Facts:
Offense
Cowboys were 5th in league in scoring this year.
As a reference point the Saints were 10th.
Dallas was only 6 points shy of being the second highest scoring team with Chicago and ahead of the Pats.
2012 rank 15th (106 points shy of being second.)
2011 rank 15th ( 178 points shy of being second.)
Yards
2013-16th
2012-6th
2011-11th
Dallas was 9th in the Give Away/Take Away rankings vs 2012 26th in league.
2011 9th
So Jerry and Jason change the offense. I guess they didn't read our blog that Red cannot call plays inside the 20.
Rumors- In a year in which the offense was much more efficient in scoring, Red Jesus and his play caller were not speaking to each other at the end of the year.
Wow.
So, our boy Jerry hires a new play caller and keeps Coach Call after not letting him interview for another job.
This is going to be a long year.
J.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Super Bowl Predictor
The winner is Denver on the tried and true Point differential. The only exceptions in the past twenty years were the freak offenses or defenses.(I.E. Bills, Bears.) Denver definitely has one of these offenses.
My gut says the Seahawks will win, but I will be pulling for an AFC team for the first time in my entire life.
J.
My gut says the Seahawks will win, but I will be pulling for an AFC team for the first time in my entire life.
J.
Dirk and the Mavs
After watching another pitiful High School Basketball shooting exhibition tonight, I was treated when I got home to see Dirk in the twilight of his career shooting rainbows.
He seems to have a found the old magic this week and I am trying to appreciate how incredible he has been during his career. After an MVP and being voted 9 times 1st or 2nd team All NBA he is truly under appreciated in the historical sense.
The two players consider the greatest during his time have been Kobe and Duncan.
Dirk stands up well to a comparison.
He was never as good defensively as either, but neither of them could ever shoot like the Big German.
Dirk- 22.6 ppg 8.1 Reb 2.6asst 0.9steals 0.9 blocks 1.9 TO 48%FG
Kobe - 25.5 ppg 5.3reb 4.8asst 1.5 steals 3.01 0.5blocks TO. 45%FG
Duncan- 20.0 ppg 11.2reb 3.1asst 0.7 steals 2.2 blocks 2.5TO 50% FG.
Duncan was the greatest of the era, Kobe will always get a downgrade on my board for his lack of leadership. Players never got better with him and always had to defend themselves eventually.
Dirk is just great!
J.
He seems to have a found the old magic this week and I am trying to appreciate how incredible he has been during his career. After an MVP and being voted 9 times 1st or 2nd team All NBA he is truly under appreciated in the historical sense.
The two players consider the greatest during his time have been Kobe and Duncan.
Dirk stands up well to a comparison.
He was never as good defensively as either, but neither of them could ever shoot like the Big German.
Dirk- 22.6 ppg 8.1 Reb 2.6asst 0.9steals 0.9 blocks 1.9 TO 48%FG
Kobe - 25.5 ppg 5.3reb 4.8asst 1.5 steals 3.01 0.5blocks TO. 45%FG
Duncan- 20.0 ppg 11.2reb 3.1asst 0.7 steals 2.2 blocks 2.5TO 50% FG.
Duncan was the greatest of the era, Kobe will always get a downgrade on my board for his lack of leadership. Players never got better with him and always had to defend themselves eventually.
Dirk is just great!
J.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The Manning and Brady Debate
This debate rages on and I continue to be dismayed by the people who go straight to number of Super Bowl wins and claim victory for Brady. So, I put a few pieces of information together for comparison. Manning has the edge in all individual categories and Brady has the edge in all team accomplishments. We will never convince those who think QB is strictly about winning, disregarding all other evidence about who is the better player. I don't dislike Tom Brady, but his supporters make me come close. I pray that Manning will get his 2nd Super Bowl and 5th MVP, but even then the Brady crowd will never admit defeat.
