Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Comparing Height/Wgt to Performance
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L.C.
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Posted: 10/24/2014 5:18 PM
I found an interesting article from a few years ago that tried to compare data at the NFL level over the last thirty years to see what impact height and weight have on performance. The data that accompanied the article doesn't show for me, but I thought that the article was interesting, and might stimulate some discussion. Given that the source is BleacherReport, take it with a grain of salt, though.
http://tinyurl.com/4b43gax

On QBs, they found that additional height had only a slight impact on performance, with the exception that QBs that were exactly 74 inches did better, a statistical anomaly caused by the fact that a number of great QBs were exactly that height (Favre, Young, Montana, Warner). Interestingly, they found a strong relationship between weight and performance, with heavier QB's performing better, and throwing fewer interceptions. The author theorized that it might have to do with willingness to take hits. Overall, though, the best QBs were both taller and heavier.

On RBs they found a relatively weak correlation to height and weight, and that shorter RBs had higher average yardage per carry, and that lighter RBs also performed better than heavier ones, with the exception that heavier RBs were more apt to score TDs. Thus, he found that smaller backs got more yards, but bigger backs got more TDs.

On receivers they found a very strong relationship, with lighter WRs averaging significantly higher yards/catch than heavy WRs. They also found that shorter WRs averaged more yards/catch than tall receivers. Again, though, when it came to TDs, tall receivers did get more TDs. It appears they lumped the tight ends in with the wide receivers, so I suspect it tainted their data significantly, since tight ends average less yds/catch, but more TDs.

Overall, I thought that the article supports that small fast guys are important to have on the team, whether carrying the ball, or catching it.
Bcat2
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Posted: 10/25/2014 7:46 AM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
I found an interesting article from a few years ago that tried to compare data at the NFL level over the last thirty years to see what impact height and weight have on performance. The data that accompanied the article doesn't show for me, but I thought that the article was interesting, and might stimulate some discussion. Given that the source is BleacherReport, take it with a grain of salt, though.
http://tinyurl.com/4b43gax

On QBs, they found that additional height had only a slight impact on performance, with the exception that QBs that were exactly 74 inches did better, a statistical anomaly caused by the fact that a number of great QBs were exactly that height (Favre, Young, Montana, Warner). Interestingly, they found a strong relationship between weight and performance, with heavier QB's performing better, and throwing fewer interceptions. The author theorized that it might have to do with willingness to take hits. Overall, though, the best QBs were both taller and heavier.

On RBs they found a relatively weak correlation to height and weight, and that shorter RBs had higher average yardage per carry, and that lighter RBs also performed better than heavier ones, with the exception that heavier RBs were more apt to score TDs. Thus, he found that smaller backs got more yards, but bigger backs got more TDs.

On receivers they found a very strong relationship, with lighter WRs averaging significantly higher yards/catch than heavy WRs. They also found that shorter WRs averaged more yards/catch than tall receivers. Again, though, when it came to TDs, tall receivers did get more TDs. It appears they lumped the tight ends in with the wide receivers, so I suspect it tainted their data significantly, since tight ends average less yds/catch, but more TDs.

Overall, I thought that the article supports that small fast guys are important to have on the team, whether carrying the ball, or catching it.
I get that quick/fast beats big/strong as a rule. It seems that Mr Franklin, WMU, did not get the memo. Another rule is defense wins championships. Time for Ohio's defense to play four quarters of championship defense.
L.C.
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Posted: 10/25/2014 9:57 AM
It's not like there aren't some issues with this study, but no one cares to bring them up. For example, this was done with NFL players, not college players, and thus all of the players were unusually good. Still, I think there is some interesting things here to think about.
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 10/25/2014 5:25 PM
Next up: More stats and analysis about how all is peachy despite today's reality on the field.

Hey, our D was great on 1st and 2nd down until we gave up decisive plays on 3rd down.

Hey, we gained a ton of yardage against BG...even though it was meaningless yards far from the endzone.


I don't enjoy being so negative. There's some talent and performance on our team. (Oh, please don't pull the 'we're injured' card.) But the unrelenting true believer all-is-sunshine-and-lollipops view only supports more of the same....which is mediocre, boring football.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 10/25/2014 6:25 PM
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
. . . .I don't enjoy being so negative.

Neither does whatsup! ;-)

Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
There's some talent and performance on our team.
Yes, and it's young and you may have to wait another year to see it actualized. Have patience young man.

Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
. . . . But the unrelenting true believer all-is-sunshine-and-lollipops view only supports more of the same....which is mediocre, boring football.
Not all sunshine and lollypops . . . but we are in a rebuilding year and things will get better. There will be sunshine and lollypops in the future if you stay the course. This is the time when the sunshine Ohio patriot jumps ship. Ok, who is staying through the Valley Forge we are now in? I, for one, am in for the ride.
Last Edited: 10/25/2014 6:27:44 PM by OhioCatFan
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