Football Outsiders Almanac

[Zithers]

he said they don't do defensive projections

[Frizzy350]

We don't kick field goals in the redzone... we have cam fuging newton...

i agree with u to some extent that yes it's a passing league, but to say that running the ball is completely irrelevant is just retarded. we have a passing quarterback and legitimate receiving targets, being able to run the ball is just gravy on top of it all.

[mr beauxjangles]

So using those projections and comparing to last year:

Newton proj. passing: 301/496, 64.3%, 3627 yds, 24 tds, 14 ints

Last year passing: 310/517, 60.0%, 4051 yds, 21 tds, 17 ints

Newton proj. rushing: 126 runs, 608 yds, 10 tds

Last year rushing: 126 runs, 706 yds, 14 tds

Smith proj.: 81/137, 1222 yds, 15.1 y/c, 7 tds

Last year: 79/129, 1394 yds, 17.6 y/c, 7 tds

Stewart proj.: 141 runs, 733 yds, 5.2 y/r, 4 tds

Last year: 142 runs, 761 yds, 5.4 y/r, 4 tds

Williams proj.: 153 runs, 764 yds, 5.0 y/r, 5 tds

Last year: 155 runs, 836 yds, 5.4 y/r, 7 tds

Olsen: 49/82, 524 yds, 5 tds

Last year: 45/90, 540, 5 tds

All projections are lower across the board from last year with the exception of Cam's completion percentage. Rushes for Cam, Stew, and DWill are only projected to fall by a combined total of 3, meaning that they are projecting a more run oriented offense this year as Newton's passing attempts fall and Tolbert gains rushing touches that give us a net gain for rushes by all backs.

[CRA]

I care. It creates balance, grinds down opposing defenses, shortens the game by keeping the opposing O off the field and helps keep our D fresh.

Balance is good. Teams create a form of balance with little invested in the backfield though....when they have a QB and take advantage of the rules that handicap a defense.

Tom Brady, Peyton, Rodgers etc wear down defenses better than MJD IMO. QBs have rules handicapping a defense like never before in the league. Nothing has made life more difficult to stop a RB

[frash.exe]

The Saints** were 6th in the league in rushing last year.

and they were first in passing, attempting more than 200 more passes than rushes

that's not a balanced offense