The Genesis and Mission of Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus (PFF) has established itself as a pioneer in applying meticulous data analysis to the world of American football. Founded in 2006 by Neil Hornsby, PFF sought to address the need for detailed player performance data to supplement traditional statistics and subjective scouting reports. Unlike conventional statistics, PFF metrics offer a granular view of on-field performance, attributing scores to individual actions and responsibilities.
The mission of PFF revolves around delivering data-driven insights and player grades that arm coaches, teams, analysts, and fans with a deeper understanding of player performance. Their unique metrics provide an objective lens through which to evaluate the game—a significant advancement in a sport that frequently relies on qualitative assessments.
Comprehensive Data Collection and Analysis
At the heart of PFF’s methodology lies an extensive data collection process. On any given NFL game day, a dedicated team of over 500 analysts is tasked with meticulously charting every play, player movement, and situational context. The data collection process includes:
1. Grading individual players on every play based on a scale from -2 to +2 in increments of 0.5.
2.