S
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Seahawks and Drafting
It was written in the paper today that Seattle has drafted 12 of their 22 Super Bowl starters in the last 4 drafts, and 8 of the 12 came after the 1st round. I'm always reminded when watching the NFL that despite all the superstar headlines, the league is really about evaluating, drafting, and developing. In football you need a lot of good players, not just 4 or 5 splashy names. It appears that Carroll has brought that eye to the NFL like Jimmy Johnson did. It was also kindly noted that the Cowboys drafted the immortal Josh Thomas 11 slots ahead of Richard Sherman. Awesome.
S
S
Monday, January 27, 2014
NBA Efficiency Rankings
NBA's efficiency rating: (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK − ((FGA − FGM) + (FTA − FTM) + TO))
Performance Index Rating: (Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks + Fouls Drawn) − (Missed Field Goals + Missed Free Throws + Turnovers + Shots Rejected + Fouls Committed)
I have started digging into the data after looking at the All Time Ratings that you posted..
It is a fun statistical reference, but as the original author has said it has flaws and is based on too much offense.
I think this will be fun to see if we can figure out a way to include a better feel for DEF vs OPP with League numbers included.
=
One glaring error on the historical side is the numbers from Blocks/Steals/Turnovers prior to 1973.
The primary hole in the formula is with none other than Wilt.
By all accounts that I have ever read, it is safe to assume that he averaged over 6-8 blocks per game. Most historians have documented the incredible number that he blocked. When you include the fact that he was quicker than the small forwards it is safe to assume that his steal number would be above the league numbers and even Kareem average 1 a game.
Using Wilts Career 30pt + 23RB + 4.4ast+ 6 blocks + 1.6 steals = 65
Less
(22.5-12.1) 10.4 + (11.4-5.8) 5.6 + TO 2.7) TO is Kareem number. =18,7
65-18.7 = 46.3
Wilts Career on NBA efficiency 46.3.
Jordan
30.1 + 6.2 + 5.3 + 2.2 + 0.8 = 44.6
11.5 + 1.4 + 2.7=15.6
44.6- 15.6= 29
Performance Index Rating: (Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks + Fouls Drawn) − (Missed Field Goals + Missed Free Throws + Turnovers + Shots Rejected + Fouls Committed)
I have started digging into the data after looking at the All Time Ratings that you posted..
It is a fun statistical reference, but as the original author has said it has flaws and is based on too much offense.
I think this will be fun to see if we can figure out a way to include a better feel for DEF vs OPP with League numbers included.
=
One glaring error on the historical side is the numbers from Blocks/Steals/Turnovers prior to 1973.
The primary hole in the formula is with none other than Wilt.
By all accounts that I have ever read, it is safe to assume that he averaged over 6-8 blocks per game. Most historians have documented the incredible number that he blocked. When you include the fact that he was quicker than the small forwards it is safe to assume that his steal number would be above the league numbers and even Kareem average 1 a game.
Using Wilts Career 30pt + 23RB + 4.4ast+ 6 blocks + 1.6 steals = 65
Less
(22.5-12.1) 10.4 + (11.4-5.8) 5.6 + TO 2.7) TO is Kareem number. =18,7
65-18.7 = 46.3
Wilts Career on NBA efficiency 46.3.
Jordan
30.1 + 6.2 + 5.3 + 2.2 + 0.8 = 44.6
11.5 + 1.4 + 2.7=15.6
44.6- 15.6= 29
Jordan Speith
I watched the young gun collapse down the stretch yesterday in what was a great tournament.
The disgust on his face after the back to back 75's did not look like defeat. It looked like he was just pissed.
I like him more each time I watch him, it is hard for me to understand his power.
His putting was off or he still would have been in a play-off at the very least.
J.
The disgust on his face after the back to back 75's did not look like defeat. It looked like he was just pissed.
I like him more each time I watch him, it is hard for me to understand his power.
His putting was off or he still would have been in a play-off at the very least.
J.
Cowboys
Is futility the word to use when "8-8" seems like a unlikely positive going into next year?
Let's review:
The same coaching staff, the same players and the same GM.
(I will post on this debacle later, it is too ludicrous to even write down at this time.)
