SITE NEWS: FO Seeks New Assistant Editor

Aaron Schatz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:44:53 -0400

Football Outsiders is looking to fill a full-time position by the start of the 2013 season. If you love football, statistical analysis, and using Excel for hours on end, you are invited to apply. (Click to read more.)

ESPN: Can Rookie Backs Solve Packers Run Woes?

Rivers McCown — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:42:14 -0400

A little deeper look into the nature of the Green Bay run game's nearly-average DVOA ratings over the past few seasons, plus an examination of what Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin bring to the table that last year's backs did not.

Mandatory Monday*: All Third String Team

Mike Tanier — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:49:13 -0400

My all-third string team, because people are talking so much about third stringers these days. I based the list mainly on the name recognition of the guys: I have no doubt that there are 30 late-round rookies and undrafted free agents who are better than Chilo Rachal right now, but I went with people who have some kind of track record. Fun, a little informative, and about 2,500 words of non-stop passive aggression.

Are Air Yards Consistent From Year to Year?

Rivers McCown — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:57:30 -0400

Chase Stuart checks in on Air Yards and how quickly they can change on a seasonal basis. Josh Freeman is one big example.

MMQB: Steve Gleason

Tom Gower — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:37:51 -0400

Mr. King begins his annual MMQB leave this week, and former Saints player Steve Gleason is the first guest columnist. Most of the column covers how he lives with ALS and what he's doing to help other people with ALS. Gleason includes several typical MMQB features, including Tweets of the Week and Ten Things I Think I Think, including "I think the acronym for this column should be MMQ. Quarterback is one word." It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who's been bothered by that.

The 16 Worst Coaches In Modern NFL History

Rivers McCown — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:47:36 -0400

Deadspin puts together their list. Who did they miss out on? As a Texans fan, coach rankings like this always make me chuckle a bit because three years ago NFL media types were falling all over themselves to can Gary Kubiak and he basically has not changed at all.

I'm surprised Cam Cameron didn't make a formal list appearance. Especially if you give him any credit at all for the 2007 Dolphins draft.

Word of Muth: Church of the Outside Zone

Ben Muth — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:41:32 -0400

Word of Muth breaks down film of Alex Gibbs coaching and speaking over a cut-up tape. Find out the secrets of the man who's built big seasons for everyone from Terrell Davis to Warrick Dunn.

Matching Up to 11

Tom Gower — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:11:16 -0400

11 personnel has become the most common formation of the day. What can we learn from its growth? How do specific teams match up to it?

Champ Bailey: Numbers, Tape, Verdict

Rivers McCown — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:42:07 -0400

Cian Fahey goes play-by-play over the course of Champ Bailey's season, looking at how he fared in single coverage. This is one of a series of cornerback posts he's done. He's also looked at Johnathan Joseph (here), Leon Hall (here), Stephon Gilmore (here), Joe Haden (here), Carlos Rogers (here), Casey Hayward (here), Brandon Flowers (here), Patrick Peterson (here), and Richard Sherman (here).

Houston RB Charles Sims: McFadden-Murray Disciple

Matt Waldman — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:16:54 -0400

Charles Sims is a disciple of the McFadden-Murray school of running back. Matt Waldman is going to show you why.

Tebow To Sign With Patriots

Vince Verhei — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:54:47 -0400

Yup. The New England Patriots are signing Tim Tebow. To play football. Not just that, but to play quarterback. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that after releasing Mike Kafka, the Pats will sign Tebow to back up Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett. And, probably, to run some option against the Jets just to stick it to Rex Ryan. New England offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels was head coach in Denver when the Broncos drafted Tebow in the first round, and presumably endorsed the move.

MMQB: Father's Day Book Guide

Rivers McCown — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:36:50 -0400

This week, Peter says that RGIII is on track for the opener and unveils his Father's Day book list.

Mandatory Monday: Signal to Noise

Mike Tanier — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:49:36 -0400

The usual suspects get my unusual treatment.

Bears Send Gabe Carimi to Bucs

Aaron Schatz — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:33:39 -0400

The big deal here is not that the Bears shipped off a tremendously disappointing former high pick. And it isn't that a certain former high pick was supposed to be a big star who would represent those of us who, shall we say, don't share holidays with most NFL players. After all, Mitchell Schwartz turned out to be pretty good.

Worst Cornerback Charting Stats 2012

Rivers McCown — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:43:46 -0400

DeAngelo Hall? Of course he's there. But which highly thought of corners also joined him in putting up ugly charting statistics this season?

Best Cornerback Charting Stats 2012

Rivers McCown — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:26:48 -0400

Two cornerbacks have finished in the top 10 for fewest yards allowed twice in the past three years. One of them is a Jets cornerback. No, not that one.

Rivers McCown's RSO Writers' Team

Matt Waldman — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:21:06 -0400

Rivers McCown makes my Futures column look better. He makes all the Football Outsiders look better – at least in print. McCown participated in our recent Reality Sports Online writer draft. This is an auction league that includes multi-year contracts.

The Month In Quotes: May 2013

Rory Hickey — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:58:18 -0400

Von Miller, poultry baron. James Harrison, captain rubdown. And the return of Rory Hickey in this month's best quotes.

Deacon Jones Passes Away at 74

Rivers McCown — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:20:49 -0400

Hall of Fame end Deacon Jones passed away Monday night at 74 due to natural causes. The link goes to Mike Tanier's obituary for the original sackmaster.

Early `14 Take: Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman

Matt Waldman — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:37:45 -0400

Coleman has the physical gifts of a top prospect, but does he have the technical skills and supporting cast to help him make a case?