FOA 2009 Preview: Running Backs

Aaron Schatz — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:57:53 -0400

Our final preview of Football Outsiders Almanac 2009 gives you a peek at some of the player comments and fantasy football projections.

Calvin Pace Suspended Four Games

Bill Barnwell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:11:37 -0400

Adam Schefter is reporting on his Twitter page that Calvin Pace has been suspended for four games. Also, "ouch".

FORUM: Scheme Change?

Bill Barnwell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:41:12 -0400

Here's a question: Which NFL teams should change their scheme, either offensively or defensively? Consider the question WITHOUT changing personnel.

Finding The Winning Factors

Bill Barnwell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:28:54 -0400

The always-excellent Stampede Blue has been running a series of features on Finding The Winning Factors, isolating statistics and their relationship to winning. Today's feature is on Drive Success Rate.

Varsity Numbers: The Perfect Playoff

Bill Connelly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:15:34 -0400

Make no mistake: a college football playoff is going to happen someday. In the latest Varsity Numbers, Bill Connelly suggests the best possible playoff option.

FOA 2009 Preview: Big 12 South

Aaron Schatz — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:05:00 -0400

We have more preview material to get you ready for Football Outsiders Almanac 2009 -- this time, a look at one of the new college forecast chapters.

Moneyball, NFL Style

Doug Farrar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:29:25 -0400

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com has the NFL Management Council’s list of committed cash per team over the last five years, and he’s used those numbers to put a specific value per win for each team over that same time period. Not surprisingly, the Patriots, Colts, Chargers and Steelers top the list, and the Lions and Raiders bring up the rear. It’s an interesting list. Committed cash takes away some of the vagaries of the non-guaranteed portions of player contracts, but five years is a LONG time in any sport. I would love to see year-by-year variance, and maybe postseason wins should be factored in. What do you think?

Avoiding The Sticks

Bill Barnwell — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:57:42 -0400

Why teams looking for first downs should avoid ... the first down marker.

Running Backs' "Football Age"

Bill Barnwell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:09:09 -0400

Reader Mike sends in this link to research he's done regarding the true "age" of running backs.

Wisdom of Crowds: Projecting The 2009 RBs, Part II

Bill Barnwell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:55:20 -0400

Can Chris Johnson become every fantasy owner's dream?

MMQB: Trent Green Takes Over!

Doug Farrar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:23:42 -0400

With Peter King on vacation, his MMQB column will have various guest writers for the next four weeks. First up? The recently retired Trent Green, who discusses Michael Vick, concussions, leaving the game, and how the economy could dictate the new CBA. Not bad for a first-timer!

ESPN INSIDER: 25 Most Overrated/Underrated Players Of The Decade

Aaron Schatz — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:22:11 -0400

Who just didn't get a fair analysis?

Packers, Jennings Agree to $27 Million Extension

Doug Farrar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:33:19 -0400

The Packers have extended receiver Greg Jennings’ current contract in a major way, adding three years and $27.535 ($16 million guaranteed) to what was a four-year, $2.85 million rookie deal. If you want to know more about the rookie contract, look up the word “bargain” in the dictionary, as Jennings has put up elite numbers in the last two years.

Peppers Puts Pen To Paper For Panthers

Vince Verhei — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:18:58 -0400

If you're a general manager, and you tune into the Pro Bowl to see your defensive end openly campaigning on national television to leave your team, how do you make him happy? For Panthers GM Marty Hurney, the answer was simple: You offer him a one-year, $16.7 million deal. That's $16.7 million in guaranteed money -- Peppers could make another $2.5 million if he reaches playoff- and Pro Bowl-related incentives.

La'Roi Glover Retires

Vince Verhei — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:35:25 -0400

After 13 seasons and six Pro Bowls, former Raiders/Saints/Cowboys/Rams defensive tackle La'Roi Glover has called it a career. Two things jump out at you on his Pro Football Reference page. First, the durability: Dude hasn't missed a game in 11 seasons, and missed only one the year before that. Second, the 17 sacks he had with the Saints in 2000 to lead the league -- and then never finishing in the top 10 sacks again. He's the Brady Anderson of pass rushers.

ESPN Names All-Decade Team

Vince Verhei — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:15:20 -0400

Well, sort of. They named the defense on Monday and the offense on Tuesday, with special teams and other honor to come throughout the week. Also, isn't there another year left in this decade? Aren't they ignoring 10 percent of the evaluation period?

Dolphins Among Clubs Supersizing Cornerbacks

Doug Farrar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:35:16 -0400

ESPN.com's Tim Graham has an interesting blog entry on the emphasis certain teams are placing on larger cornerbacks. A decade ago, some personnel men found value in corners under six feet tall -- if they had field speed and good vertical range, they could make up for their size. But as receivers keep growing, defenses are starting to feel the need to catch up.

The Month In Quotes: May/June 2009

Bill Barnwell — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:45:07 -0400

The NFL's stars use their time off to Twitter, suggest positional changes, and bowl.

FOA 2009 Preview: New York Giants

Aaron Schatz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:45:21 -0400

Allow us to whet your appetite for Football Outsiders Almanac 2009 with this free download of the New York Giants chapter.

Wisdom Of Crowds: Projecting The 2009 RB, Part I

Bill Barnwell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:13:30 -0400

Which back are we (partially) rationally in love with? Who has half a season that should be thrown out in projecting his performance?