Analyzing Analysis
Thursday, December 10, 2009 16:01
Did you ever catch yourself doing something you have done most of your life and suddenly wonder why you do it? You know, like not clicking in the seat belt until you hit the first red light or offering to help someone you don’t like?
I spend 8-12 hours a week watching NFL football. Between you and me, my twice-weekly contributions to DIS are not the reason why.
I love the game; have ever since I was a pup. Safe bet, I’ll never stop watching. But I found myself watching the NFL network last month and decided to keep an informal tally
The verdict? I watch 2-3 hours of analysis a week. If the Steelers lose, less. When they win, I can’t get enough.
Adding my drive time listening to Sirius NFL radio and I’m approaching 20 hours/wk.
Man, what a loser.
Wouldn’t be so bad if all the punditators and analysts said something refreshing or insightful after the first commercial break.
Here’s a sampling of what most former jocks offer if a team loses:
“Well Chuck, the (insert team name here), just aren’t making plays.”
“Usually, Fred, the team that makes the most mistakes loses the game.”
Here are a few gems you hear if a team wins:
“Yes, Bert, the (insert team name here) made the plays when they had to.”
“That’s right, coach, they took care of the ball and the scoreboard took care of them.”
I have a masters degree–honest. This is what I watch?
The Steelers face the Browns tonight. Sometime during the telecast you will hear some ex-jock say the “records don’t mean anything”. You will see graphs illustrating the Steelers inability to stop teams in the fourth quarter. You will hear idiotic phrases like “Super Bowl hangover” and “loss of focus” to describe the Steelers woes.
Here’s the facts: in six losses the Steelers were defeated by more than three points once. They’ve lost two overtime games. In at least two of those games, defensive backs dropped interceptions that hit them two inches above their belly buttons.
Thing is, about 22 other teams could say the similar things about most of their losses–which probably explains why the “experts” keep regurgitating the same analysis ad nauseum.
Maybe I’m not that much of a loser after all.
THURSDAY’S PICK
The 13.5 points is tempting and there is no doubt the Steelers are reeling.
Adversity reveals character.
Mike Tomlin believes in his football team’s character.
I believe in Mike Tomlin. Take the Steelers, giving the Browns the points.
I’ll post my weekly pick sheet before Sunday’s kickoff.
Nate Barlow
says:
December 11th, 2009 at 2:17 am
What would it be like if they hired analysts who could actually analyze? The banality of most of their statements is mind-numbing.
13.5 is very tempting. I believe the Steelers will win, but that's a lot of points no matter who you're playing, especially in a rivalry game.
Gairzo
says:
December 11th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Wow…dare I say…the Steelers suck?
I dare.
Now we'll see if my faith in Tomlin is justified. For the first time in his tenure his team did not tackle, block, run or pass with any consistency. Where was the urgency?
We'll see how this bunch and Tomlin deal with this adversity.
Credit to Rob Ryan's scheme. Mangini may have saved his job.
Nate Barlow
says:
December 11th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Ouch.
That was a team playing devoid of life. We may have a December Tampy nomination here.
Losing in its own right doesn't warrant the Tampy-nom, of course–some teams simply don't have the players. But the Steelers' five-game losing streak includes three losses to teams with a combined record of 9-28. Unlike those hapless teams, Pittsburgh has the talent to win; the Black and Gold simply aren't playing up to their ability.
Last night seemed like the Steelers had quit. I agree, Mangini may have saved job–it's at least on life support now.