About a year ago I created a facebook fan page. Since football is my area of expertise I sometimes am behind in the latest technology. However, I learned very quickly that it was easier and quicker for me to answer your questions on Facebook than our previous “Questions and Answers with Phil Steele” section developed on the website in 2008.

I usually check the Facebook Fan Site 3 or 4 times a day and if you have been keeping track I think we have had an overwhelmingly positive response as I love to answer as many questions as possible.

Nearly a month ago I sent out a message on Facebook and promised that when I reached 5,000 fans, I would hold what I call, a live one-hour “chat session” and answer all of your questions. During the “live chat” post your questions as you normally do on the Fan Page (in the what’s on your mind box) and I will answer them as quickly as possible. I will not be talking via the “chat” box as it would be impossible to respond to each question posted in an IM forum. Read more…

In the past several blogs I have been breaking down each factor that goes into my New and Improved Experience Chart and today I conclude the series by combining the five factors into my final ranking.

For more than 7 years I have listed an experience chart, which broke down the number of seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen each team had in the two deep and rated the teams experience level with a formula I devised. Last year I made the experience chart FIVE TIMES better.

We still do the exact same chart but now I just list the Senior starters, the rest of the seniors in the two deep and the points accumulated by using the system I used from 2002-‘08. In the chart listed below I have now included 4 other factors. The 2nd factor listed in the chart below is the % of lettermen returning. I devised a point system for this and explain it in depth on page 319 of this year’s magazine. Also added was the % of returning offensive yards. I took the total yards passing, rushing and receiving for each team and divided out the yardage of the returning players and the yards returning % listed below is that figure. I did the same with the total tackles from last year and the % of tackles returning. This gives us an idea of the defense’s experience. The final factor is the career starts returning for the offensive line. These players are not included in the stats but are a vital part of the offense. Read more…