Football Outsiders Almanac 2012: The Essential Guide to the 2012 NFL and College Football Seasons [Paperback]

Aaron Schatz (Author), Mike Tanier (Author), Danny Tuccitto (Author), Vince Verhei (Author), Robert Weintraub (Author), Andy Benoit (Author), Bill Connelly (Author), Brian Fremeau (Author), Tom Gower (Author), Matt Hinton (Author), Sean McCormick (Author), Rivers McCown (Author), Brian McIntyre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2012

The most authoritative and innovative guide to professional football (previously known as "Pro Football Prospectus") is back for an all-new season with more cutting-edge statistical analysis, obsessive film study, and trademark humor. Includes comprehensive coverage of all 32 NFL teams, analysis of offseason personnel changes, over 500 KUBIAK fantasy football projections, and breakdowns of every team from the six BCS conferences plus the top independent and mid-major college football teams. With numerous statistical measures that go far beyond standard NFL stats, Football Outsiders Almanac 2012 gives NFL fans the kind of sabermetric-like statistical analysis that revolutionized the fan's understanding of baseball. It's also written with a knowing dry wit that gets under the skin of America's most popular spectator sport.

• Groundbreaking team and player DVOA ratings that correct for situation and opponent to reveal which offenses and defenses are truly superior, and which players really help win games.
• Exclusive data from the Football Outsiders Game Charting Project, unavailable in standard NFL stats, tells you which receivers run the longest patterns on both complete and incomplete passes; which quarterbacks benefit the most from yards after catch; which teams most often blitz or run specific offensive formations; and which defensive backs stop the other team's passing game, measured by pass coverage on every single play rather than just tackles.
• NEW FOR 2012: Detailed information on each team's performance in 2011 by offensive and defensive personnel package.
• Extensive coverage of all 32 teams with week-by-week stats from the 2012 season, five-year performance trends, and analysis of off-season personnel changes.
• Exclusive 2012 predictions that give the odds on each team as a Super Bowl contender ... or a contender for the top pick in the 2013 draft.
• 2012 fantasy football projections for more than 500 skill position players based on the KUBIAK forecasting system.
• Breakdowns on more than 75 different college football teams and full win-loss projections for all 124 Division I-A (FBS) teams.
• New research on the meaning of defensive momentum and the intersection between workload and injury for running backs.

• "A book that any self-respecting NFL fan needs to purchase." -- Bill Simmons, GRANTLAND.com
• "Football Outsiders has now built a system that has some serious traction behind it. I personally find it fascinating." -- John Schneider, General Manager, Seattle Seahawks
• "The most accurate insight into why teams really win and lose." -- Jim Schwartz, head coach of the Detroit Lions

NOTE: Due to an issue with the print process, we were unable to include the Fantasy Appendix in this year's book. For a list of the top 240 fantasy projections for 2012 in order, please forward your receipt e-mail (from Amazon or Createspace) to info-at-footballoutsiders.com.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lead editor Aaron Schatz is the creator of FootballOutsiders.com and the proprietary NFL statistics within Football Outsiders Almanac, including DVOA, DYAR, Adjusted Line Yards, and the KUBIAK fantasy football projections. He writes regularly for ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, and has done custom research for a number of NFL teams. The New York Times Magazine has referred to him as “the Bill James of football.”

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1478201525
• ISBN-13: 978-1478201526
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "A GEM FOR ALL FOOTBALL LOVERS!" July 21, 2012

By Geraldine Ahearn TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

This is an informative, innovative guide to professional football, and the perfect gift for family and friends who love anything football. It offers coverage of 32 NFL Teams, off-season personal changes, which players really help to win games, and much more. Entertaining, interesting, enjoyable, and Highly Recommended for football fans!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Who Knew? September 3, 2012

By Buzzfuster

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have purchased the Football Outsiders' Alamanac every year since 2007 or 2008. The researchers at FO analyze every play of every game (and in most cases every player), taking them in the context of down, field position, strength of the opposing team, score, and time remaining. They then crunch the numbers to evaluate players and teams in a way that the standard stats (yards, TDs, sacks, etc.) miss. The result is an incredible trove do statistical data on everything from offensive tendencies by down, to individual player success in particular situations (including offensive and defensive linemen, special teams, defensive secondary). You'll gain a deeper understanding of why a quarterback has the kind of game or season he had last year (is it a lack of skill, a predictable tendency, an injured running back that can't take pressure off the passing game, or a lineman who consistently blows blocks?). Players and teams are ranked using statistics that neutralize schedule strength, depth, field position, etc.

The crew also debunks a handful of "conventional" but mythological wisdom. A must read for fantasy football owners, and a great read for fans who just can't get enough of the game.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good info source September 4, 2012

By snarkymark

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a good source of analysis to have by your side when watching football this season. Even if you get bored reading the stats, the writing style is
lively enough to get your attention. The emphasis is on pro football, rather than college, due to space limitations. I also like the projections for
QBs, RBs, and WR/TEs. If you want to know how the Giants won the Super Bowl last year, or if the Eagles will fare better this year, or even if the
Bengals can make back to back playoff appearances, it's in this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Vegas, maybe too advanced for fantasy football May 7, 2013

By Mike C

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased to gain an edge for fantasy football. What I got was more than I can chew.

I realized that this book is very advanced. The money I play with in fantasy football is too small to use this book. The analysis is very in depth on each team. WOW.

I listen to 670 the Score in Chicago and follow the Bears closely. So I peak at the analysis on the Bears. Spot On. Reminds me of Hub Arkush of ProFootball Weekly, he would read this book!

I think if I were betting hundreds or thousands of dollars in Vegas, I would be carrying this book. This book is for professionals!

5.0 out of 5 stars must have March 29, 2013

By Anthony Debing

Amazon Verified Purchase

Buy it every year since first it was Pro Football Prospectus.
Insightful essays. relevant and useful stats.
Eagerly awaiting the 2013 issue.

5.0 out of 5 stars Husband loved this October 15, 2012

By EllisBell

Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband is a fantasy football nut and he really loved this book, it was a great gift for him for football season and one that he really enjoyed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome August 24, 2012

By JoBoo

Amazon Verified Purchase

Truly a must have for any football fan. Can't put it down! Can't even imagine the hours that went in to this book. Worth every penny.

5.0 out of 5 stars A prefect start up for the new season August 23, 2012

By John Bilu

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the right book for who cares about beginning NFL season with a deep preparation, not only few numbers from TV shows or homemade Power Rankings. A sacred cow for all NFL fans!