A statistical rating for NFL kickers : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

In the National Football League, the only position player that currently has a rating that evaluates his performance during the game and season is the quarterback. But, why does the kicker not have a rating? This thesis project develops four basic rating systems and an entire statistical formula to evaluate the kicker's performance during the course of a season. Some of the statistics that will be explored in this project is field goal percentage from certain distances, point-after-touchdown (PAT) conversions, the number of field goals made, average distance of field goal makes, misses and attempts. The statistical formula has six components, but it also has four additional factors that can be added onto the formula if one so chooses. These four factors are attempting field goals at home or on the road, on grass or on turf, which quarter was the field goal attempted in and outdoors or in a dome. Also, each kicker's total is found for this past season (2003).