Interesting stats website that gives insight into Colts players

by Brad Wells on Nov 12, 2009 11:14 AM EST in Colts Analysis

Contrary to what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach thinks, stats are not for losers. We have writers here like mgrex03 (who runs his own stats system) and shake n bake (who is a Football Outsiders DVOA cult member) who provide us with great insight into football stats. Stats are not the be-all, end-all of football, but they do provide a small window into how good (or bad) are team really is.

Recently, some of our football writers got pointed to a new and interesting site: Pro Football Focus. Here is a bit from their About Page:

Why do we Grade?
Quite simply to help us determine, in all facets of the game, who played well and who didn't. We want to understand not just how many yards a player gained or how many sacks they conceded but also how well they blocked, how effectively they rushed the passer or how they played in coverage. So, to this end, we measure not only a lot of additional information about the play such as Yards after Catch, Missed Tackles, Dropped Passes etc., we also analyze every player to determine if an Offensive Linemen made a key block, a Defensive Tackle stopped a Guard getting to the second level or if a linebacker kept outside contain on a run. We are not so much interested in how many tackles a Safety made but where he made them, when he made them and what obstacles he overcame to make them.

Interesting idea, and I have to admit the site is very user friendly. They have stats for linemen, safeties, wide receivers on running plays, and more. While I'm not ready to proclaim this site the greatest football stats site out there, it does seem to provide a fairly accurate assessment of line play. without even looking at their grading method, take a look at their assessment of Colts guard Mike Pollak:

Mikepollakstinks_medium

Yep, that looks pretty accurate to me, and that kind of production is likely why Pollak was recently benched for Kyle DeVan, who last year was playing Arena Football.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The Tim Jennings one also

looks accurate.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is my dad's favorite scene from one of my all-time favorite shows. Full of win, IMO.

by Cassieper on Nov 12, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions

too bad

we didnt need the site to let us know both of those players are real turds sometimes.

by MARVININDY on Nov 12, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions

It's some good information

But it’s pretty much all subjective “grading”, which is the complete opposite of my goal when looking at stats to explain games: Take the human effect out of the comparisons. I also try to figure out why things happen “behind the scenes”, and not blatantly in front of us.

Their data depends on which person is watching and grading, and their inherent biases, either good or bad. It’s also very hard to “prove”.

Their website is fantastic though. It’s very easy to get around, and has lots of data. I also can’t imagine how much time goes into getting this information, as I know how much time I put in, and I don’t watch every game, let alone every player.

When I look for statistical information, though, I want hard, objective numbers.

by mgrex03 on Nov 12, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Its too damn much for me

Ive spent part of my lunch looking at that stuff

I feel like im looking at the matrix………..

I’ll leave the numbers up to some of you guys, I’ll be busy having a beer and waiting for your verdict.

=)~~~

by MARVININDY on Nov 12, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions

About the picture posted on this blog about Mike Pollak getting burnt. It must be something about the number 78 that makes a colts player horrible. 78 was also worn by Mr. False Start Tarek Glenn.

by TimJennings4MVP on Nov 12, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions

uhhhh

Are you saying Tarik was horrible?

by MARVININDY on Nov 12, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

I'll pile on

Tarik was awesome for a decade, but in his last couple seasons he was a bit of a false-starter. Most notably at the end of a 96 yard TD drive versus Pitt in the playoffs in 2005—called back a TD run, resulted in a FG (4 pt swing), and we lost the game by 3. On par with Vandershank’s miss at the end (which everyone remembers and villifies), but more easily forgotten because TG was one of 5 linemen and he worked his ass off all game in the trenches, instead of practicing his golf swing for 58 minutes on the sideline.

With TG, I’ll take the bad with the good. I also highlight his false starts, but in reality, he was a perennial all pro if he did not have the misfortune to have Ogden and Pace in his draft class. (what a freakin’ LT draft class!)

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Nov 12, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

I wont ever say he was horrible

I always said he had a “mandatory” false start every game. But, oh well. I still miss him and Jake Scott both.

Every player has issues and at times frustrates the shit out of fans. He was worth the handful of times he really pissed on the cake.

by MARVININDY on Nov 12, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Here's Glenn's own take on things

from aq recent Indystar article on the O Line:

On Oct. 26, 2000, Glenn took the day off to be with his wife, Maya, who that day delivered the couple’s first child, Tarik Isiah.

He was fined $20, $10 for missing meetings and $10 for missing practice.

“Best money I ever spent,” Glenn said. “They lost one of their most consistent sources of income when I retired. They could always depend on me jumping offside once or twice a game.”

Man, I hope he said that with a big grin as a retiree.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Nov 12, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

These aren't really stats, just grading.

Stats are objective, these are subjective.

The whole point of statistical analysis is to remove the biases, this is just the opposite.

by TheNoodleMan on Nov 12, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions

That site really doesn't like Charlie Johnson

He’s got the worst grades on the team.

"If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates."
Jay Leno

by MarshallPlan on Nov 12, 2009 12:08 PM EST reply actions

On offense only.

If you consider deffense, there’s Raheem Brock with a -21.3. If this is true then before letting go Ed, they should had let go Raheem, Dawson and Mookie. LOL. This is so subjective. One person’s opinion doesn’t mean much.

by costragas on Nov 12, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

I'll assume there's no way to measure contributions

like flexibility, which is one of Raheem’s major assets. Two DTs go down, no problem, he’ll step in. Two DEs go down, same thing. Reggie Wayne tweaks a knee, put in Brock.

wait, maybe I should check my medication level….

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Nov 12, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions