ESPN took it upon itself to create a new Quarterback Rating system, that gives QBs a 1-100 rating based on a number of different things rather than the classic system. Here's a little but about the categories:
Scoring: 0-100, from low to high. An average QB would be at 50.
Win Probability: All QB plays are scored based on how much they contribute to a win. By determining expected point totals for almost any situation, Total QBR is able to apply points to a quarterback based on every type of play he would be involved in. ESPN went back through 10 years of NFL play-by-play data to look at game situation (down, distance, yard line, clock time, timeouts, home field, field surface and score), along with the ultimate outcome of the game, to develop a win probability function.
Dividing Credit: Total QBR factors in how much a QB contributes to each play. ESPN tracks overthrows, underthrows, dropped passes, defended passes and yards after the catch. They take this information and analyze how much of it was related to the QB, the receivers and the blockers. Pass protection is related mostly to the QB and the offensive line, but yards after the catch is more about what the receiver does. ESPN states that statistical analysis was able to show this, and they divided credit based on those things.
Clutch Index: How critical a certain play is based on when it happens in a game is factored into the score. A normal play has a clutch index of 1.0. For instance, first-and-goal from the 10-yard line in a tie game at the start of the second quarter has a clutch index of almost exactly 1.0. A more clutch situation, one late in the game when the game is close — the same situation as above but midway through the fourth quarter, for example — has a clutch index of about 2.0. Maximum clutch indices are about 3.0, and minimum indices are about 0.3.
These clutch index values came from an analysis of how different situations affect a game's win probability on average. One way to think of it is in terms of pressure. A clutch play is defined before the play by how close the game appears to be.
I like the idea, but the problem is that some of it, such as how "Clutch" a play is, seems totally subjective. I'm sure ESPN is going to push this all season, but hopefully it doesn't catch on. You should have to watch and judge every play a QB makes, and in what situation you feel it is, just to get a number.
You can read a lot more about it, and catch a video explaining it, over at the ESPN site HERE.
This is an awesome trip for the simple reason that the trip is for you and 9 friends. That could be a seriously great Vegas trip. Here's the details:
One Grand Prize: Trip for winner and nine guests to Las Vegas, NV in August 2012, as well as a Fantasy Football Draft Party while in Las Vegas, NV. Trip includes round trip coach air transportation for ten from major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner's primary residence in the U.S., 3-nights standard double occupancy hotel accommodations (five (5) rooms), ground transfers to/from the airport/hotel & admission for winner plus nine guests to their own Fantasy Football Draft Party including food & drink (excluding alcoholic beverages).
The contest runs until 9/7/11, and you can get all the details on how to enter HERE.
This is a really good giveaway. It is a long way out though. Here's the details:
Why watch next year’s Big Game in the quiet comfort of your living room…when you could win your own awesome viewing party in Las Vegas for you and three friends? The Grand Prize includes round-trip airfare, three days and two nights of deluxe suite accommodations, a catered food spread for the game and $500 cash to drop on…well, it’s probably better that it stay in Vegas.
Don't worry, if you aren't the grand prize winner there is still more to go around because 100 First prize winners will receive an exclusive football signed by Michael Strahan, himself!
The sweepstakes runs until June 30, 2011, and you can enter it HERE.
I realize that most of you probably aren't Bears fans, which I find horribly misguided, but regardless, you have to admit its a pretty sweet chair.
Here's the details from Amazon:
From hanging out at the stadium to lounging in front of the TV, no one knows sitting quite like a sports fan. Now you can take your seating expertise to the next level with the Dreamseat NFL leather recliner, the ultimate chair for the serious sports fan. Made of high-quality top-grain leather, the chair is extremely comfortable, with a chaise lounge design that provides continuous head-to-toe support when fully reclined. More significantly for NFL fans, the chair offers an embroidered team logo sewn into the back, making it easy to root for your favorite team in front of the HDTV. And users with relatively small TV rooms will love the Wallaway feature, which lets you store the chair just inches from the wall without affecting its ability to recline.
The chair–which also includes a generously sized cup holder in each arm that holds most cans, bottles, and drink cups–measures 34 by 36 by 41 inches (W x H x D) and carries the following warranties: lifetime on the frame, spring system, and reclining mechanism, five years on the cushions, and one year on the fabric.
You can of course get the chair with any NFL team on it, along with any MLB, NBA, or NHL also. The chair isn't going to come cheap of course, costing $999 right now (usually its around $1350), but it is a hell of a nice chair.
You can check out all of the chairs, starting with the Bears one above, over at Amazon here:
Most of us are going to run out and buy the new Madden 11 game as soon as it hits the shelves on August 10th. I figure you might as well get a free $20 for doing it.
Here's the deal from Amazon:
Pre-order Madden NFL 11, for Wii, PS3, or Xbox 360, and get $20 off a future video game purchase. The promotional code will be placed directly into your Amazon.com account within 2 business days after the product ships.
