difference has been that Collins is catching balls that he didn't last year. Collins just seems to be a better player all around this season--he has been great in coverage making plays, and he rarely misses a tackle. He is the ideal safety in that regard, easily the most athletic in the league.

Two documented events have seemed to at least contribute to Collins turnaround: (1) his father is healthy after battling cancer (many people noted that Collins was often distracted and unfocused because he was worried about is ailing father); and (2) he has put in the extra time studying film with Woodson.

Those two factors coupled with more experience seems to be a viable reason for Collins' turnaround. For the past couple of years, LeRoy Butler, whose opinion many of use respect, has been lionizing the play and ability of Collins. It wasn't really until he started catching those INTs, however, that we started to believe him. Collins is a great safety, probably the best in the NFC. His superior athleticism in conjunction with the effort he has put in during the off-season has paid major dividends for both him and the Packers.

I look forward to seeing Collins make plays for us for many years to come.

OK, after reading that I'm going to go click on over to NFL.com and vote for Nick Collins for the Pro Bowl.

(Again )

[big ror]

In all honesty, the only safeties I would rank higher than Collins are all in the AFC: Bob Sanders, Troy Polamalu, and Ed Reed. Moreover, Sanders and Polamalu are listed as strong safeties.

Kerry Rhodes and Oshiomogho Atogwe are pretty good youngsters as well, but I would take Bethune-Cookman over both of them.

[cheesner]

One surprising stat I read today, the Packer defense has more touchdowns that the Raider's offense.