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Pro Football Focus: Robert Geathers And Michael Johnson Are Two Of NFL's Least Productive Pass Rushers

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Pro Football Focus lays out a simple formula to determine the best pass rushers in the NFL: the combined number of sacks, hits, and hurries a player has in the past three seasons. Divide that number by the number of snaps taken in a pass rushing situation, and you have a productivity rating which establishes that top rushers in the NFL.

THE TOP FOUR: Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins (creates pressure on 13.3% of plays); DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys; Jason Babin, Philadelphia Eagles; Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs.

The formula also works to establish the least productive rushers in the NFL. These players aren't as high profile as the top four...but a few names might sound familiar to the readers of Cincy Jungle.

THE BOTTOM FOUR: Jarret Johnson, San Diego Chargers (creates pressure on 5.06% of plays); Robert Geathers, Cincinnati Bengals; Tyler Brayton, Indianapolis Colts; Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Johnson has rushed 1045 times in the past three seasons, yet has created pressure only 74 times. That amounts to an abysmal 5.6%. Robert Geathers was even worse. Geathers, with 1147 rushes, has created quarterback pressure just 75 times--a 5.1%.

Geathers' inability to sack the quarterback or, evidently, create any quarterback pressure whatsoever has put his roster spot in danger. He is scheduled to make $4.2 million in 2012, an amount which could be saved if he is released prior to the season. Free agent acquisitions Derrick Harvey and Jamaal Anderson, along with his anemic pass rush numbers, very well may make Geathers expendable in the eyes of the Bengals front office. Marvin Lewis has gone on the record in support of Geathers and his team first attitude, but at a point, positive attitude alone simply doesn't get the job done. And a 5.1% pressure production percentage is not getting the job done.