Can anyone explain not punting with 1 minute left?

[31smackdown]

I trust a starting QB, center, and running back more than a punter to handle the ball correctly. I also recognize that if I pop a run, the game is over.

But that's the thing. It didn't look like they were trying to pop anything. Unless they said, hey if it's not wide open just string it out, don't bother trying to cut up into the defense. Also some type of misdirection or short dump off would have been more effective if they were actually trying to get the first down by running a play. It looked like they choose to run a play where the only goal was to run time off the clock and not fumble, that was as positive as that play was going to get. Miami had already hit two deep passes so it's not like they were inept and we were getting all this pressure all game where you really had all this confidence in the defense to hold them from going 40 yards. If anything it's like he was actually directly challenging the defense to make a play. So now you get your MVP QB back and you decide to take the ball out of his hands and challenge the defense just to build their confidence?.. It's either mastermind or foolish. Glad it worked out, that's all that really matters. If the dolphins hit a few throws and kick a fg with a chance at an onside kick it probably gets questioned more.

 

[erod]

But that's the thing. It didn't look like they were trying to pop anything. Unless they said, hey if it's not wide open just string it out, don't bother trying to cut up into the defense. Also some type of misdirection or short dump off would have been more effective if they were actually trying to get the first down by running a play. It looked like they choose to run a play where the only goal was to run time off the clock and not fumble, that was as positive as that play was going to get. Miami had already hit two deep passes so it's not like they were inept and we were getting all this pressure all game where you really had all this confidence in the defense to hold them from going 40 yards. If anything it's like he was actually directly challenging the defense to make a play. So now you get your MVP QB back and you decide to take the ball out of his hands and challenge the defense just to build their confidence?.. It's either mastermind or foolish. Glad it worked out, that's all that really matters. If the dolphins hit a few throws and kick a fg with a chance at an onside kick it probably gets questioned more.

There were 69 seconds left. Two score lead. No time outs for Miami (maybe one). You make them drive the length of the field and get an onsides kick.

By punting, you're giving them a golden chance to score the hardest part in less than 10 seconds. Time was on Dallas' side.

With another 30-40 seconds on the clock, you punt the ball.

 

[JoeKing]

I don't know if I'm smarter than anyone else but I will say this.....I wouldn't squib kick near the end of the first half with a 2 TD lead and over a minute left, I would run the ball with a 3 TD lead in the second half, I wouldn't have Brandon Weeden as my back-up QB, I wouldn't (accidentally) freeze my own kicker, and I'd know how to manage the clock to close out the first half so I minimize the chances of the other team scoring and gaining momentum.

So this idea that these coaches are so smart is kind of silly when they've done some stupid things over the course of their tenure. Just because they get paid (thanks to Tony Romo) to do what they do doesn't make them smarter or their decisions right all the time.

Like I said... you know who you are.

 

[Nightman]

There were 69 seconds left. Two score lead. No time outs for Miami (maybe one). You make them drive the length of the field and get an onsides kick.

By punting, you're giving them a golden chance to score the hardest part in less than 10 seconds. Time was on Dallas' side.

With another 30-40 seconds on the clock, you punt the ball.

69 seconds left is all the more reason to try and pick up an extra 30 yards of field position.

When a punt is skyed for a downing inside the 10 the coverage guys are there waiting for the catch. If Landry even tries to return it he probably fumbles or gets tackled immediately. The risk of a return is almost 0.

At 4th and 6 from the 31 it wasn't a terrible call to run it and try and get the first down. It looked like the play might work before the penalty. But once they lost the 5 yards you have to punt. With the loss on the run we handed them an extra 7 yards of prime real estate. That is like a missed FG or a botched snap on a punt.

We handed them one of the worst case scenarios just to avoid the absolute worst case scenario.

The game is 60 minutes not 58:51 minutes. Play the game until the final whistle. You can't go into a cocoon because you have a lead. I watched Parcells do that over and over again and almost always the other team came roaring back.

 

[Nightman]

Unless, of course, you have any reason at all to doubt your ST coverage units....

Like I said, you guys are being silly on this one.

Every situation is a teaching/learning moment, especially for a coach that is in training and doesn't have the best "end of game clock management" track record.

It is silly to look the other way when you see such a blatant mistake just because we won.

I think the coaches will work with BJones to correct his mistakes, even though he is a valuable young player and we won the game.

 

[yimyammer]

The play clock was expiring at 2:04. So they had to take a TO or snap the ball to avoid the delay of game penalty.

right but they let the clock wind down, it appeared they planned on taking the time out the entire time, seems they would have been better served by running the play or forcing miami to use a time out, perhaps the were counting on Miami calling a time out and they didn't.

Not a big deal, just curious if thats the best strategy there

 

[Idgit]

Every situation is a teaching/learning moment, especially for a coach that is in training and doesn't have the best "end of game clock management" track record.

It is silly to look the other way when you see such a blatant mistake just because we won.

I think the coaches will work with BJones to correct his mistakes, even though he is a valuable young player and we won the game.

It's sillier to try to manufacture a mistake that doesn't exist which was actually a smart, conservative approach to protecting a two possession lead. Just because people have an axe to grind against a coach and no real sense of what they ought to be grinding it with, it doesn't mean the rest of us have to feed those living -room-OC-inspired delusions.

