Comments on Advanced NFL Stats: Blindsided?

An interesting area to look at could be the relati...

2010-02-27T11:29:35.938-05:00

An interesting area to look at could be the relative difference between the number 1 and 2 tackle on each team, and compare that with other position...could show the premium a team puts on protecting it's blindside

Good analysis and goodpoint about averages of posi...

2008-09-16T18:56:00.000-04:00

Good analysis and goodpoint about averages of positions.

The same thing could likely be seen if you just took all 22 starting positions (ignoring special teams), noting that there is a #1 wr, and a #2 wr (likewise a 1 and 2 cb, 1 and 2 G, etc.) I think that is a pretty common way to describe the positions.

-bob

You're right about most CBs. And it's true there a...

2008-09-13T04:22:00.000-04:00

You're right about most CBs. And it's true there are slightly more pass attempts to the right than to the left, especially deep attempts. But some #1 CBs will float and always match up with a #1 WR, wherever he is.

No I haven't read Blindsided. But I did come across it doing background for this article. Since I don't pay for the ESPN Insider thing, I'm not that familiar with him. But I do have a copy of last year's Scientific Football. It's interesting, but mostly just reams and reams of Excel printouts. I wish it were electronic so I could do some crunching with his data. Unfortunately, most of it is really small sample-size stuff, like 'CB passes defended on 3rd downs for curl routs in the 2nd quarter.' My (vague) impression is that Joyner doesn't tend to overreach with his conclusions, which I like.

I guess that's a good way to sum up what's going on. The LT is really important, just not that much more important than most other positions.

Have you read K.C. Joyner's "Blindsided"? In ther...

2008-09-12T20:35:00.000-04:00

Have you read K.C. Joyner's "Blindsided"? In there, he basically takes Lewis' assertions that the left tackle is of primo importance and, while not negating the fact the the position is in fact extremely important, shows that all four of the other offensive line positions are just as important, primarily due to the advent of the zone-blitz and its ability to essentially "single-out" any weak link on the offensive line.

"So when we compare average salaries of LTs to tho...

2008-09-12T16:50:00.000-04:00

"So when we compare average salaries of LTs to those of say, left corner back or all starting wide receivers, the comparison is not fair. Those positions do not place the better player on a certain side, or they are not defined as left/right positions to begin with."

A team's best corner will generally line up on the left side as the majority of a righthanded QB's throws will be directed to his right. That said I agree with your breakdown of player salaries.