[lex24]

As is often pointed out here, what coaches say to the media and what they actually believe are very different. If Shanahan actually believes that then he hasn't looked into it, like, at all, because those statistics aren't stable year-to-year and thus aren't a good measure of ability. If you want to be all StAtS aRe DuMb then the things to look at things like rating (however you want to do it) from a clean pocket, which is far more stable.

I agree generally, but we do have to remember that statistics are a way of summarizing data in aggregate.  For us fans, who are not focused on a specific QB and whose full time job isn't to worry about these things, that makes a lot of sense.  For a coach, who is only worried about evaluating the QB they have, they can actually look at every singe dropback with the all-22 view and make important assessments: did the QB read the defense correctly, sense the pressure, find the open receiver, make the throw accurately and with enough arm strength.

When coaching the QB to become more effective, which is what they should be doing, saying "you throw too many interceptions" is not actually helpful to the QB.  On the other hand, saying, "on this particular play, all the receivers were well-covered, we were leading and it was first and ten, so throwing the ball away (or even taking the sack) would have been a better decision than throwing into coverage" actually is actionable in future, similar situations.

That's not to say that there aren't some places where statistics can be helpful, of course, or that your broader point about coaches answering questions with a particular goal in mind isn't true.

BC

 What quarterback does on third down may not be a good  predictor – but certainly from a coaches standpoint it’s damn important because it pertains to sustaining drives.   Important stats and predictive stats aren’t necessarily the same thing. Best example I can give us RBIs. So many people will say oh they’re not predictive because circumstances etc. etc. etc. True. They are however important. Try to win games  without them. Good luck. The thing about stats the analytical side of things is always looking at the predictive side.  And I’m sure that’s helpful. No doubt. But it’s not the end of the discussion. Or at least it shouldn’t be

[lex24]

As is often pointed out here, what coaches say to the media and what they actually believe are very different. If Shanahan actually believes that then he hasn't looked into it, like, at all, because those statistics aren't stable year-to-year and thus aren't a good measure of ability. If you want to be all StAtS aRe DuMb then the things to look at things like rating (however you want to do it) from a clean pocket, which is far more stable.

I agree generally, but we do have to remember that statistics are a way of summarizing data in aggregate.  For us fans, who are not focused on a specific QB and whose full time job isn't to worry about these things, that makes a lot of sense.  For a coach, who is only worried about evaluating the QB they have, they can actually look at every singe dropback with the all-22 view and make important assessments: did the QB read the defense correctly, sense the pressure, find the open receiver, make the throw accurately and with enough arm strength.

When coaching the QB to become more effective, which is what they should be doing, saying "you throw too many interceptions" is not actually helpful to the QB.  On the other hand, saying, "on this particular play, all the receivers were well-covered, we were leading and it was first and ten, so throwing the ball away (or even taking the sack) would have been a better decision than throwing into coverage" actually is actionable in future, similar situations.

That's not to say that there aren't some places where statistics can be helpful, of course, or that your broader point about coaches answering questions with a particular goal in mind isn't true.

BC

 What quarterback does on third down may not be a good  predictor – but certainly from a coaches standpoint it’s damn important because it pertains to sustaining drives.   Important stats and predictive stats aren’t necessarily the same thing. Best example I can give us RBIs. So many people will say oh they’re not predictive because circumstances etc. etc. etc. True. They are however important. Try to win games  without them. Good luck. The thing about stats the analytical side of things is always looking at the predictive side.  And I’m sure that’s helpful. No doubt. But it’s not the end of the discussion. Or at least it shouldn’t be