Prediction Review Series: New York Giants Pressure Problem

February 6, 2014 by

NFL Data Consultants made the prediction that OT Justin Pugh would have to move inside within the first 3-5 years, and we don’t make predictions just for the fun of it but to emphasize that NFL Data Consultants provides fantastic football analysis (yes, Nick Foles made the Pro Bowl this year; and we have advice for any team needing QB help this offseason).

What was the impact of keeping OT Justin Pugh on the outside? He gave up 43 QB hurries, good for 3rd most in the league. As bad as that was, LT Beatty gave up “only” 39 QB hurries, tied for 8th most in the league with two other OTs. Eli Manning was hurried 82 times combined from his OTs.

As noted in a previous article, a QB pressure costs a Quarterback 25% or more on his QB Rating. With the New York Giants keeping the path of least resistance to pressure at OT, Manning was harassed, beaten, and threw a league high 27 interceptions. His Quarterback Rating in 2013 fell to 69.4 from 87.2 in 2012. This is a consequence of an emotional decision.

Media reports have indicated that GM Jerry Reese may move OT Justin Pugh to LT. Since he gave up just 4 more QB hurries while facing lesser talented DEs,that warrants an upgrade to LT, correct? New York, you have a Giant QB pressure problem on your hands.

Filed Under: Football Analytics, New York Giants, Offensive Tackles (OT), Quaterbacks (QB)

Can OT Justin Pugh Answer The Call For The New York Giants?

July 7, 2013 by

The New York Giants have had a trend of taking defensive linemen in the first round of NFL Drafts.  This has been one of the key reasons that they have had success with some playoff runs. Pressure on a Quarterback has a tremendous affect in lowering the opposing team’s QB rating.  And the QB rating differential between two teams correlates highly with wins and losses.

Here is just one example:

During the New England Patriots 16-0 run in 2007, they had a QB rating differential of +37.9, a very substantial margin. It was why they won so many games and went undefeated during the regular season.  However, in the Super Bowl, the Giants were on the plus side of the equation with a +4.8 rating.  The biggest difference in that game was the heavy reduction of Tom Brady’s usual QB rating.  Eli Manning was just slightly above his career rating, and the team effort kept them on the plus side of the margin.

In the 2013 NFL Draft, the Giants drafted OT Justin Pugh. For value to be realized, he must be able to play and stick at right tackle for the long term. Based on his analytical profile, I believe it is a longshot that he will stick at offensive tackle and will have to make a move to offensive guard within the next 3-5 years. If Justin Pugh can overcome the odds and become a successful RT, it will have a significant impact to the QB rating on the offensive side of the ledger for Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Football Analytics, New York Giants, NFL Draft, Offensive Guards (OG), Offensive Tackles (OT), Quaterbacks (QB)

What Is The Story On Oakland Raiders RB Latavius Murray?

June 20, 2013 by

Have you ever thought what it would be like to understand an additional dimension to the one you are viewing?  The easiest concept for that picture is imagining a 3D object in 2D world.  With Oakland Raiders RB Latavius Murray, this concept is valid.

Despite having good on the surface numbers, 5.5 yards per carry or greater over the past 3 seasons, a deeper look shows a different picture.  His rushing average dropped to 3.4 yards per carry in his challenge games, which raises a red flag.  It concerned me heavily until I took an analytical look encompassing a much higher dimensional space.  He compared to a group of running backs that had all been taken earlier than him with the closest comparison being RB Andre Brown of the New York Giants.  Without the analytical view using additional dimensional space, I would have wrote him off for poor performance in challenge games.  Using a view that encompasses additional dimensional space, he compares to Andre Brown and a little more loosely to a running back with multiple pro bowls.  As a 6th round selection at pick 181, the Raiders made a selection that has all the signs of arbitrage.

Filed Under: Football Analytics, New York Giants, NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders, Running Backs (RB), Scouting Department