Interesting Flacco Stats from the 2009 season....

Now, I take no credit from this, a poster over on the Ravens boards wrote all of this. It is interesting how hes broken it down, and who Flacco can be compared to in these catagories. I know its long, but bear with it, lol.

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I had no where else to post this, since the 2010 Games Topic is about, well, 2010. But I wanted to take a look back into the 2009 NFL Season. Soon enough I will do a similar project with the 2010 NFL Season.

I wish the Ravens would just give me an internship already, though >_> (to their credit I've never applied because I imagine it's more about "who you know.")

All jokes aside, I wish I had coach's film to make this analysis with, but I worked with only what I had.

This will analyze - statistically - who Flacco threw to and where he threw the ball over the 2009 season. It will attempt to analyze differences in these numbers throughout the early and late parts of the season and also the competition.

Targets:
1. Derrick Mason | 128 Targets | 57% Catch Rate (55 1stD)
2. Ray Rice | 95 Targets | 82% Catch Rate (28 1stD)
3. Todd Heap | 72 Targets | 74% Catch Rate (33 1stD)
4. Mark Clayton | 70 Targets | 48% Catch Rate (24 1stD)
5. Kelley Washington | 45 Targets | 76% Catch Rate (27 1st D)
6. Le'Ron McClain | 26 Targets | 81% Catch Rate (6 FD)
7. Willis McGahee | 20 Targets | 75% Catch Rate (5 FD)
8. Demetrius Williams | 15 Targets | 53% Catch Rate (6 1stD)
9. LJ Smith | 3 Targets | 2 Catches (2 1stDowns)
10. Matt Lawrence | 1 Target | 1 Catch
11. Justin Harper | 1 Target | 0 Catches



Distance of Completion

Behind the LOS:

* 97 Attemps behind the LOS
* 79.4% of them Completions (77)
* They accounted for 1 Touchdown
* 0 Ints
* 547 Yards (YPA of 5.64)

1-10

* 194 Attempts thrown 1-10 yards out
* 69.1% of them Completions (134)
* They accounted for 6 Touchdowns
* 4 Interceptions
* 1,389 yards (7.16 YPA)


11-20:

* 87 Attempts thrown 11-20 yards out
* 52.9% of them completions (46)
* They accounted for 3 Touchdowns
* 2 Interceptions
* 730 yards (8.4 YPA)

21-30

* 23 Attempts thrown 21-30 yards out
* 30.4% of them completions
* They accounted for 2 Touchdowns
* 2 Interceptions
* 177 yards (7.7 YPA)


31-40

* 12 Attempts thrown 31-40 yards out
* 25% of them completions
* They accounted for 2 Touchdowns
* 1 Interception
* 97 yards (8.08 YPA)


40+ yards

* 13 Attempts thrown >41 yards
* 23.1% of them completions
* They accounted for 1 Touchdown
* 2 Interceptions
* 171 yards (13.15 YPA)


This is honestly the meat of the analysis. Most of the accusations thrown at Joe Flacco these days are that his coaches don't trust him enough to throw the ball down the field. But these raw numbers (although nice) are large and indicate his success in where he throws the ball. In order to pinpoint whether that claim thrown at Flacco (dumps the ball off, doesn't take chances downfield) holds merit or not is by analyzing how many chances he takes. So, a more specific analysis is needed than looking at how successful he is with the throws (he throws the ball and the other half is catching, if the other half isn't there it won't matter how many chances he'll take - he'll be unsuccessful) if they're not compared to how much Flacco throws in general - as they would be taken out of context. So, a good way to take into context is by applying them as percentages.

In 2009, Flacco threw:

* 19.4% of his throws behind the LOS
* 38.8% of his throws 1-10 yards out from the LOS
* 17.4% of his throws 11-20 yards out from the LOS
* 4.6% of his throws 21-30 yards out from the LOS
* 2.6% of his throws 31-40 yards out from the LOS
* 2.6% of his throws 40+ yards out from the LOS

Considering that the world is relative, even these percentages can reveal a lot more to us about the truth of those allegations. So let's compare them to four NFL Quarterbacks. The NFL measuring stick for Quarterbacking in 2009 regular season is Peyton Manning. So, let's see Peyton's percentages

PEYTON MANNING DISTANCE DISTRIBUTION

* 12.9% of his throws behind the LOS
* 44.6% of his throws 1-10 yards out from the LOS
* 20.1% of his throws 11-20 yards out from the LOS
* 5.6% of his throws 21-30 yards out from the LOS
* 4.2% of his throws 31-40 yards out from the LOS
* 0.3% of his throws 40+ yards out from the LOS

