Does "closest defender" = PD? (1 Viewer)

[nortobc]

I am watching the Redskins/Cowboys game and Sean Taylor keeps laying the wood to recievers who then drop the ball. On NFL.com, the have "Sean Taylor was closest defender". Usually a PD is in parenthesis. Does a player get a PD for "closest defender" as well? This is the first time I have seen "closest defender".

 

[bonscott]

It's really all up to the guy doing stats in the stadium if a player gets a PD or not. Just like tackles and pretty much any other defensive stat.

 

[The Gator]

I don't believe a drop is considered a PD if he is the closest. He should get credit for a tackle if he runs a guy out of bounds and then is the "closest defender". FWI, MFL had zero PD for Taylor tonight.

 

[DeCleater]

I think the defender has to knock the pass down to get a PD.

 

[bonscott]

I think the defender has to knock the pass down to get a PD.

Correct, typicaly the defender has to touch the ball. A good example of this is the DL or LB who puts their paw up and tips or knocks down a pass. They usually get a PD. I have seen a player get a PD if they hit the receiver hard enough to knock the ball out and it ends up as an incompletion. But again that depends on the stats guy in that stadium. See the great article on FBG's this week about how different stat guys in different cities give more or less PD's, assists, tackles and so forth.

 

[nortobc]

I think the defender has to knock the pass down to get a PD.

Correct, typicaly the defender has to touch the ball. A good example of this is the DL or LB who puts their paw up and tips or knocks down a pass. They usually get a PD. I have seen a player get a PD if they hit the receiver hard enough to knock the ball out and it ends up as an incompletion. But again that depends on the stats guy in that stadium. See the great article on FBG's this week about how different stat guys in different cities give more or less PD's, assists, tackles and so forth.

This is what I was hoping for, as far as hitting the reciever hard enough to make him drop the pass. S. Taylor hit Owens twice last night, very hard and made him drop the pass. I think he should have gotten a PD for that. Taylor probably broke Owens' finger.

 

[SkyRattlers]

I think the defender has to knock the pass down to get a PD.

Correct, typicaly the defender has to touch the ball. A good example of this is the DL or LB who puts their paw up and tips or knocks down a pass. They usually get a PD. I have seen a player get a PD if they hit the receiver hard enough to knock the ball out and it ends up as an incompletion. But again that depends on the stats guy in that stadium. See the great article on FBG's this week about how different stat guys in different cities give more or less PD's, assists, tackles and so forth.

This is what I was hoping for, as far as hitting the reciever hard enough to make him drop the pass. S. Taylor hit Owens twice last night, very hard and made him drop the pass. I think he should have gotten a PD for that. Taylor probably broke Owens' finger.

I remember atleast one of those hits and in that one the drop was clearly a case of Owens and his alligator arms. Taylor's presence was clearly the reason Owens was chicken to make the catch but it wasn't the impact of the hit that caused the drop. So unless you are hoping that the fear of Taylor hitting you is enough for a PD....