Jeff Hart: Friday Linkfest for September 30, 2011

By: Jeff Hart | Posted: December 31, 1969

If anyone reading is as yet unaware of Antonio Garay’s awesomeness, live in ignorance no more:

Unfortunately, the rest of today’s Linkfest will be about items that aren’t so awesome. For instance: flawed statistical arguments being passed off as facts. This article, written by former VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, makes me worry about the rest of the NFL’s referees. Pereira sets out to counter Mike Vick’s whining and popular fan complaints of star QB favoritism with a breakdown of roughing-the-passer penalties called per 100 throws. The results, which show Jason Campbell leading with 1.46 RPS/passes and QBs like Brady and Manning down at the bottom, have already started popping up on other blogs, as if Pereira’s study is sound.  

It’s not. There is absolutely no meaningful correlation between throws and RPS. Of course QBs like Brady and Manning are at the bottom – they throw a ton and are rarely hit. If Pereira was interested in creating a real study, rather than some Goodell-approved propaganda, he’d measure RPS against times QBs are contacted by a defender. Does anyone think Brady and Manning would still be at the bottom of that dataset?

What else is really hurting my faith in humanity today? How about a bunch of Bills fans firing off gross hate mail to an Albany columnist? Maybe it’s time to book your appointments, Buffalo.

Equally disappointing are Denver fans’ first onslaught of those promised Tim Tebow billboards. That’s what $10,000 buys? Not worth it. I’ve seen birthday wishes on the big screen at baseball games that were more visually compelling.

Meanwhile, some news that might benefit the citizens of Suicide-Watch City: Hue Jackson has suggestions on how the Patriots might get Chad Ochocinco to produce. Just let the dude be himself, says Ocho’s former coach. Reportedly, Jackson’s suggestion elicited the briefest of sarcastic smiles from The Hoodie before he returned to his conference call with Mike Pereira.   

Lastly, Brandon Jacobs thinks we all have miserable lives. Have a nice weekend!

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