NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest |  |
- Sabermetrics: Taking a New Look at a Familiar Game
- Rams Set to Sign Rookie QB Bradford to Record Deal
- Seahawks LB Leroy Hill Suspended One Game by the NFL
- Site Says Lions Could Have Another Winless Season in 2010
- NFL Suspends Packers DE Johnny Jolly Indefinitely
- Texans WR Tells San Antonio Cowboys Fans: We are Going to Make ‘Em Eat Their Words
- Ravens Defense Defined as Bend but Don’t Break
- Fantasy Spotlight: Buccaneers RB Carnell Williams
- Best Inside Linebackers in the NFL
- Patriots WR Welker Still Working to Get Back From Injury
| Sabermetrics: Taking a New Look at a Familiar Game Posted: 17 Jul 2010 06:03 AM PDT As many of us, including yours truly, prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season, cheat sheets, depth charts, draft guides and every statistic ever imagined are unearthed in order to mold the perfect team. Enter sabermetrics. The hyper-statistics that revolutionized baseball are now making their presence felt on the gridiron. ESPN’s Christopher Harris wrote an interesting piece Friday about the 10 football sabermetric statistics you need to know for this season. Whether you’re a fantasy football diehard, casual or beginner, it’s worth a look. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rams Set to Sign Rookie QB Bradford to Record Deal Posted: 16 Jul 2010 09:45 PM PDT
According to the Rams and NFL oracle, Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Rams and Sam Bradford's agents are laying the groundwork to complete a NFL record contract with the #1 overall selection.
That is a lot of guaranteed money, but not more than the Rams knew they were going to have to shell out when the selected Sam Bradford number 1 overall. The good news is that the Rams look to be on target to get Sam Bradford into training camp on time which will only help the development of the young quarterback. And of course, Sam Bradford's development only helps the development of the St. Louis Rams. Both sides know what they have to gain and they are on target to get Bradford signed in time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seahawks LB Leroy Hill Suspended One Game by the NFL Posted: 16 Jul 2010 05:41 PM PDT
Hill can participate in all preseason practices and games. His suspension begins on Sept. 4 and will be eligible to return Sept. 13 following the Seahawks' opener against San Francisco. The suspension stems from Hill's arrested in January 2009 in Georgia for misdemeanor marijuana possession. He received 12 months probation through a plea agreement that was settled earlier this spring. Hill is still facing possible prosecution for his arrest in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah in April for investigation of domestic violence. Now entering his sixth NFL season, Hill has pleaded not guilty and has a July 23 jury call in the case with the prosecutor likely to ask for a trial date. Since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2005, Hill has started 61 of his 67 career games. His best year came in 2006 when Hill had 92 tackles. Last year, he was limited to just 11 games and 46 tackles due to a torn groin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Site Says Lions Could Have Another Winless Season in 2010 Posted: 16 Jul 2010 04:34 PM PDT
I understand that the Lions have not given anybody a reason to give them the benefit of the doubt yet. They haven't taken the field and erased the stench of the Millen years yet, but Whatifsports.com has predicted the Lions will go 0-16 in the 2010 season [Editor's Note: this prediction was based on their Absolute Record which is statistically based, the Lions' Expected Record is 2-14. The Absolute Record is explained later in my article.] Whatifsports.com assigns ratings to players similar to Madden football and then runs computer simulations of the season 501 times to get average scores and percentage of times each team wins. Here is what they came up with for the Lions:
According to their predictions, the Lions should not only go winless, but they will suffer double digit losses in 12 out of 16 games? They have a single digit chance of winning in nine games? They have a 14% chance of beating the Bills?! In addition to the less than stellar team predictions, they added in a few individual predictions as well. Matthew Stafford is predicted to throw 14 Tds and increase his interception total to 26. Despite the addition of Jahvid Best, Kevin Smith will lead the team in rushing with 883 yards and 5 Tds. Lastly, Calvin Johnson is pegged for 1,045 yards and only 4 Tds. The Lions haven't proven anything on the field yet, but by all accounts they have spent the last two offseasons improving their talent level. I don't expect the Lions to be a great team in 2010, but to say that they are long shots to beat Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Washington and barely match up with the Rams is a bit of a stretch. I am normally a big fan of Whatifsports.com's work, but these predictions seem to be a little pessimistic. [Editor's Note] I spoke with Ryan Fowler at Whatifsports.com after I originally posted this article and got some clarification on the predictions. The Absolute Record is an assumption that what should happen does happen. Obviously, that is not the case otherwise sports wouldn't be entertaining so Whatifsports.com has the Expected Record which factors in upsets. I still disagree with the assumption that the Lions will be so bad in 2010 that they should not win a game, and any that they do win will be an upset. Ryan also clarified the process used to calculate the ratings and why Kevin Smith "out-rushes" Jahvid Best in the simulation.
