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A fact-filled Troll smacks down CHFF
Cold, Hard Football Facts for July 16, 2009
 As you know, we prefer to get fact-filled emails instead of the typical angry tirades that mock our analysis, weight problem, alcoholism and virginity.
We're often surprised by the stories that provoke a wave of fact-filled responses from the Trolldom, and our look at " the reasons behind the records" back in June is one of those pieces.
We got a ton of real interesting, fact-filled responses related specifically to the O.J. Simpson section of the article, several of them refuting our original premise. And when we publish stories that are later refuted with Cold, Hard Football Facts, we always Troll-up and concede the findings.
We published one fact-filled response soon after the piece came out, but that one more or less supported our findings. Here's another we left in the inbox since before the 4th of July that smacks us around with the weapon of choice around these parts, the Cold, Hard Football Facts. We also got another fact-filled e-emission this week that refutes our findings and merits publication, too, and we'll try to get that up soon.
This report comes from shameful Troll (is there any other kind?) Bob Lamitie. Here's Bob:
Sirs, wanted to send you a few thoughts about your comments on O.J. Simpson.
You said in your outliers article in the section about O.J. "Defenses eventually adjusted to the challenges created when the NFL centered the hash marks. But for two short seasons, great teams and a great individual, boosted by favorable circumstances, rewrote the NFL record books."
But in fact, O.J.'s second-best season didn't come in the next year, it came two years later, in 1975, after you said the defenses had adjusted. He rushed for 1,817 yards. Maybe the 2,003 yards in 14 games wasn't such an outlier after all.
- 1973: 2,003 yards
- 1975: 1,817 yards (defenses should have adjusted by then)
Also, may I suggest another possible reason for O.J.'s major step up between 1971 and 1972? Take a look at the differences between the o-lines he ran behind in those years.
Buffalo's 1971 Offensive Line:
- LT Willie Young (rookie)
- LG Jim Reilly (1 year of experience)
- C Bruce Jarvis (rookie)
- RG Joe O'Donnell (7 years of experience)
- RT Donnie Green (rookie)
Buffalo 1972 Offensive Line:
- LT Dave Foley (former Jets first-rounder from 1969, and pro-bowler in 1973)
- LG Reggie McKenzie (rookie 2nd rounder)
- C Remi Prudhomme (drafted by Bills in 1966, left team, reacquired in 1972
- RG Bob Penchion (rookie undrafted)
- RT Donnie Green (2nd year man)
In 1971, he was running behind only one of the famed "Electric Company" line, RT Donnie Green, a rookie.
In 1972, suddenly three of them were in place, with Foley being brought in and McKenzie being drafted. With the exception of Donnie Green, not one guy was the same year to year.
The next year, 1973, when he ran for 2,003 yards, Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure and Bruce Jarvis were brought in.
This may simply have been a case of a terrible o-line being quickly and successfully upgraded, which would help explain the later years of over 1,800 and over 1,500.
Food for thought, I hope.
Bob Lamitie
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