Advanced stats is basing ratings on generic expectations. What value that has for the Cardinals ? I don't know, if any.
It depends on the individual metric, doesn't it? For examples, PFF's "metrics" are based on their game charters' opinion of what the player was supposed to do and how they were supposed to do it. Accordingly, I've long discounted PFF's evaluations, because they're essentially the average of one opinion.
What I like about Footballoutsiders' metrics is that they're more of a complete picture of whether or not, at the end of the day, one player is more successful or efficient than another. FO is very careful to say that their metrics aren't the be-all, end-all for a discussion. They (correctly) say that this is meant to start or continue a conversation and deepen that conversation.
PFF (or FO; one of those sites) once had Kevin Walter as a better wideout than Larry Fitzgerald, amongst other head scratchers. Take advanced metrics with a grain of salt and trust your eyes.
I'd be surprised if even PPF said that; I know that Football Outsiders has been bemoaning Fitz's situation for the last three seasons--basically saying that Fitz has been having horrible metrics because he's been stuck in a horrible offense with terrible quarterback play. At the same time, though, Fitz has been the target for a higher percentage of interceptions than any other receiver in the NFL for the last three seasons. I wouldn't have that info if it weren't for FO's metrics. Even more so, if you want evidence that Fitz isn't as efficient has he could or should be, those advanced metrics aren't a bad place to start.
Why would a team waste money on something they could get off the internet ?
I would speculate, and assume it would be to tailor said stats to fit their system. And in hockey, the Devils have a very defined system that is a little "different" than the other 29 teams in the NHL.
Just a thought.
Do the Cardinals have something like this ? I dunno, thus why I am asking.
I think that Disner was the guy running the Cards' analytics program, and he's likely continued to do so following his promotion. SI or someone had a cool story on how NFL teams are using analytics (and more than a handful of teams have analytics experts on their own staffs or as outside consultants).
Some teams are using it to gather data on injury prevention, speed, etc. The Eagles have a robust data collection program including guys wearing sensors during training camp to track their movements and acceleration at all times.
Other teams likely use analytics as an advanced self- and traditional scouting program. This would include yours and your opponents' offensive tendencies, plays out of particular personnel groupings, etc., etc.
I don't think that
anyone here is saying the Cards should use purely analytics in evaluating free agents or their own players or prospects. But there's only so much film that you can break down on a qualitative basis before you reach a point of diminishing returns. If there are red flags that come up on a player in the fourth hour of film study, it might get lost in a traditional scouting in a way that analytics wouldn't catch.
Conversely, a single bad play at the wrong time can color our impression of a prospect that prevents us from drafting or otherwise acquiring a good player because we have one bad association.
Advanced stats should tell us that Fitzgerald is a consistently very good receiver, but probably isn't an elite receiver in the mold of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, etc., etc. We paid him like he was and would continue to be a player like that, and he's never really been that guy. In 2008 he was top 3 in the DVOA and DYAR metrics, but before and after he was fairly consistently a 10-25 kind of guy.
