FanPost

Analytics and how it impacted our Receiver Corps and Tannehill

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

I know, I know. This is supposed to be a post about Suh, and how Analytics helped the signing, as well as why despite the money, he is a good signing, but alas most of the last comments section wound up being about the WR Corps, specifically Mike Wallace,(mostly my doing by using him as the primary example) that I decided this post should come first. First and foremost, I want to talk about Tannehill, and the issues he has had to overcome since becoming the 8th pick overall. See, most people attribute his rise in stats to the upgraded receiver corps, but the end result in analytics is the primary question. How do we obtain more wins? Let me start off by saying that Tannehill by himself equals 7 wins, as that was his win margin with a WR corps featuring Legedu Nanee, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, and Anthony Fasano.

I added Anthony to the equation because he himself accounted for almost half of our offensive production through the air. He in fact was our most successful receiver that year. Of the 12 touchdowns Tannehill threw, Fasano caught 5. Thus I put Tannehill's floor at 7 games, and 12 touchdowns by himself. Odd I know, considering other people caught the ball and scored, but in the end, with the corps he had, it is safe to say that he could have basically scored that with anyone.

The following year saw an increase in Tannehill's stats. Although there is one thing to note. The mass majority of the increase could be attributed to the TD's in which he doubled, as opposed to the yards. Yes, part of that is due to Wallace's addition, part due to Gibson, and we can attribute Fasano's production to Clay's seeing as he pretty much matched the total from the previous year with Fasano. Which is part of the analytics process, though not dealt on an individual basis.

If it was, then the obvious catalyst would have had to have been Hartline, who not only maintained roughly the same amount of yards, but quadrupled his touchdown totals from the previous year.

But this is not about that. In the end, with double the production from Tannehill touchdown wise, it was still only credited to one more win. This means the addition of Wallace and Gibson in fact attributed to a win total of 1, despite the salaries attributed to them.

The main proponent is this though, a decrease in output from Hartline, and yet an increase of production from Wallace to the tune of almost double still maintained that win total of 1. Seeing as we maintained an 8-8 record.

Here is the kicker though. With the formula set to wins vs production, we have to note that 2013's win status was in fact with its own set of replacements, allowing for the replacement of 2013 version of Hartline with that of 2014 version of Landry. Whom actually scored more with less snaps as well as production yardage wise. So in essence, though we got rid of Hartline, we still maintained half of the one win formula by retaining Jarvis Landry.

I know this seems like a jumbled mess, but statistics often are. Especially when attributing future production through the basis of past statistics.

On that note, allow me to say this. Replacing Clay's 2014 production actually occurs with the addition of Kenny Stills. Seeing as their touchdown output is eerily similar despite playing different positions, and in large part to Clays injury.

With Jordan Cameron however, despite only scoring twice, a projection is used to obtain his guesstimated production(yes, I know guesstimated is not a real word, but it fits and rolls off the tongue so bear with me, lol.)

In almost half a season he scored two touchdowns. Magnify that over a full season(barring injury) and that means you can attribute him with about 4 touchdowns. Give or take. Posted next to Wallace that seems like we lost a lot until you figure in that this year, the cost for Cameron is almost half, and you get the cost per production hoping for a season similar to his previous year where he scored 7 touchdowns with someone that knew how to get him them ball and excelled in it.

As prior years state, that is a Tannehill Special. So I am a little more imposed to go with Cameron's stats prior to last year as opposed to the ones from last year.

Those that break down the numbers see one thing when looking at our receiver corps. Despite the loss of 4 of Tannehill's favorite targets, they know he has been there before. From the loss of Fasano in 2013, to the phasing out of Brian Hartline in 2014. This is nothing new to him. He still has a security blanket that he somewhat grew chemistry with in 2014 in Jarvis Landry, as he did in 2013 with Hartline after the loss of both Davone Bess, and Anthony Fasano.

The difference is, there is a lot less fluctuation surrounding the other areas such as LT, C, RT, RB, #2 TE, and #2 Running back. The offset of Mike Wallace's stat also have one hidden factor, and that should be an on paper upgrade of the defense with the addition of Suh. More stops, means less burden on the offense to contribute.

So no worries Fins fans. :)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.