K.C. Joyner, a.k.a. The Football Scientist, wonders.


Joyner has graded every snap of both players and concludes Dansby will be an improvement on Ayodele … just how much remains to be seen.

....

But in an article last Friday in ESPN.com’s Insider section (here’s the link, but you may not be able to read it), Joyner wrote that Dansby historically is only a bit better than Ayodele at stopping the run.

Dansby wins his match-ups at the point of attack at a rate of just 5 percent higher than Ayodele, who won 21-percent of his POA battles in 2009 - a solid number, Joyner said.

The difference might translate to five to eight stops a season.

As Joyner noted in an e-mail exchange, “there is just so much impact an ILB can have on things.”

Hmm. I think the Dansby signing was good and necessary for setting up the rest of the off-season moves. Plus, the comparison doesn't work from my view.

Ayodele has played eight years and has 9.5 sacks, 7 interceptions and 18 passes defensed. He has 71, 75 and 57 tackles the last three years.

Dansby has played six years and has 25.5 sacks, 25 passes defensed and 10 interceptions. He has 109, 119 and 97 tackles* (corrected) the past three years.

So it's hard to see them as the same player. Dansby has shown more versatility and impact. Here's a telling stat: Dansby has seven forced fumbles in the past three years. Ayodele has one. (Channing Crowder also has one.)