QB Ryan Tannehill

For what it’s worth, I found some stats on Ryan Tannehill’s (QB, Miami Dolphins) from 2012, and here are some interesting findings:  

  

The Dolphins were 6-1 last year when Ryan Tannehill had a 90+ QB rating. Worthless stat? Probably. But not a coincidence, either.

• The one loss was to Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. That game, Tannehill attempted 38 passes. In those 6 wins, he never attempted over 30 passes.

• Last year, Ryan Tannehill attempted over 30 passes in a game 7 times. In those 7 games, he completed just 56% of his passes. Miami went 0-7.

• For comparison's sake, the Cleveland Browns were 1-9 when Brandon Weeden attempted over 30 passes. The Colts were 8-4 when Luck threw over 30 times.

• In the games the Dolphins won in 2012, Tannehill was so much more efficient - 67.5% comp and 7.3 YPA. In losses, Tannehill was 54.3% and 6.6 YPA.

Now for a couple "late game" Tannehill stats that I find interesting:

In the 4th quarter when the score differential was +/- 3 points, Tannehill averaged 8.3 YPA and had a QB rating of 88.2.

• And in the 4th quarter in general, regardless of situation, Tannehill averaged 7.1 YPA, had 6 TDs, 3 INTs, and a QB rating of 83.0.

In other words, statistically speaking, the 4th quarter was Ryan Tannehill's best quarter in 2012. However, his completion % was his lowest.

If Tannehill improves that completion percentage in the 4th (was 55% last year) and improve on an already decent 2:1 TD:INT ratio, and the Dolphins will be good.

Food for thought: It goes to show you can find stats to prove any point you have. Stats are tools and they should be used accordingly…

Tavon Austin: The Plan.

Do we agree with Coach Jeff Fisher’s plan for Tavon Austin?

I know I do, and here is why:

Watching Tavon’s college highlights you should discover that he is the prototypical player when given “space” to operate in, which is a perfect fit for today’s NFL.  The NFL is increasing becoming a “passing” league and teams value creativity in their passing game and to have a player with Tavon’s potential abilities is a significant piece to having a dominate offense.

Question:  Is Tavon off to a good start during his first preseason?

I think it depends on how you look at it.  Considering Tavon was the top pick of the Rams 2013 draft class, I would say that his performance thus far in the preseason has been a big fat disappointment.  However, is it Coach Fisher’s plan to limit Tavon's play-making abilities during the preseason?  Is he worried about the game-plan of opposing defenses if there is too much preseason film featuring Tavon??  Coach Fisher has said he is waiting on the regular season to unleash Tavon, which could be a smokescreen.  If this is the plan for Tavon, be prepared for it to slow his transition to the NFL and for his performance to not meet expectations.  I remember it took Tavon a season to get warmed up at WVU, and the transition to the NFL will be more challenging than his transition to the NCAA.  So I guess only time will tell…

Then there is the quarterback, Sam Bradford.  The success of Tavon depends greatly on this former Rookie of the Year.  I am sure the Rams expect Sam to make a big stride this year considering this will be his second year in that offensive system and the weapons he now has at his disposal now.  In my opinion, the Rams are a young team this year but there is potential for a solid playoff run if the stars align for Tavon and Sam.

Shane

NFL Training Camp: Rules??

QUESTION:  How can NFL players (defensive, offensive, or special teams) complain about the new game rules when they agreed to the Collective Bargaining Agreement terms below regarding training camp?

WOW!!!

Article 23: Preseason Training Camps
Section 6: Conduct of Practices:
(a) The first day of a Club's preseason training camp shall be limited to physical examinations, meetings, and classroom instruction; no on-field activities shall be permitted other than running and conditioning. No contact shall be permitted and no pads shall be worn during the second and third days of Preseason Training Camp. Thereafter, two-a-day practices shall b e permitted, subject to the following rules: (i) players may be on the field for a total of no more than four hours per day; (ii) players may participate in no more than one padded practice per day, which shall be no longer than three hours of on-field activities; (iii) there must be at least a three hour break after the practice; and (iv) the second practice on the same day may only be for a maximum of the remaining available on-field time, and shall be limited to only "walk-through" instruction (i.e., no helmets, full-speed pre-snap, and walking pace after the snap). The three-hour limit on padded practices shall begin as soon as position coaches begin to coach players on the field. The definition of a "padded practice" under this Article shall be the same as the definition used for regular season practices in Article 24, Section l (c) of this Agreement. In the event that a Club begins a padded practice but such practice is cancelled within sixty minutes of its commencement due to inclement weather or for any other reason beyond the Club's control, such practice shall not count as a padded practice under this Article or Article 24.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything in Article 24, it shall not be a violation of any provision of this Agreement pertaining to the prohibition or limitation on wearing of helmets or shoulder pads, nor shall it constitute a "padded practice," if: (i) quarterbacks, kickers, punters, and/or long-snappers only wear helmets and/or shoulder pads during practice at the option of the player; (ii) a player who, because of a head injury, is directed by the Club physician to wear a helmet as a precautionary measure at all practices; or (iii) the quarterback and/or the defensive player who receives signals from the coaching staff via helmet communication wear helmets during the team period in which helmets are used for such communication.

And, for reference:

Article 24: Regular Season and Postseason Practices
Section 1: Practice Rules
(c) For purposes of this Article and Article 23, a "padded practice" shall be defined as a practice in which players are required to wear helmets and shoulder pads, in addition to any other equipment required by the Club, subject to the exceptions set forth in Article 23, Section 6(b).

