Ty Law’s 2005 Season and the Best Interception Seasons Ever

by Chase Stuart on May 18, 2015

You probably have not given much thought to Ty Law since he retired, and you almost certainly haven’t given much thought to what Law did as a member of the Jets in 2005. But it was a pretty remarkable season.

Law had 10 interceptions that year. That number may not sound like a lot to you — it’s not a record, and we rarely focus on interception totals — but no player has had more than 10 interceptions in a season since 1981. Since Everson Walls of the Cowboys recorded 11 interceptions in 1981, eleven players have intercepted exactly ten passes in a single season. Of those, Law played on the team that faced by far the fewest passes, and he did so in an era where it was very difficult to record interceptions. That’s why, by the metric I’ll describe below, it’s the most impressive interception season in NFL history.

First, I calculated each player’s individual interception rate, defined as his number of interceptions divided by his team’s pass attempts faced. ^[1]Perhaps in a future version, I will adjust for games missed due to injury. The record here was set in 1946 by Pittsburgh’s Bill Dudley, a former first overall pick. That year, Dudley led the NFL in rushing… and punt return yards… and interceptions! Dudley intercepted 10 passes, while the Steelers faced just 162 pass attempts, giving him an interception on 6.2% of opponent dropbacks. Perhaps most amazing, the Steelers leading receivers each had just ten catches, which means Dudley caught as many passes on defense as any Pittsburgh player did on offense in 1946.

Law’s 10 interceptions came against 463 opponent pass attempts, giving him an interception on 2.2% of opposing pass plays. That remains the highest rate in a single season since Walls picked off a pass on 2.4% of opponent pass plays in 1982. But obviously interception rates have been sharply declining, which is what makes Law’s accomplishment so remarkable.

I calculated the league average interception rate for every league ^[2]That is, treating the AFL and AAFC as separate. and every season since 1940. Then, for each league season, I adjusted each player’s interception rate based on the ratio of the average interception rate since 1940 and the league average rate for that season. So, for example, players in 2014 get a multiplier of 2.15, since interceptions are so rare now, while players in 2005 receive a multiplier of 1.76, and players in 1978 get a multiplier of exactly 1.00. Unfortunately for Dudley, he gets a multiplier of 0.60.

So with Dudley, his 6.2% gets adjusted down to 3.7%. For Law, his 2.2% gets adjusted up to 3.8%. And that’s how Law jumps Dudley into the top spot.

The table below shows the top 200 seasons of all time. The table is fully sortable and searchable, and you can change the number of seasons viewed by using the dropdown button on the left.

