White Backups Outperforming Black Starters

[Woody]

It seems white players suffer from two wrongs: they are either never given a chance to show how good they are, or they are given a chance but are not recognized as starters. This thread is dedicated to identifying those white players who are CLEARLY outperforming whichever black player is starting ahead of them. This is a case-by-case analysis, for instance Toby Gerhart not starting in Minnesota while Cedric Benson starts in Cincinnati would NOT be an example of this subject.

Also, I'm curious if there is ANY black backup who is CLEARLY outperforming the white player starting ahead of him. If any can be found that would be interesting to see.

I thought I'd post a few examples...

Kroy Biermann DE: 7tkls, 1sk, 1int, 1pd, 1td Playing Behind: Ray Edwards 3tkls
Dave Ball DE: 9tkls 1sk Playing Behind: Jason Jones 1tkl
Chris Neild NT: 4tkls 2sks 1ff Playing Behind: Barry Cofiled 2tkls 1pd

I know these examples are purely statistical...any analysis not involving stats welcome too.

Any more examples?

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Jordy Nelson over Donald Driver. Driver has shown that he hasn't declined all too much and would still be a pretty good #2 on many teams, but Jordy is an absolute beast. Jordy has the potential to be almost as good as Andre Johnson (could he actually become the best WR in the league?). Terrell Owens in his prime without the locker room headaches might be a great comparison for Jordy.

Austin Collie over Pierre Garcon for the Flanker job, since Collie joined the Colts as a rookie in 2009.

Charlie Whitehurst over Tarvaris Jackson for starting QB in Seattle. Although it was the pre-season that was a clear indicator of this. And black quarterback Jackson has stunk it up so far this season as well!

As far as a black backup outperforming a white starter, I thought Seneca Wallace was clearly better than Jake Delhomme last year when they each got a chance last season under center. I think it was the big money Delhomme was getting that kept Mangini sticking with him, but he may have aggravated some of his players in the process.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Thanks for the Defensive analysis Woody. Edwards is a guy who seems to get the luxury of starting over a white player nearly every year that is outperforming him. It was him who I kept hearing Brian Robison was outperforming last year in Minnesota right?

 

[Woody]

Thanks TJR. Yeah Edwards was the one keeping Robison on the bench. As far as Delhomme and Wallace goes, you may be right, though I think it was close. Neither one was exactly shining. I believe Chris Cooley is still listed as the starter ahead of Fred Davis, which may be the only example of a black backup outperforming the white starter, for this year at least. This is weird esp. for Washington.

 

[Toby Hillis]

Danny Woodhead over Green-Ellis should be a no brainer. A guy who had one of the highest YPC in a season EVER vs a middle-of-the-road, should be backup player.

Riley Cooper as a Number 3 over Jason Avant. Cooper already has a couple highlight reel type catches and there is no doubt in my mind he'd be at worst a Number 3 in Philly if he were black.

 

[dwid]

The Danny Woodhead thing I don't understand. Bill Bellicheck used him more in Lawfirm's role in the first game, he proved he could get the tough yards, he averaged 4.9 ypc without breaking a run over 9 yards. IF he would have broken a long run his ypc would be ridiculous, and he is a threat to break off a big one every time he touches the ball. Danny Woodhead could have a season like Jamaal Charles did last season if he was used more like the first game.

I think Brian Leonard could do a better job than Cedric Benson right now. Brian is also a better receiver out of the backfield, he has about the same amount of catches as Benson in a limited role. Benson averaged 3.5 ypc last season. He was doing terrible against the Browns until the last few minutes when the Browns defense decided to go to sleep, like the Jones touchdown when they weren't even lined up, they were in la la land when Benson had his 39 yard run. He then averaged 3.7 ypc against Denver who has been pathetic against the run.

With Andy Dalton and the passing game doing better there isn't an excuse for Benson this year.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Danny Woodhead over Green-Ellis should be a no brainer. A guy who had one of the highest YPC in a season EVER vs a middle-of-the-road, should be backup player.

Riley Cooper as a Number 3 over Jason Avant. Cooper already has a couple highlight reel type catches and there is no doubt in my mind he'd be at worst a Number 3 in Philly if he were black.

DWFs don't realize just how efficient Woodhead was last season. He would have had the highest DVOA ie. defense adjusted value over average at his position (according to Football Outsiders)- in the league last year amongst 100 carry backs, if he had a mere 3 more carries. Woodhead also would have led the league in combined rushing and receiving DVOA with 3 more carries. And according to a poster on the Pats' Forums, he would be the first tailback EVER to do the latter since Football Outsiders started keeping track!

As far as BJGE, I think him getting 40% of the carries would be understandable. He's a middle of the road tailback AMONGST STARTERS so he's pretty talented. I'm sure he hurts more to tackle due to his larger frame. The defense wouldn't want to tackle him late in games, after having Woodhead run circles around them. BJGE averaged 4.4 YPC last year, which was slightly above average amongst tailbacks with 100 carries. Giving "Lawfirm" 40% of the carries would keep Woodhead fresh. If I were coach, Woody would be out there for 2/3s to 3/4s of the offense snaps, but would also get work as a receiving threat.

Hillis also averaged 4.4 YPC, but did so as the only true talent that was used on the Browns' offense. He dealt with a QB carousel (all three QBs including ROOKIE Colt McCoy got hurt) and poor WRs- which drew 8 men in the box. He also dealt with playing the Steelers and Ravens twice- and played both with a cracked rib at the end of the season. There were few backs (if any) that outperformed Hillis last year, as far as efficiency in their given circumstance, other than the obvious case of Jamal Charles.

As far as Riley Cooper, he's better than Avant, but the #3 WR role is usually as a slot WR. I'm sure Cooper could do o.k in the slot, but his ideal use is as a beastly OUTSIDE WR!

BTW, Jasan Avant has always reminded me of Mike Hass although probably a slightly poorer version. Avant is a pretty solid possession receiver and slot target.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I thought of another. I thought rookie Dan DePalma outperformed 5th round pick Jeremy Kerley, this pre-season, as a returner for the Jets. He should have been kept by the Jets as their slot WR/ return man. Kerley is already getting time as a returner in games.

We all know, the Jets never keep an undrafted white skill player who looks good in pre-season over a black mid-round draft pick.:thumbdown: