The former general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers, strongly criticized the increasing influence of analytics in the NFL during a recent podcast interview.
Kevin Colbert, the former general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers, strongly criticized the increasing influence of analytics in the NFL during a recent podcast interview. While he raised valid concerns about an excessive reliance on statistics in professional sports, some essential aspects seem overlooked in his argument. Steelers Depot reported that Colbert, appearing on The North Carolina Athletic Podcast, expressed his belief that analytics have become too predominant in the modern NFL game.
Colbert acknowledged the integration of analytics towards the end of his tenure with the Steelers and emphasized the importance of measuring intangibles. He challenged the analytics team, stating, “When you guys can measure the intangibles, let me know, because that’s the most important thing.”
These critiques extended to in-game management, including decisions on fourth downs or determining which players to trust in crucial situations. Colbert asserted that critical decisions under pressure situations require a coach or player to rely on their instincts and make judgments that analytics cannot measure. He emphasized the coach’s feel for the game and the trust in players to perform in critical moments.
However, the counterargument suggests that there are existing methods to measure player skill, which holds more significance than intangibles. This perspective challenges Colbert’s assertion that analytics cannot effectively capture the essence of a player’s abilities and the intricacies of decision-making in crucial game situations.
