Interesting mathematical exercise.

The critical difference between yards lost to sacks vs. yards lost to interceptions, of course, is the fact that when you get sacked, it doesn’t automatically mean a loss of possession; interceptions, of course, always means a loss of possession.

From a coach’s perspective, that’s an easy choice, then. Assuming my quarterback doesn’t get broken, I’d take sacks over interceptions every single time.

The missing Chapter and Verse here are the WR’s, TE’s and RB’s to throw to; not to mention OC’s scheme to throw to them. Though Frank Gore has been a constant through Alex Smith’s career, the cavalcade of inferior WR’s throughout his career should be better documented. When Antonio Bryant was the best WR option throughout the late aughts for the 49ers, this has to be a factor. Do we need to go into the Arnaz Battle, old Issac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Jason Hill, etc. etc. years to make the point? Not a WR in the bunch here who can achieve real separation from DB’s. Which matters across first reads — no one open, no forcing throws, higher % of sacks.

Contrast that with Harbaugh’s tenure in Indy — besides Marshall Faulk in the backfield, are Brian Dawkins, Ken Dilger or Flipper Anderson better, worse or extremely similar to a Crabtree, Ginn, Kyle Williams, Josh Morgan and VD 2011 crew?