So, looking at the top example of a Quarterback in 2009 Peyton Manning has about 7% less throws behind the LOS, 6% more between 1-10 yards, 2.5% more throws between 11-20, 1% more throws between 21-30, 1.5% more throws between 31-40 and about 2% less throws 40+ yards out. Well, the similarities speak for themselves. Except for more throws behind the LOS, it seems as if Manning and Flacco have similar distribution. So, let's take a look at another 2009 Quarterback. Let's take a look at someone called Drew Brees:



DREW BREES DISTANCE DISTRIBUTION 2009

* 14.7% of his throws behind the LOS
* 37.5% of his throws 1-10 yards out from the LOS
* 21.9% of his throws 11-20 yards out from the LOS
* 5.8% of his throws 21-30 yards out from the LOS
* 1.7% of his throws 31-40 yards out from the LOS
* 1.7% of his throws 40+ yards out from the LOS

Now let's compare these similar numbers to someone who might offer a little perspective in to how extreme these numbers can get. Let's take a look at Brett Favre.
BRETT FAVRE DISTANCE DISTRIBUTION 2009
18.1% of his throws behind the LOS
39.1% of his throws 1-10 yards out from the LOS
16.1% of his throws 11-20 yards out from the LOS
4.1% of his throws 21-30 yards out from the LOS
2.4% of his throws 31-40 yards out from the LOS
1.3% of his throws 40+ yards out from the LOS

Now, in this day and age the biggest arm in football is arguably Phillip Rivers (w/ an average of 8.8 per attempt). So, to add a little perspective and in the honor of knowledge, let's take a look at Philly Rivers:

PHILLIP RIVERS DISTANCE DISTRIBUTION 2009
14.6% of his throws behind the LOS
35.3% of his throws 1-10 yards out from the LOS
21.3% of his throws 11-20 yards out from the LOS
5.7% of his throws 21-30 yards out from the LOS
2.6% of his throws 31-40 yards out from the LOS
3.2% of his throws 40+ yards out from the LOS


Ah, so now we can see that when it comes to TAKING SHOTS downfield Joe Flacco has more in common with Phillip Rivers than anyone else. I did the numbers with a slew of other QBs and Joe Flacco is the closest to Rivers. Joe did pass a lot of passes behind the LOS, but can you blame him he's got the best receiving RB in the NFL in Ray Rice. Put some giants who can spread the field with this kid and watch out, National Football League.

First Half/Second Half
Games 1-8 | 8 Games Played | 183 Comp. | 282 Attempts | 64.9 % | 2044 Yards | 7.2avg | 12 TDs | 7 Ints| 108 1st Downs | 16 Sacks | 90.2 QB Rating

Games 9-16 | 8 Games Played | 132 Comp. | 217 Attempts | 60.8% | 1569 Yards 7.2avg | 9 TDs | 5 Ints | 78 1st Downs | 20 Sacks | 87.1 QB Rating

In analyzing the data and separating the season into halves it's apparent that Flacco's production is not nearly as high as in the first half of the season. There has been much talk about this. And for a young, promising QB he's only supposed to improve - so fans might have been let down when he seemingly declined over the last half of the season. However, a closer look at the numbers shows that Flacco is just as efficient. His low production is a reflection of the small amount of opportunities (drop backs) given to him. It's also apparent that he has taken more sacks, which could be an affect of the injury he sustained in the latter part of the season. However, causality for the increased amount of sacks is usually a combination of things like offensive line play, wide receiver play (coverage sacks) and perhaps even (the most harmful) hesitance on the part of the Quarterback. Regardless, Flacco was just as efficient as a Quarterback but had less opportunities in the latter end of the season. This could be due to the Ravens passing in the warmer part of the season and favoring running the ball in the cold weather. Flacco's play in cold weather (40F and less) translates to a 87 QB Rating - and in temperatures 41-60F it's a 91.6 QB Rating. In moderate fall temperature (61 - 80F) it's 82.2 QB Rating. So, it's not that Flacco can't throw the ball in cold weather (he excels in the cold) but that running is more favorable late in the season and that explains his decreased productivity.

great breakdown.

but personally i never had a problem with a qb checking it down.

i rather have them check it down then take a sack or throw a pick.

If this was the EA forums and this was posted by SNA... oh boy...

lol i can try and post it there

He wishes he had coaches film . I would cry if I had access to coaches film.

This was for stats in 2009 right? So that's when Vincint Jackson was actually playing. So the way that the offense is for Flacco he needs a WR that can stretch the field. Because looking at the WR's Boldin, Mason, Whosyourmomma (Houshmenzadah, spelling?) not one of them are a "deep threat". So I think if you had a true WR that could stretch the field Flacco would put up better numbers.

A part of me wanted to show Jermike this and see what he does.

