Power Points
Ever wonder how the USC coaches judge players? Here's the point system used for defensive players.
Tackle 2 points
Tackle for loss 3 points
Sack 4 points
Interception 4 points
Sack causing fumble 6 points
Forced fumble 4 points
Fumble recovery 4 points
Block 4 points
Missed tackle -1
Missed assignment -1
Critical error -4
Penalty -2
Loaf -2
Interesting. Of course, practically speaking a player's positive points are a product of tackles. And how is it determined if one is "Loaf," which I presume is idling.
why does a sack rate higher than a tackle for a loss ?
It's kind of fun to look at each player's points from a given game and compare their performances, but I hope the coaches don't place too much stock in this formula. I mean, there are so many things that players do that don't show up on the stat sheets that are vital to the success of the defense. Things like forcing a runner back to the inside to get tackled, taking up a double team (see Sed Ellis) and thereby opening up a gap for a linebacker to shoot, or peeling off your man and tipping the pass at the last second. When you assign points to these things, you can sometimes give too much credit to "stats hogs" and not enough to the guys who are instinctive and make it easier for everyone else.
That said, a sack rates higher than a tackle for loss because it's usually more important and has the potential to do more damage to the other team. For instance, would you rather tackle Jonathan Stewart for a loss of 2, or get a blindside sack on Dennis Dixon for a loss of 7 (and possibly knock him out of the game)? Plus, a sack usually has more of an emotional impact on the defense and can sometimes leave a residual effect on the quarterback causing him to be skittish. (see JDB in the 2006 FUCLA game)
In short, tackles for loss are nice, but I'd rather have a sack.
Fight on!