Rk	Player	Tm	Year	Pos	INT	Tm Att	INT Rt	Yr Mult	Adj Rate
1	Ty Law	NYJ	2005	LCB	10	463	2.2%	1.76%	3.8%
2	Bill Dudley	PIT	1946	TB	10	162	6.2%	0.6%	3.7%
3	Deltha O'Neal	CIN	2005	LCB	10	519	1.9%	1.76%	3.4%
4	Jack Butler	PIT	1957	DB	10	234	4.3%	0.78%	3.3%
5	Nnamdi Asomugha	OAK	2006	LCB	8	410	2%	1.7%	3.3%
6	Aeneas Williams	ARI	1994	LCB	9	465	1.9%	1.72%	3.3%
7	Paul Krause	WAS	1964	RS	12	406	3%	1.12%	3.3%
8	Asante Samuel	NWE	2006	LCB/rcb	10	518	1.9%	1.7%	3.3%
9	Ed Reed	BAL	2008	FS	9	528	1.7%	1.92%	3.3%
10	Dan Sandifer	WAS	1948	RH	13	289	4.5%	0.73%	3.3%
11	Ronde Barber	TAM	2001	RCB	10	493	2%	1.6%	3.3%
12	Champ Bailey	DEN	2006	LCB	10	538	1.9%	1.7%	3.2%
13	Tim Jennings	CHI	2012	LCB	9	592	1.5%	2.05%	3.1%
14	Antonio Cromartie	SDG	2007	rcb	10	555	1.8%	1.72%	3.1%
15	Jimmy Patton	NYG	1958	DB	11	311	3.5%	0.88%	3.1%
16	Stevie Brown	NYG	2012	SS	8	534	1.5%	2.05%	3.1%
17	Mark Carrier	CHI	1990	FS	10	495	2%	1.52%	3.1%
18	Darryl Williams	SEA	1997	FS	8	462	1.7%	1.77%	3.1%
19	Emmitt Thomas	KAN	1974	RCB	12	408	2.9%	1.04%	3.1%
20	Lem Barney	DET	1967	LCB	10	312	3.2%	0.95%	3.1%
21	Jairus Byrd	BUF	2009	FS	9	519	1.7%	1.75%	3%
22	Mike Reinfeldt	HOU	1979	FS	12	465	2.6%	1.17%	3%
23	Ed Reed	BAL	2004	SS	9	501	1.8%	1.69%	3%
24	Tony Greene	BUF	1974	FS	9	311	2.9%	1.04%	3%
25	Richard Sherman	SEA	2013	LCB	8	524	1.5%	1.95%	3%
26	Everson Walls	DAL	1982	LCB	7	289	2.4%	1.23%	3%
27	Darren Sharper	MIN	2005	FS	9	533	1.7%	1.76%	3%
28	Ryan McNeil	STL	1997	RCB	9	543	1.7%	1.77%	2.9%
29	Sammy Baugh	WAS	1943	TB	11	193	5.7%	0.51%	2.9%
30	Lester Hayes	OAK	1980	LCB	13	524	2.5%	1.18%	2.9%
31	Charles Woodson	GNB	2009	LCB	9	540	1.7%	1.75%	2.9%
32	Richard Sherman	SEA	2012	LCB	8	564	1.4%	2.05%	2.9%
33	Anthony Henry	CLE	2001	cb	10	552	1.8%	1.6%	2.9%
34	Tony Parrish	SFO	2003	SS	9	514	1.8%	1.66%	2.9%
35	Patrick Peterson	ARI	2012	LCB	7	497	1.4%	2.05%	2.9%
36	Pat Fischer	STL	1964	LCB	10	389	2.6%	1.12%	2.9%
37	Bill Bradley	PHI	1972	FS	9	318	2.8%	1.01%	2.9%
38	Night Train Lane	RAM	1952	DB	14	360	3.9%	0.73%	2.8%
39	Lindon Crow	CRD	1956	DB	11	287	3.8%	0.74%	2.8%
40	Monte Jackson	RAM	1976	RCB	10	397	2.5%	1.12%	2.8%
41	Mel Blount	PIT	1975	RCB	11	396	2.8%	1.01%	2.8%
42	Paul Krause	MIN	1975	FS	10	360	2.8%	1.01%	2.8%
43	Brian Russell	MIN	2003	FS	9	531	1.7%	1.66%	2.8%
44	Deltha O'Neal	DEN	2001	LCB	9	515	1.7%	1.6%	2.8%
45	Mark McMillian	KAN	1997	cb	8	507	1.6%	1.77%	2.8%
46	Bobby Dillon	GNB	1955	DB	9	259	3.5%	0.8%	2.8%
47	Brian Kelly	TAM	2002	LCB	8	510	1.6%	1.77%	2.8%
48	Dave Baker	SFO	1960	LS	10	293	3.4%	0.81%	2.8%
49	Ken Riley	CIN	1976	RCB	9	364	2.5%	1.12%	2.8%
50	Ray Brown	ATL	1974	SS	8	302	2.6%	1.04%	2.8%
51	Darren Sharper	NOR	2009	FS	9	574	1.6%	1.75%	2.7%
52	Scott Case	ATL	1988	RCB	10	504	2%	1.38%	2.7%
