Analytics and the Cleveland Browns became a strong connection when the team hired Paul DePodesta and Sashi Brown a few years ago. Brown is long gone but DePodesta’s influence remains including the hire of Andrew Berry as general manager.
After one very good season, the word “analytics” is no longer a curse word for Browns fans. Instead, fans are hopeful that the new direction builds on the work of Brown and his predecessor John Dorsey.
The alignment (a big buzzword during last year’s general manager and head coach search) between DePodesta, Berry, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is evident. Based solely on the content of their words, it is often hard to tell which of the Browns leader has spoken.
A recent report by Seth Walder of ESPN shows just how deep the Browns roots in analytics run as they are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars with seven “analytics staffers”, as Walder describes them:
Updating my NFL analytics staffers list.
As always, this is to the best of my understanding based on what teams list and conversations with staffers themselves.
Criteria broadly is: staffers whose primary job is to perform data analysis or build football analytics tools. pic.twitter.com/5GJRjcy5NO
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) May 14, 2021
One name missing that will jump out to many is Andrew Berry’s. Key is to note that Walder’s criteria is based on the employee’s primary job being related to analytics and that does not fit Berry.
The list has names that some Browns fans are used to hearing including DePodesta’s most notably. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is considered an up and comer while Ken Kovash has been with the Browns for over eight years, which may set the record for length of employment with the team since the Browns returned in 1999.
While Walder notes his information is limited to what is available to him, it is interesting, but not surprising, to note the Browns setting the standard with resources publicly known devoted to analytics.