Brockers Vs Cox

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I watched both players in their respective games vs the National Champs, Alabama. I broke down every single play for both players to learn their strengths, weaknesses and to see if their motor started to dwindle when they were losing big.

I wanted to see what position each player primarily played, ie. 3 tech, 5 tech, 1 tech, or the zero.

Where do they excel, and how they will fit in our scheme. Defensive lineman stats are misleading to me, so I wanted to look for impact plays. Those stats are not recorded. How many plays did the DT penetrate, causing the QB throw and incomplete pass, or interception, or broke a double team that caused the RB to re-direct. Those are impact plays.

My results were interesting, and not what I expected.

Brockers - 42 defensive plays

Cox - 41 defensive plays

The sample size is almost identical, but Brockers does have 1 special teams play where he blocked a FG attempt.

Cox is purely a 3-tech in our base scheme and 5-tech in passing downs.

Brockers is a lot more versatile, as he played 4 different positions in that single game but is primarily a NT.

0-tech = 4

1-tech = 23

3-tech = 11

5-tech = 4

• Brockers was double teamed 20 times, while Cox was doubled 16 times.
  
• Brockers made 17 impact plays, while Cox had 10 impact plays
  
• Brockers played consistently throughout the game, while Cox significantly declined the last 6 plays
  
• Brockers was much more aware on diagnosing plays than Cox
  
• Cox overran several plays because he was too aggressive
  

Brockers has better stamina, but Cox has the better motor. Cox has a very impressive motor. Brockers is the better player right now, and more disciplined.

• Brockers made 3/11 impact plays while at 3-tech
  
• Brockers made 13/27 impact plays while at 1-tech or 0-tech
  
• Cox made 6/29 impact plays while at 3-tech
  
• Cox made 4/11 impact plays while at 5-tech
  

In conclusion, Brockers is definitely the better player. He is amazing against the run, and gets double teamed on half pass attempts.

Cox is the better pass rusher but overruns plays due to his aggressiveness too often. Not a heady player, but he gives 110% all the time even when tired. Not effective late in game. He was amazing the first 11 snaps.. so he may be a great rotational pass rusher in the beginning of his career. Don't take the word amazing lightly. He graded out A or B on 10/12 of his first snaps.

Brockers plays the same position as Ron Edwards, so I am not sure he is a 'need' for us. Cox is a rare talent that is very quick and can be an amazing pass rush specialist early in his career. I don't see him as an every down player (right now). If we are looking for a guy who can put pressure on the QB, then we go Cox, if we are looking for a dominating inside presence to stop the run, then Brockers is our man. But, clearly Brockers is the better player overall.

I would upload my excel spreadsheet, but for some reason it says "You are not permitted to upload this kind of file"

But like you said, these were only the results from one game from each player. Not a full season worth of "tape"

You can't make any real assumptions from one game.

I like both players, though, and would be happy to have either. I think our staff would take Brockers over Cox at this point because the two are similar talents but Brockers is bigger, maybe more versatile, and might have a higher ceiling. But I have no idea.

[JawnyBlaze]

Then that's another thing you have to take into account. That was Brockers 2nd game that year against Bama. Having played those guys once already gives him a leg up on Cox who only played them once. Brockers Knowing how they were going to try to Block him from the 1st game gives him a chance to make more plays.

You might have to go to the 1st game LSU vs. Bama to get a fair reading.

The Alabama Oline would have been just as prepared for him in the 2nd game as he was for them. I don't think it being the second game gives Brockers a leg up. If anything, I would think the familiarity would have been to the advantage of the Oline.

[bababoey]

So I guess Cox does alot of penatrating. Good thing no one said "Cox is just to small to be effective" :lol:

[Lout]

Just finished Fletcher Cox vs South Carolina.. wow.. I can't express how dominating this game was for Fletcher Cox but I'll try. If you are on the fence about him, you have got to wach this game. This game was Suh-esque dominating.

35 Total Defensive Snaps

19 Total Impact plays (amazing), including 6 in a row

9 Plays He was double teamed

He got 6 TFL! (Tackles for Loss)

Count em! 10 hurries.

And 3 Sacks.

