A (failed) Attempt to Debunk the Too Small Meme
I have been growing increasingly tired of the "Denard is too small to maintain his RB-like carry numbers" and the even more specifically infuriating "SAME MEME BUT WITH OMGSEC". I did some very amateurish analysis and came to the following conclusion: Ahhh Hamburgers.... he is small.
Denard checks-in at a svelte 27 lbs below the average weight of the top 2-26 rushing leaders in total yards (Denard iz noomber von) which comes out to beefcakey 215 lbs. He also punches in at beach-season-envious 11 lbs below the low-end standard deviation weightage of 199 lbs.
Now for the SEC comparison, which affords us the awesome right of bangkok bettying the SEC as they wave their collective penii around in the constant dick wagging contest they seem to push on everybody against our will (essentially non-sexual confrontational rape). Their average weight for RB's is cleared for a lighter landing at 211 lbs, which, as only the most astute will notice, is less than 215 lbs. Sadly, their low-end standard deviation comes in at 199 lbs or as a SEC fan will articulate: SAMESIES BITCHFACES (or something along those lines).
So I guess, in conclusion, Denard is small in comparison to the small sample of RB's I sampled. But, on the brighter side, he is smaller in comparison to the national leaders than he is to SEC starting RB's. How's that basically inconsequential humble pie taste SEC peeps? I'll get you the heavy f'ing whipping cream so you guys can beef up.
*Note: 3 SEC RB's factored into the top 2-26 numbers*
October 7th, 2010 at 5:03 AM ^
Interesting to see this worked out. I would be interested to see how he stacks up against current and past dual-threat QB's though. Jut a few from recent memory I could find (from sophomore year for comparison, regardless of playing time):
Tim Tebow (2008): 234 lbs
Dennis Dixon (2005): 192 lbs
Pat White* (2005): 190 lbs
Jeremiah Masoli (2008): 208 lbs
Taylor Martinez* (2010): 185 lbs
Geno Smith (2010): 210 lbs
*=Redshirt freshman, equivelant to true sophomore for these purposes, I think
It seems he is only slightly on the low end for this category, weighing in at 193 lbs. This list is by no means comprehensive, just who I could think of off the top of my head. For all data, I used rosters at http://www.scout.com (not behind paywall). If anyone can think of anyone else, please feel free to comment.
EDIT: The average for this VERY limited sample size is ~203. Tebow is the obvious outlier here, and with him removed from analysis, the average drops to 197.
October 7th, 2010 at 5:16 AM ^
I did something similar to what you are suggesting awhile back:
It isn't a comprehensive list either, but it gives you a good idea of size/carries of some of the well known mobile QB's recently.
http://mgoblog.com/diaries/mobile-qb-injury-study
October 7th, 2010 at 5:23 AM ^
Thanks, I can't believe I forgot Vick, Young, and Smith. Granted, I'm working nights and have been up for almost 30 hours straight, but I should have caught that.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Geno Smith a pocket passer?
October 7th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^
I think you're right. He does have the ability to improvise and get out of the pocket, but I guess you wouldn't call him dual-threat. Should have thought that one through a little more.
October 7th, 2010 at 6:40 AM ^
I don't know if it is an issue of his size people have but it was just the number of carries he got the first 2 games. Honestly I didn't have a problem with the criticism either. He runs the ball, he'll probably take a hit [ insert obligatory "if they catch him" line here] If he drops back to pass, he's probably gonna take a hit. So while this offense, with a player like Denard is a match made in heaven, also means he's gonna get hit alot.
Having said that the o-line is performing so well this season, DRob hasn't had too much pressure on him when passing. He's taken a couple shots but for the most part he's had time to throw with little pressure.
October 7th, 2010 at 6:46 AM ^
However I did hear a lot of arguments about his size as well. A lot of people said a guy his size could not possible survive running this offense. When you bring up Pat White they say that it is different because the Big Ten has much bigger DB's and linebackers. I actually did some quick research and noticed the average weight of a West Virginia DB/LB is about 205 pounds and the average weight of an Ohio State DB/LB is about 204 pounds. Obviously that is not conclusive, but you still cant tell me that the DB's/LB's in the Big Ten are that much bigger and tougher than those in the Big Ten.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^
WVU db's and lb's weren't hitting Pat White.
October 7th, 2010 at 7:59 AM ^
When he drops back to pass, he probably is not going to take a hit.
October 7th, 2010 at 6:52 AM ^
...drifts off into dreams of an objective measure for "toughness"...
October 7th, 2010 at 7:35 AM ^
Since he is #1 in rushing right now, it should be #2-26 who should be considering how to lose some weight?
October 7th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
I was just looking this up to post. He had 358 attempts last year for 2,006, I think if he can manage this, Denard should be okay with significantly fewer attempts (projected for 200+ attempts)
October 7th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
Denard has already missed parts of four games this year. And he's averaging almost 20 attempts per game, which would put him at about 250 or so for a 13-game season.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:07 AM ^
Amen to .ghost. Beat me to it.
Plus, John Clay greatly, greatly skews the average weights of other top runners (haven't actually checked if he is in that top group, but it was funny in my head).
October 7th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
of penii. That's my favorite way to pluralize it.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
I don't know about every player who is comletely unrelated to Denard, but in my study of Denard Robinson himself, this is what I've found:
98 rushes have led to 4 minor injuries that have caused him to miss various amounts of time.
96 pass attempts have led to 0 minor injuries that have caused him to miss any time whatsoever.
The results are probably inconclusive. However, a premature conclusion might suggest that Denard rushing the ball is more dangerous to his health than Denard passing the ball.
October 7th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
Any player who is getting tackled with the ball (RBs and WRs typically) stands a decent chance of getting banged up at some point and missing a few players here and there, maybe a game or two.
But the catestrophic injuries, like knee ligament tears and serious shoulder injuries, are the primary concern. And with a shifty guy like Denard, it would make sense that he stands as good, if not greater chance of suffering a major hit resulting in a serious injury when he's standing upright in the pocket with his feet set and he can't dodge or prepare for a tackle as well.
I'm not saying he shouldn't be carrying the ball fewer times, because I think the cumulative effects could wear him down toward the end of the season. But even though the small sample size of numbers suggest it, I would seriously question whether it's necessarily any safer for him to be dropping back and passing in terms of sustaining an injury that would keep him out for a significant length of time.
October 7th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
If you'll re-read the post, I concluded nothing about his toughness/fragility. All I said was "compared to other people who run the ball a lot, yes- he is small." But, hey, snark away snark master. As per my sig, +1 to you.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^
Denard runs track in the off season. This keep his weight down because he is in a constant state of cardio zone burning. Any two sport athlete that runs track will tell you that weight is an issue when you are done with track.The guy is seriously ripped, so he probably has the muscle mass of guy that weighs 215-220, just not the weight. As long as he has the muscle mass he is fine. He looks durable so far.