Most of the key components either Old or Injury Prone.
Lee, Austin, and Murray are always hurt. Even Dez has issues in this department.
The aged ones Romo, Witten, and Ware are definitely over the hill.
Last years draft was a huge improvement, but who knows what to expect this year.
We can just enjoy Smith, Frederick. Bryant and Bailey.(Wow, how desperate am I as a Cowboys fan to mention a kicker that signed a guaranteed contract.)
The Draft:
Before anyone predicts anything, I would spend the next two years drafting for four years from now.
I would take Lineman ONLY. Maybe a 70/30 split with Offensive Lineman being primary target.
With two more quality offensive lineman and the new blocking scheme, Dallas can continue to be productive and maybe keep Romo from dodging people within 2 seconds. The new scheme is vastly better on running, but Romo still takes way too many hits and near hits to survive for 3 more years.
Defensive Line:
I understand the notion that a great defensive end makes the entire offense better, but I do not think he should take precedent over another OT. I wish Dallas had a big man in the middle to push back the center and guard more than I desire a DE.
Safety: I do not trust them picking a Safety. I would rather they have serious discussions with the coaches that are responsible for the DB's. With the next generation of passing games, I see playing more CB's and a big hitter at Safety.
Linebackers: If healthy this is a wash, I think it starts with DL, unless they want to go to fast player than can actually run with the new TE's.
J.
Let's review:
The same coaching staff, the same players and the same GM.
(I will post on this debacle later, it is too ludicrous to even write down at this time.)
Most of the key components either Old or Injury Prone.
Lee, Austin, and Murray are always hurt. Even Dez has issues in this department.
The aged ones Romo, Witten, and Ware are definitely over the hill.
Last years draft was a huge improvement, but who knows what to expect this year.
We can just enjoy Smith, Frederick. Bryant and Bailey.(Wow, how desperate am I as a Cowboys fan to mention a kicker that signed a guaranteed contract.)
The Draft:
Before anyone predicts anything, I would spend the next two years drafting for four years from now.
I would take Lineman ONLY. Maybe a 70/30 split with Offensive Lineman being primary target.
With two more quality offensive lineman and the new blocking scheme, Dallas can continue to be productive and maybe keep Romo from dodging people within 2 seconds. The new scheme is vastly better on running, but Romo still takes way too many hits and near hits to survive for 3 more years.
Defensive Line:
I understand the notion that a great defensive end makes the entire offense better, but I do not think he should take precedent over another OT. I wish Dallas had a big man in the middle to push back the center and guard more than I desire a DE.
Safety: I do not trust them picking a Safety. I would rather they have serious discussions with the coaches that are responsible for the DB's. With the next generation of passing games, I see playing more CB's and a big hitter at Safety.
Linebackers: If healthy this is a wash, I think it starts with DL, unless they want to go to fast player than can actually run with the new TE's.
J.
Since the HOF Vote has me on Baseball and PED's..
I did not want the Red Sox to win the series and I surely do not ever, ever want David Ortiz to be a celebratory because of his unexplained leaner body and power at his age.
In the past, I would always tell you players that I believed were juiced and nearly to a person the stories have come out as probable. Well, I never assumed that Ortiz would be considered anything but when he was mentioned with Ramirez in 2003. But here we are 10 years later and people do not seem to care.
David Ortiz at the age of 35 suddenly becomes a 300 hitter.
AGE
35 - 309
36 - 318
37 - 309
Previous 3 years.
32 - 264
33 - 238
34 - 270
Something is stinks!
J.
In the past, I would always tell you players that I believed were juiced and nearly to a person the stories have come out as probable. Well, I never assumed that Ortiz would be considered anything but when he was mentioned with Ramirez in 2003. But here we are 10 years later and people do not seem to care.
David Ortiz at the age of 35 suddenly becomes a 300 hitter.
AGE
35 - 309
36 - 318
37 - 309
Previous 3 years.
32 - 264
33 - 238
34 - 270
Something is stinks!
