Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

[zone]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000121582/article/bill-polian-moneyball-does-not-work-in-the-nfl

[TrEd FTW]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

Elderly man dislikes advanced analytics. Film at 11.

[Mski]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

dont buy it... its the "good 'ol boy's club" mentality... guess what... alot of people told billy bean he was crazy for trying it too

[mikemac2001]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

getting peyton manning in a draft works but that rarely happens.

[IAG]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

I agree with Bill

[YardRat]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

We can only hope Brandon proves him wrong, and not right.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

So Polian is not coming to Buffalo any time soon I guess?

[madness]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

Good thing Russ never said anything about using Moneyball tactics.

[cookie G]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

Elderly man dislikes advanced analytics. Film at 11.

6 time NFL executive of the year and life long team builder gives explanation of differences between football and baseball. Explains why statistical models are more difficult in football, due to dynamics involved.

Explanation flies over dumb person's head.

[TrEd FTW]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

6 time NFL executive of the year and life long team builder gives explanation of differences between football and baseball. Explains why statistical models are more difficult in football, due to dynamics involved.

Explanation flies over dumb person's head.

That's harsh. Polian declined in Indy toward the end and gave his son more and more say, which was a big mistake. And the elderly tend to be less in tune with advanced metrics than younger people. Nix, for example, basically said he knew nothing of them.

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

^^^ Agreed. Polian also is comparing to how analytics worked in baseball and then says essentially baseball is different than football. Yes, and so will the impact of analytics be: different. It doesn't necessarily equate to middle class undervalued players. Analytics <> Moneyball.

[TigerJ]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

It is my understanding that analytics is utilized extensively in baseball and basketball. Not so much in football. Until some team makes extensive use of a version of analytics geared toward football, it's probably premature to say it doesn't work.

[cookie G]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

That's harsh.

So was dismissing his explanation as the prattling of an old fart.

Polian declined in Indy toward the end and gave his son more and more say, which was a big mistake.

He did. And Chris Polian probably made extensive use of metrics in his player eval. (sorry, couldn't resist).

And the elderly tend to be less in tune with advanced metrics than younger people.

I'm sure some do. And he gave an explanation of why, from a financial standpoint, it is more difficult with the NFL salary cap than in baseball. Besides, if you did apply Moneyball to the Bills, a lot of people would hate it, because Mario wouldn't be around very long.

Statistical models have limitations in football evaluation because of the dynamics of the game. A players' responsibility on a given play can't always be shown in a statistical model. That is always the disclaimer given by the people who actually compile advanced football statistics.

Nix, for example, basically said he knew nothing of them.

Because he watches players on tape. Or watches them live.

And then changes the defense every other year.

[GingerP]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

Please. What does Polian know about team-building?

[TrEd FTW]

Re: Bill Polian: 'Moneyball does not work in the NFL'

So was dismissing his explanation as the prattling of an old fart.

You're right. I have a lot of respect for Polian, so it was foolish to dismiss his take as quickly as I did. It's just that as a baseball fan who's a big sabermetrics proponent, I've grown tired of seeing old scout types claim that they're ineffective. That's why I was so quick to jump at Polian, but I probably shouldn't have. Obviously he's one of the best executives in NFL history and what he says should count for something.

He did. And Chris Polian probably made extensive use of metrics in his player eval. (sorry, couldn't resist).

Maybe. Not everyone who makes use of these metrics will have success. The Bills will probably fall on their faces using them because they specialize in falling on their faces.