Analytics in the NFL - Panthers Perspective

[kornicova]

I saw this on Bill Simmons' new website and it caught my eye because the picture was of Cam. The article talks about the analytical revolution of Football and when (rather than if) it will start to be incorporated into the NFL. A few people on the huddle talk about Gettleman playing 'Moneyball' with the secondary which I have kind of bought into a bit but in reality this is more like the old way of doing things.

Based on this article it kind of seems like Rivera is very against the idea of using more data and more technology on the sidelines as it makes the work they do during the week mean less. If the NFL does have some sort of analytical revolution like Baseball in the 90's do you guys see it as being as issue having a coach like Rivera and a GM like Getts that are very 'old school' in the way they assess talent and run their team? We have seen both be 'stubborn' in the way they approach this team at times and I think it would be foolish to keep fighting the inevitable rather than embracing new technology.

What say the Huddle?

Quote

Where does it end?” Rivera said this week in an interview with The Ringer. “Can you get text messages or go out there with an iPhone and figure out where to go? What are we creating? I know there are millennial players, but this is still a game created 100 years ago.

 

Quote

I want to get beat on the field. I don’t want to get beat because someone used a tool or technology — that is not coaching at that point,” Rivera said. “I work all week, I’m preparing and kicking your ass. All of the sudden you see a piece of live video and you figure out, ‘Oh crap, that’s what he’s doing.’ And how fair is that?

https://theringer.com/nfl-information-war-data-advanced-stats-73b6eee2d39f#.yd06rf2rz

[bleys]

Nothing to worry about 

[aussiePanther]

There's a good reason why advanced statistics work so well in a sport like baseball which is essentially a long series of individual efforts (pitching, batting, running, fielding and catching, etc). However as far as I'm concerned fails to predict almost anything in football, essentially the epitome of "team sport".

Like Getts said in recent interviews, at any given time there are 11 guys on the field and if one of them messes up you have trouble. But more than that, there are so many variables that just flat out can't be accounted for (system, injuries, game situations, even formations and play calls) by statistics.

I am FAR happier having "old school" guys like Ron and Getts and you just have to look at recent success to see the benefits. Even moreso when you realise that Getts has been working for long term strength rather than any short term glory.

[d-dave]

It's going to be interesting to see how technology will continue to affect sports.

I can see Rivera's point about not being beaten by technology.  It would feel a little swarmy to do that if you're the victor.  But then again, teams in the NFL have done nothing but push the envelop as far as play calling, matchups, players, concepts, etc to gain advantage.  I can see technology becoming part of that.

I don't think having sideline TV replays is going to do much though.  Keep the technology to the sidelines and off the field.  They want to monitor players?  Sure, that's fine and probably helpful in the long run.  But they need keep the play on the field as pure as possible.  Let it be about the players and coaches instead of the gadgets.

[electro's horse]

3 hours ago, aussiePanther said:

There's a good reason why advanced statistics work so well in a sport like baseball which is essentially a long series of individual efforts (pitching, batting, running, fielding and catching, etc). However as far as I'm concerned fails to predict almost anything in football, essentially the epitome of "team sport".

Like Getts said in recent interviews, at any given time there are 11 guys on the field and if one of them messes up you have trouble. But more than that, there are so many variables that just flat out can't be accounted for (system, injuries, game situations, even formations and play calls) by statistics.

I am FAR happier having "old school" guys like Ron and Getts and you just have to look at recent success to see the benefits. Even moreso when you realise that Getts has been working for long term strength rather than any short term glory.

Pretty much this

[electro's horse]

Although drafting dudes, especially in the secondary, based exclusively on their SPARQ scores could be argued as the nfl version of like BABIP or whatever since obviously stature isn't nearly as important in baseball

[UpstatePanther]

I trust that they will use what data and tech benefits the team. They've already started doing that with medical treatment

[goodoleboy]

I have no problem with allowing video to be used on the sidelines as opposed to Polaroid like photos on a tablet. That will only help the game. Millennial athletes are used to interacting with that technology and coaching them better only helps the quality of the product on the field.

As far as player evaluation based on analytics that has been done for years. There will never be a substitute for what a player shows on "film". I want the old crusty football guys watching hours of film and then picking the players after reading reports from the tech guys. There have always been tech guys. They just spent more time compiling the data by hand.

One thing that does interest me is the new moving tackling dummies the Steelers are using. Can you imagine loading that with digitized moves captured on film of say Von Miller and letting your OT work against it. One coaches comment was "The damn thing never gets tired".  I could see something like that being very useful in an era where the guys don't get to hit each other as much.

 

[billionairemonk]

Rivera said. “I work all week, I’m preparing and kicking your ass. All of the sudden you see a piece of live video and you figure out, ‘Oh crap, that’s what he’s doing.’ And how fair is that?

[SteveSmithOwns]

Ok, to be fair, Rivera isn't old school in terms of thinking and implementing schemes that he thinks will work. Look at our offense. That is built around individual players and their skill sets. He isn't trying to fit them into his scheme and only his scheme. So while he may not prefer the technology aspect of football, he and the other Panther coaches are still leading the league in innovation of the game.

[goodoleboy]

3 minutes ago, billionairemonk said:

Rivera said. “I work all week, I’m preparing and kicking your ass. All of the sudden you see a piece of live video and you figure out, ‘Oh crap, that’s what he’s doing.’ And how fair is that?

Ron prepared all week by watching film of previous games. The only difference is you can now get that instantly seconds after it happened. The player still has to learn from what is on film. Suck it up buttercup.

[billionairemonk]

 

Ron prepared all week by watching film of previous games. The only difference is you can now get that instantly seconds after it happened. The player still has to learn from what is on film. Suck it up buttercup.

read the quote again in the post, carefully

[Pimpdaddy]

...The Brownies have adopted the analytic's philosophy...if they make the playoffs i'll start believing...

[kornicova]

3 hours ago, Pimpdaddy said:

...The Brownies have adopted the analytic's philosophy...if they make the playoffs i'll start believing...

Yeah I agree, it will be really interesting to see how the Browns go over the next couple of years. Could definitely change the way football teams are run going forward