Ryan also explained the increase in Stafford's interceptions is based on him playing more games in 2010 than 2009. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFL Suspends Packers DE Johnny Jolly Indefinitely Posted: 16 Jul 2010 04:27 PM PDT
Jolly's suspension begins immediately and will continue through at least the 2010 season. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the Super Bowl. Jolly is facing drug charges in Houston after his July 2008 arrest outside a club for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine. If convicted, Jolly faces up to 20 years in prison. "Johnny is a good player that loves everything about the game of football," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "We appreciate the contributions he has made to the Packers the past four seasons. His focus and priorities now lie elsewhere—our thoughts are with him during this difficult personal time." The Packers said team officials would have no further comment. It's a significant blow to a team that will go into the 2010 season expected to make a run at the playoffs and perhaps even the Super Bowl. A defensive end in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme, Jolly played a key role as the Packers allowed a league-low 83.3 yards rushing per game. Perhaps anticipating the possibility of losing Jolly to a suspension, the Packers used a second-round draft pick on Purdue defensive lineman Mike Neal in April. Jolly, 27, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 and worked his way into a starting role the past two seasons. A restricted free agent, Jolly signed before an offseason deadline the would have allowed the team to reduce the amount of its tender offer. But Packers coach Mike McCarthy excused Jolly from the team's minicamp in June to deal with his off-field problems. "There's a lot going on, and he needs to focus and make sure he has everything in line," McCarthy said last month. "These decisions that are going to be made legally will affect every aspect of his life, most importantly his personal life and then his professional life." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texans WR Tells San Antonio Cowboys Fans: We are Going to Make ‘Em Eat Their Words Posted: 16 Jul 2010 12:20 PM PDT
Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones confidently called out all San Antonio's Cowboys fans who think their team is the only pro football team in the Lone Star State:
The warning came after visits with San Antonio's 1250 ESPN The Zone and the San Antonio Express-News. Jones said that his mission was to win, and the Texans, too, are "playing for the Lombardi Trophy like everyone else." Going into his fourth season as a pro, Jones' maturation seems to be on the right track to make an impact for the Texans in 2010. And for the preseason and regular season games against the Cowboys:
Jacoby Jones caught six touchdowns last year, showing imporvement in route running and his ability to hold the ball. Andre Johnson and David Anderson's leadership has really helped Jones mature, enough for him to push eighth-year pro Kevin Walter for the wide receiver job opposite Johnson. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ravens Defense Defined as Bend but Don’t Break Posted: 16 Jul 2010 12:18 PM PDT
Breaking Down AFC Picture – "Defense Red-Zone Team" While there is excitement on the offensive side of the ball for the Ravens, some may be a little hesitant to be as positive on the defensive side due to injuries in the secondary. Some of the reviews have been mixed, yet Michael Lombardi, NFL.com suggests the unit is adapting to the new NFL rules and focusing their effectiveness in the red-zone. In Michael Lombardi's column he discusses a few surprise teams in the AFC making a bid for a Super Bowl. While the Ravens are not one of his "blue chip" teams (Super Bowl contenders), he has the Ravens listed as a "red-chip" team (playoff contender) and discusses the defense. Here's Lombardi's comments: "I like Baltimore's team. In fact, what I love most about the Ravens is that they don't kid around about still being a dominating defense. Organizationally, they have accepted the fact that the rules no longer allow any team to be a dominating defense. In their rebranding effort, the Ravens have given up trying to be a complete unit, and have concentrated on putting together a great red-zone defense. In the final eight games of last season, the Ravens ranked second in the NFL in points allowed, which is the only statistic that matters now on defense. Forget yards allowed, most teams can gain yards between the 20-yard lines, but these new Ravens know that in order to be considered a great defense in this era, they have to be a great red-zone team — which is why I love them…" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fantasy Spotlight: Buccaneers RB Carnell Williams Posted: 16 Jul 2010 11:14 AM PDT
2009 Season: Williams showed his durability was back, as he was able to play in all 16 games, and he put up 51.3 yards per game in amassing 821 yards on 210 carries. That’s up about 150 carries from the year before when he was hurt and only played in 6 games. Williams played in only 10 games the past two seasons combined, so seeing him go 16 games is a welcome sight. 2010 Season: Last season Williams crossed the goal line only four times, but already there is chatter about him being the #1 back in Tampa Bay, which means that number should go up. He also will get plenty more shots to carry the ball, as he averaged 13 carries per game, and that could go up to about 17-20 if he shows he can handle that load. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Williams put up 1200 yards and 7-9 scores. That’s good enough to be a solid backup or 2nd RB on your fantasy roster. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Inside Linebackers in the NFL Posted: 16 Jul 2010 06:57 AM PDT
5. Lofa Tatupu – Seattle While it’s hard to dis Lewis, and yes, he is an 11-time Pro Bowler, I would say at this point in their careers, I would take Willis over Lewis. Willis will lead the next generation of great inside linebackers, and last season he was worth every penny and more, going for 152 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions. Other guys to consider: Jerod Mayo – New England – Was the 2008 NFL Defensive rookie of the year, and while his numbers went down a bit last season in playing just 13 games, he will be the voice of New England’s D for a long time to come. Bradie James – Dallas - 113 tackles last season in 16 games, and two sacks as well. Always seems to be around the ball, and at 30 years old still has some very good football left in him. Do not underestimate him and what he brings to the Cowboys D. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patriots WR Welker Still Working to Get Back From Injury Posted: 16 Jul 2010 06:45 AM PDT
Welker continues to rehab, and said on the radio Thursday that he has hope that he will be able to make it all the way back by the time the team takes the field in 2010. “It’s been doing well, just kind of plugging along,” Welker told Fox Sports Radio Thursday. “Trying to get into more of a training mode than a rehab mode. It’s been going good so far, just taking it a day at a time.” If Welker for whatever reason can’t go, the team might just go look at Terrell Owens. Then again, maybe they should do that anyway just in case Welker has a setback early in the season coming off a major injury that could have ended his career. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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