Sacks per game in a career.

[Bongo59]

It is a pretty excluve list and it is a bit shocking for who is not on it, and maybe who is on it.  This is a stat that tells you how consistent a pass rusher you were.  Some of these guys on this did this before the NFL became pass happy.  

 

Gastineau had 107 sacks in 137 games, giving him a sacks-per-game average of approximately 0.781 (107 ÷ 137).

Since sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982, official records are limited to post-1982 data, but unofficial sack totals (pre-1982) compiled by researchers like John Turney and Nick Webster are widely accepted for historical comparisons.

 

If we consider both official and unofficial data, focusing on players with at least 100 career sacks to ensure comparable sample sizes, as this is a common benchmark for elite pass rushers. The minimum games played is set at 16 to exclude outliers with very short careers.

 

 

Based on available data, here are players with a higher sacks-per-game average than Gastineau’s 0.781, drawn from career sack leaders and per-game rankings:

 

Deacon Jones (unofficial): 173.5 sacks in 191 games = 0.908 sacks per game.

Known for coining the term "sack," Jones’ totals are unofficial as he played from 1961–1974, pre-dating official stats.

 

Reggie White: 198 sacks in 232 games = 0.853 sacks per game.

Official stats from 1985–2000, with two USFL seasons excluded.

 

T.J. Watt: 103 sacks in 114 games (through 2024) = 0.904 sacks per game.

Active player, official stats from 2017–present.

 

Myles Garrett: 100.5 sacks in 118 games (through 2024) = 0.852 sacks per game.

Active player, official stats from 2017–present.

 

J.J. Watt: 114.5 sacks in 151 games = 0.758 sacks per game.

Official stats from 2011–2022.

Note: Some sources list J.J. Watt at 0.789, but 114.5 ÷ 151 yields 0.758, below Gastineau’s 0.781.

 

I thought we'd have some more LB in the group and was surprised Bruce Smith, Ware, Neil Smith Jason Taylor were not on the list.  I expected Kevin Greene, Rickey Jacksn, LT, and Doleman on the list. 

 

This list tells me TJ Watt should be a first ballot guy.  I would not have thought this before looking.  

[NashvilleNinja]

So the more sacks you get the higher your average will be? Imagine that.

[Somedude]

Sacked yo mama

[abenjami]

Sacks are a dumb stat IMO, especially since QB's realized they can just throw it away to avoid the sack.

 

A much better stat would be something like "pressures that resulted in a sack or otherwise unsuccessful offensive play"

 

 

 

[Bongo59]

Proof the board is ruled by tards.  

[titanruss]

3 hours ago, Bongo59 said:

Proof the board is ruled by tards.  

Everyone knows sacks per game is an ok metric for judging a pass rusher across a career. It's also not necessarily the best stat for understanding effectiveness on a down to down basis during an individual game or even season.

 

You thinking this is a new stat ot a relevation is whats funny.

Edited May 9, 2025 by titanruss

[Face]

Reggie White is the most dominant player in NFL history. IMO. Just sayin since this thread has a list of pass rushers from his era.

 

Also, Bruce Smith played until he was 40. He was still great which is amazing but his last 5-6 years he was more like a typical pro bowler rather than the all-world player he was for most of his career. These last years where most guys are retired he averaged about 6 sacks or so which brought his average down. He also played 3-4 DE his entire time in Buffalo which makes his production even more insane.
 

Everybody always ranks LT at worst 2nd to White in that 80’s-90’s era but IMO Reggie & Bruce are girt easily the top 2 from that time…..

[OILERMAN]

29 minutes ago, Face said:

These last years where most guys are retired he averaged about 6 sacks or so which brought his average down.

 

This is the problem with this stat. If a guy hangs around and his sacks are mediocre it effects his overall sacks per game over his whole career

[TerryBoats]

3 hours ago, OILERMAN said:

 

This is the problem with this stat. If a guy hangs around and his sacks are mediocre it effects his overall sacks per game over his whole career

That doesn't keep great WRs from getting an 80 yard season in with Tennessee during the twilight of their career.

[OILERMAN]

8 hours ago, TerryBoats said:

That doesn't keep great WRs from getting an 80 yard season in with Tennessee during the twilight of their career.

 

Randy Moss wasn't a great WR with the Titans. He was on his 3rd team that year and a shell of himself. It's one of the most misrepresented things in franchise history. The Vikings traded for him then cut him, then the Titans picked him up. He was done. 

[Face]

5 hours ago, OILERMAN said:

 

Randy Moss wasn't a great WR with the Titans. He was on his 3rd team that year and a shell of himself. It's one of the most misrepresented things in franchise history. The Vikings traded for him then cut him, then the Titans picked him up. He was done. 

He was totally washed. Kenny Britt was easily the best offensive player on the 2010 team.

[headhunter]

I just remember Moss getting lit up going across the middle for us

[TerryBoats]

I wasn't saying that Randy Moss was good.  I was saying that previously great WRs on the downside of the careers come to TN and take an axe to their average production per season.

Edited May 9, 2025 by TerryBoats

[titanruss]

I do love that Mettenberger just tried bombs to Moss when he got his chance to throw.

[Callidus]

1 hour ago, headhunter said:

I just remember Moss getting lit up going across the middle for us

I remeber him "running" 7 or 8 yards on run plays then steping off the field.