Below is a Copy/Paste from a Thread I started on MFN-7... but I open this question to all, especially those who have been with MFN since the Start.
I mark a clear break in the change of pace for Sacks in my League (I was wondering what the Rookie Sack Record was, so I researched). Below were my findings, which lead to something very interesting being observed that I wasn't actually looking for, but it was so glaring that I couldn't ignore it.
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Actually, this was WAY easier to figure out than I thought... and it brought to my attention something I wasn't aware of.
I had ASSUMED Big Sack Numbers were ALWAYS part of MFN... turns out, no so much.
Here is the List of "Top 5 Sack Leaders" in every MFN-7 Season. The Names listed are Rookies. With the possible exception of 2014, in which I 'assumed' ages 21-22 as Rookies, though obviously 22 COULD be a 2nd Year Player (guys come into a First Draft with 'experience'). The Year is followed by the Number of Sacks for the Top 5, then a list of either "No Rookie" or the Names of the Rookies in that section are listed. Of Note, we had a SS finish 2nd in Sacks one Season. :D
2022: (37, 34, 31, 29, 29)
No Rookies.
2021: (41, 37, 34, 29, 25)
No Rookies
2020:
No Rookies (39, 39, 33, 29, 27)
2019:
No Rookies (42, 38, 35, 33, 32)
2018: (19, 18, 18, 16, 15)
1st William Larochelle
5th Robert Douglas
2017: (16, 15, 15, 14, 14)
1. Philip Newcomb
2016: (15, 14, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12)
2. Christopher Dillard
2015: (17, 17, 16, 16, 15, 15)
1. Joseph Whitaker
2014: (20, 18, 17, 14, 14, 14, 14)
2. Kenneth Guerrero (22 Years Old)
4. Cory Eakes (21 Years Old)
So what we see is a few things. Our Single Season Sack Record is 42, Set in 2019.
Our Rookie Single Season Sack Record is 19, Set in 2018 by William Larochelle.
The 'Era of the Sack' began in 2019 with an EXPLOSION of Sacks in the Top 5. In 2018 the Top 5 managed 86 Sacks, while in 2019 the Top 5 brought 180 Sacks. Also the 5th Place Finish for 2019 was 32 Sacks... 13 more than the 1st Place Finish in 2018.
Which leads me to ask... what the **** happened after 2018?
Until that Point, Sacks were largely realistic. 20 had only been hit once... in the first Season where numbers can be expected to be skewed... and were largely in line with actual 16 Game Seasons.
Now... Sacks are on Arcade Levels.
So... what happened?
This does mean the Phillip Bolden is on course to be the Rookie Single Season Sack Record Holder as he is 1 Sack away... and means that the Sack Record of 42 set in 2019 is at risk of falling (to multiple people) in our year of the Lord, 2023.
Any vets around that can explain what happened?