3 Tech Impact plays= 11/20 Plays

5 Tech Impact plays= 8/15 Plays

His motor ran 100% the entire game. He is a great effort player. He got tired at 36 snaps last game I reveiwed, but didn't get there this time.

His run defense is average at the point of attack. He gets his pressure in the run game by running right by his man getting into the backfield to blow up the play. That's how he excels against the run.. just average when he doesn't get a great first step. First step is ELITE.

There were 3 plays where he was overly aggressive, and ran by the running back, I think his momentum was too great to change direction. I saw this a few times in the Bama game as well. I am not sure this can be fixed.

I want to watch another game, but I can see why Fletcher Cox is dramatically climbing up boards, and he would not be a reach at #9 overall.

[koolkatluke]

The Alabama Oline would have been just as prepared for him in the 2nd game as he was for them. I don't think it being the second game gives Brockers a leg up. If anything, I would think the familiarity would have been to the advantage of the Oline.

Then why not use the 1st game? It is a more Fair assement for both to use that game instead of the second game where Brockers may or may not have and advantage.

[d-run]

Here is the South Carolina vs Miss St video for whoever wants to watch

[carpanfan96]

I like the overview. Cox's first step and pass rush moves are the major reason's why he's shot up to the #1 DT in the draft and that for most draftnik's, experts and scout's. Also the gap between Cox as the # 1 DT and Brockers as the #2 DT is huge. It's amazing how far Brocker's and Poe have fallen compared to how Cox's has skyrocketed.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Only a week until we add a new superstar to our defense(Cox)

[Lout]

I am going to watch 1 more game for each player tomorrow morning. I think it's a fair assessment to review 3 game's each to form a solid opinion. Right now, Cox looks more consistent with a unstoppable motor, and that is very appealing to me. I don't want to say that Brockers takes plays off, but he does not give 100% every play like Cox does. Cox has that Elite burst off the LOS, and I do not see that with Brockers, which really handicaps his pass rush ability.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

great breakdown thus far, looking forward to the next games you do

a lot of the same things I saw watching a few of their games that lead me to having Cox as my #1 DT though I didn't go this far in depth breaking everything down

[Kuech the Sneak]

I'm starting to think that cox will be the pick, I'd be completely happy with that

[JawnyBlaze]

I'd certainly be happy with Cox, but I still prefer Brockers.

[Dash Global]

Ill be happy either way with our first pick so long as its a DL or CB pick.

Its the 2nd round pick im worried about the FO fuggin up!

[Lout]

Just finished Michael Brockers vs Georgia in the SEC championship game. I officially have a late 1st to high 2nd round grade on Brockers. I see great ability against the run, but marginal pass rush upside. He is a bit of a project in the pass rush department. Brockers has a wide variety of pass rush moves, including a bull, club, spin, swim, and rip, but most aren't very effective. His bull rush is great, but I don't see it being as effective until he gains strength.. he only had 19 reps at pro day. You don't draft NT's in the Top10 for their run defense. He is definitely a NT in our scheme.. I don't see him playing a 3-tech.

42 Total Defensive Snaps

17 Total Impact plays, including 5 in a row in the 4th Qtr

12 Plays He was double teamed

He got 5 TFL (Tackles for Loss)

8 hurries.

Forced a Fumble

Caused 1 Interception.

1 Tech Impact plays= 16/39 Plays

3 Tech Impact plays= 0/1 Plays

5 Tech Impact plays= 1/2 Plays

Brockers has great stamina. He seems to get better as the game goes on. It seems like he is average at the beginning of games.. maybe letting his opponent get tired before bringing his A game. His run defense is Excellent 1v1 at the point of attack. He is very good against double teams, but when he displays poor pad level, he will get driven out of the play. He gave up 2 big gains in his gap due to being driven out of the play. He showed very good play awareness

.. probably due to his height.. he can see the play develop. Bottom line for me, is run stuffing NT's are easier to find than a quality 3-tech that can penetrate. I believe scouts/GMs feel the same. Brockers played like a 'streaky' player. He had poor streaks, and productive streaks.

I must say that I am very impressed with Ben Jones, the Center from Georgia. He looks like a 2nd round pick. He stoned Brockers on just about every play that he was assigned.

Fletcher Cox vs Kentucky coming up next.