Fr e e Pr e ss Page 8 Colby Free Press Wednesday, August 10, 2011 SSpp o o r r t t ss New rating system On the run grades

Now that the lockout is over, ESPN has come up with a new way for itself and football fans to obsess over the game. Kayla Cornett ESPN unveiled a new way to statistically rate quarterbacks Friday by airing a special called “Total On the QBR,” which stands for Total Rating, to • better explain how the new system works. The previous quarterback rating system was called the NFL and it has been the way we grade quarterbacks since 1973. I believe Peter Keat- factors now include win probability, dividing credit ing, an ESPN Insider, has explained best how the and clutch index. rating is determined: “It takes completions, passing Win probability is a score based on all of the quar- yards, passes and , all on a terback plays and how much they contribute to a per-attempt basis, compares each to a league-average win. The system is able to figure this out because figure, and mashes them into one number….It just expected point totals for almost any situation are al- averages them together, which tends to bias scores ready determined and can then be applied to every heavily in favor of QBs who complete a lot of short type of play the quarterback would be involved in. passes, driving up completion percentage without According to ESPN.com, dividing credit is how necessarily generating more yards or points.” the “Total QBR factors in such things as overthrows, The passer rating is definitely out-dated, espe- underthrows, yards after the catch and more to ac- KEVIN BOTTRELL/Colby Free Press cially since football has transformed and changed so curately determine how much a quarterback contrib- The Colby Community College cross country team started a race during the meet held on much since the ‘70s, so I think it’s smart to develop a utes to each play.” campus last year. Many of last year’s team members are returning, including Edward Limo, new system that accurately portrays the quarterback The clutch index then determines how critical a the runner from Kenya. position. certain play is based on when it happens in a game For example, many analysts and broadcasters also and factors it into the score. criticize the system for not accounting the yards and These new ways to grade a quarterback really take generated by a quarterback’s legs, and into account everything a quarterback does on the Rockies beat Cincinnati 3-2, many quarterbacks, including and field instead of just the things associated with pass- , acquire a lot of yards this way. It ing, as the passer rating does. seems unfair that a quarterback would not be given The Total QBR will be used by analysts each game the credit for the things they do outside of throwing this season, and then a quarterback’s rating will be hand Reds fifth loss in six games the football. determined for the whole season. CINCINNATI (AP) – Esmil opportunity to pitch,” said Rogers, two scoreless innings of relief be- Another issue with the system is the maximum Hopefully, this new system will give fans, coaches Rogers did a little bit of every- who started his career as a short- fore Rafael Betancourt pitched the possible rating, which comes out to 158.3. Serious- and players a more accurate idea of who’s the best in thing. It was just enough for the stop. “I know I can do it. I’m not ninth for his first save of the sea- ly? How accurate can a rating be if the perfect rating the league, according to the numbers, but also show Colorado Rockies. thinking about it. I’m just trying to son and 20th of his career. includes three-tenths of a point? This seems highly that it takes more than just passing to make a great The right-hander pitched just make my pitches.” Willis retired the first 10 batters illogical and makes it hard for the average person to quarterback. figure out right off the bat whether a quarterback is well enough for six innings and He did while shutting the before Fowler lined a up the turned in a key hit and fielding Reds with runners in scoring posi- middle in the fourth. Carlos Gon- good or not. Kayla Cornett is the sports reporter for the Colby play as the Rockies sent the Reds tion. They went 0 for 9 with run- zalez forced Fowler at second, but So to fix these problems, the Total QBR has added Free Press. She has been interested in sports her en- to their fifth loss in six games with ners in scoring position. Tulowitzki lined a 0-1 pitch 351 more factors in grading a quarterback, and has made tire life and has been writing about sports since high a 3-2 win on Tuesday night. “Credit Esmil with a gutsy per- feet into the first row of the seats the scoring simple, going from zero to 100, with an school. She is a native Coloradoan. average quarterback having a score of 50. The new Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run formance,” Rockies manager Jim in left for his 22nd homer and a homer and Dexter Fowler had Tracy said. “His pitch count got 2-1 Colorado lead. two of Colorado’s five hits while up there, because of the amount of The Rockies regained the lead driving in the go-ahead run for the traffic he dealt with.” in the fifth, loading the bases with Depth chart reveals Broncos’ starters Rockies, who have won three of Cincinnati’s failure in the clutch one out on Wigginton’s single to four. left Dontrelle Willis still looking left, Iannetta’s walk and a bunt By Arnie Stapleton jersey. more than usual given the lack of Rogers (6-1) allowed eight hits for his first win in six starts since single by Rogers. Eric Young Jr. AP Pro Football Writer Even the team’s pro shop had team work during the 4½-month and two runs with six strikeouts being called up from Triple-A on grounded into a forceout at the 60 adult Tebow jerseys for sale lockout. and two walks to win his third July 10. plate, but Fowler gave Colorado a ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Tim Monday and just five of Orton’s “No, I think you want to go out consecutive start. Matt Reynolds, Josh Roenicke 3-2 lead with a single to center. Tebow is winning Denver’s quar- No. 8 jerseys. and play successfully and once “I just want them to give me the and Rex Brothers combined for terback competition – for the No. There’s a similar disparity in you’ve had some good success, 2 job behind starter . the stands, and Orton was asked get off the field,” Orton said. “And The Broncos released their after Monday’s nearly three-hour whether you had the OTA reps or depth chart Monday in advance of workout about Tebow being the not, still your No. 1 goal is to get their preseason opener at Dallas people’s choice. your best players into the first this week and there was no change “Thank God the people don’t (regular season) game. So, hope- in the order from a year ago: 1. make the decisions on who’s start- fully we can go out, have a little Orton; 2. Tebow; 3. . ing,” Orton said. “That’s really all success, get a little confidence go- Orton has been taking almost all I’ve got to say about it.” ing and get off the field.” the first-team snaps with Tebow Orton said his job is to win over Plenty of rookies will get some and Quinn sharing work with the his teammates and the coaching meaningful snaps against the second and third units. staff and “my last goal is to win Cowboys. Tebow is winning the popular- over the fans.” Von Miller, the second overall ity contest. And winning football games, pick in the draft, is listed as the The crowds at the team’s Dove “that’s how you win over every- starter at strongside linebacker Valley headquarters are dotted body,” Orton said. and rookie Rahim Moore is the with Tebow jerseys – his No. 15 As for the preseason opener starter at free safety. Rookie Or- is one of the league’s best-sellers Thursday night, Orton said he lando Franklin is listed atop the – while it’s hard to find an Orton doesn’t necessarily want to play depth chart at right tackle.

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