Panthers WRs separate better than I thought

[trueblade]

Apologies if this has already been posted, but I didn't see it during my search.

Carolina comes in at #8. I'm frankly shocked. It's also top 10 in improvement over 2016.

 

[JawnyBlaze]

I don’t believe it for a second.  It seems like most of these stats and analysis sites just figure out a formula, that is complex enough that average people will just buy it without the effort of questioning it, and run with it. 

[ChibCU]

I think the offensive scheme will skew the numbers. For example, NE is 4th "worst" but they throw so many slants and short yardage passes to RBs. They can do this because Brady's precision.

[KSpan]

Interesting information but I don't really see much value in this metric without more context since openness it's heavily influenced by playcalling and design. Feels like it would be more interesting/useful blended with something like release time per QB and depth of target and the Twitter response comments seem to agree. Maybe it already is and I'm just not aware of it.

[CatMan72]

I read "separation at release" like separation at the line of scrimmage, which is different than getting separation in the route especially if it's a mid to deep route. I think these stats would also depend heavily on type of coverage we faced (man/zone). If they are only in man/press situations and we didn't face that kind of coverage much then it would skew these stats. 

Bottom line I don't think our receivers have any trouble getting off the line of scrimmage, I think they have trouble gaining separation in the route. Defenses probably gave our guys a free release in many situations because they knew they could catch up to them and it makes it easier to play the run. 

[The Lobo]

Of course we improved since last year, KB is gone. It’s no coincidence that Buffalo is at the bottom. I don’t really buy being 8th. There were many instances where analyst complained we get no separation and are terrible off of breaks. Maybe the first couple games with KB were bad and I could see it improve throughout the season.

[uncfan888]

2 minutes ago, CatMan72 said:

I read "separation at release" like separation at the line of scrimmage, which is different than getting separation in the route especially if it's a mid to deep route. I think these stats would also depend heavily on type of coverage we faced (man/zone). If they are only in man/press situations and we didn't face that kind of coverage much then it would skew these stats. 

Bottom line I don't think our receivers have any trouble getting off the line of scrimmage, I think they have trouble gaining separation in the route. Defenses probably gave our guys a free release in many situations because they knew they could catch up to them and it makes it easier to play the run. 

I read it as separation at the release of the ball

[NOVA_Panthers85]

How do you even quantify separation? 

 

This new PFF stat trend with football is annoying, makes people think they know more then they do. New flash : you have to watch a lot of tape of a specific player to be able to grade them out. Why do you think each team has a scouting dept that works year round? 

[NeedSumD]

So this is very misleading, so are they taking all WR’s on the field and averaging the distance or just the receivers the ball is being thrown to?   Seams reach at best and Cam horribly missing open receivers at worst 

[TheRed]

Separation from our WR's was hit and miss at absolute best, I don't need statistics to tell me anything.

Another issue was WR's being completely oblivious to the fact our QB was scrambling in the pocket looking for someone, anyone to get open and come back to the ball. That should never happen at the professional level. I assume Norv will be a big help with things like this, at least I really hope so.

[rayzor]

so bring shula back?

[Saca312]

Well I mean it’s true with guys like Byrd Samuel and even Funchess out there we were far better in separation than 2016. Just everyone got hurt.

The same guy you’re quoting also noted we were dead last as the injuries piled up and we had no one who could separate.

[top dawg]

Injuries wrecked our chances this season. 

KB was likely stunting the stats, and Funchess is a lot better than people give him credit for. 

[CRA]

stats often lie and misrepresent the truth.