It's time to change the formula for ranking offenses and defenses

Memorandum

TO: NFL Competition Committee

FROM: Troy Aikman, SPORTING NEWS analyst

RE: Offensive, defensive rankings

I am writing to request that you consider changing the way the NFL ranks the top offenses and defenses. Currently, rankings are based on total yards. For example, the Vikings led the NFL in total offense last season. That's based purely on the fact they gained more yards than any other team. However, Minnesota did not lead the league in points, first downs, rushing yards, passing yards or third-down efficiency.

The No. 1 defense is based on a team having allowed fewer yards than anyone else. In 2000, the Ravens set an NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season (165) and won the Super Bowl with what many consider the best defense in league history. But the top-ranked defense that year, based on fewest yards allowed, was Tennessee's.

You can see why I don't agree with this system.

The rankings should be like passer ratings for quarterbacks. Whoever wins the passing title does so based on a system in which several factors are calculated: percentage of completions per attempt, average yards per attempt, percentage of touchdown passes per attempt and percentage of interceptions per attempt.

The league needs a similar system for total offense and defense. The categories for both would be yards per play, points scored, turnovers, red zone efficiency and third-down conversions.

I am working with a couple of stats geniuses to develop my own formulas to determine the top-ranked units. I will list my rankings every week on msn.foxsports.com. That way, when we talk about a team having the "No. 1 offense" or "No. 1 defense" we're talking about a group that is truly efficient and impressive.

This change would benefit fans, but more important, it would benefit assistant coaches, many of whom get jobs based on what their units do statistically. Obviously, they deserve a fair representation of their work.

I understand no formula is perfect. If a quarterback plays great while driving his team downfield but his team runs the ball into the end zone, his rating is not rewarded. If a quarterback wisely throws the ball away to avoid a sack, it hurts his rating. Passer rating is not a perfect barometer, but it's a better way to judge quarterbacks than simply total yards. You should be able to do the same thing with team offense and defense.

Thank you for considering my ranking formulas. I'd be happy to discuss them further at the next Competition Committee meeting.

The Troy Aikman Show airs tit 5 p.m. ET every Thursday through the Super Bowl on Sporting News Radio. Listen online at radio.sportingnews.com.

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