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*Unconventional Rushers: Do They Work? - Cheech65 - 07-10-2020 Introduction In its earliest days, gridiron football has been a rush-oriented game. This is likely due to the game’s origins as a variant of rugby union. But as time went on the passing game developed, and specialized positions became more prevalent and useful. Today, we can expect that wide receivers, tight ends, and occasionally backs will make receptions. However, the rush game seems much more isolated to either a fullback or halfback, unless the quarterback is feeling bold enough to go for it themselves. Yet, this is not set in stone. Every once in a while, a surprise rusher can emerge and play out of position, taking a rush route that they are most likely wholly unfamiliar with. In the NSFL’s first 22 seasons, all manner of players took on this unconventional rusher role. Let’s break down the numbers, season to season, and see how (or if) this rare tactic has improved over time. The Numbers This chart (LINK) features all the players and stats that I’ve compiled. It’s far too large to justify cramming it onto the forum pages. Therefore: I’ll just give quick synopses for each season’s numbers. Yes, they will all be pretty similar. And no, not in an interesting way. Season 1 In the NSFL’s inaugural season, only 2 non-backs rushed the football: Josh Davison (OCO TE) and Rolf Larsendorf (YKW TE). Neither had much success. Season 2 Season 2 saw Larsendorf rush again, to literally the same stats. Jesse Sanderson (LV TE) also made the chart. Most interesting though is the inclusion of lineman Buster Brownce (SJS C) and Connor MacManus (ARI G), which is not as unlikely as one might think. Season 3 S3 sees 3 TEs, with Larsendorf and Sanderson returning, and Charlie Law joining in. This season also marks the inclusion of the first WR on the rush charts: Samuel Zhang (ARI). Season 4 S4 is back to just TEs, with Larsendorf being joined by Sebastian Joyce (COL). Once again, not much action here. Season 5 S5 added 2 new faces to the rush charts: Tenzini (LV TE) and Chess (ARI WR). This is the most successful season to this point, with both players rushing more than 1 yard. Sheesh. Season 6 S6 sees a big change, with 5 new players on the charts, 1) the first DE yet, Arbin Asipi Jr. (ARI), 2) Glenn McPoyal (YKW TE), 3) Break Bottles (SJS TE), 4) Stormblessed (BAL WR), and 5) John Wachter (BAL WR). Asipi was also the first unconventional rusher to hit double-digit yards with 12. Season 7 In S7 Wachter returns, joined by 3 newcomers: Steven O’Sullivan (COL TE), Fresh Booter (ARI WR), and Robert Phelps (OCO WR). Nothing crazy happens. Season 8 Season 8 is the next breakaway success for the unconventional rusher, with Franklin Harris Jr. (YKW TE) hitting 37 yards. Budda Browning (BAL WR) also makes the charts. Season 9 S9 sees Booter return, joined by the first LB to put up rush stats, Angus Winchester (OCO). Also on the charts are Ardie Savea (NO TE) and Verso L’Alto (BAL TE). Nothing groundbreaking, statistically. Season 10 S10’s chart brings back Winchester, O’Sullivan, Savea, and Booter. Joining them are legendary New Orleans TE Paul DiMirio, as well as Declan Harp (BAL TE). DiMirio managed 32 yards, the second-highest rush total on these charts yet. Season 11 The lone wolf on the S11 chart was also the first free safety with rush yards: Jaylon Broxton (OCO). An interesting standout, despite only making up 2 yards. Season 12 S12 is the next milestone season for unconventional rushers. Achilles Hondo (PHI CB) was not only the first rushing corner, but also set a new record for non-backs with 91 yards. Also on the charts was a returning Harp, Steven Moore (ARI TE), Adrian Pitcher (YKW TE), and Carter Bush (PHI WR). Season 13 S13 saw Moore and Bush return, with Yulic Nagasawa (PHI WR) joining in. Once again, no real spectacle. Season 14 S14 marked the first appearance of tackles (T) making the chart, with 2: Ma Goomba (ARI) and Blake McCargue (PHI). Declan Harp also made the charts, once again. Season 15 S15 was once again, nothing to write home about. Harp charted once again, as did McPoyal; long time no see. The one new charter was J. Polk, whom I assume was a bot as there is no more information available about this man. Maybe he’s in witness protection. Who knows? Season 16 S16 is