Papa Voodoo

Bell??? Ok, I officially don't know anything about football.

saintfan

Jumped out at me too.

AsylumGuido

PFF grades are based off of several factors beyond box score statistics. I believe for defensive players it can include positioning on individual plays. Quite often the responsibility of defensive players is to channel the play to a specific area that can be better contained. A player can receive a positive PFF grade if they did their job whether the others did or not. If they were not in position they would be graded negatively. It is clearly FAR more subjective than statistical grading, but tells a better story for "non skill position" players.

To make it a little less subjective I have read that multiple "experts" evaluate each play and the grades are combined in some manner.

Don't forget that Scott Shanle was named by his Saints teammates as the Defensive MVP one year while many around here were down on him because he wasn't putting up "box score numbers".

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

rezburna

When I would go back and watch the film Vonn Bell was always in position. He’s playing much better this year. Better than Williams.

AsylumGuido

Exactly. Being "in position" is one of the main grading factors in the PFF grading system. If the defense is calling plays away from a player's proper position you are not, as a fan, going to notice that player. Or if his position is to force a play in a certain direction you are also not going to see the player.

When all players are doing their job only two or three may be involved in the television cropped shot.