By Jared Stanger
Not all sacks are created equal, and the boxscore can sometimes lie. So we watch the film. And there are very few things that pique my attention watching film quite like an Olimpico sack.
Okay, first, you may be asking: “what is an Olimpico sack?” It’s a term I stole from soccer that basically means an unassisted, corner-kick goal. Here’s a video:
It’s a individual-effort kick with the perfect blend of speed, power, and bend. Those are the same qualities that apply to an Olimpico sack. A defensive end that has fired off the snap/kick with power…he’s got enough speed to blow past the tackle/keeper…but enough bend not to overshoot the QB/goal. No stunting. No “assist”. It’s just mano e mano…speed and angles. And it’s a beautiful thing to behold.
Here are some of my favorite Olimpico sacks for this year’s draft-eligible DE.
Josh Allen
Nick Bosa
Jordan Brailford
Brian Burns
Malik Carney
Clelin Ferrell
Chuck Harris
Trevon Hill
Khalid Kareem
Technically not a sack, but still a nice rush.
Anthony Nelson
Charles Omenihu
Jachai Polite
Wyatt Ray
Oshane Ximines
Having this many examples of Olimpico’s may make it seem commonplace, but they actually aren’t. It’s really more an indication of how many cool edge rushers there are this year.
How do you pick a favorite??? If voting purely on the Olimpico’s…I think the medalists are some combination of Bosa, Polite, and Brailford. Those three seem to hit terminal velocity onto the QB’s.
In terms of the draft; the Seniors include Allen, Carney, Harris, Omenihu, Ray, Ximines (not pictured: Jaylon Ferguson, Montez Sweat). The Juniors include Bosa, Brailford, Burns, Ferrell, Hill, Kareem, Nelson, Polite. If you get half of the Juniors (and we already know Bosa is coming out) it’s a very good class.
