** Stats for S27 are based off of production through week 12 **
Let’s take a look at how the new sim has affected receivers and tight ends in the ISFL. I will be comparing average yards per catch (YPC) for S26 and S27 and using stats from the NFL as a reference point in order to get an idea of what is going on.
At first glance it appears that receivers (both wide receivers and tight ends) have been nerfed as their YPC decreased from 13.04 in S26 to 11.22 in S27. We see a similar decline in the number of teams that had 13 YPC or higher go from eight in S26 to only one in S27. If you’re a fan of the passing game, this probably seems like a bad thing, but I beg to differ. The S27 average of 11.22 is much more in line with the NFL average of 11.12. In addition to this, the decrease in YPC coincides with an increase in longer plays, demonstrated by the fact that only three teams had at least one reception go for more than 70 yards in S26 while that number increased to thirteen teams in S27 (all but one). In effect, it seems like the new sim creates more short receptions while, at the same time, making receivers much more likely to rip off big gains. Is that a good or bad thing? That’s really up to you. I personally find it exciting.
Now we’ll shift the focus to the effects of the new sim specifically on the positions of receiver and tight end. I will be using the mean YPC for the top 10 receivers and tight ends in the ISFL (in terms of yards gained). Again, I will be using the same stats from the NFL as a reference point.
Receivers have definitely fared worse than tight ends in the new sim, seeing the YPC of the top 10 drop from an astounding 18.25 in S26 to 14.76 in S27. At the same time, the top 10 tight ends saw their YPC actually increase from 8.56 in S26 to 9.92 in S27. Seeing these stats, it's clear that the new sim hasn’t affected the receiving positions equally. Quite frankly, I think this is a definite improvement. You may say that I’m biased because my player is a tight end (stop quackin’ and listen here) but honestly it has become more realistic. At 14.76 YPC, S27’s top 10 ISFL receivers’ average is on par with the NFL at 14.24. With the new sim, the top 10 ISFL tight ends’ average of 9.92 is getting closer to the average of the NFL’s top 10 at 11.85, but not quite there yet.
So this is where my novel idea comes into play: keep improving the impact of tight ends! No, seriously. I don’t know how the sim works behind the scenes but if it is at all possible, let tight ends have more impact on the field. Here’s a couple of stats to solidify my argument. In the old sim, S26 saw the top 10 tight ends only gain 46.9% YPC of the top 10 receivers that year. Had I known that I’m not even sure that I would have chosen the position. But that’s besides the point now. The new sim improved S27’s tight ends to 67.2% of receiver’s YPC. The NFL saw its top 10 tight ends achieve 83.2% of its top 10 receiver’s YPC. Not to mention that two of the NFL’s top 10 leaders in receiving yards were tight ends. The highest ranked tight end in S27 is ranked 13th. Come on, we can do better than that!
We’re on the right path in this aspect. But there are still improvements to be made. As a man once said, “MAKE TIGHT ENDS GREAT AGAIN!” Or great for the first time. Whatever. Just make them better.
Go Ducks!
QUACK!
653 Words
Let’s take a look at how the new sim has affected receivers and tight ends in the ISFL. I will be comparing average yards per catch (YPC) for S26 and S27 and using stats from the NFL as a reference point in order to get an idea of what is going on.
At first glance it appears that receivers (both wide receivers and tight ends) have been nerfed as their YPC decreased from 13.04 in S26 to 11.22 in S27. We see a similar decline in the number of teams that had 13 YPC or higher go from eight in S26 to only one in S27. If you’re a fan of the passing game, this probably seems like a bad thing, but I beg to differ. The S27 average of 11.22 is much more in line with the NFL average of 11.12. In addition to this, the decrease in YPC coincides with an increase in longer plays, demonstrated by the fact that only three teams had at least one reception go for more than 70 yards in S26 while that number increased to thirteen teams in S27 (all but one). In effect, it seems like the new sim creates more short receptions while, at the same time, making receivers much more likely to rip off big gains. Is that a good or bad thing? That’s really up to you. I personally find it exciting.
Now we’ll shift the focus to the effects of the new sim specifically on the positions of receiver and tight end. I will be using the mean YPC for the top 10 receivers and tight ends in the ISFL (in terms of yards gained). Again, I will be using the same stats from the NFL as a reference point.
Receivers have definitely fared worse than tight ends in the new sim, seeing the YPC of the top 10 drop from an astounding 18.25 in S26 to 14.76 in S27. At the same time, the top 10 tight ends saw their YPC actually increase from 8.56 in S26 to 9.92 in S27. Seeing these stats, it's clear that the new sim hasn’t affected the receiving positions equally. Quite frankly, I think this is a definite improvement. You may say that I’m biased because my player is a tight end (stop quackin’ and listen here) but honestly it has become more realistic. At 14.76 YPC, S27’s top 10 ISFL receivers’ average is on par with the NFL at 14.24. With the new sim, the top 10 ISFL tight ends’ average of 9.92 is getting closer to the average of the NFL’s top 10 at 11.85, but not quite there yet.
So this is where my novel idea comes into play: keep improving the impact of tight ends! No, seriously. I don’t know how the sim works behind the scenes but if it is at all possible, let tight ends have more impact on the field. Here’s a couple of stats to solidify my argument. In the old sim, S26 saw the top 10 tight ends only gain 46.9% YPC of the top 10 receivers that year. Had I known that I’m not even sure that I would have chosen the position. But that’s besides the point now. The new sim improved S27’s tight ends to 67.2% of receiver’s YPC. The NFL saw its top 10 tight ends achieve 83.2% of its top 10 receiver’s YPC. Not to mention that two of the NFL’s top 10 leaders in receiving yards were tight ends. The highest ranked tight end in S27 is ranked 13th. Come on, we can do better than that!
We’re on the right path in this aspect. But there are still improvements to be made. As a man once said, “MAKE TIGHT ENDS GREAT AGAIN!” Or great for the first time. Whatever. Just make them better.
Go Ducks!
QUACK!
653 Words
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