Nice Find:NFL Team Name Origins

Take a look through this page on RootZoo.  It’s a collection of team name origins for the NFL franchises.

 

NFL Team Name Origins – RootZoo Sports Articles.

The Myth of SEC Dominance

On PTI this evening, the show’s hosts were discussing the presumed “dominance” of the SEC in today’s game and if it’s good for the overall game.  I can’t argue with their recent BCS Championship record (five wins in a row), but I can argue the bigger picture.  My baseline argument: the top of the SEC (Auburn and maybe Alabama) is superior to everybody else, but as you go down the standings, everybody is interchangeable.  Also, I believe the myth of the SEC dominance is a self fulfilling prophecy, because the more we believe in and pump up the SEC teams, the more the human polls inflate their standings.

It’s sort of like the “east coast bias” in other sports.  Generally, teams and games on the East Coast get more attention and television airtime because a disproportionate amount of people live in the Northeast and due to television and newspaper time constraints and deadlines (the NY Times and the USA Today can’t write about the Spurs/Lakers game as well [if at all] as the Magic/Heat game because by the time the game is over they may have 45 minutes before printing).  There’s no doubt that a topographical map of the United States of College Football would concentrate the population in the Southeast (Texas and Florida are high school football breeding grounds).  The NYC metropolitan area only has Rutgers to root for.  Boston has BC, but they’ve only had 2 10-win seasons in the last 25+ years.  Philadelphia has Villanova who is at the top of the FCS game, but relies on Temple and transplant fans from Penn State and Rutgers in the FBS.  Long story short, there is a definite Southeastern bias in the college football world.

A majority of fans (myself included) get their sports news from media outlets such as ESPN, CBS College Sports and any of dozens of regional sports networks.  When these networks prejudice their programming towards certain teams or certain regions, it takes a very keen eye to differentiate and realize what’s happening.  If you don’t have cable (which a portion of Americans do not), you have a limited number of football games you can watch each Saturday.  Generally, you will get any Notre Dame home games and the SEC game of the week on CBS.  If you are lucky enough to have cable, you have many more options.  ESPN’s coverage tends towards the Big Ten during the daytime hours, but there are plenty of SEC games left over that weren’t selected by CBS.  On my cable system, one of our local regional networks, MSG (home of the Rangers and Knicks games), plays host to the SEC Network!  Figure that one out. For the most part, as a fan, you are forced to watch what the networks will broadcast, and generally that is what will garner the most eyeballs.

I don’t fault ESPN or any other media outlet; they do what they do to sell advertisement space and to drive ratings.  If a higher proportion of the college football world root for Florida and Tennessee, then damn it, broadcast those teams.  Unfortunately, this same bias leaks into other programming such as pre-game shows and commentary/analysis shows.  I wish I had statistics for the number of mentions of SEC and their teams during a typical broadcast, but I would bet that it was proportionately higher than other teams and conferences on normal days (obviously, leading up to the BCS game the talk will be for the SEC and the PAC-10).  These shows, like College Game Day or College Football Live on ESPN, are at the base of our acquired sports knowledge.  It’s analogous to the debates on whether or not to teach evolution or creationism in school.  Depending on where you grow up (aka what channels and programs you watch) and what your school teaches (aka what regions/teams you bias) you will likely live your life believing that theory (aka which teams are best).

Anyway, back to my point… The people who vote in the human polls rely on the same news and media that other fans do.  Sure, some may have some inside information and may be “in the know” but in reality, they don’t know all that much about every team.  The final USA Today Coaches Poll actually has 37 teams ranked because 12 teams also received votes.  Do you mean to tell me that Nick Saban of Alabama could rattle off statistics or even starting players of Tulsa or San Diego State?  Maye he knows of the top guys, but does he know enough to make an educated estimation of their place amongst Northern Illinois, West Virginia, Iowa and Miami (OH)?  I doubt it.  Human (poll) nature is to go with your gut, and that is easily influenced by what you see, read and hear through the media.  If Cam Newton was on Iowa and they still finished with the same record, I guarantee they would be ranked higher because of the airtime the Hawkeyes would have received.

So, from week to week and year to year, we talk about the SEC and it’s presumed dominance, but in reality we are inflating the effect.  As I mentioned at the start, Auburn has proved they are the best team in the Nation (or a very close second to TCU), but are they that much better?  They beat a gimmicky Oregon by 3 points.  They had three 3-point games in the regular season against Mississippi State, Clemson and Kentucky (a combined 20-16 in the regular season; Clemson and Kentucky finished 6-6 and squeaked out bowl games, which they lost).  You can make two points here, 1) the mid-tier (Mississippi State or Kentucky) of the SEC is so good it can nearly beat the upper-tier or, 2) that Auburn (and by osmosis, the SEC) isn’t far and away the best team.

