NFL teams with indoor practice facilities averaged 4 more wins in 2010

[jpillian]

I'd say the Patriots are a pretty big outlier in the data set.

An alternative explanation given the facts: indoor facilities are more often indicative of a team's cash position and owner's proclivity for spending on the team. The perennially good teams normally have both (positive cash flow, committed owner). As a result, recent contenders have often had indoor facilities in which to train.

[McD5]

And for those doubting the correlation between indoor practice facilities and winning, why do you believe we are building a bubble now?

[Phixius]

An indoor facility wouldn't of made a difference last season or the previous 4 years.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Half the games are played away, after practicing at home. Average away stadiums today have better climate conditions than Ashburn.

Rain, snow, cold or wind on Wednesday and Thursday does not help preparation for Sunday at home, when Sunday is likely to have better weather on average. Even if elements are the same, it's debatable if being miserable all week makes playing in miserable weather more productive. Greater factors would be having a strong running game and run defense.

I've no objection to an indoor facility at all, but most of that is modern day codswallop.

"Being miserable" all week? This is football man. If the players don't like practicing and playing in the elements then their in the wrong profession. Do you want to molly coddle them and wrap them in cotton wool all week to protect the poor dears from the wind and rain? What a shocking thought that multi millionaires should have to practice in such conditions. How dare we ask that of them?

Even if we had an indoor facility, personally speaking, I'd want to be outside unless heavy snow or lightening deemed otherwise. You practice to play. And there's no better way of doing that in such diverse weather as DC by practicing in it so your ready come Sunday. You can say it's debatable the effect in your opinion if you like. And that's fine to state your opinion. But mine is their's no better experience than throwing and playing in the cold wind and rain when theirs a chance in the fall you might well face that on a Sunday.



---------- Post added July-17th-2011 at 08:09 PM ----------

And for those doubting the correlation between indoor practice facilities and winning, why do you believe we are building a bubble now?

I would hope it's just for the most severe weather days like lightening and heavy snow when you can't practice outside to not lose a session.

Indoor training, unless your under extreme conditions like a Texas summer, or a Wisconsin winter; should be the exception not the norm in a sport allegedly for 'men'

Hail.

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

"Being miserable" all week? This is football man. If the players don't like practicing and playing in the elements then their in the wrong profession.

I had similar feelings, and so did Joe Gibbs the second time around.

Unfortunately, the performance data in terms of won/loss records and playoff history in the past 8 years, contradicts what we want to believe.

I don't think I've ever seen a single variable more correlated with NFL success, with the possible exceptions of QB rating and a coach's historical winning percentage. Of course, everyone knows how important it is to have a great QB and a great coach. Very few people understand the practice facilities correlation. I did not until I looked at the data.

[McD5]

I would hope it's just for the most severe weather days like lightening and heavy snow when you can't practice outside to not lose a session.

Indoor training, unless your under extreme conditions like a Texas summer, or a Wisconsin winter; should be the exception not the norm in a sport allegedly for 'men'

Hail.

There was a great article published two or three years ago from Sports Ilustrated. They were studying high school and college football players, and trying to determine why the state of Florida seems to produce more of the top players than any other state. Not coincidentally, they said Texas was second.

Their finding? That due to crappy weather, football players up North were at a severe disadvantage to those from Florida. They said that over the years, a player from Florida could be considered to be one year ahead of the players up North. So, a junior in Florida was the same as a senior up North.

When the crappy weather comes, players in the snow states (especially in HS and college) find themselves practicing inside on basketball courts, or not at all.

In the meantime, Florida kids are running sprints under the hot sun.

This would alleviate some of that competitive advantage.

[darrelgreenie]

Danny needs to build a bubble.
Like yesterday.

[SonnyandSam]

I had similar feelings, and so did Joe Gibbs the second time around.

Unfortunately, the performance data in terms of won/loss records and playoff history in the past 8 years, contradicts what we want to believe.

I don't think I've ever seen a single variable more correlated with NFL success, with the possible exceptions of QB rating and a coach's historical winning percentage. Of course, everyone knows how important it is to have a great QB and a great coach. Very few people understand the practice facilities correlation. I did not until I looked at the data.

OK...when you come back with your regression analysis considering all the variables that might affect a team's success, let me know. Until then, your practice facility theory is a theory and has nothing to do with being highly correlated, other than in your own mind.

You did a nice job of gathering the information. And I'm certainly not opposed to a practice facility. But to suggest a practice facility is more important than playing talent and coaching talent......even you're not that goofy.

---------- Post added July-17th-2011 at 09:34 PM ----------

Danny needs to build a bubble.
Like yesterday.

It's been in the works for months....along with a heated field. Shanny asked for it; Snyder is delivering it.

[SkinsHokieFan]

When ASF posts a thread, he usually hits a homerun. This is another one of those homeruns.