53	Howard Hartley	PIT	1951	DB	10	266	3.8%	0.73%	2.7%
54	Eric Weddle	SDG	2011	FS	7	478	1.5%	1.86%	2.7%
55	Willie Williams	NYG	1968	RCB	10	364	2.7%	0.99%	2.7%
56	Asante Samuel	PHI	2009	LCB	9	580	1.6%	1.75%	2.7%
57	Everson Walls	DAL	1981	LCB	11	511	2.2%	1.26%	2.7%
58	Jerry Norton	STL	1960	LS	10	300	3.3%	0.81%	2.7%
59	Mark Lee	GNB	1986	LCB	9	448	2%	1.35%	2.7%
60	Thom Darden	CLE	1974	FS	8	308	2.6%	1.04%	2.7%
61	Jack Christiansen	DET	1957	DB	10	290	3.4%	0.78%	2.7%
62	Darren Sharper	GNB	2000	FS	9	557	1.6%	1.66%	2.7%
63	Tony Greene	BUF	1977	FS	9	316	2.8%	0.94%	2.7%
64	Bibbles Bawel	PHI	1955	DB	9	272	3.3%	0.8%	2.6%
65	Richard Johnson	HOU	1990	RCB	8	460	1.7%	1.52%	2.6%
66	Charles Woodson	GNB	2006	LCB	8	515	1.6%	1.7%	2.6%
67	Dick Westmoreland	MIA	1967	RCB	10	349	2.9%	0.92%	2.6%
68	O.J. Atogwe	STL	2007	FS	8	523	1.5%	1.72%	2.6%
69	Eric Turner	CLE	1994	FS	9	587	1.5%	1.72%	2.6%
70	Walt Harris	SFO	2006	RCB	8	518	1.5%	1.7%	2.6%
71	Bobby Boyd	BAL	1964	LCB	9	385	2.3%	1.12%	2.6%
72	Otto Schnellbacher	NYY	1948		11	341	3.2%	0.81%	2.6%
73	Keith Lyle	STL	1997	FS	8	543	1.5%	1.77%	2.6%
74	Sam Madison	MIA	1998	RCB	8	504	1.6%	1.64%	2.6%
75	Terrell Buckley	MIA	1998	LCB	8	504	1.6%	1.64%	2.6%
76	Rashean Mathis	JAX	2006	LCB	8	523	1.5%	1.7%	2.6%
77	Kwamie Lassiter	ARI	2001	FS	9	556	1.6%	1.6%	2.6%
78	Ty Law	NWE	1998	LCB	9	570	1.6%	1.64%	2.6%
79	Charles Woodson	GNB	2008	LCB	7	518	1.4%	1.92%	2.6%
80	Nick Collins	GNB	2008	FS	7	518	1.4%	1.92%	2.6%
81	Tory James	CIN	2004	RCB	8	520	1.5%	1.69%	2.6%
82	Goose Gonsoulin	DEN	1960	RS	11	387	2.8%	0.91%	2.6%
83	Tom Keane	BAL	1953	DB	11	321	3.4%	0.75%	2.6%
84	Don Burroughs	PHI	1960	LS	9	283	3.2%	0.81%	2.6%
85	Nate Odomes	BUF	1993	RCB	9	582	1.5%	1.66%	2.6%
86	Keith Lyle	STL	1996	FS	9	558	1.6%	1.59%	2.6%
87	Orlando Thomas	MIN	1995	FS	9	620	1.5%	1.76%	2.6%
88	Nathan Vasher	CHI	2005	RCB	8	550	1.5%	1.76%	2.6%
89	Jack Christiansen	DET	1953	DB	12	354	3.4%	0.75%	2.6%
90	Fred Glick	HOU	1963	RS	12	424	2.8%	0.9%	2.6%
91	Rod Woodson	PIT	1993	LCB	8	521	1.5%	1.66%	2.6%
92	Kenny Easley	SEA	1984	SS	10	521	1.9%	1.33%	2.5%
93	Johnny Robinson	KAN	1970	FS	10	408	2.5%	1.04%	2.5%
94	Ron Bolton	NWE	1973	RCB	6	240	2.5%	1.02%	2.5%
95	Kwamie Lassiter	ARI	1998	fs	8	518	1.5%	1.64%	2.5%
96	Glover Quin	DET	2014	FS	7	592	1.2%	2.15%	2.5%
97	Tyrone Braxton	DEN	1996	SS	9	566	1.6%	1.59%	2.5%
98	Bill Bradley	PHI	1971	FS	11	407	2.7%	0.93%	2.5%
99	Dick Anderson	MIA	1973	FS	8	322	2.5%	1.02%	2.5%
100	Don Doll	DET	1949	KR	11	312	3.5%	0.72%	2.5%
101	Joey Browner	MIN	1990	SS	7	422	1.7%	1.52%	2.5%
102	Troy Polamalu	PIT	2008	SS	7	533	1.3%	1.92%	2.5%
103	Joe Lavender	WAS	1976	RCB	8	354	2.3%	1.12%	2.5%
104	Lem Barney	DET	1969	LCB	8	350	2.3%	1.1%	2.5%
105	Dick LeBeau	DET	1970	RCB	9	371	2.4%	1.04%	2.5%
