When the idea for Sackwatch was pitched to me after the 2010 season (thanks Kev), the reason I found it so fascinating was that I’d be able to put what I long suspected — the offensive line isn’t always to blame — and have some data to back it up. I quickly had that notion validated after looking at the film from week one of the 2011 season when sack number 4 was the fault of the quarterback, and sack number 5 wasn’t anyone’s fault.
After my first year breaking down each sack the Chicago Bears allowed on a weekly basis, someone suggested to me that I keep a running tally of where the specific blame lies on every sack.