You forgot Sna in that entire thing!!!

SteelersJMB wrote:You forgot Sna in that entire thing!!!

And a shirtless Ray Rice comment.

SteelersJMB wrote:A part of me wanted to show Jermike this and see what he does.

I know, I thought about it, then thought hed just find some excuse to say Flacco still sucks, blah blah blah, your wrong, blah blah blah.

MaddMatt wrote:He wishes he had coaches film . I would cry if I had access to coaches film.

This was for stats in 2009 right? So that's when Vincint Jackson was actually playing. So the way that the offense is for Flacco he needs a WR that can stretch the field. Because looking at the WR's Boldin, Mason, Whosyourmomma (Houshmenzadah, spelling?) not one of them are a "deep threat". So I think if you had a true WR that could stretch the field Flacco would put up better numbers.

Yeah this is from 09. I wish he would have done a 2010 one or something more updated. BUt thats the whole agenda for this offseason, is finding a deep threat in the draft (hopefully) or FA. Either way we need one. But weve never had success drafting a WR.

Is he trying to go Super Saiyan? ^

You know that can't happen















A Black Super Saiyan....get real

SteelersJMB wrote:A part of me wanted to show Jermike this and see what he does.

Don't worry.. one of you clowns asked me to sign up, I'm not even sure who it was, but here I am.

I don't know what these numbers from 2009 are really supposed to show.. that a lot of quarterbacks check it down? Ummm.. yeah that's what I've been saying the whole time when guys like your buddy sna bashed Sanchez over and over.

What exactly is the point of comparing him to Rivers and Brees? To show how the % of passes they throw to parts of the field is similar, yet those other guys are WAY better and post far better stats?

The only thing you really need to know about Flacco is to see his playoff numbers, watch him in a playoff game, and see that he is a complete and utter CHOKE ARTIST. That is indisputable. Fact.

On a personal note, it warms my heart that you guys can go post on another board and I'm still at the forefront of your minds. Very touching

I just like seeing the Ravens ripped at any point possible, so its all good

About the breakdown, that was well done. Proves that Flacco may check down or throw to his RB's just as much as any other QB, but like the guy said, "Why shouldn't he? He's got the best receiving RB in the NFL in Ray Rice." I've said that many times.

The entire breakdown was to prove the point that Flacco doesn't just "check it down, yatta yatta yatta" like most people (who I'm assuming have been harrassing this guy) have made it out to believe as some kind of truth, when obviously, looking at the stats, it's just untrue to say that he checks it down and doesn't take shots down field like other "elite" QB's do, when in reality, those other QB's throw shorter more often, for the most part. This breakdown just shows that the only QB who throws deep as much as Flacco does (in the 2009 season that is), was Phillip Rivers.

About his playoff stats, just like in the EA forums, I posted the video of the NFL Network Playbook guys breaking down this last year's playoff game vs. Pittsburgh and it goes to show that Flacco takes WAY more heat than he should, especially from outsiders who don't follow the Ravens. That video, in case anyone is too lazy to find it, looked at 4-5 different 1st down series' for the Ravens' offense after half-time and examined the HORRID (actually, that's an understatement) play calling by Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron, in which he basically just set the Ravens up for failure and let Joe Flacco hang out to try, and Joe just tried to make plays with what he was given and the Steelers, being the best defense in the NFL, just simply took advantage of the horrendous play-calling and capitalized on it and turned the game back around, all while our defense was still controlling the game.

Alright, as a ground rule, everytime I see anybody call anyone else a troll, or calls out someone else i'm editing it out of the post. I'll leave the post, but the name calling is pretty stupid. This is the reason alot of guys came here, to get away from that stuff. I'm not choosing sides, i'm setting the rule and letting everybody know. With that said, please continue.

Brownsxfanx31 wrote:Alright, as a ground rule, everytime I see anybody call anyone else a troll, or calls out someone else i'm editing it out of the post. I'll leave the post, but the name calling is pretty stupid. This is the reason alot of guys came here, to get away from that stuff. I'm not choosing sides, i'm setting the rule and letting everybody know. With that said, please continue.

The word "troll" seems to get dished out a lot on forums these days.

A lot of people don't really know what one is (the Internet speak kind, I'm not on about monsters from fairy tales kind).

A troll is someone who seeks to ignite an argument amongst the community. Or they spam pointless threads to get a reaction.

Someone who disagrees with you on a post is not a troll.

As far as I can see from my time here, there isn't any trolls.

Here there might be no trolls at all, even regarding Puppetz and Jermike I dont regard them as trolls here.

Take a look at the past year or so of posts in the EA forums usually turn into flame wars or debates between jermike and sna which makes them both trolls over there...here, they're perfectly normal...for now.