NFL players: height and weight over time
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NFL players: height and weight over time
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Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#2Very interesting how you can definitely see 3 distinct groups emerge in recent years. I'm guessing linesmen are the majority of the group that really shifts over to the right.
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#3Very interesting how you can definitely see 3 distinct groups emerge in recent years. I'm guessing linesmen are the majority of the group that really shifts over to the right.
That was my thought, too. I'm guessing the group on the far right are the linemen, the group on the far left are the receivers, and the middle group are those that cover the receivers.
What I find most interesting is that there's a clear gulf between the (probable) linemen on the far right and the others. That middle ground is probably not best suited for any role - if you're chasing the receivers, you're going to be too slow, and if you're trying to protect or attack the line, you're going to be too small.
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#4Interesting, by position would probably be more interesting. Or "position group" e.g. DB's, CB's & S's
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#5Very interesting how you can definitely see 3 distinct groups emerge in recent years. I'm guessing linesmen are the majority of the group that really shifts over to the right.
That was my thought, too. I'm guessing the group on the far right are the linemen, the group on the far left are the receivers, and the middle group are those that cover the receivers. What I find most interesting is that there's a clear gulf between the (probable) linemen on the far right and the others. That middle ground is probably not best suited for any role - if you're chasing the receivers, you're going to be…
Middle group is likely to be primarily made up of linebackers, running backs, with a few of the larger tight ends there as well.
These players, while having some responsibility in the passing game are primarily involved in either running the ball, or defending against the run. And having a bit more mass there is very beneficial, but they still need to be able to have the speed to be able to work horizontal across the field and sometimes be quite a ways away from the line of scrimmage by the end of the play.
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#6Craig M. Booth has done some very nice visualizations on this subject [1]. I found this chart comparing height/weight of 2013 rosters by position [2] particularly interesting and this set [3] covers a question that anyone who has read Outliers has probably wondered about.
1: http://www.craigmbooth.com/category/nfl/
2: http://www.craigmbooth.com/height-and-weight-of-every-active...
3: http://www.sportsballweekly.com/the-relative-age-effect-in-p...
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#7Very interesting how you can definitely see 3 distinct groups emerge in recent years. I'm guessing linesmen are the majority of the group that really shifts over to the right.
That was my thought, too. I'm guessing the group on the far right are the linemen, the group on the far left are the receivers, and the middle group are those that cover the receivers. What I find most interesting is that there's a clear gulf between the (probable) linemen on the far right and the others. That middle ground is probably not best suited for any role - if you're chasing the receivers, you're going to be…
The group on the far left would be the defensive backs actually. That position is best suited for the little and quick guys. While receivers can, and are small (think a Wes Welker type), receivers are also enormous (Calvin Johnson). If a corner were the size of Johnson, for example, the team would put him in as a receiver since that's more valuable.
Take a look at this reddit post with more detailed information that's position based. http://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/1oh47i/heig...
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#8Interesting, by position would probably be more interesting. Or "position group" e.g. DB's, CB's & S's
If they position by color gradient, color 'darkening' with contraction. QB's blues, linesmen red, receivers green, etc.
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#9[deleted]
Re: NFL players: height and weight over time
#10I wonder if this has compounded the TBI and concussion issue over the years. I think sports medicine in general has gotten much better and the average player is probably bigger and stronger and thus able to hit harder than 20+ years ago...