So click the following link, get your game, and make $20:
If you're wondering what has been updated in this year's version, there's not a whole lot. Here's what you'll get:
* Experience Madden NFL redefined online as well as a new level of excitement with revamped audio presentation, from the booth and the field
* All-new GameFlow playcall system puts you inside the helmet of an NFL quarterback like never before, allowing you to execute authentic NFL game plans one play at a time
* Play games in half the time with an all-new playcall system, as you experience the drama and excitement of a full game in less than 30 minutes
* All-new Dual Stick Control drastically reduces button dependency for the ball carrier by mapping key moves to the right and left sticks
* New Coaching Tips automatically pause the game at critical points to help explain each situation as it unfolds
This is a pretty amazing deal if you have the cash for it. Here's the details:
Classic Super Bowl Package (per person)
Four days/ 3 nights accommodation during Super Bowl 2010 at the Crest Hotel Suites – South Beach or Shula's Hotel and Golf Club from February 5, 2010 to February 8, 2010
Free round-trip airfare from anywhere in the Continental United States departing on February 5, 2010 and returning on February 8, 2010
One Upper Level ticket to Super Bowl XLIV taking place in Miami, FL on February 7, 2010 (Custom Ticket Upgrades Available)
Luxury bus transportation to and from the Super Bowl
Round-trip airport transfers in Miami
Access to NFL Gameday Fan Plaza
Concierge and personal representative service to help make your Super Bowl trip as enjoyable as possible.
Welcome Gift and Complimentary Beverage upon arrival to hotel
Complimentary Breakfast Daily
All taxes and service charges
Double Occupancy: $4,350.00 Single Occupancy: $4,850.00
I love this idea. The downside is that most people will need to upgrade their TV to even see the game. However, when they tested this out during the USC vs. Ohio State game, they showed it in several movie theaters. I'd be more than happy to hit a local theater that serves food and beer to watch the game.
Here's the details from ESPN:
Sports broadcasting will enter a new dimension in 2010 … the third dimension, as ESPN will unveil the industry's first 3-D network.
ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico, ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer announced.
Other events to be produced in 3-D include the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball and football contests, up to 25 World Cup matches and the Summer X Games. Additional events will be announced at a later date.
I was pretty much terrible last week in my football picks,going a whole 1 for 4. I'm going to have to work a little harder on these.
I was surprised that Penn State chocked again against Iowa. That was just terrible. ND won the game, but didn't cover the point spread as I was afraid they wouldn't They're still playing down to their competition. Florida State losing to South Florida was something I would have never guessed. On the up side, I'm pretty sure that the Saints are a lock for the rest of the year until the point spread starts getting around 15.
Hopefully I do a hell of a lot better next weekend.
The Saints have a couple of running backs out, and T.O. is always a problem for people, but I still really like the Saints in this one. I think they just have too high powered of an offense to be slowed down too much by the Bills.
Pick: Saints at -7
Florida State Seminoles vs. South Florida Bulls
The line on this game is -15 right now for Florida State. I think this should be a pretty easy game for them. I don't think the 15 points is really that bad. I might put this one in a Parlay though, and take six points, putting the game at -9 for FS.
Pick: Florida State Seminoles at -15
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
The great thing about Penn State I like is that they go out ready for each game. Iowa isn't terrible, but I think Penn State is on a good roll, and will win this one by a few touchdowns.
Pick: Penn State -10
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Purdue Boilermakers -7 1/2
I'm a little hesitant with this pick, but I'm going to go with it. ND seems to have a bad habit of playing down to their competition, and this might be no different. I think the line is a little soft on this one though, because of the last second ND win last week against the Spartans. I think ND is going to take this one by 10 or more.
Pick: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at -7 1/2
Well, there you are. Not a lot of upsets in there or anything, just sticking with the favorite who should beat the spread. I'll try to make it a point to write something up Monday on how I did.
As always, if you have an opinion, feel free to leave a comment. Your comment won't pop up right away, but I'll make sure they get posted, and I'll try to respond.
I know, I totally missed posting anything last week on football. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, Notre Dame killed me.
Below is this weeks odds, and I'll try to get some picks in tomorrow. There's a few games missing because it's early in the week, and I'll try to get the, up if they're relevant. As always, your feedback is welcomed, Here they are:
If you want to play poker online and you can't get to Atlantic City or Las Vegas, why not play try playing at FullTilt.
Online poker rooms such as fulltilt and PokerStars.net offer free poker as well as real money poker. You won't go wrong with either room, but PokerStars is generally considered to be the best.
I realize that most of you probably aren't Bears fans, which I find horribly misguided, but regardless, you have to admit its a pretty sweet chair.
Most of us are going to run out and buy the new Madden 11 game as soon as it hits the shelves on August 10th. I figure you might as well get a free $20 for doing it.
This is a pretty amazing deal if you have the cash for it. Here's the details:
I love this idea. The downside is that most people will need to upgrade their TV to even see the game. However, when they tested this out during the USC vs. Ohio State game, they showed it in several movie theaters. I'd be more than happy to hit a local theater that serves food and beer to watch the game.
I was pretty much terrible last week in my football picks,going a whole 1 for 4. I'm going to have to work a little harder on these.