On one hand, it's definitely cool to have access to this data, and more data points could never hurt (especially when they confirm my biases - that's night and day with Strong's clean pocket vs. pressure numbers, for example), but I agree with one of the drawbacks being that the person grading doesn't always know player responsibility. A number of NFL defensive backs absolutely hate PFF, and it's because the person grading can't always tell whose assignment is whose -- so they ding the nearest player to someone making a catch, or they're just making a guess at an OL's pass-blocking assignment, etc.
Suffice to say, there's definitely some subjectivity involved in the grades, and maybe even among graders. However, I still think there's some value there, in that you can compare a player against himself from game-to-game, or maybe teammates playing the same position. Definitely interested to see more detailed stats, though (especially since I've only ever seen the "free" stats or player rankings they publish).
PFF isn't judging on pro-potential though, they're judging on college performance, and objectively Evan Weaver was one of the best. There are plenty of players who are fantastic in college but don't make it in the pros-- someone like Tebow. And if pro-potential WAS a factor, then by that same logic Ashtyn Davis shouldn't have been Third Team Pac-12, as he's by far the most talented of all of them (and was drafted higher ad well).
Ashtyn Davis absolutely can cut it in the NFL. Davis was drafted for his freak athleticism. He didn't play much in 2020 only due to injuries, he absolutely was playing prior to that.
So how does PFF collect this data? Do they have a dozen or so peeps at each game watching every play and player and grade them per play? That seems exhausting and not a job I would sign up for. Or, do they review tape post-game and have 22 graders watching all the players at once?
I am pretty sure it's done by watching video. In the NFL, at least, you have access to the All-22 film (or at least it used to be on NFL GamePass), but not sure if they have access to college All-22's as well. Someone at the school would have to give it to them, and I would be skeptical about that.
On one hand, it's definitely cool to have access to this data, and more data points could never hurt (especially when they confirm my biases - that's night and day with Strong's clean pocket vs. pressure numbers, for example), but I agree with one of the drawbacks being that the person grading doesn't always know player responsibility. A number of NFL defensive backs absolutely hate PFF, and it's because the person grading can't always tell whose assignment is whose -- so they ding the nearest player to someone making a catch, or they're just making a guess at an OL's pass-blocking assignment, etc.
I remember being incensed that they snubbed Evan Weaver in 2019, the FBS leader in tackles (3rd highest single season number of tackles all-time, #1 and #2 being Luke Kuechly in 2010-11) the Pac-12's only Butkus Award finalist (https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/cal-football-2019-season/2019/12/3/20993175/bears-named-to-2019-pff-all-pac-12-team#520323193), not to mention relegating Ashtyn Davis to 3rd Team safety and snubbing Jaylinn Hawkins entirely.
Suffice to say, there's definitely some subjectivity involved in the grades, and maybe even among graders. However, I still think there's some value there, in that you can compare a player against himself from game-to-game, or maybe teammates playing the same position. Definitely interested to see more detailed stats, though (especially since I've only ever seen the "free" stats or player rankings they publish).
PFF isn't judging on pro-potential though, they're judging on college performance, and objectively Evan Weaver was one of the best. There are plenty of players who are fantastic in college but don't make it in the pros-- someone like Tebow. And if pro-potential WAS a factor, then by that same logic Ashtyn Davis shouldn't have been Third Team Pac-12, as he's by far the most talented of all of them (and was drafted higher ad well).
Ashtyn Davis absolutely can cut it in the NFL. Davis was drafted for his freak athleticism. He didn't play much in 2020 only due to injuries, he absolutely was playing prior to that.
Thanks...intrigued and really looking forward to seeing how this plays out over the season.
Go Bears!
So how does PFF collect this data? Do they have a dozen or so peeps at each game watching every play and player and grade them per play? That seems exhausting and not a job I would sign up for. Or, do they review tape post-game and have 22 graders watching all the players at once?
Click on the explainer link...it gives an overview
It was a bit unclear to me. It appears it is all done by watching video, is that your understanding as well?
I am pretty sure it's done by watching video. In the NFL, at least, you have access to the All-22 film (or at least it used to be on NFL GamePass), but not sure if they have access to college All-22's as well. Someone at the school would have to give it to them, and I would be skeptical about that.