Statistical Analysis

These days people are so infatuated with statistics and a better understanding of the game. In baseball, a pitcher with a losing record won the Cy Young Award in the AL. So called experts are also now saying that QB Rating is overrated and doesn't truly define how good a QB is. So what do we go off of to prove a player's worth? Is it tackles? sacks? interceptions? YAC? TDs? Yahoo Sports did some statistical analysis that's worth taking a look at. You'd be surprised to see how many Raiders are on the list of top 3 in each category. In fact, I'll show you evidence that the Raiders would be fine if they let Asomugha go in free agency. Here is a look at the top Cornerbacks in the NFL in burn percentage, or in other words, percentage of completions to times targeted. Three of the top six corner backs in burn percentage were Oakland Raiders. They were in good company as well, don't just write it off because the perception is that they aren't any good. There are a lot of statistics just like the ones I've shown you that prove the fact that they are a dominant group. This is one of the reasons why teams have such success running the ball against them. The Raiders will not allow you to be successful throwing the football. Teams run because they know it's their only way of being successful. Stopping the run is starting to become a reality as well. It should be a lot of fun next year with the defense if it stays intact.

Let's take a look at the Asomugha factor again. If Nnamdi were to leave in free agency, which doesn't appear likely, the Raiders best corner moving forward would be Stanford Routt. Routt's transition is much like Asomugha's when he first came into the league. A lot of hype starting out, followed by disappointment, and then promise. Asomugha basically made it to where Woodson became expendable. It was only when Woodson left that Nnam began to shine. The same could be said for Routt. Routt has the speed and the size to become an elite player. Should we allow Asomugha to leave because of this? I don't think so. It means that if he were to leave, I believe we would be in good shape moving forward.