Rams have invested heavily in data analytics each year...

Rams have invested heavily in data analytics each year

[ramblinfan.com]

The LA Rams are one of the most tech-savvy teams in the NFL. They have embraced a wide range of technological advances and incorporated the new into their routine process. It paid off handsomely in 2020 when the NFL was turned upside down as the scouting process leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft for all intents and purposes came to a screeching halt.

Teams that relied heavily upon face-to-face meetings were left scrambling, while the LA Rams, a team that had already embraced and made use of virtual technology, found navigating among raw data and virtual meetings with potential players smooth sailing.

Of course, change is merely a change. It’s neither better nor worse, but rather just different. But those changes allowed the Rams to function normally, or as near to normal as possible, in the helter-skelter world threatened by the coronavirus pandemic. It was the sudden and rapid changes to the process that either became an advantage for NFL teams or a handicap from which they would not recover.

Rams and Zebras

You may recall that I cited a bevy of statistical data provided to me to aid in the direct comparison of Jared Goff with Matthew Stafford. That data was provided to me by Zebra Technology’s Christian Blatner. So what is Zebra Technology?

Well, per their investor’s newsletter, they are a big deal when it comes to the NFL and the LA Rams. You see, Zebra’s technology was installed at SoFi Stadium. Their tracking system uses a unique system of embedding RFID chips inside footballs and in players’ shoulder pads. With those chips in place, reception equipment can track real-time location data.

Those receivers can be installed both at the football field and training facility to capture and accumulate incredible amounts of the previously unavailable information. Metrics captured include: acceleration and deceleration, distance traveled (per play and aggregate), and orientation and proximity to the ball, among other data points.

Zebra and Rams running together through 2021

In September 2020, The LA Rams and Zebra technologies announced an ongoing relationship to coordinate their data capture and analytics through the 2021 NFL season.

“We are thrilled to continue our work with the Los Angeles Rams as one of our partner teams,” said John Pollard, Vice President of Zebra Sports Business Development, Zebra Technologies. “For us, the Rams are an exciting organization to be working with given its unique emphasis on advanced analytics and innovative use of our tracking technology. We are excited to provide the Rams organization with our services and information to help the team gain a performance edge on the field.”

The LA Rams are not the only NFL consumer of Zebra’s technology. Last year, Zebra extended its relationship as the NFL partner for the Official On-Field Player Tracking Provider through the 2021 season. What does that mean? Well, Zebra has worked with the NFL to implement a best-in-class player and ball tracking system. Using that ability to track the location and measure the velocity of the football and individual players, Zebra has helped the NFL to launch a new era of football data and analytics known as Next Gen Stats.

The LA Rams continue to push the envelope. Their partnership with Zebra Technologies is just one more example of how the organization is truly committed to success.