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Moneyball comes to Baltimore

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Yesterday the Ravens announced that they had hired Sandy Weil to be their Director of Football Analytics. Perhaps the team’s front office found inspiration from the movie “Moneyball.”

·         Following a potentially game changing turnover what plays are most effective immediately after the change of possession?

·         What is more successful against the Steelers when facing a third and short in the red zone?

·         When down by 5 late in a game are teams more successful attempting an onsides kick or allowing their defense to make a stand and force a punt?

Solutions to such riddles are among the things the new Director of Football Analytics will bring to the table, particularly during the critical fleeting moments when game changing decisions are thrust upon Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

You can’t fault the Ravens for trying to get better by tightening up on the game’s finest nuances in order to achieve a competitive advantage.

“We’re always looking for confirmation on things we think we know and insights that could provide an edge for us in personnel and coaching,” Ozzie Newsome stated. “This is where Sandy will help us.”

What is curious however, is the team’s decision to go public with the hiring of Weil.

Wouldn’t it be better to keep this newly acquired doctorate of quantitative football analysis a secret?

What value is there in announcing the hire?

Might the hire inspire other teams to keep up with the Newsomes?

Great move in theory, particularly if the Ravens hired the best of his kind in Weil. But going public, only serves to wake up other teams who haven’t been as attentive to detail.

Somewhere President Obama is smiling upon the Ravens for creating new jobs in America.

 

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