J.
Rafeal Nadal
Nadal losing in the finals was disappointing and I truly felt terrible for him.
The crowd actually booed RAFEAL NADAL! (When he calls a medical time-out, I think this man has earned the right not to be questioned.)
Watching the tears and disappointment from him afterwards re-established my respect for his status as a great of all-time.His post match reactions and lack of quickness during the match made it obvious that something was different than the other losses that we have seen him endure. I believe he was having back issues again, these issues have cost him the status as the greatest we have ever seen. To his credit, he did not walk off the court like we have seen out of so many tennis players in the last 20 years.
A reminder of how good Nadal has been:
I am not trying to downplay Federer who is just GREAT, maybe he is the greatest ever, I will not argue.
Federer has never missed a Grand Slam, which proves not only is he great on all surfaces, but he is one tough man.
It makes you wonder what if with Nadal missing 2009 and 2012 with knee injuries. With some better health, Nadal would likely be the lead dog in the argument for the greatest since Laver.
How great is this rivalry?
They have combined for 30 grand slams!
The best rivalries we ever saw were the Borg, McEnroe, Connors. The three of them combined for 26.
As a side note: What is the ideal size to be the greatest Tennis Player?
These three- Nadal, Federer and Sampras are listed at 6'1".
J.
The crowd actually booed RAFEAL NADAL! (When he calls a medical time-out, I think this man has earned the right not to be questioned.)
Watching the tears and disappointment from him afterwards re-established my respect for his status as a great of all-time.His post match reactions and lack of quickness during the match made it obvious that something was different than the other losses that we have seen him endure. I believe he was having back issues again, these issues have cost him the status as the greatest we have ever seen. To his credit, he did not walk off the court like we have seen out of so many tennis players in the last 20 years.
A reminder of how good Nadal has been:
- Age Nadal 27 Roger 32
- Grand Slams: 88.06% winning record. Roger 86%.
- Nadal has 13 slams Pete has 14 Federer has 17.
- Head to Head with Roger- 23 wins 10 Losses and has not lost to Federer in a Grand Slam since 2007 at Wimbledon the age of 21.
- Career Record in Top Flight Matches 83.71% Roger Federer 81.10% Sampras 77%, Borg 82% retired at 26.
I am not trying to downplay Federer who is just GREAT, maybe he is the greatest ever, I will not argue.
Federer has never missed a Grand Slam, which proves not only is he great on all surfaces, but he is one tough man.
It makes you wonder what if with Nadal missing 2009 and 2012 with knee injuries. With some better health, Nadal would likely be the lead dog in the argument for the greatest since Laver.
How great is this rivalry?
They have combined for 30 grand slams!
The best rivalries we ever saw were the Borg, McEnroe, Connors. The three of them combined for 26.
As a side note: What is the ideal size to be the greatest Tennis Player?
These three- Nadal, Federer and Sampras are listed at 6'1".
J.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
MLB Hall of Fame Class
Now this is a hall of fame class! No "pretty good". All greatness. The coolest thing is Maddux and Glavine going in together. They started their careers 1 year apart, finished in the same year, started over 1,400 games combined, pitched over 9,000 innings, won 660 games and 6 Cy Young awards, and never over-powered a single batter between them. Throw in Frank Thomas and this class ranks with the all-time best.
Maddux - won at least 15 games 17 years in a row, won 4 consecutive Cy Young awards, led the league in ERA 4 times, had ERA's of 1.56 and 1.63 in back to back years in the steroid era, had a 3-year run with 96 starts and 71 total walks, finished 128 games over .500, 355-227. Maddux likely had the greatest command of his pitches in the history of baseball. In his prime he simply did not allow pitches to hit while never walking anyone. A top-10 all-timer.
Glavine - in the age of vanishing 20-game winners, won 20 five times, leading the league in wins each time, 2 Cy Young awards, 102 games over .500, pitched a 1-hitter to clinch a World Series, finished 305-203. Like Maddux, he just put the ball where he wanted for over 20 years and never gave in.
