NFL teams have been diving deep into advanced metrics, stirring up quite the debate lately. Mark Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champ and FOX Sports NFL analyst, isn’t too thrilled about it. He played in a time before analytics were all the rage and is pretty vocal about how he feels, saying, “There’s one thing for me. It’s the analytics people. … (They) become gospel,” during a chat on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me w/ Dan Dakich.”
In recent times, every single NFL team has hired someone to focus on analytics. Last year, ESPN took a closer look by surveying these analytics pros to see how teams are actually using the data. Interestingly, the Cleveland Browns came out on top, being the team that relies the most on analytics for decision-making in football matters.
Andrew Berry, the Browns’ general manager, has a strong background in computer science from Harvard. Working alongside Paul DePodesta, the team’s chief strategy officer, Berry has been steering the Browns with a data-driven approach. DePodesta, who had a successful stint in MLB before joining the Browns, even inspired a character in the movie “Moneyball.”
Schlereth shared a story about a heated discussion he once had with someone who was all about using analytics to justify going for two points after every touchdown. “I got into an argument with a guy that was extolling the virtues of going for two points every time. … So, I asked the guy, ‘Let me ask you a question, how many two-point plays do you think we go into a given (game) with?’” he recounted.
Back in Schlereth’s playing days, teams would typically prepare just two two-point conversion plays. He elaborated on how they practiced these plays and the strategic decisions coaches made during games. This, he argued, is something the analytics crowd may not fully grasp.
“You have no idea how the game works. You have no idea what we talk about. You have no idea how we practice. You have no idea the number of plays we have in or how we run those plays or what we’re trying to exploit,” Schlereth emphasized, making it clear that there’s more to the game than just the numbers.
He went on to describe analytics in football as “fluff,” suggesting that it’s more about making analytics experts feel important than actually contributing to winning games. “The analytics don’t mean anything in football. It’s just a bunch of fluff to make us feel important, like we as ‘analytics analysts’ really know what we’re talking about,” Schlereth said.
This view isn’t isolated, as the role of analytics in sports has been a contentious topic across various leagues. Some teams and analysts swear by the numbers, while others, like Schlereth, believe the traditional understanding of the game holds more weight.
The debate over analytics versus traditional methods highlights a significant shift in how sports teams approach strategy and decision-making. For some, it’s an invaluable tool for gaining a competitive edge, while others see it as an unnecessary complication.
As NFL teams continue to integrate analytics into their operations, this conversation is likely to persist. Whether analytics are seen as a tool for progress or a distraction from the essence of the game, they undeniably play a role in shaping modern football strategies.
Schlereth’s perspective reflects a broader skepticism among some former players and coaches who value the intuition and experience that come from years on the field. This divide between the old school and new school of thought adds an interesting layer to the ongoing evolution of the NFL.
