Big Blue Huddle

Good questions, but you got me stumped.  Not that it's all that hard as football history isn't my strong suit.

Nice link covering all the franchises that have been part of the NFL

http://www.sportspool.com/football/nfl_history/nfl_football_franchise_history.php

Brought to you by Sohio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsogbQbMBjw

Dasher I have seen both systems used with great success.  It's my opinion that it's better to be in the minority of teams running a particular defense, than in the majority.  When you are in the minority there is less competition for players and teams are less used to facing it.


Here are a couple of more good articles and the 3-4 and the 4-3

http://football.calsci.com/DefensiveLine.html

http://football.calsci.com/DefensiveLine3.html

THE 3-4 DEFENSE



THE 4-3 DEFENSE

To be frank Bama, I think you are getting gap and technique confused.  I have never heard of a 3 gap, but I have heard of a 3 technique lineman.   Now Gaps are the area between offensive men on the line.   They are lettered and here is a standard diagram



There are two different options of defensive line play, one gap or two gap.  I will go into detail later.

Now there is also designations as to where a d-linemen (or linebacker for that matter) lines up.  They are designated by numbers.  Here is the diagram for that.



A 3 technique lineman lines up on the guard

Honestly I can't believe the NFL ever allowed that move.

Did you mean 1 gap VS 2 gap?

Greatings Ottomann you join the group on a very good day!    Days like this, it's good to be a Giants fan.

Ed,

Yards per completion was the way to level the field between QBs playing in a completion percentage friendly West Coast offense and a lower percentage vertical attack.  It also gave more credit to the QB that hit his down field receiver, rather than just dump it off to his RB.    How would you system compensate for that?   

To sort of facilitate things, what things do you feel the current rating system fail to measure?

Of these, which should (or could) be added?

How would you measure that attibute or performance?

How important is it, compared to the existing numbers?

Looking over the numbers the current system weighs all numbers equally.  Is that good?

I think this might prove to be a good excercise for the group.  The PR has been around for many years.  During that time the game has changed significantly.  I wonder if we put our heads together we good produce a better modern one.  Anyone game?

For reference, here is the current formula

The NFL rates its passers for statistical purposes against a fixed performance standard based on statistical achievements of all qualified pro passers since 1960. The current system replaced one that rated passers in relation to their position in a total group based on various criteria.

The current system, which was adopted in 1973, removes inequities that existed in the former method and, at the same time, provides a means of comparing passing performances from one season to the next.

It is important to remember that the system is used to rate passers, not quarterbacks. Statistics do not reflect leadership, play-calling, and other intangible factors that go into making a successful professional quarterback.

Four categories are used as a basis for compiling a rating:
1. Percentage of completions per attempt
2. Average yards gained per attempt
3. Percentage of touchdown passes per attempt
4. Percentage of interceptions per attempt

The average standard, is 1.000. The bottom is .000. To earn a 2.000 rating, a passer must perform at exceptional levels, i.e., 70 percent in completions, 10 percent in touchdowns, 1.5 percent in interceptions, and 11 yards average gain per pass attempt. The maximum a passer can receive in any category is 2.375.

For example, to gain a 2.375 in completion percentage, a passer would have to complete 77.5 percent of his passes. The NFL record is 70.55 by Ken Anderson (Cincinnati, 1982).

To earn a 2.375 in percentage of touchdowns, a passer would have to achieve a percentage of 11.9. The record is 13.9 by Sid Luckman (Chicago, 1943).

To gain 2.375 in percentage of interceptions, a passer would have to go the entire season without an interception. The 2.375 figure in average yards is 12.50, compared with the NFL record of 11.17 by Tommy O'Connell (Cleveland, 1957).

In order to make the rating more understandable, the point rating is then converted into a scale of 100. In rare cases, where statistical performance has been superior, it is possible for a passer to surpass a 100 rating.

For example, take Steve Young's record-setting season in 1994 when he completed 324 of 461 passes for 3,969 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

The four calculations would be:

Percentage of Completions

Here are a couple of good links to start

http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/beginnersguidetofootball


http://www.play-football.net/en/rules/beginnersguide.php

You can also contact the pro-team near where you live.  Roughly half of them offer football 101 classes (many geared specifically to women). 

Ed,

I have plenty of videos.  It's a matter of taking the time to review them, find good parts, ripping them to my computer, uploading them to YouTube and then posting them here.  My plan is to post clips through out the off season.

I believe the names were given to make it easier to call plays.  They are most likely derived from the name alphabet with Mike substituting for Mary.   Because it's not official, there are sometimes variations such as the Mac being substituted for Mac.

What do people feel are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each?

Which do you prefer?  Why?