TV viewers may have noted an adjustment to NBC's player-introduction graphics during Wednesday's season opener between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Watt certainly appreciated the move. NBC jettisoned a former Sunday Night Football staple by eliminating Pro Football Focus grades alongside each player.
The network replaced the player's positional ranking with his hometown underneath his name. Watt, who calls NFL games for CBS Sports, rejoiced at the change on social media. "This is a fantastic development," Watt wrote.
Watt has vocally expressed his displeasure over Pro Football Focus player grades. The former All-Pro pass rusher ranted against them on "The Pat McAfee Show" last year. "The number one issue with PFF by far, bar none, hands down, is their player grading system and the fact that they project it everywhere, including nationally televised games on Sunday night where everybody’s watching," Watt said in October.
"And they make it underneath the rankings, where it states as fact, ’91st out of 97th defensive tackles.’ … That is a completely made-up number." The three-time Defensive Player of the Year hates PFF grades despite topping the rankings during his playing career. Watt recalled stories of Uber drivers telling players they've graded them. "You can't watch film on the TV copy and make a grade," Watt said.
"You can't break down a person's grade and know what they're supposed to do if you don't know their exact assignment ... PFF has a ton of great stuff. Stop putting it out." NBC started showcasing PFF grades after color commentator Cris Collinsworth became the company's majority owner.
PFF sold its enterprise business data to Teamworks earlier this year, but Collinsworth remains CEO of its consumer products.
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