I’ll go with the second.

PS- I started out writing this as a quick hitter type of article but ended up spending an hour crafting the ideas.  I think I’m going to turn this into something more substantial and do some research and see what results show up.

Nice Find: CFBStats.com – Hard to Find College Football Stats

If you’re a die hard NCAA fan or if you have a keen eye for the NFL Draft, you may have noticed the lack of statistics websites dedicated to the college game.  For sites that have good offensive statistics (ESPN, for example) defensive statistics are non-existant.  The NCAA.com stat charts are difficult to navigate and are user un-friendly when you can finally find them.

The other day when working on my first NFL Draft lead-up, I came across a site I wish I found years ago: cfbstats.com.

The sheer amount of statistical analysis that can be done using cfbstats.com is exhaustive.  I’m sure I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.  So, you’re a Cincinatti fan and want to take a closer look at backup QB Chazz Anderson’s stats.  You can find that he’s averaging 13.3 yards rushing per game or that he’s just 2-6 for 12 yards in the Red Zone; useless stats for many, but entirely important to others.  The game logs and situational stats are a must for any writter, blogger or any bar bet.

Considering the dearth of quality stat websites, cfbstats.com amazes me.  Honestly, I would love to know how the site’s author compiles all the information, but I’m sure that’s a trade secret they would rather keep quiet.  Take a few minutes to go peruse the site and definitely bookmark it for next season when you need some stat help.

Lance Guidry’s Pre-Game Bowl Speech

If you didn’t watch the GoDaddy.com Bowl last night, you missed three things: 1) the complete implosion of MTSU QB Dwight Dashser, 2) a very good game for 45 minutes, 3) one of the best pre-game peptalks I’ve ever heard by interim coach Lance Guidry.

Guidry, the Hawks DB coach in 2009 and 2010, got the gig after Mike Haywood jumped to take the Pitt job (he’s since been fired for off-the field issues).  Guidry also coached at his alma mater, McNeese State and at the high school level.  I’m not sure winning one bowl game against a Sun Belt opponent warrants a head coaching job, but I hope the new coach, Don Treadwell (former OC at Michigan State) gives him a spot on his staff.  Guidry showed he is a good motivator and can get the most out of his players.  In 2010, Miami’s overall pass defense was ranked 57th (higher than Michigan State, and other bowl teams) and they were ranked 34th in terms of completion percentage.

Guidry may not be a sexy pick for a promotion, but I think he should be given the shot.  Give him a defensive coordinator position (even at the FCS level, maybe back at McNeese State) and see if he can prosper.  My bet is he can.

From: First Up » Video: Lance Guidry’s GoDaddy.com Bowl speech | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com.

Gimme Five: A Few (Very) Early NFL Draft Thoughts

My television spends an inordinate amount of time on the ESPN networks, especially around college bowl time.  I’ve noticed a welcome addition to their Bottom Line when noting the bowl games: draft projections.  I bet a lot of people haven’t noticed; either because it’s too soon or maybe they don’t care who the #48 ranked WR is (in related news, I can’t tell you who it is because ESPN wants me to subscribe to ESPN the Magazine in order to get Insider access, and I don’t want the damn magazine).  Well I have noticed, and I have some adjustments that I think should be made.

 

Overrated

Mark Ingram (ESPN Scouts Inc. Overall #24): There’s no denying that Ingram is skilled, but I just don’t see him 1) as a First Round pick, and 2) as a starter in the NFL.  I’m sure I’m in the minority on this, but I just don’t see it in Ingram.  Maybe what I’ve seen of him through his career were “bad” games, maybe, but I’m going with my gut.  When it comes to competing in the NFL, it’s a day to day grind that pits you against some of the best athletes in the world (not Duke, against who he rushed for 151 yards [17% of his season total] and 2 TDs on a 16.8 yards per carry average). Ingram would have benefited had he been able to come out last year (too bad for that communist 3-year rule, right Maurice Clarett?) after his monster 1,658 yard, 17 TD season.  His total numbers are down this year (875 yards, 13 TDs) although he still has a high yards per carry average of 5.5 yards.  I think Ingram would fit nicely with a team who wants to employ a two-back scheme.  My prediction for him is #33 to Carolina.