the definitive season for the unconventional rusher. Holy hell. DT Dick Wizardry from the Austin Copperheads put up a whopping 1259 rush yards on 305 attempts, both of which are still standing records for non-backs. L’Alto returned to the chart. They were joined by 3 other on this chart, none of whom came even close to Wizardry’s numbers. They were: Hike Mughes (ARI CB), Brad Pennington (YKW WR), and Sam Hardwick (AUS WR). Season 17 S17 was nothing like the prior season. Rather, it was a return to form. Harp charted once more, joined by 4 new names: P. Pancakes (BAL G), Ron Jeremy (BAL T), Balthazar Crindy (COL TE), and Nate Swift (YKW WR). Season 18 S18 was more of the same, but with 4 new names hitting the charts: B. Damian-Luna (COL C), Big Bot (SJS G), Kreboktaflons Kwemen (NO TE), and Roger Batoff (SJS WR). Season 19 S19 saw the return of Bot, Pancakes, and Kwemen. Joining them was I. Blockit (AUS T) and Jammerson Irving (ARI TE). Not much action though. Season 20 In S20 Bot makes another appearance, this time joined only by Footballer Blockerman, and neither see much success as a rusher. Season 21 S21 is the second-best all-time season for unconventional rushers due to Remon Kurisuto (OCO WR) earning 118 yards. He was joined by a returning Bot and newcomer Chris Kross (BAL WR). Season 22 Last season was sadly more of the same. Bot returned, but 3 new faces joined him: Avon Blocksdale Jr. (PHI TE), Heath Evans (ARI TE), and William Alexander (HON WR). The Charts An easy way to track improvements through the years is to chart the total yardage that these unconventional rushers have been able to rack up. So, here it is: But, if you have half a brain, you realize that this is really not a good metric by which to grade the success of these strategies in these seasons. After all, wouldn’t more rushers in a given season mean more total yards? While not always the case, the general answer is yes. Obviously. To more accurately depict whether or not the utilization of non-backs to rush the ball has improved over time, I will use the following formula: Total Yards for the Season / # of Unconventional Rushers = Yards per Unconventional Rusher By using the YPUR metric, we can see the averages gained by any one player who plays out of position in this manner. The season-to-season changes are as follows: S1 YPUR = 1 yd S2 YPUR = 0.25 yd (-75%) S3 YPUR = 0.5 yd (+100%) S4 YPUR = 1.5 yd (+200%) S5 YPUR = 4.5 yd (+200%) S6 YPUR = 4 yd (-11.11%) S7 YPUR = 3.25 yd (-18.75%) S8 YPUR = 21 yd (+546.15%) S9 YPUR = 4.25 yd (-79.76%) S10 YPUR = 7.17 yd (+68.63%) S11 YPUR = 2 yd (-72.1%) S12 YPUR = 20.4 yd (+920%) S13 YPUR = 3.33 yd (-83.68%) S14 YPUR = 3 yd (-9.9%) S15 YPUR = 4.33 (+44.44%) S16 YPUR = 255 yd (+5,789.15%) S17 YPUR = 5.6 yd (-97.8%) S18 YPUR = 5 yd (-10.71%) S19 YPUR = 5.6 yd (+12%) S20 YPUR = 2.5 yd (-55.38%) S21 YPUR = 43.67 yd (+1,646.8%) S22 YPUR = 2.75 yd (-93.7%) Perhaps more palatable, here’s a line plot that tracks these changes: Conclusion To be frank, unconventional rushers rarely work. Using a back that is lined up for a rush route will work more effectively and consistently than a tight end or a wide receiver. I can say that with the utmost confidence. This is not to say that teams can’t find success when they run a trick play relying on a non-rusher to break the line. Granted, the charted averages show a slight incline, therefore demonstrating growth over time. But, if this study has proven anything, it’s that freak athletes are what make this model successful. Sure it might help the team if the tight end gains 2 yards on a measly rush. But real success and big stats come to those who are built for it. The top 3 individuals in this study were: 1. Dick Wizardry – 1259 yards – S16 2. Remon Kurisuto – 118 yards – S21 3. Achilles Hondo – 91 yards – S12 All 3 of these record numbers were hit within the latter half of the NSFL’s history, which can be evident of an increase in the success rate of using unconventional rushers. However, the spread between them is also indicative of a lack of correlation, and thus seems to prove that they are simply outliers. But who can say for sure? Maybe in 10 seasons there will be a new king of the unconventional, non-back rushers. Only time will tell. by Cheech65 *Unconventional Rushers: Do They Work? - HalfEatenOnionBagel - 07-10-2020 Mama I made it