Blog Post #3 Eye-Scout

For the third blog post we get to choose anything we want.  The only requirement is it has to do with sports and technology.  So I did a little research about new technologies in sports and came across a blog site that is about sports and technology.  It’s called sporttechie.  I looked through some of the blogs on the site and found one that was interesting to me.  The blog is about a new software system called Eye-Scout.  This new software lets teams (the post mostly talks about NFL teams) put in information from their scouts and then will help them make decisions based on that information.  According to the post this system can help make decisions on draft picks, trades, free agents, and more.  The technology behind this software started in the military.  It was used to help solders know where their fellow soldiers are and where the enemy is. 

To see the blog click here 

With every team looking for a slight advantage this could turn out to be a big thing.  People in the sports world are starting to really look to analytics as a way to evaluate players, so they can make better decisions.  The Eye-Scout system claims to be able to do this.  Ever since the Oakland A’s were able to use analytics to help their team (if you haven’t already watch the movie Moneyball to see what I’m talking about) win, other teams have used analytics in some fashion to help them get the edge. 

In my opinion something like this was just bound to happen.  One of the most important things in sports is to be able to make decisions about players.  Should you draft this player, should you pick up this player in free agency, should this player start over that player?  All these questions are considered every single day.  If a team can spend less time worrying about these questions then they can spend more time worrying about making the team even better. 

I’m not saying that this type of software should be the only thing you consult when you need to make a decision.  What I am saying is that this can help make that decision.  Coaches should still look for themselves and make sure they agree with the software.  If they disagree with the program then you shouldn't do it.  The coach should always have the final say but the software my help with the decision. 

Whenever a team decides on something like a trade or the draft the teams want as much information as possible so they can make the best decision possible.  This software may just help with getting them more information.  I can see many teams in the NFL trying this out and we will see how well it will work.  It will be interesting to see if Eye-Scout becomes successful.