Justin Blackmon (#25):  Justin Blackmon has more talent in his right big toe than I have in my entire body.  I know that.  I admit that.  I don’t think his talent is overrated, but I question is intangibles.  Blackmon lit the Big 12 on fire (he was the first WR selected as Player of the Year) with 111 receptions for 1,782 yards and 20 TDs.  Those are incredible numbers, no doubt, but what about 2009 when Dez Bryant was suspended for a majority of the season?  Blackmon had 20 catches for 260 yards and 2 TDs; hardly mouth watering statistics.  When he was given the opportunity in 2009, Blackmon had 4 or less catches every game and did not have any plays longer than 32 yards.  I would argue that new coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s (headed to WVU after one season) scheme led to Blackmon’s explosion and fear that some NFL team may being buying blind.  For all of you that I haven’t swayed yet, how about this story: In October, Blackmon was arrested for speeding (30+ MPH over the speed limit) and DUI (he’s only 20 years old, so any BAC is against the law).  Blackmon was visiting former teammate and current Cowboy, Dez Bryant, and had three other people in the car with him.  To me, this suggests an immaturity that could get you in trouble in the NFL.  Unfortunately for Blackmon, I’m not sure I see a spot for him at the end of the First Round.  Many of the teams don’t need a WR (Eagles, Saints, Jets, Ravens) and most of the others wouldn’t take a chance on a guy of questionable character (Colts, Steelers, Falcons).  I’m left with the Chiefs, Packers and Patriots who may take a shot on Blackmon.

 

Underrated

Ryan Mallett (#31): With Andrew Luck committing to Stanford and staying for another season, I would make Mallett my number one, NFL-ready quarterback.  Mallett doesn’t have the athleticism of Jake Locker (#23) or Cam Newton (#29), but I’m not convinced either one of them can make all of the NFL throws.  Mallett, in my eyes, has a Brett Favre type arm.  He’s strong and gets the ball to the receivers quick.  In 2009, Mallett’s biggest downfall was his accuracy (55.8% completion percentage), but he improved upon that in 2010 by almost 10% (64.7%).  If he fell somewhere in the middle, he could be a solid starting QB in the NFL.  Mallett had 9 300-yard games in 2010 and 5 in 2009.  In my mind, he’s the best QB in the SEC, by far.  NFL scouts will love his size (over an inch taller than Newton and about 30 pounds heavier than Locker); at just under 6’7″, Mallett is even bigger than “Big” Ben Roethlisberger.  Depending on the ruler (which magically vary in length depending on who is holding them around Draft time), he may be the tallest QB after he’s drafted, right next to Joe Flacco and Derek Anderson.  With Luck off the board, and questions about Newton’s and Locker’s NFL readiness, I think Mallett will go much higher than his #31 rating.   I would not be surprised to see the Cardinals (#5), 49ers (#7), Titans (#8) or Redskins (#10) interested in Mallett.

Julio Jones (#17): I’ve liked Julio Jones since his freshman season and think he’s a close second to the top ranked WR, AJ Green (#5 overall).  His stats aren’t as eyepopping as Justin Blackmon’s, but I don’t care.  For me, Jones passes the eye test.  I’ve heard some analyst, I think from the NFL Network, describe guys as a man, and I think Julio Jones fits that description.  He bounced back from a sub-par sophomore season (43 receptions, 596 yards and 4 TDs) with a much better 2010 (78, 1133, 7).  I should probably mention that during that sub-par sophomore campaign, Jones was the leading WR on the National Champion Alabama team, which certainly adds some weight.  Given the chance, I think Jones can showcase is amazing consistency.  In games in which he played (he missed only one game in his three seasons), Jones was held to zero catches just once, against South Carolina and to one catch just four times.  I think Jones makes a lot of sense for the Redskins (#10) and the Rams (#14).

 

Honorable Mentions

As you repeat readers know, I’m a huge Michigan fan and end up spending a lot of time watching Big Ten football.  There are two guys that have stood out to me all season and really proved themselves in their bowl game performance.  The first guy to keep an eye on is Cameron Heyward.  Heyward’s stats aren’t as impressive as he is in my aforementioned “eye test” but they aren’t too shabby.  Heyward totaled 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.  Heyward has a great motor (I’m sorry I said that, I hate when Draft analysts say that) and can play any of the DL positions effectively.  In the Sugar Bowl, Heyward had 6 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.  JJ Watt of Wisconsin is another versatile DL propsect that will fit great in an NFL defense.  If you’re not seated, you should probably take a seat before reading Watt’s statistics.  I promise they are impressive.  In 2010, Watt totaled 61 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 pass break ups, 1 INT and THREE blocked kicks.  I think Watt fits best as a DE in a 4-3 scheme, but I can also see his athleticism (he was originally a TE) making him a viable 3-4 rush end.