106	Doug Evans	CAR	2001	RCB	8	510	1.6%	1.6%	2.5%
107	Eugene Robinson	SEA	1993	FS	9	595	1.5%	1.66%	2.5%
108	Will Sherman	RAM	1955	DB	11	351	3.1%	0.8%	2.5%
109	John Harris	SEA	1981	FS	10	502	2%	1.26%	2.5%
110	Corey Chavous	MIN	2003	SS	8	531	1.5%	1.66%	2.5%
111	Samari Rolle	TEN	2000	RCB	7	466	1.5%	1.66%	2.5%
112	James Hunter	DET	1976	FS	7	313	2.2%	1.12%	2.5%
113	Dexter McCleon	STL	2000	RCB	8	534	1.5%	1.66%	2.5%
114	Rod Woodson	OAK	2002	FS	8	570	1.4%	1.77%	2.5%
115	William Thomas	PHI	1995	RLB	7	499	1.4%	1.76%	2.5%
116	Rosey Taylor	CHI	1963	RS	9	353	2.5%	0.97%	2.5%
117	Ed Reed	BAL	2007	FS	7	490	1.4%	1.72%	2.5%
118	Norb Hecker	WAS	1956	DB	8	240	3.3%	0.74%	2.5%
119	Lyle Blackwood	BAL	1977	FS	10	382	2.6%	0.94%	2.5%
120	Ed Reed	BAL	2010	FS	8	596	1.3%	1.83%	2.5%
121	Tom Janik	BUF	1967	LS	10	377	2.7%	0.92%	2.4%
122	Willie Clay	DET	1995	FS	8	580	1.4%	1.76%	2.4%
123	Nate Wright	MIN	1976	LCB	7	323	2.2%	1.12%	2.4%
124	Ronnie Lott	RAI	1991	SS	8	513	1.6%	1.54%	2.4%
125	Mel Renfro	DAL	1969	RS	10	458	2.2%	1.1%	2.4%
126	Ryan McNeil	SDG	2001	RCB	8	535	1.5%	1.6%	2.4%
127	Asante Samuel	PHI	2010	LCB	7	536	1.3%	1.83%	2.4%
128	Jimmy Allen	DET	1981	FS	9	475	1.9%	1.26%	2.4%
129	Ken Houston	HOU	1971	SS	9	354	2.5%	0.93%	2.4%
130	Bobby Boyd	BAL	1965	LCB	9	400	2.3%	1.05%	2.4%
131	Dick Lynch	NYG	1963	RCB	9	368	2.4%	0.97%	2.4%
132	Jack Butler	PIT	1958	DB	9	334	2.7%	0.88%	2.4%
133	Tom Keane	DTX	1952	DB	10	310	3.2%	0.73%	2.4%
134	Deron Cherry	KAN	1988	FS	7	410	1.7%	1.38%	2.4%
135	Thomas Howard	OAK	2007	RLB	6	439	1.4%	1.72%	2.4%
136	Larry Wilson	STL	1966	RS	10	443	2.3%	1.04%	2.3%
137	Frank Reagan	NYG	1947	PR/P	10	276	3.6%	0.65%	2.3%
138	Michael Griffin	TEN	2008	FS	7	575	1.2%	1.92%	2.3%
139	Darren Sharper	GNB	2002	FS	7	531	1.3%	1.77%	2.3%
140	Chris Gamble	CAR	2005	RCB	7	528	1.3%	1.76%	2.3%
141	Sam Madison	MIA	1999	RCB	7	484	1.4%	1.61%	2.3%
142	Willie Williams	PIT	1995	LCB	7	531	1.3%	1.76%	2.3%
143	Dave Whitsell	NOR	1967	LCB	10	410	2.4%	0.95%	2.3%
144	Erik McMillan	NYJ	1988	FS	8	476	1.7%	1.38%	2.3%
145	Felix Wright	CLE	1989	SS	9	540	1.7%	1.39%	2.3%
146	Marcus Coleman	HOU	2003	RCB	7	502	1.4%	1.66%	2.3%
147	Barry Wilburn	WAS	1987	RCB	9	527	1.7%	1.35%	2.3%
148	Gill Byrd	SDG	1990	LCB	7	462	1.5%	1.52%	2.3%
149	Deion Sanders	ATL	1993	RCB	7	505	1.4%	1.66%	2.3%
150	Carl Lee	MIN	1988	RCB	8	480	1.7%	1.38%	2.3%
151	David Fulcher	CIN	1989	SS	8	482	1.7%	1.39%	2.3%
152	Ray Buchanan	IND	1994	FS/lcb	8	598	1.3%	1.72%	2.3%
153	Champ Bailey	DEN	2005	LCB	8	613	1.3%	1.76%	2.3%
154	Aeneas Williams	ARI	1995	LCB	6	461	1.3%	1.76%	2.3%
155	Don Paul	CLE	1956	DB	7	226	3.1%	0.74%	2.3%
156	Milt Davis	BAL	1957	DB	10	342	2.9%	0.78%	2.3%
157	Eugene Robinson	SEA	1992	FS	7	428	1.6%	1.4%	2.3%
158	Ronnie Lippett	NWE	1986	LCB	8	473	1.7%	1.35%	2.3%