WVU: Pat White

I have been following the latest Pat White buzz closely for two reasons: 1) With respect to Major Harris, Pat White is considered by some to be the best football player to play in Morgantown, and 2) He is a former Miami Dolphin.  Combine these two reasons with an email that I received from my wife stating she engaged in a WVU football conversation with a client this morning that said he thought Miami gave Pat White a raw deal, gave me a formula for my next blog post.

First let me say that I am excited for Pat White.  Not too many players get a second chance so it is going to be interesting to see him play IF he makes the Redskins' 53-man roster.  Washington now has four QBs under contract and it is doubtful all four will remain in September.  White produced Combine results similar to Russell Wilson (SEA), but weighed 13 pounds less and was an inch taller than Wilson going into their rookie years respectively.  I know that doesn't sound like much, but I think player "thickness" (insert shrewd comment here) is huge in the NFL. I associate it with a player's ability to absorb and recover from the physical damages caused by playing the game.  White showed his ability or lack thereof when he took an aggressive "hit" from Ike Taylor (PIT) in 2009.  Also, he played in 13 games for the Dolphins in 2009 but did not complete any of his five passes.  My questions are; was he ready to play in the NFL?  What is different this time around??  Well, according to sources, White has bulked up and I am a true believer in hard work pays off.  White is facing long odds but I will be rooting for him 100% during training camp!

The other hot topic surrounding Pat White is his involvement in a concussion lawsuit against the NFL.  I must be honest and say this makes me question his character a bit.  Twice in 2012, White sued the NFL in federal court.  The first lawsuit claimed NFL approved equipment didn't protect him from head injuries.  He claimed multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI), resulting in chronic headaches, mood swings, speech issues, memory loss, depressions, and sleeplessness.  White's second lawsuit accused the NFL of fraud and negligence.  He claimed the NFL concealed the long-term consequences of head injuries.  All this disappeared when the possibility of an NFL contract materialized this week. According to federal court records, White dismissed the first lawsuit on Tuesday and the second lawsuit on Wednesday. Weird.  Was he miraculously healed or were his injuries not quite as bad as he claimed??  Either way, the plaintiff’s case is weakened and the NFL's defense got stronger in the concussion lawsuit.  Ultimately the players that are actively suffering from TBI may not get the help they need as a result.

Sh

WVU: QB Geno Smith

This year's NFL draft is going to be exciting to watch. For the first time in school history, a WVU player is in contention to be the first overall pick.  During WVU's pro day in Morgantown, 28 NFL teams were represented and QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin were the star attractions.

NFL scouts typically like to evaluate a QB's "down-the-field" passes (25 yards or longer).  They like to see accurate high velocity throws and accurate touch throws while in the pocket and while on rollouts.  Following Geno's solid performance at the scouting combine, he completed 60-of-64 passes with two drops by Stedman Bailey and demonstrated all of the above at WVU's pro day.  If he continues to impress, Geno could go number one in this year's NFL draft.

My evaluation: In my opinion, after re-watching games and highlights, Geno greatest weaknesses are progressing through his reads and his footwork could be a little better.  He seems to be slow at it, and his passes are often late because of it.  Geno will need to speed up his anticipation if he wants to be successful in the NFL.  On average, an NFL QB has three seconds to drop back, go through his reads, and pass the ball before defenders are in his face.  The good news is that Geno's weaknesses are coach-able, and he possesses the God given talents that can't be coached.  I think that is why NFL teams are looking at drafting him early.

To give a little comparison, if Geno was in last year's QB rich draft, I don't think he gets drafted until the second or third round.  So my question is, does this year's draft include a lack of options at the QB position?

Teams showing interest and their first round pick: Chiefs (1), Jaguars (2), Raiders (3), Eagles (4), Browns (6), Cardinals (7), and Bills (8).

I look for Geno to be drafted by the Raiders (3) or the Eagles (4).  The Bills (8) are a close third if he is still available and assuming they don't trade up to snag him.

Then again, I could be WAY off....

Sh   





      

NFL New Rule(s)

First, thanks for visiting my first blog post!  Secondly, I assume you have some interest in my thoughts regarding the NFL rules, but please know that I am only an expert about being a fan.  Lastly, I welcome any comments, positive or negative, on the topic.  With that said, let us begin...

I completely understand how fans feel.  I have read and heard many fans of the sport say, "This isn't football anymore" and "The new rules make no sense".  What was once a very physical sport, has become less violent and some refuse to watch as a result.  We, as fans, must realize that the NFL is more than a sport.  It is also a business, and as we all know, a very expensive and lucrative business.  With any business there is risk; risk of injury, risk of selling enough game tickets, and the risk of a member of the organization stabbing her spouse and getting arrested (Brandon Marshall pun).  These are examples of accepted risk, and are in part the reason why we are seeing what we are seeing.

We are in the wake of the NFLPA lawsuit aimed at player compensation for injuries/illnesses caused by playing football in the NFL some 20 years after the fact.  This is costing the NFL team owners millions of dollars and the fans then feel it in their wallets.  So the questions is, "Can it be prevented?"  The NFL and team owners not only think it can, they also believe there is a way to preserve player health.  How? By creating new rules that prevent injury. 

Change frequently meets resistance, initially.  I honestly believe that once the league and fans break through the initial resistance barrier, these new rules will benefit the NFL, team owners, players, and ultimately the sport.

"Its not personal, its strictly business...."  ~ The Godfather.