Any fan of football has learned of the reputation of Pro Football Focus by now. It has become one of the more controversial sports data websites on the internet. Many view their unique grading system and player breakdowns as revolutionary. Others think they’re a bunch of crackpots who have no concept of how to properly evaluate the game. Chicago Bears fans are no different in this regard.
In truth, PFF has its good moments. Their work with wide receivers and cornerbacks, in particular, is always an interesting read. If you’re willing to pay ridiculous money of course. Regardless, where they tend to get themselves in trouble is their grading system. Particularly in regards to quarterbacks. They tend to see value in certain players who, given their production for a season didn’t hold up to their grade.
A lot of people are going to see a perfect example with PFF’s official rankings for the 2017 rookie quarterback class. While Bears fans may be happy about it to an extent, most people with any lick of common sense will admit it’s way off base.
Pro Football Focus ranks Mitch Trubisky ahead of Deshaun Watson
Overall grades for the rookie QBs in 2017! pic.twitter.com/En4o0YfAhT
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) February 14, 2018
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Look this is not a dig on Mitch Trubisky. The #2 overall pick was handed a crap sandwich as a rookie. He got some rock bottom coach in terms of offensive scheme and had a series of second-rate receivers trying to masquerade as top NFL targets. Despite that, he actually managed to have a serviceable season for a rookie with 2,193 yards, seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and two rushing touchdowns.
That said, he did not have a great impact in 2017 than Deshaun Watson. That’s just a fact. Watson did more in seven games than Trubisky did in 12 with 1,699 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions and two rushing touchdowns. He was lighting defenses up every week before tearing his ACL in practice. With him on the field, the Texans were averaging well over 30 points per game and were 3-3 with him as a starter.
After he went down that point production was halved and they finished the year 1-8. That is a tangible impact. It seems like Pro Football Focus ignored all of that for some mind-boggling reason. If people are wondering why so many still can’t take them seriously, just use this as an example.
