I didn’t know this was something that needed to be said out loud, but here we are. Every day the NFL world is fed stats and numbers that are supposed to help us determine how good players/teams are. With those numbers come a lot of misinformation and confusion. Some people term that “fake news.”
One site that we’ve all become very familiar with is Pro-Football Focus. This site has made its way through the online community and has found a place on TV due to their relationship with SNF Commentator Chris Collinsworth. It’s strange to say a company for “advanced analytics” is a household name, but we’re getting pretty close to that point.
PFF has its ups and its downs. It can certainly help in some instances, but what needs to be understood is that it isn’t perfect. Not even close. The data is gathered by a bunch of different people who are individually watching different players, plays, and games. These players are graded based on their performance which was determined by that specific analyzer. That’s where it becomes difficult. Two analyzers could have two completely different viewpoints even if they’re trained a certain way. We see it weekly with referees. Mike Pereira will say one thing should happen in the booth, while the guys on the field have a different idea. Not everybody thinks the same, and that’s okay.
When it becomes a problem is when the information is used by analysts, scouting services, and coaches. Those who are trying to inform the public, break down a play, or build a roster can be misled if they choose to follow the PFF stats to a T.
For instance, the title of this article. The reason it’s titled this way is due to an Instagram post made by Pro-Football Focus just a few days ago.
If you read that extremely long caption which is totally why people use Instagram then kudos to you. If not, here’s a synopsis. Trey Flowers has a similar skill-set to that of Khalil Mack and deserves to be paid just as much (IF NOT MORE) than Mack.
Now, I’ve watched just about every snap of Patriots’ football since the day I could focus my pupils. Trey Flowers is a good player. He might even be considered great by some (not me but some). Khalil Mack? He’s one of the most dominant defensive linemen I’ve ever seen. Khalil Mack and Von Miller. They’re in their own category right now. Everybody else? Not close.
So, to sit there and say that Trey Flowers deserves AS MUCH IF NOT MORE than Khalil Mack is just outrageous. Not one person with any idea about the game of football believes that.
You may say, “but Mike. They didn’t say they were equal in talent.” That’s correct, randomly argumentative imaginary football fan in my head. However, let’s take note of Trey Flowers’ PFF rating in that IG post (90.4). Now, let’s find Khalil Mack’s grade.
OH, IT’S 90.4. That makes a lot of sense.
This is where these numbers can lead people. Trey Flowers’ agent is going to look at these numbers and put them on every billboard up and down Route 1 to and from Gillette Stadium. He’s going to bring them up in every negotiation he has this offseason. “Trey Flowers is just as effective as Khalil Mack,” he’ll say. Those who watch the NFL and pay attention to the important statistics won’t be fooled. But, someone else… they probably will be.
Don’t let PFF fool you.