‘That is a Large Half Of The Sport:’ Foster Thinks Steelers Ought to Lean Additional Into Analytics

One other 12 months, one other disappointing finish to the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers once more made the playoffs however did not report a postseason win. After the season-ending loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Mike Tomlin stated there could possibly be a number of modifications coming for the group.

Most individuals assumed that may imply modifications to Tomlin’s teaching workers. Frequent targets for followers’ ire included defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive line coach Pat Meyer. However ought to the workforce’s analytics division be a part of the overhaul? When ESPN’s Seth Walder performed a survey early within the 2024 NFL season, the Steelers obtained the second-most votes for the least analytically superior workforce within the league.

There are those that consider the Steelers have had an analytics concern. Former Steelers G Ramon Foster is definitely open to the thought, particularly when in comparison with the remainder of the league.

“There are some, I say respectfully, there are some nerds out here that would love to walk inside of 3400 South Water Street and tell you you probably shouldn’t do that,” stated Foster when he joined Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger on Tuesday’s episode. “You tell me the analytics of, and maybe they, I hadn’t been in the building to be upstairs to know how big the analytical department is, but that’s a huge part of the game. That’s Andy Reid, that is Sean McVay, that is Sean Payton. That is these young gurus, Ben Johnson that you spoke about recently or we spoke about earlier. There are facets of the game that doing two-a-days probably might not help.”

Foster questioned the scale of the Steelers’ analytics workers, and it seems he has good purpose to. On the Steelers’ Entrance Workplace web page, there are solely three folks whose job title contains references to analytics. These names are Tosin Kazeem, Soccer Analytics Coordinator; Donovan Moore, Soccer Analyst; and Jake Clancy, Soccer Analytics Intern.

For comparability, the Ravens wouldn’t have an individual with the particular title of “Football Analytics Coordinator” listed on their entrance workplace web page. However they’ve a Soccer Administration/Wage Cap Analyst, a Quantitative Analyst, a Professional Scout & Wage Cap Analyst, and a Teaching/Scouting Analyst. So the Ravens, the workforce who gained the AFC North and knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs, have analysts with distinct areas of focus.

Will beefing up the analytics division below basic supervisor Omar Khan immediately change the path of the Steelers’ franchise? No, not by itself. However there are moments in virtually each sport the place one choice can disproportionately affect the end result.

And that’s the place having a well-versed analyst who research that a part of the sport could make a distinction. There are a number of examples of mid-game selections going in opposition to the analytics from this season alone. One of many greatest got here again initially of the Steelers’ five-game shedding streak in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles when the Steelers punted dealing with 4th and seven from the Eagles’ 46-yard line.

The analytics stated go for it. Tomlin elected to punt, and regardless of punting with greater than 10 minutes remaining within the fourth quarter, the Steelers by no means noticed the ball once more.

Would the Steelers have gained if that they had gone for it? Primarily based on the string of outcomes to finish the season, in all probability not. However I feel the purpose is that the method is flawed, not simply the outcomes. Foster and numerous others would love the Steelers to embrace a deeper understanding of soccer’s information. Having decision-making course of will make sure that you make the appropriate choice as a rule.

And making higher selections due to analytics ought to translate to higher success on and off the sector for the Steelers. That’s if Mike Tomlin is keen to pay attention.