I’ve been writing semi-regular posts here about my beloved Detroit Lions since late in the 2010 season. My posts have all been based in statistics and not opinion. This time around, that is going to be difficult given that draft predictions so often come down to opinion. But I’ll give it a try. Through this post, I offer Martin Mayhew free advice* regarding whom the Lions should draft this year.
Keeping with the previous format, my analysis is based upon the statistical categories which I’ve previously identified as key to winning football games. I’ve compared the 2011 regular season Detroit Lions to both the NFC and AFC champions. This chart summarizes that comparison:
As you can see, I’ve highlighted in either gold or maroon (Fire Up Chips!) those statistical categories in which the 2011 NFC and AFC Champions regular season average exceeded the performance of the 2011 Detroit Lions. There are 8 categories so highlighted out of a possible 15.
(Stop and consider that for a moment: The 2011 Detroit Lions outpaced the average plan of the 2011 NFC and AFC champions during the regular season in over 46 percent of the key statistical categories. We are getting close!)
You can’t address every need in a single draft, so I’ve divided the eight problematic statistical categories into two sub-categories: Key areas in need of improvement, highlighted in maroon; and not-so-key areas in need of improvement, highlighted in gold. I can hear you yelling: “But how did you determine which were key and which were not-so-key?” Don’t fret. I’ll tell you. The key areas in need of improvement are those areas in which the 2011 Lions failed to outplay either of the 2011 champs, and the not-so-key areas in need of improvement are those in which the 2011 Lions exceeded the performance of one of the 2011 champs. Brilliant!
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