159	Jerry Davis	CRD	1950	DB	9	269	3.3%	0.68%	2.3%
160	Mike Wagner	PIT	1973	SS	8	359	2.2%	1.02%	2.3%
161	Wayne Haddix	TAM	1990	RCB	7	471	1.5%	1.52%	2.3%
162	Bob Jeter	GNB	1967	RCB	8	337	2.4%	0.95%	2.3%
163	Gary Barbaro	KAN	1977	FS	8	333	2.4%	0.94%	2.3%
164	Darren Perry	PIT	1994	FS	7	532	1.3%	1.72%	2.3%
165	Gary Barbaro	KAN	1980	FS	10	523	1.9%	1.18%	2.3%
166	Willie Wood	GNB	1962	RS	9	355	2.5%	0.89%	2.3%
167	Lemar Parrish	WAS	1979	LCB	9	470	1.9%	1.17%	2.2%
168	Dick Anderson	MIA	1968	RS/ls	8	342	2.3%	0.96%	2.2%
169	Rod Perry	RAM	1976	LCB	8	397	2%	1.12%	2.2%
170	Bob Nussbaumer	CRD	1949		12	383	3.1%	0.72%	2.2%
171	Tony Parrish	SFO	2002	SS	7	552	1.3%	1.77%	2.2%
172	John Symank	GNB	1957	DB	9	314	2.9%	0.78%	2.2%
173	Bobby Dillon	GNB	1957	DB	9	314	2.9%	0.78%	2.2%
174	Thomas DeCoud	ATL	2012	FS	6	551	1.1%	2.05%	2.2%
175	Jake Scott	MIA	1974	FS	8	372	2.2%	1.04%	2.2%
176	Dean Derby	PIT	1959	DB	7	285	2.5%	0.91%	2.2%
177	Ashley Ambrose	CIN	1996	LCB	8	571	1.4%	1.59%	2.2%
178	Ronnie Lott	SFO	1986	FS	10	604	1.7%	1.35%	2.2%
179	Spec Sanders	NYY	1950	DB	13	396	3.3%	0.68%	2.2%
180	Dennis Thurman	DAL	1981	RCB	9	511	1.8%	1.26%	2.2%
181	Donnell Woolford	CHI	1992	LCB	7	442	1.6%	1.4%	2.2%
182	Ray Ramsey	CRD	1953	DB	10	341	2.9%	0.75%	2.2%
183	Brig Owens	WAS	1968	LS	8	359	2.2%	0.99%	2.2%
184	Mike Sensibaugh	KAN	1972	FS	8	368	2.2%	1.01%	2.2%
185	Maurice Hurst	NWE	1994	RCB	7	545	1.3%	1.72%	2.2%
186	Dwight Hicks	SFO	1981	FS	9	514	1.8%	1.26%	2.2%
187	Paul Krause	MIN	1968	RS	7	315	2.2%	0.99%	2.2%
188	Audray McMillian	MIN	1992	RCB	8	508	1.6%	1.4%	2.2%
189	Richie Petitbon	CHI	1963	LS	8	353	2.3%	0.97%	2.2%
190	Tashaun Gipson	CLE	2014	FS	6	587	1%	2.15%	2.2%
191	Brian Walker	MIA	2000	SS	7	530	1.3%	1.66%	2.2%
192	Patrick Surtain	MIA	2003	LCB	7	529	1.3%	1.66%	2.2%
193	Night Train Lane	CRD	1954	DB	10	356	2.8%	0.78%	2.2%
194	Ed Reed	BAL	2003	SS	7	531	1.3%	1.66%	2.2%
195	Tom Colella	CLE	1946	P	10	299	3.3%	0.65%	2.2%
196	Issiac Holt	MIN	1986	LCB	8	494	1.6%	1.35%	2.2%
197	Spider Lockhart	NYG	1968	RS	8	364	2.2%	0.99%	2.2%
198	Don McNeal	MIA	1982	LCB	4	226	1.8%	1.23%	2.2%
199	Bobby Dillon	GNB	1953	DB	9	312	2.9%	0.75%	2.2%
200	Casey Hayward	GNB	2012	rcb	6	568	1.1%	2.05%	2.2%

Ed Reed leads the list with five top-200 appearances. Only two linebackers — William Thomas and Thomas Howard — make the cut. And Deion makes just one appearance on the list, showing that interceptions are only a small part of defensive back play.

What do you think of this methodology? What stands out to you?

References[+]

References
↑1	Perhaps in a future version, I will adjust for games missed due to injury.
↑2	That is, treating the AFL and AAFC as separate.

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