NFL Running Backs' Catch %

This chart shows the Catch % of the NFL running backs who had at least 30 receptions in 2009. This is different than the catch % you may have seen on other sites because this chart completely removes the QB out of the equation. Other sites describe catch % as the number of receptions divided by the number of times targeted. This is simply the number of receptions divided by the number of catchable passes (receptions/(receptions + drops)). For example, if a player had 90 receptions but 10 drops then his catch % would be (90/(90+10)) = 90%. Poor, off-target passes are taken out of the equation so this gauges a receiver's hands instead of factoring in his QB's ability (or inability) to deliver an on-target pass.

A Look at Yards Gained after Contact for each NFL RB

Rushing yards after contact is one of my favorite statistics to evaluate because it tells you so much about the running back as well as the offensive line. For the chart below, the higher your percentage is then the better your running back is independent of his O-line. Conversely, the lower the percentage then the better the RB's O-line/FB is at creating space.

• Exactly 50% of Thomas Jones' yards (701 of 1402) were gained after contact-the lowest percentage among starting RBs. That is a great testament to the Jets' O-line (and Tony Richardson) creating space for Jones to run. But his teammate and postseason star Shonn Greene had over 64% of his yards gained after contact which makes you wonder how he would have done given a full load.
• Thomas Jones' brother, Julius Jones, was 31st in rushing yards so he just missed the cut be he had 66% of his yards gained after contact.
  
• Larry Johnson wasn't among the top 30 rushers but of the 50 players with at least 100 rushing attempts, he had the highest percentage of yards gained after contact with 77.4%.
• Others who topped 70% but weren't among the top 30 rushers: Clinton Portis (71.1%), Tim Hightower (71.4%), Michael Bush (71.6%), and Jason Snelling (73.9%), and Marshawn Lynch (75%).
• Other notables include: Tashard Choice (35.5% - lowest in league), Reggie Bush (36.9%), Brian Westbrook (46%), and Ronnie Brown (68.5%).
  

Crunching Numbers: Stats from Divisional Round

• If it wasn't for the Saints then how many Super Bowls would Kurt Warner have played in? After losing to New Orleans in the division round, Warner's record is now 8-2 in the NFC playoffs with both losses (2000 and 2009) coming to the Saints.
• Warner did not throw a TD pass in the loss to the Saints which marks the only time in his 13 career playoff games that he failed to throw for a score.
• Reggie Bush is the first player to have both a rushing TD and a punt return TD in a single playoff game.
  
• Peyton Manning has thrown 16 INTs in in the playoffs since 2003. Of those 16 picks, 10 have come by just three players: Ty Law (5), Ed Reed (3), and Rodney Harrison (2).
• In his 23rd career playoff start (tied with Montana for most all-time), Brett Favre threw 4 TD passes which is the most he's ever thrown in a playoff game.
• Over the Chargers last 6 playoff games, LaDainian Tomlinson has run for just 124 yards on 47 carries (2.6 yards per carry).
• Of his 87 regular season FGAs at home, Nate Kaeding has missed 7 field goals. Of his 9 playoff FGAs at home, Kaeding has missed 6 field goals.
  

Will Pete Carroll go after his former Trojans?

Now that Pete Carroll is at the helm of Seattle, it's time to start wondering if he will try to lure some of his former USC players to his new team. It's certainly not uncommon as Steve Spurrier did the exact same thing with the Redskins. Once he joined the NFL, Spurrier signed former Gators such as Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews, and Jacquez Green. So what former Trojans could Carroll sign or trade for?

• John David Booty - Booty was with the Vikings before the Favre saga but he was cut and now all he has is a "future contract" with the Texans. Yes, that's the exact name of the contract. He would be the 3rd string QB (behind Schaub and Rex Grossman) or in other words one misstep from being out of the league. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Hasselbeck could be traded to Cleveland to reunite with Mike Holmgren which would open the need for a QB. No, Booty is not starting material but he could be the guy who helps teach Carroll's system to whichever QB the Seahawks draft in the first round.
• LenDale White - White clearly won't be getting many touches in Tennessee with CJ there and he is also a restricted free agent after completing his rookie contract. If the Titans elect not to tender him (and there's a good possibility that they won't) then I could see White going to Seattle to form another thunder and lightning backfield with Justin Forsett who has a similar skill set to Reggie Bush.
• Dwayne Jarrett - A 2x All-American at USC, Jarrett has undoubtedly underachieved in Carolina with only 33 receptions in 3 years. From Mike Williams to Jarrett to Patrick Turner, Carroll has always liked him big, tall receivers who are redzone threats. If Muhsin Muhammad retires or is released then Carolina will likely keep Jarrett but if Moose sticks around another year, then I could see him asking for a trade. Besides, Carolina's offense is tailored to their 2 RBs and Steve Smith which doesn't leave much action for the rest of the skill players.
• Reggie Bush - I threw him in here because there is the minute possibility that the Saints could try to trade him if Bush doesn't agree to restructure his contract that would pay him $8 Million in 2010. Of the players on this list, Bush becoming available has the smallest chance of happening but if he does then Carroll bringing him to Seattle has the best chance of happening out of all the players mentioned.
  

Random Notes from 2009 NFL Season

• What do Matt Schaub and JaMarcus Russell have in common? Not much besides being QBs but they were also the only starting quarterbacks that did not commit a penalty all year. Now whether Russell can be considered a starting QB (or a legit NFL player in general), that's debatable. Schaub was penalty-free in 1066 snaps and Russell was the same in 560 snaps.
  
• Despite being 3rd in the NFL in passer rating, Aaron Rodgers had more dropped passes (45) by his receivers than any other QB had. But JaMarcus Russell had the highest percentage of his pass attempts dropped (10.5%) than any other player. Not surprisingly, Darrius Heyward-Bey led the NFL in lowest catch % as he caught only 23.7% of passes thrown to him.
• Robert Meachem, Greg Camarillo, and Jason Avant, and Reggie Bush were the only players to catch at least 40 passes without having a single drop.
  
• If you only counted rushing yards after contact then Chris Johnson would still be a 1,000 yard rusher. CJ had 1071 yards after contact to lead the NFL but Jamaal Charles' 3.6 yards after contact per rushing attempt was the highest average.
• Who was the worst at gaining yards after contact? BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Mewelde Moore, Lousaka Polite, and Brandon Jackson were the only players who had at least 25 carries but failed to break a single tackle.
• How does Josh Cribbs score so often on punt returns? He takes the most chances as indicated by his league-low 3 fair catches (on 40 punts in play). By comparison Antwaan Randle El had 36 punts in play and returned only 17 while fair catching 19 times.
• Donovan McNabb had 18 passes batted at the line of scrimmage which was the most in the NFL. Who had the fewest? Surprisingly it was Philip Rivers who only had 2 passes batted at the LOS despite his funky, three-quarters delivery.

Thanks to Neil Hornsby and the entire ProFootballFocus.com team for tracking these stats. I enjoyed working with you all last year.