THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — We all know turnovers and time of possession play a key role in the outcome of a football game, but what about the impact of quarterback sacks?
On Thursday, CFL.ca releases the second episode of Best in the League, a series that engages current star players in a discussion about the best players in the CFL. This one focuses on the league’s most dynamic pass-rushers.
Sacks kill drives, almost to the effect of a turnover. In 2015, 19 per cent of possessions without a sack have resulted in a touchdown (1 of every 5.3 drives). On possessions with at least one sack, the touchdown rate drops to 1.8 per cent.
Only one team, the Calgary Stampeders on July 13th vs. the Argos, took a sack and scored a touchdown on the same drive.
Quarterbacks have a significant say in time of possession and turnovers and ultimately the outcome of the game, which is why we debate to no end the best and worst of the CFL. Assuming that, then, we also ought to debate over the league’s pass-rushers – those whose sole responsibility is to disrupt the quarterback.
It’s not an easy task, but those who can get to the passer consistently have a remarkable impact on the game. Given that, we must ask, who’s the best pass-rusher in the CFL?
First, our writers weigh in with their picks:
Pedersen: John Chick
Steinberg: John Bowman
Dunk: John Bowman
Cauz: John Bowman
Nye: John Bowman
Landry: Eric Norwood
Morris: Odell Willis
John Chick is a popular choice for many after recording 15 sacks in 2014, including 12 in the first seven games of the season. Charleston Hughes had 18 sacks in 2013 and managed eight sacks throughout an injury-shortened 2014, while this year he’s back and healthy with two sacks and 11 tackles already next to his name.
The Alouettes’ John Bowman hasn’t put up gaudy numbers like Chick and Hughes, as his career-high in sacks is 12 – but it’s a number he’s reached four different times. Bowman is nothing if not consistent, registering at least 11 sacks in five of the last six years. He’s tied for the league-lead out of the gate in 2015 with four.
John Bowman is the most popular choice among writes as the CFL’s top pass-rushers. Will the players agree?
It’s hard to imagine anyone fiercer and more intimidating than Odell Willis, a pass-rushing specialist with 62 career sacks to his name. Willis has reached 13 sacks twice in his career and double-digits three times, including last year when he tied his career high with the Eskimos.
Other top names we think of are Eric Norwood, last year breaking out of his shell on a vigorous Ticats D-line on the way to 13 sacks. He’s on the shelf to start this season but his impact later in the year should be significant for Hamilton. Then there’s Marcus Howard, a sure bet for double-digit sacks in an odd-numbered year and newsflash, it’s 2015 and he’s already got four.
If sacks truly are drive-killers, all of these names are among the CFL’s most influential players. Some of the league’s top players will weigh in on Thursday with their top pass-rusher, but until then we want to hear from you.
Who is the CFL’s top pass-rusher?
