Interesting NFL Running Back Stat from 2009 Season...

[adallastiger]

So having nothing better to do, I was thinking that "perhaps the best running back stat is HOW MANY YARDS PER CARRY A PARTICULAR BACK AVERAGES WHILE THE GAME IS TIED." This negates a long run when a team is up or down by a large amount and when the game...at least in theory...is at it's most intense. I was not sure where I could find that stat, but it was actually listed on the www.nfl.com site, under running backs, stats, SITUATIONAL STATS. Without trying to list everyone, I went top ten, plus Michael Turner

Ray Rice 7.9

DeAngelo Williams 6.1

Chris Johnson 6.1

Maurice Jones Drew 4.7

Adrian Peterson 4.0

Ryan Grant 4.9

Cedric Benson

Jonathan Stewart 5.4

Michael Turner 4.8

A few others

Frank Gore 4.9

Marion Barber 4.8

Pierre Thomas 4.5

Okay, it is a little hard to say what the above proves. Except that the top three players are in a world unto themselves. I can't find any stat that shows, for the record, that AP is better than DeAngelo at anything.

Ray Rice's numbers are incredible.

But of course I'm crazy for thinking D is better...If we were to continue down the list, I believe there would be few, if any NFL running backs who average 5 yards a carry under game tied circumstances. Kudos to Johnson, Rice, Williams and Stewart. Not many in the league are close.

They will both have awesome years in 2010. Best duo in NFL history, no doubt.

[pstall]

Good stuff. Did they have this broken down by quarters? I saw a great stat a couple of years ago about the time of a drive for the off and when their def came back on the field in the 2nd half.

It was great because it showed how based on drive charts the d would be rested and could shut down the other team. I might have that link floating around.

[Wither]

So having nothing better to do [...]

Great stuff, but when I'm bored and have nothing better to do...

[SorthNarolina]

In terms of YPC Williams/Stewart are tied for 2nd and 3rd among all active backs.

These stats are impressive but I wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that you have two top 10 back splitting carries. It's a fairly unique situation.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I'll be honest, I don't think those stats mean much of anything. I just think there are too many variables to be considered. If it's tied at 21-21 toward the end of the game, is the defense just tired? Or does this consider tied scores of 0-0? Defenses are significantly less tired at the beginning of games.

All in all, I think a back's YPC is going to be close to the same whether in a tied game or not; the above running backs are some of the best in the league, and I'm sure most would be represented in a discussion of best yards per carry in the league, whether playing in a tied game or not.

[Wither]

I'll be honest, I don't think those stats mean much of anything. I just think there are too many variables to be considered. If it's tied at 21-21 toward the end of the game, is the defense just tired? Or does this consider tied scores of 0-0? Defenses are significantly less tired at the beginning of games.

All in all, I think a back's YPC is going to be close to the same whether in a tied game or not; the above running backs are some of the best in the league, and I'm sure most would be represented in a discussion of best yards per carry in the league, whether playing in a tied game or not.

The truth of the matter is there will never be a statistic on some web page somewhere that will tell whether a back is better than another. The environmental (no, not the weather) data and the dynamics are not there; you don't get the feeling or notice the atmosphere.

When it comes down to it you really need unbiased, intelligent people who watch a ton of football to give you the real view.

That said, I think the YPC when a team is down 3 or less points in the 4th quarter would be very telling, but even then, as long as they get them into field goal range or into the endzone, it doesn't really matter what the YPC was.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

That said, I think the YPC when a team is down 3 or less points in the 4th quarter would be very telling, but even then, as long as they get them into field goal range or into the endzone, it doesn't really matter what the YPC was.

Exactly. Picture this: Moore completes a couple quick passes, and it's 3rd and 3. DeAngelo gets four yards -- well below the 6.1 ypc listed above. Was he not just as affective when he was called upon?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Okay, it is a little hard to say what the above proves.

it proves nothing. there are too many factors that come into play when a game is tied.

This negates a long run when a team is up or down by a large amount and when the game...at least in theory...is at it's most intense.

if you really want to find out how effective a back is, eliminate the fluff and the flash by removing the longest run from each game. regardless of when it occurs, a long run inflates stats.

3.4 ypc outside of the big plays is the bare minimum of what helps to sustain drives. as i've mentioned in the past, 4.0 ypc is the standard for a good rushing attack.

last season, williams averaged 3.07 ypc without the big plays. that's a far cry from the 4.26 he had in 2008.

stewart averaged 3.33 ypc last season...just slightly off from his 3.4 ypc from 2008.

in the games where stewart carried the load in 2009, he averaged 4.31 ypc.

that's the bare bones without the icing.

[Wither]

it proves nothing. there are too many factors that come into play when a game is tied.

if you really want to find out how effective a back is, eliminate the fluff and the flash by removing the longest run from each game. regardless of when it occurs, a long run inflates stats.

3.4 ypc outside of the big plays is the bare minimum of what helps to sustain drives. as i've mentioned in the past, 4.0 ypc is the standard for a good rushing attack.

last season, williams averaged 3.07 ypc without the big plays. that's a far cry from the 4.26 he had in 2008.

stewart averaged 3.33 ypc last season...just slightly off from his 3.4 ypc from 2008.

in the games where stewart carried the load in 2009, he averaged 4.31 ypc.

that's the bare bones without the icing.

Big runs are still very important. You can be consistent all you want getting 4 YPC until you get stopped (or passing plays end the drive) then all of a sudden you aren't scoring. A big run for a TD or that gets the team into field goal range is just as important as a drive sustaining YPC.

I thought you were more objective than your name suggests, but come on...

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Big runs are still very important. You can be consistent all you want getting 4 YPC until you get stopped (or passing plays end the drive) then all of a sudden you aren't scoring. A big run for a TD or that gets the team into field goal range is just as important as a drive sustaining YPC.

I thought you were more objective than your name suggests, but come on...

i guess you missed the original poster's attempt at eliminating certain factors...like big runs...

This negates a long run when a team is up or down by a large amount and when the game...at least in theory...is at it's most intense.

i simply fine tuned his attempt, and used williams and stewart because everyone is more than familiar with them.

...but that's okay if the only thing you saw was williams being less than the greatest of all time. a lot of people do it and get the wrong impression about my posts.

[Future of the Funchise]

interesting find

[Doyle]

This makes my head hurt.