Why you shouldn't put too much stock into PFF Grades

[Maelstrom787]

Byron Murphy was noticeably absolutely pummeling the Chargers backup guards, regularly pushing them deep into the pocket and causing Easton Stick to panic. This was consistent and it absolutely flew off the screen. The Chargers ended up double and triple teaming him, which he *still* beat a few times.

55 pass rush grade and 26 tackling grade.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

How does that even make sense lol. He was a stud last night

 

[Maelstrom787]

How does that even make sense lol. He was a stud last night

It doesn't, which is why they're a terrible thing to use to determine a players actual caliber.

Ryan Neal being the best safety in the NFL was always a funny example to me.

 

[Hawkstorian]

I'm just waiting for the big scandal that's coming soon where it turns out they just make it all up.

 

[Maelstrom787]

I'm just waiting for the big scandal that's coming soon where it turns out they just make it all up.

They kind of do, especially in regards to coverage and OL play. Those evaluations require more context than PFF takes into account.

 

[AgentDib]

PFF grades are assigned by young (inexpensive) 20-somethings with no experience, so they largely end up grading production rather than performance. The grades themselves aren't useful as a result and it's entirely PFFs fault for selling them as indicative of performance when they just aren't.

That being said, they do record a lot of interesting information. For example, they marked Murphy as having 19 snaps: 1 in the A gap (shaded NT), 17 in the B gap (our 3T), and 1 as 4i (over tackle). Whereas Wiliams had 3 snaps at 3T, two at 4i, and one at 5T.

 

[RiverDog]

PFF grades are assigned by young (inexpensive) 20-somethings with no experience, so they largely end up grading production rather than performance. The grades themselves aren't useful as a result and it's entirely PFFs fault for selling them as indicative of performance when they just aren't.

That being said, they do record a lot of interesting information. For example, they marked Murphy as having 19 snaps: 1 in the A gap (shaded NT), 17 in the B gap (our 3T), and 1 as 4i (over tackle). Whereas Wiliams had 3 snaps at 3T, two at 4i, and one at 5T.

It was also the first game of the preseason, and just like the players, PFF graders are learning, too.

 

[keasley45]

It doesn't, which is why they're a terrible thing to use to determine a players actual caliber.

Ryan Neal being the best safety in the NFL was always a funny example to me.

Depends on the position. And numbers absent context are just numbers. PFF or otherwise.

 

[Fresno Hawk]

This is the 1 main reasons I don't do the stat thing. They are completely misleading and do not tell the reality of what actually happens on the football field.

 

[knownone]

What's the issue? He graded right around average and missed a few tackles, including a sack.

The problem for most people is they see PFF grades and assume they are like Madden ratings. They ignore the small sample size and look strictly at the grade.

 

[MORGULON]

I wonder what grade the Seattle Seahawks have for him?

 

[Rat]

They're not potential grades, they attempt to be objective based on what was done on the field. He missed some tackles; they're not going to ignore that because "overall, he looks great for a rookie".

PFF grades aren't perfect, but they're the best we have. They do need context in a lot of situations though.

 

[chris98251]

So PFF said he sucked last night, tell Jim Harbaugh that he sucks and doesn't need double and Triple Teams. Lets see how he responds or better yet his QB.

 

[knownone]

So PFF said he sucked last night, tell Jim Harbaugh that he sucks and doesn't need double and Triple Teams. Lets see how he responds or better yet his QB.

No. PFF's grades indicate he was slightly above league average last night.

 

[onanygivensunday]

From Michael-Shawn Dugar's The Athletic article after the game...

The interception was one of many plays in which multiple levels of the defense worked together to disrupt the offense. First-round rookie Byron Murphy II got his hand in Stick’s face during the throwing motion, and the ball ended up being too high for the intended target. Wallace came down from the deep half of the field to protect the middle. Rush and coverage worked together to generate the biggest defensive play of the night.

He (Murphy) got in the backfield several times, often beating backup center Brenden Jaimes. On a second down run in the second quarter, Murphy drove Jaimes 3 yards into the backfield before dropping the running back for a 1-yard loss.

Later in the period, Murphy pushed Jaimes into Stick’s lap on third-and-10, and the quarterback threw an errant pass that was tipped by rookie corner D.J. James (and almost picked off). Murphy had Stick in his grasp for a sack on the final drive of the first half but couldn’t finish the play (Derick Hall wound up with the sack).

And per Mac, "It was great to see (Murphy) make a couple plays,” Macdonald said. “First game action, he was all juiced and the guys were excited for him. That was cool to see.”

 

[RiverDog]

I've found that PFF's grading system, in general, usually meets the eye test. For example, last season, they had both Adams and Diggs ranked in the bottom tier of safeties and guess what? They both really sucked. And guess what? They aren't Seahawks anymore.

 

[Seahawkfan80]

I've found that PFF's grading system, in general, usually meets the eye test. For example, last season, they had both Adams and Diggs ranked in the bottom tier of safeties and guess what? They both really sucked. And guess what? They aren't Seahawks anymore.

And we are so glad. LOL

 

[chris98251]

No. PFF's grades indicate he was slightly above league average last night.

So he sucked as a 1st rounder...............

 

[Nosferatu]

Their actually stats are WAY more interesting than their grades. Grades are subjective. Stats are not.

 

[knownone]

So he sucked as a 1st rounder...............

He didn't suck at all.