PUKingPumpkin
Rookie
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 6
This is about production on the football field, not a track meet.
Well, let's look at production. Let's compare Ridley's first two games this year (not much of a sample, but all we got) to Woodhead's stats from 2010 to 2011:
Ridley-- 5.1 yards per carry / 8.0 yards per reception
Woodhead-- 4.9 yards per carry / 10.4 yards per reception
Note: Woodhead's and Ridley's YPC are nearly even but Woodhead has gained 25% more yards per catch. I see higher production (on the surface) for Woodhead.
When we look closer at matchups and similar situations, Football Outsiders gives us the analysis that become more striking:
Ridley-- 46 DVAR (Defensive-adjusted Yards Above Replacement) rushing
12 DVAR receiving
Woodhead-- 145 DVAR
80 DVAR receiving
Ridley-- 18.2% DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) rushing
17.5% DVOA receiving
Woodhead-- 30.4% DVOA rushing
28.4% DVOA receiving
Note: In fact, Woodhead's production has been far greater (statistically) over the past two years when compared with what Ridley has done this year so far.
SUMMARY-- I'm not saying that Woodhead is the better choice for the lead back (he wouldn't hold up anyway)-- he's a different type (usage=change of pace) of back. What I do find particularly annoying are calls for "ending the woody experiment". That kind of statement is clearly not well-informed (at best) and poorly thought out.