I came across this article by NFL historian John Turney. Along with Nick Webster, they can keep an alternative statistic to TFL called “stuffs” and have reliable data going back to 1982.
Basically, it takes out sacks to avoid double counting, does factor in forced fumble plays, reintroduces pass plays (pre-1999), etc.
As of 11/21/20 when the article was posted, Lavonte David ranked fourth since 1982 with 105 stuffs (9 seasons) behind Junior Seau (170, 20), Ray Lewis (118, 17), and Bruce Smith (116.5, 19). Obviously, this sort of production rate put David first all time in stuffs per season.
I don’t have the numbers for the past two seasons, but clearly, Lavonte David belongs with Derrick Brooks in the all-time discussion (Brooks had 77.5 stuffs in 14 seasons).
2012 sure was one heck of a linebacker class with David, Kuechly, and Wagner.
[Pro Football Journal: Lavonte David being Lavonte David (nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com)](https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2020/11/lavonte-david-being-lavonte-david.html)
2 comments
Good stuffs!
HoF