Mark Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion and FOX Sports NFL analyst, has openly criticized the NFL’s extensive reliance on advanced analytics, calling them “fluff” and suggesting they can be misleading. During an appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me w/ Dan Dakich,” Schlereth argued that analytics are often misinterpreted and that the average fan lacks the football knowledge to grasp their true significance. He contended that these metrics fail to capture the complexities of the game, such as the intricacies of plays, practices, and coaching strategies.
Schlereth criticized the way analytics are used to give an illusion of expertise, calling it an unnecessary distraction from the actual game. His remarks come amid a growing debate within the NFL about the role of data in decision-making processes. The discussion also highlights how analytics are increasingly integrated into team operations, with all 32 NFL teams employing dedicated analytics staff. A recent ESPN survey found that some teams, like the Cleveland Browns, heavily incorporate analytics into their strategies, particularly with executives who have strong data science backgrounds. This underscores the ongoing tension between traditional football knowledge and modern analytics in shaping NFL strategies.
Before joining the Browns, DePodesta worked in the front office of multiple MLB teams and appeared in the film “Moneyball.” Schlereth also recalled a time when he had a heated debate over the usage of analytics. “I got into an argument with a guy that was extolling the virtues of going for two points every time. … So, I asked the guy, ‘Let me ask you a question, how many two-point plays do you think we go into a given (game) with?’” Schlereth then said two plays were the standard when he played. He proceeded to explain how his teams would practice the plays and the coach’s approach to implementing any of the plays in a game.
“You have no idea how the game works. You have no idea what we talk about. You have no idea how we practice. You have no idea the number of plays we have in or how we run those plays or what we’re trying to exploit.”
Schlereth described analytics as “fluff.” “The analytics don’t mean anything in football. It’s just a bunch of fluff to make us feel important, like we as ‘analytics analysts’ really know what we’re talking about.” This sentiment reflects a broader debate within the football world over the increasing influence of data and technology in shaping the game. As teams continue to adopt analytics as a key part of their strategic planning, the role of traditional football experts like Schlereth remains a topic of discussion in the evolving landscape of the NFL.