The 2011 NFL is a high tech NFL. Offenses are built on precision and timing. Plays must be practiced over and over in a crisp manner, muscle memory must be developed.

Hell, ASF could start to go down the list of college programs and the correlation is there. There is no reason that LSU or Texas AtM should have better facilities then the Washington Redskins.

This is the outside the box thinking that needs to get in the hands of the Redskins. When half the league has an advantage practice wise, you must catch up.

OBVIOUSLY this will not make up for talent and coaching. However it is clearly a hindrance, all things being equal.

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

There was a great article published two or three years ago from Sports Ilustrated. They were studying high school and college football players, and trying to determine why the state of Florida seems to produce more of the top players than any other state. Not coincidentally, they said Texas was second.

Last year's Super Bowl teams practiced at local Texas facilities: Steelers at TCU, Packers at a high school. Cowboys had no such facility available.

Check out what Texas has for collegiate and high-school football:


Above: TCU, a $7 million facility


Above: Highland Park High School, a $4.5 million facility; comments by Packers

[NLC1054]

Okay, but they're looking into building the indoor facility, so what is the point? Snyder asked his guys if they wanted it, they said no, now Shanahan asked for one, so it's probably getting built, but they have to find a place to build it first, until then, practice bubble, what's the problem?

[PokerPacker]

Indoor training facilities are good for getting out of the weather, but also for practicing to play against a dome-team. The air is different indoors than out and it can help the QB, kicker, and punter.

[McD5]

Okay, but they're looking into building the indoor facility, so what is the point? Snyder asked his guys if they wanted it, they said no, now Shanahan asked for one, so it's probably getting built, but they have to find a place to build it first, until then, practice bubble, what's the problem?

A bubble for as little as $100k? Or the collegiate and HS facilities in post #25? Which would you prefer?

This is a fantastic thread. A fact that few ever pick up on. The correlation is plain to see, on all levels. HS, college and the NFL. This certainly seems within the budget of the 4th most valuable sports franchise on the planet. Granted, there are some logistics to work out, but this is very likely a factor contributing to our performance over the last decade. Or lack thereof.

I have been a believer of this for years. It's nice to see a much better thread than I could have ever written about the subject.

---------- Post added July-17th-2011 at 10:20 PM ----------

A list of the HS National Football Champions for the last ten years:

2000 Concord, CA, De La Salle 13-0 Bob Ladouceur NPP, USA
2001 Concord, CA, De La Salle 12-0 Bob Ladouceur NPP, USA
2002 Concord, CA, De La Salle 13-0 Bob Ladouceur NPP, USA
2003 Concord, CA, De La Salle 13-0 Bob Ladouceur NPP, USA
2004 Southlake, TX, Carroll 16-0 Todd Dodge NPP, USA
2005 Lakeland, FL 15-0 Bill Castle USA
Southlake, TX, Carroll 16-0 Todd Dodge NPP
2006 Lakeland,FL 15-0 Bill Castle NPP
Southlake, TX, Carroll 16-0 Todd Dodge USA
2007 Cincinnati, OH, St. Xavier 15-0 Steve Specht NPP
Miami, FL, Northwestern 15-0 Billy Rolle USA
2008 Fort Lauderdale,FL, St. Thomas Aquinas 15-0 George Smith NPP, USA
2009 Ramsey, NJ, Don Bosco Prep 12-0 Greg Toal NPP, USA
2010 Fort Lauderdale, FL, St. Thomas Aquinas 15-0 George Smith NPP
South Panola, MS 15-0 Lance Pogue USA

Now why do you believe that is?

[NLC1054]

A bubble for as little as $100k? Or the collegiate and HS facilities in post #25? Which would you prefer?

This is a fantastic thread. A fact that few ever pick up on. The correlation is plain to see, on all levels. HS, college and the NFL. This certainly seems within the budget of the 4th most valuable sports franchise on the planet. Granted, there are some logistics to work out, but this is very likely a factor contributing to our performance over the last decade. Or lack therof.

I have been a believer of this for years. It's nice to see a much better thread than I could have ever written about the subject.

Because they are actively going through the process of finding a space to build the indoor practice facility on.

You can't just snap your fingers and build one, especially not at Redskins Park where it is right now, which is why there's been all these rumors that the Redskins have been looking to move to a new facility, which would allow them to actually build one. Shanahan has made it known that he friggin' wants one and he's asked Dan for it and he'll get it.

Until then, a practice bubble HAS to suffice.

God, this seems like a silly thing to complain about when they're actively shopping for places to build the fuggin' thing..

[McD5]

God, this seems like a silly thing to complain about when they're actively shopping for places to build the fuggin' thing..

I don't believe the tone of the thread is to complain so much. Instead, it's pointing out an incredibly strong correlation that is rarely, if ever discussed in the mainstream college, or NFL media. I doubt many here, on a fan mb, have ever seen this in a newspaper, or on a NFL pregame show before.

Kudos. Excellent work.