SPARQ, RAS and the Chiefs – Part 2/3 – yesterday, in Part 1, we discussed the quest to find the “perfect” NFL player utilizing mathematical measurements and statistics at each position. The purpose is to eliminate draft mistakes and increase the probability of finding the “gem” hidden in the masses.
I briefly discussed my preference for football players who are highly athletic, versus athletes trying to be football players. If given a preference, I’d draft the more athletic player. The caveat however to the math is: it can never measure a player’s intangibles (i.e. heart, character, motivation, desire).
The Chiefs
When you analyze the Chiefs roster by the numbers, you begin to see why certain players are on the roster, and others were drafted or even signed it the first place.
What I illustrate in the following tables is a conglomeration of 10, 20, and 40-yard times, short shuttle, 3 cone, bench and vertical scores, followed by SPARQ, Z-scores and RAS scores. This is not an attempt to go in-depth into each player, but to provide a comparative basis between players on the roster, and certain past players.
NOTE: SPARQ and RAS scores are based upon either combine or Pro Day testing. Neither can take into NFL weight rooms and position-specific muscle training.
The Offense
Interior Offensive Line
People like to malign our offensive line so we will start there.
Fan-love for Mitch Morse has turned into idol worshipping, but did you know that Austin Reiter is the better athlete? Reiter is faster down the field, but less quick in space, but has a better Sparq, and interestingly enough, has the same RAS as Morse. This is why he is on the team. Morse wasn’t the most athletic guard, but when moved to OC, he was outstanding, which is why he got moved. Reiter tore his ACL early in his career and was idled a few years. His first real chance at snaps was 2019, so he is coming on, give him a break.
Allegretti most likely is an OC, but with muscle and technique training could become an OG as well. Parker Ehinger had a RAS of 7.88, and he was a technician, which is why he was drafted. He might still be on the team except for his horrific knee injury. Wylie and Erving are both highly athletic using RAS.
Andy likes OL’s who can move, and we employ a zone-blocking scheme, which is why we don’t and most likely won’t draft road graders.
LDT was drafted for his athletic ability and when combined with technique that took time to develop, he has grown into a Pro Bowl caliber OG, despite everyone wanting to cut him, to save cap space.
Exterior Offensive Line
Look no further than Fisher’s RAS score to know why he is our LOT. Fisher’s short shuttle time of 4.44 seconds is only 0.02 behind Kelce! The dude can move. Watch the Chiefs vs. Raiders game a few years back when Jamaal Charles scored like 26 TD’s. At least 3 came off screens. Guess who was 30 to 40 yards down field blocking for him? Eric Fisher.
Remember the caveat of scores coming from the combine and pro day? Mitch Schwartz is the poster child for bad athletic scores being misleading, that cannot directly correlate into NFL success. Schwartz is not athletic, but we all know he possesses great technique. Compare his numbers and production to Cam Erving. Cam is a great sideline cheerleader (see scores) but has never added technique and skill to his repertoire. But you can now see why Veach traded him – athletic potential.
Barton has potential based upon his RAS score of 8.31, so he may take (given) more time in the crock pot (as Mitch Holthaus likes to say) to develop and turn into a player.
Tight Ends
Kelce is a perennial All-Pro in part because of his athleticism. It is off the charts! Our TE2’s look like mush next to him for good reason. Comparing Kelce to O’Shaughnessy, Kelce should have a Sparq score of about 116 – 117, then look at Kelce’s RAS score – it is in the A+ range.
Want hope for 2020? Look at the scores for Lovett and Mack. Hopefully they develop and become the TE2 we so covet.
Wide Receivers
If you want contrasting numbers, here it is. Hill is a phenomenal athlete off the field, and he has worked hard to become an All-Pro. Watkins is fast, but he is not Tyreek quick (look at shuttle and cone times). Hardman is faster than Sammy, but overall less athletic. Robinson had horrid scores, but a NFL weight room can change that, however he does not have a free agent contract right now either (March 20).
Pringle is quicker than Sammy and can return kicks and is a gunner of ST’s, which is why he is in the crock pot simmering. Conley was an athletic freak, posting the best ever (at the time) 45” vertical jump, but tore an achilles and turned into the #4 receiver. He flourished this last season in Jacksonville, when given more targets. I threw Cody Thompson into the mix so everyone can grouse about him getting away last year. We will see if he develops. Deiter is a possession receiver and special team player, nothing more.
Running Backs
Jamaal, much like Kelce, makes everyone look slow. He was quick, he was fast, he could juke like no one else, and was a great man. Kareem Hunt was not a great athlete, but he was good, because he was a weeble who would not fall down. Unfortunately the NFL does not test for weebleness, so you must watch film to see what you have. Sparq and RAS did not create a matrix for… “the ability to get up after falling down”… or after getting hit.
Damien Williams and D-Train most closely resemble JC25, which I believe is why Veach picked them up. My Other Brother Darrell Williams is cooking, with enough quickness to threaten on passing downs while Weber appears to have some promise.
Quarterback
Mahomes has a low Sparq, because he lacks a bench score, but with his arm, who cares, right? Again these scores cannot measure heart, the ability to read a defense, or sheer will to score the leading TD in the 2020 AFCCG, and his RAS is dang good for a QB.
Alex Smith was an athletic freak and it’s too bad he was not drafted by Andy from the start. He would probably be a HOF candidate if he had.
Shout out to 3sigmathlete and RAS for compiling this data. It’s a lot of work to cover 300 to 400 players. We are better fans for their dedication to their craft. So, now you have comparatives from which to work as you prepare your mocks and conduct your own personal study.
Stay Abundant my friends.
David Perkins — ArrowheadOne
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