For context, Pees was DC from 2012-2017.
There’s a few notable stats from Pees’ time as DC:
Ravens were a top 10 scoring defense in 3 of Pees’ 6 years, with 2015 getting asterisked due to all the injuries.
Overall, Pees’ Ravens scoring defense averaged to 11th in the NFL. Considering the 2015 injuries resulted in the defense being ranked 24th that year, his average scoring defense ranks 9th if you factor out 2015.
Pees’ red zone scoring averaged to 8th in the NFL. Only 1 of his 6 years was below average in red zone scoring %.
Pees’ defense averages to 13th in pass yds allowed. Most people remember Pees’ prevent defense giving up yds, but the Ravens finished top 10 in fewest pass yds allowed in his last 3 years. Ravens were also above average in fewest pass yds allowed in 4 of his 6 years as DC.
Sack numbers under Pees probably played a role in replacing him with Wink. While the defense averaged to 14th in sacks under Pees, only 1 year was in the top 10 (2014). The game had shifted to becoming more pass-heavy, and pass rush has become more in-demand than ever. Pees’ sack numbers weren’t bad, but they were fairly average aside from 2014. Ravens have high standards for defense, so average doesn’t cut it here.
Pees’ defense was below average in interceptions for his first 4 years, then finished 1st in the NFL for both 2016 & 2017. Ravens added Eric Weddle largely for this reason, they needed better safeties after getting burned by Elam. Weddle was 5th in INTs in 2016, and 2nd in 2017. Weddle was a big reason the INT numbers improved.
Pees’ defense averaged to 12th best in the NFL in fewest pass TDs allowed. 4 of Pees’ 6 years were above average, and 3 of the 6 years were top 10 in fewest pass TDs allowed.
3 comments
This is a high quality post. You def spent a lot of time crunching the numbers, this was interesting. The current scheme is really just a better Pees scheme with a better roster, makes sense to bring him back to help with the secondary. I’m not mad at bringing in some help.
**Notes for additional context on each of Pees’ seasons as DC:**
* **2013:** Brand new secondary. 2012 had CBs Graham & Williams, plus safeties Pollard & Reed. 2013 replaced them with CBs Webb & Smith, and safeties Ihedigbo and Elam. Arthur Jones & Canty replaced Haloti and McPhee on DL, Haloti moved to nose tackle in 2013. Upshaw replaced McClellan at edge. Daryl Smith replaced Ellerbe at ILB next to McClain. Ray retired after 2012, Wink started as LB coach in 2012. Spagnuolo Notable 2013 draft picks: Elam, Brandon Williams, Juszczyk, Jensen. Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as OC but was fired after 1 year. Ravens finish 8-8 3rd in the division and didn’t make playoffs.
* **2014:** Brandon Williams replaced Haloti at nose. Haloti moved back to DE next to Candy. CJ Mosely was the 1st round pick and replaced McClain at ILB, Mosley made the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. Elam moved to strong safety, Darian Stewart replaced Elam at FS on a 1y deal. Notable 2014 draft picks: Mosley, Brent Urban, Taliaferro, Urschel. Kubrick replaced Caldwell as OC but was fired after 1 year. Ravens finish 10-6, lost the divisional game vs Patriots 35-31.
* **2015:** Timmy Jernigan replaced Haloti at DE, Brandon Williams and Canty remained on DL. Haloti got suspended for 4 games in December 2014 for a steroids violation, 2014 was Haloti’s last year in Bmore. Dumervil replaced Suggs (injured) at edge- Dumervil only started 2 games in 2014 but made the 2014 Pro Bowl with 17 sacks. He made the Pro Bowl again in ’15. Jimmy Smith & Webb remained the starting CBs, but Elam & Darian Stewart were both replaced by Kendrick Lewis (FS) and Will Hill (SS). 2015 was an injury year- Flacco, Forsett, Steve Smith, Suggs all with season-ending injuries. Trestman replaced Kubrick as OC. Notable 2015 draft picks: Perriman, Za’Darius, Boyle, Waller. Ravens finish 5-11 due to injuries and miss playoffs.
* **2016:** Canty replaced by Lawrence Guy on DL, Canty retired after 2015. Suggs returns from injury, McClellan replaces Upshaw at edge. Zach Orr replaces Daryl Smith at LB. Tavon Young replaces Lardarius Webb at CB, Webb moves to FS. Eric Weddle signed to a 4y deal at SS after 3 Pro Bowls with the Chargers. Trestman fired as OC in October, replaced by Mornhinweg. Notable 2016 draft picks: Stanley, Tavon Young, Dixon, Judon.
* **2017:** Michael Pierce and Carl Davis replace Jernigan & Guy on DL. Judon replaces McClellan at edge. Zach Orr retires and is replaced by Onwuasor at LB. Tavon Young tore an ACL in preseason and was replaced at CB by Brandon Carr. Weddle moves back to FS (his natural position), Tony Jefferson becomes the starting SS. Notable 2017 draft picks: Marlon, Bowser, Wormley, Chuck Clark.
Great breakdown of Pees’ time as DC! It’s interesting to see how the Ravens’ defense evolved, especially with all the roster changes and injuries. Bringing him back could really strengthen our secondary with his experience. Here’s hoping for a top-tier defense this season