Thomas - after being passed on by the Rangers as too 1-dimensional in the draft, Thomas ripped apart the American League hitting over .300 his first 8 years and 10 times total, pounded out 521 homers and over 1,000 extra-base hits, won back to back MVP awards, led the league in OBP and OPS 4 times each, and finished with this incredible career line: .301 avg., .419 obp, .555 slug, .974 ops.
S
Maddux - won at least 15 games 17 years in a row, won 4 consecutive Cy Young awards, led the league in ERA 4 times, had ERA's of 1.56 and 1.63 in back to back years in the steroid era, had a 3-year run with 96 starts and 71 total walks, finished 128 games over .500, 355-227. Maddux likely had the greatest command of his pitches in the history of baseball. In his prime he simply did not allow pitches to hit while never walking anyone. A top-10 all-timer.
Glavine - in the age of vanishing 20-game winners, won 20 five times, leading the league in wins each time, 2 Cy Young awards, 102 games over .500, pitched a 1-hitter to clinch a World Series, finished 305-203. Like Maddux, he just put the ball where he wanted for over 20 years and never gave in.
Thomas - after being passed on by the Rangers as too 1-dimensional in the draft, Thomas ripped apart the American League hitting over .300 his first 8 years and 10 times total, pounded out 521 homers and over 1,000 extra-base hits, won back to back MVP awards, led the league in OBP and OPS 4 times each, and finished with this incredible career line: .301 avg., .419 obp, .555 slug, .974 ops.
S
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Annual Mid-Season NBA Efficiency Rankings
I typically try to look at the NBA efficiency rankings around this time every year. Pretty much the same cast of characters. The one youngster making an impact is Anthony Davis. I'm not listing them all, but it's always interesting.
1. Durant - 30.5 - carrying the load and better than ever
2. Lebron - 29.0 - cruising a little bit more but still the best when he needs it
3. Chris Paul - 27.4
4. Kevin Love - 27.4 - why didn't he force a move to a big market?
5. Anthony Davis - 26.9 - shooting up the charts, finally healthy
6. Demarcus Cousins - 26.3 - is he worth the trouble?
7. Brook Lopez - 25.9 - out after just 17 games
8. Carmelo - 23.6 - why does everyone bag on 'Melo?
9. Lamarcus Aldridge - 23.4 - going to a new level with good young team
10. Dirk - 23.2 - healthy again, fading but only slowly
12. Paul George - 22.7
13. Steph Curry - 22.4 - so fun to watch
13. Blake Griffin - 22.4
17. Dwayne Wade - 22.0
18. Dwight Howard - 21.6
19. Russell Westbrook - 21.4
21. James Harden - 21.3
29. John Wall - 20.3 - starting to figure it out?
38. Kyrie Irving - 19.8 - a little disappointing
47. J.J. Redick - 18.7 - nice story
S
1. Durant - 30.5 - carrying the load and better than ever
2. Lebron - 29.0 - cruising a little bit more but still the best when he needs it
3. Chris Paul - 27.4
4. Kevin Love - 27.4 - why didn't he force a move to a big market?
5. Anthony Davis - 26.9 - shooting up the charts, finally healthy
6. Demarcus Cousins - 26.3 - is he worth the trouble?
7. Brook Lopez - 25.9 - out after just 17 games
8. Carmelo - 23.6 - why does everyone bag on 'Melo?
9. Lamarcus Aldridge - 23.4 - going to a new level with good young team
10. Dirk - 23.2 - healthy again, fading but only slowly
12. Paul George - 22.7
13. Steph Curry - 22.4 - so fun to watch
13. Blake Griffin - 22.4
17. Dwayne Wade - 22.0
18. Dwight Howard - 21.6
19. Russell Westbrook - 21.4
21. James Harden - 21.3
29. John Wall - 20.3 - starting to figure it out?
38. Kyrie Irving - 19.8 - a little disappointing
47. J.J. Redick - 18.7 - nice story
S
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