Todd Bowles And Analytics
August 24th, 2023
Todd Bowles and numbers.
Yesterday, Joe asked Todd Bowles an analytics question about turnovers. That prompted a follow-up question later for Bowles dealing with analytics in general.
Bowles is a believer in analytics, to a point. And that’s probably the smart way to go about it.
“During the season, it goes hand in hand,” Bowles said. “You look at it enough to where you try to get some tips, but you also have to look at it enough to where you don’t rely on it completely.
“Situations bring up things where you use it a lot – I think it’s very beneficial and it helps us.”
Joe will always remember and never forget Bucco Bruce Arians’ reaction to analytics. He started laughing and said, “When you start relying on analytics to call plays, you’ll get your ass beat.”
It’s true. Too many believe analytics are black and white. The numbers say this so do that. Big problem with that theory is sports is about human nature. Analytics is nothing more than info.
Info can be misleading. If, say, pass-block win rates claim right tackle-X can beat defensive end-Y. OK. What it doesn’t tell you is how those players are playing.
Analytics never factor in the human element. Is a player hurt? Is a player playing at peak fitness? Is the player hungover? Is the player sick? Joe could go on.
One thing that drives statgeeks bananas is the word “clutch.” That’s because they cannot stand anything they can’t slap a GD number on.
There is very much such a thing as “clutch.” Humans react to stressful situations in different ways. Any two-bit shrink knows this.
Analytics should never be a substitute for a keen eye for how a game is developing on the field. Joe is glad that it appears Bowles keeps analytics in perspective.
But Joe admits to not knowing of Bowles is strictly discussing defensive stats.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:05 am
Analytics say there should be 1 or 2 runs up the middle to start each game?
August 24th, 2023 at 12:08 am
Bowles is full of sh-t when it comes to offensive turnovers. He has praised protecting the ball.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:14 am
Analytics never factor in the human element. Is a player hurt? Is a player playing at peak fitness? Is the player hungover? Is the player sick? Joe could go on.
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You left out “blue” balls
Apparently, Tommie had to deal with that last year.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:16 am
Has nothing to do with how well inflated they are.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:46 am
Go to hail florida hail dot com. Read the article “Kyle Trask Never Had a Chance”
You did the guy dirty.
Everyone knows. You think people are going to forget? Let this go?
I don’t know man. Baker better be a top 10 QB this season. If not it’s going to unravel.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:07 am
Goodbye, Todd Bowles.
I bet attendance plummets this year!
August 24th, 2023 at 1:39 am
@Buccaneer Bonzai,
That’s because of bandwagon fans. We will never have the fanbase of Cleveland or New York.
Don’t blame the product when fans have no pride in their city’s teams: good, bad, or ugly. Sites like this are where we voice our frustration, but don’t let the empty seats be the barometer of the coaches first, it’s a reflection of the fans first.
August 24th, 2023 at 3:53 am
I am ready for the Vikes game. Reality will strike.
August 24th, 2023 at 7:05 am
Mike S Says:
August 24th, 2023 at 12:46 am
Go to hail florida hail dot com. Read the article “Kyle Trask Never Had a Chance”
You did the guy dirty.”
One good thing came off it tho, Kyle showed the world he can play, which NOBODY thought before training camp. Those throws he did in the second half when we took the blinders off, ALL looked like Brady throws
August 24th, 2023 at 7:20 am
I’m not so sure that the Vikings have a better team. Not at all. The biggest difference this year I believe is going to be the play calling.
The wide receivers are looking like an actual strength with “what seems” to be a few new clutch players drafted and UDFA’s looking like the real deal. The Defense (as a whole) is looking stronger by far, “so far” this year. BY FAR..
Now with that said, if anybody knows how I feel about the front O line, We May Be SCREWED there. SCREWED… Jury is out for now. This next game will say much..
The running backs, partly due to the O line are fair at best so far.. So Far. Again, we will soon see but I have a Bad feeling there and will be looking for a pleasant surprise.
Mayfield “might be” the best he’s ever been. It will happen this year or NEVER. Truly Bowles and Mayfield have their wagons hitched. Both are Now or NEVER..
But in the moment, we’re lucky (if we’re actually trying to win) to have Mayfield leading us off because with this line, he’s gonna need All the experience he can muster. And that’s just so he doesn’t end up with broken legs. Trask has the advantage in observing before he takes over.
Still…. I just don’t see the Vikings as a team we can’t beat even with our O line and sub par running game. I think we take the Vikes game one. Defense being the equalizer and play calling being the “surprise”..
August 24th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Wake up! Preseason games are meaningless. They are a proving ground for the bottom of the roster.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:04 am
Todd certainly paid no attention to analytics and Stafford’s success rate against the blitz in the whole of the 2021 season and especially in the playoff game against the Rams…’member?
Todd would fair better if he ignored his gut & just went with the numbers, kinda like our Rays.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Analytics that don’t take those other factors you mention into account are just poor analytics.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
We’re going to learn everything we need to know about Bowles, Baker, and this team in the first 4 weeks.
We could go 4-0 and 0-4
August 24th, 2023 at 11:57 pm
I wonder if the analytics Todd used in the last “real” playoff game against the Rams in 2021 season were written in Mandarin?