Austin did the right thing

[CATCH17]

It's easier to return a punt then complete a hail mary and Tavon Austin in space is a different player then most.

He should've returned it. Pretty obvious.

 

[DogFace]

No. No. No.


Him running 10-20 yards is 3-6 more seconds. How’s that different from a pass for 10-20 yards?


The percentages for successful Hail Mary’s are real low. This decision was terrible regardless of the fact he would’ve got 15 easy and very well may have scored.

 

[DogFace]

Less than that. 24 seconds when the ball was snapped, so probably more like 18-20 left after the fair catch. But I think a run down the sidelines would have been worthwhile given the amount of running room he had, and the fact he could have stepped out of bounds at any point he felt he had no place to go. But hindsight thinking with the benefit if multiple replays makes it easier to say this. Austin didn't have those things.

Even if he doesn’t step out the clock stops when he’s tackled.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

He had the sideline. The closest defender, 15 yards away, was blocked and positioned to the inside of the field. Austin could have easily taken that up the sideline and simply stepped out at any time. He should not have fair caught that ball. He should have advanced it, gotten what he could have and simply stepped out. That was the smart play to make, IMO.

 

[T-RO]

You have to try to hit a home run on that punt return. Open field running was best chance for big play.

 

[anava]

If you dont want Austin returning it then you try to block the punt

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

He taking fair catch was the right thing. We had what about what 27 secs. No way a punt returner should eat up clock. Whatever clock Austin would have eaten up would have been an extra possession for the offense.

sorry I respectfully disagree, we made three plays to get closer so we can have one shot at the end zone... that killed 20 seconds...Austin could have made the return and only take 4 or 5 seconds, because as soon as he is tackled or goes out of bounce the play stops.....it should have been a judgement call. the coach should have said, if they are coming for coverage, then make fair catch, else, if they are not, go straight up, don't try to be a hero and make as much yards as possible. he could have put us in position to take 2 or even 3 shots at the endzone.

 

[OmerV]

Even if he doesn’t step out the clock stops when he’s tackled.

True, but stepping out gets the clock stopped more quickly than fighting for yards or having the clock tick away while trying to find running room before being tackled

 

[zrinkill]

He taking fair catch was the right thing. We had what about what 27 secs. No way a punt returner should eat up clock. Whatever clock Austin would have eaten up would have been an extra possession for the offense.

What a stupid thread

 

[Floatyworm]

Tavon Austin with the ball already in his hands can gain yardage faster, than the offense can by snapping the ball, the receivers needing to run their routes and the QB needing to throw the ball, the ball get caught and then receiver to go out of bounds.

let’s also remember that on a pass play there is the risk of an incomplete pass which gains 0 yards and costs time. There is also the risk of the receiver being tackled in bounds which would basically end the game due to how little time
Was left.

meanwhile on a punt return, Austin could gain as much yardage as possible and then once tackled the clock immediately stops.

The fair catch was the wrong decision. Easily.

Your not accounting the fact...penalties happen all the time on returns. We return that...get a penalty...your out of hail Mary distance. @ least with the fair catch...your giving yourself a chance.

 

[pancakeman]

You have to try to hit a home run on that punt return. Open field running was best chance for big play.

I mean, even if you're inclined to play conservatively, the conservative correct move is to catch it and run straight ahead (vs. dancing around/going east-west trying to break something open). Fair catch makes zero sense.

 

[TheDude]

Your not accounting the fact...penalties happen all the time on returns. We return that...get a penalty...your out of hail Mary distance. @ least with the fair catch...your giving yourself a chance.

That is playing from fear. You throw caution to the wind with :20 to go. If some idiot holds on max protect then that is coaching as well

 

[CapnB]

In most cases, I would agree with OP. However, this isn't one of those cases. He might have taken that thing to the house. It was there for the taken. Hence the reasons for the reactions of JG and Richard and folks at the stadium and watching at home

 

[nate dizzle]

Tavon runs a sub 4.40 forty time. At worst he gets 20 yards and burns maybe 6 seconds off the clock.

 

[Bleu Star]

He taking fair catch was the right thing. We had what about what 27 secs. No way a punt returner should eat up clock. Whatever clock Austin would have eaten up would have been an extra possession for the offense.

SMH.... Did you see the setup? It's likely Austin doesn't get touched along the left sideline between the catch and the end zone.

That STs coach is a clown. Must be a Garrett protege.

 

[silvrNblue]

That decision by our clapping guru, was just ONE more blunder of managing the team this whole game. It started with his *******ed decision to attempt a 50+ FG on the first drive, leaving MN a short field to work and score on us.... any sane person KNOWS this coaching staff is the issue within this team... and it all starts with the clapping carrot.

 

[Runwildboys]

Even if he doesn’t step out the clock stops when he’s tackled.

But stepping OB eliminates the possibility of having the ball knocked loose.

 

[kuyyo_morro]

We are watching on TV, we have all kinds of camera views to know which side was open. But during an in-game situation as a player, you wouldnt know which lane was open. At the same time, eating up the clock trying to be a hero is even worse.

 

[MikeB80]

We are watching on TV, we have all kinds of camera views to know which side was open. But during an in-game situation as a player, you wouldnt know which lane was open. At the same time, eating up the clock trying to be a hero is even worse.

why would austin not know? It's no different than any other punt return, you track the ball and peak at what is in front of you to make your first step then go.

he just called for it right away after it was in the air because they told him to.

 

[kuyyo_morro]

If Austin gains about 10-15 yards with 10 secs clock. It costs 2 possessions for our offense, who can score 20 yards+ in the air rather than the 10-15 yards by Austin.