Cassel's BEST game as a Chief and Haley was Mr. Classy today!

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Pants

If I wanted to hear what a great QB Cassel has been according to his stats, I would turn my TV on and listen to the pundits. At least they have an excuse - they don't actually watch the games. You're just a ****ing reerun.

I guess the fact that we went from 10 wins in 3 seasons combined to first place has nothing to do with the fact that Cassel is having the best statistical season in the history of our franchise.

The same people who love to talk about VORP and Zone Ratings in baseball seem to want to discount stats entirely when it comes to Matt Cassel.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

The same people who love to talk about VORP and Zone Ratings in baseball seem to want to discount stats entirely when it comes to Matt Cassel.

That's a good observation. I think it has a lot to do with the sample size in football being relatively small in comparison with baseball. The larger sample size in baseball means that statistics can say more things concretely. Plus, the game of baseball lends itself better to statistical interpretation in general. There are a lot more moving parts on a football field to take into account.

Stats aren't worthless in football, but the eye tells the most complete tale.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

That's a good observation. I think it has a lot to do with the sample size in football being relatively small in comparison with baseball. The larger sample size in baseball means that statistics can say more things concretely. Plus, the game of baseball lends itself better to statistical interpretation in general. There are a lot more moving parts on a football field to take into account.

Stats aren't worthless in football, but the eye tells the most complete tale.

And different strategies affect the numbers dramatically.

In baseball, successful hitters have a consistent approach at the plate (hard up the box, gap to gap, top half and run like hell, etc.), and successful pitchers have similarly consistent approaches. NFL defenses, however, can skew the numbers. Play a cover 2 and watch the QBs rack up tons of yards (in the loss).

So this has nothing to do with discounting statistical analysis and everything to do with taking a more nuanced approach to the numbers, which is a smart approach no matter the sport.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

That's a good observation. I think it has a lot to do with the sample size in football being relatively small in comparison with baseball. The larger sample size in baseball means that statistics can say more things concretely. Plus, the game of baseball lends itself better to statistical interpretation in general. There are a lot more moving parts on a football field to take into account.

Stats aren't worthless in football, but the eye tells the most complete tale.

That's fair, and I'm not going to pretend that stats tell the whole story, especially not passer rating, but you can sure pick out a trend. Here are the top 7 in the NFL:

Vick
Brady
Rivers
Roethlisberger
Garrard
Cassel
Rodgers

The Eagles are in first place. The Patriots are in first place. The Steelers are in first place. The Jaguars are in first place. The Chiefs are in first place. The Chargers and Packers are in second place and have the two largest positive point differentials in the NFL.