I agree the coaches will work with Byron Jones to help him improve. Because you typically see that sort of thing from good coaches.

 

[Nightman]

It's sillier to try to manufacture a mistake that doesn't exist which was actually a smart, conservative approach to protecting a two possession lead. Just because people have an axe to grind against a coach and no real sense of what they ought to be grinding it with, it doesn't mean the rest of us have to feed those living -room-OC-inspired delusions.

I agree the coaches will work with Byron Jones to help him improve. Because you typically see that sort of thing from good coaches.

Give it up man, it was a bad call.

White knighting JG doesn't get you any extra points.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I don't know if I'm smarter than anyone else but I will say this.....I wouldn't squib kick near the end of the first half with a 2 TD lead and over a minute left, I would run the ball with a 3 TD lead in the second half, I wouldn't have Brandon Weeden as my back-up QB, I wouldn't (accidentally) freeze my own kicker, and I'd know how to manage the clock to close out the first half so I minimize the chances of the other team scoring and gaining momentum.

So this idea that these coaches are so smart is kind of silly when they've done some stupid things over the course of their tenure. Just because they get paid (thanks to Tony Romo) to do what they do doesn't make them smarter or their decisions right all the time.

This is what it always comes down to. Fans thinking they know better than the coach. You have your list of mistakes and have it all figured out. They only think they're smart!

 

[DandyDon52]

BS. The ONLY comment made about the decision actually came before then penalty. The play-by-play guy said (word for word, taken directly from the DVR) "still 4th & 6, and up by 10, not wanting to chance a field goal block. Dallas will just run it instead...use a few more seconds, and maybe pick up a first down". And this was said BEFORE the ball was snapped.

Then,matter the penalty made it 4th & 11, there was NOT ONE WORD said about the decision to run it. Nobody said anything about thinking it was "odd". Nobody said anything at all.

Your right, I watched again, and they were talking about green bay game.

 

[Idgit]

Give it up man, it was a bad call.

White knighting JG doesn't get you any extra points.

Why in the world would I give it up when it's total nonsense? And I don't need 'points.' Being right is its own reward. Ask around. There are posters here who can let you know what that feels like.

How'd Demarco do yesterday, by the way? I haven't had the time to look in on the Eagles boards yet. Are they still fêteing him over there?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Give it up man, it was a bad call.


White knighting JG doesn't get you any extra points.

I have to say you have been uncharacteristically emotionally irrational about this.

Apparently you think bashing and scapegoating DOES get you extra points. You cannot even agree to disagree and instead push this groupthink divisive mindlessness. Labeling a group of people derisively is a way I wish people would stop ordering their worlds.

About the only basis you have given for punting it is emotional posturing. On defense we can run that picket fence trash and limit them to 10 yard gains from midfield or 30 yards back. They have to pass the ball and they only have so many plays.

You are also making a false equivalence. Turnovers on downs are not the same as other turnovers. Other turnovers give the opportunity to return the ball. The return is what you want to avoid.

There is also the reality of special teams which has done us in with big second half returns multiple times this year. Let's not forget people calling for Bissacia's head too. Fact is that a return situation is the easiest ways for them to get a guy like Jarvis Jones the ball in space and thus manufacture points.

Garrett trusted his defense over his special teams and his defense ended up coming up in a big way don't you think? Nah cause that would mean he gets credit for winning the game and you cannot handle that.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

How quickly people forget:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0ap1000000062967/Seahawks-defense-blocked-punt

Note the commentary.

 

[Nightman]

Why in the world would I give it up when it's total nonsense? And I don't need 'points.' Being right is its own reward. Ask around. There are posters here who can let you know what that feels like.

How'd Demarco do yesterday, by the way? I haven't had the time to look in on the Eagles boards yet. Are they still fêteing him over there?

I forgot that you were named arbitrator of everything football related. Your opinion is noted and it is wrong.

And yes I would still rather have him than McFadden. Imagine a McFadden that actually score TDs and does it week after week and that is Murray.

 

[erod]

I simply can't believe this is a debate.

 

[Nightman]

I have to say you have been uncharacteristically emotionally irrational about this.

Apparently you think bashing and scapegoating DOES get you extra points. You cannot even agree to disagree and instead push this groupthink divisive mindlessness. Labeling a group of people derisively is a way I wish people would stop ordering their worlds.

About the only basis you have given for punting it is emotional posturing. On defense we can run that picket fence trash and limit them to 10 yard gains from midfield or 30 yards back. They have to pass the ball and they only have so many plays.

You are also making a false equivalence. Turnovers on downs are not the same as other turnovers. Other turnovers give the opportunity to return the ball. The return is what you want to avoid.

There is also the reality of special teams which has done us in with big second half returns multiple times this year. Let's not forget people calling for Bissacia's head too. Fact is that a return situation is the easiest ways for them to get a guy like Jarvis Jones the ball in space and thus manufacture points.

Garrett trusted his defense over his special teams and his defense ended up coming up in a big way don't you think? Nah cause that would mean he gets credit for winning the game and you cannot handle that.

The same defense that failed late against NO, SEA, NYG, PHI and TB. Great thinking coach.

You guys can keep going in circles but it was, is and will always be a dumb call.

 

[Nightman]

DAL trails CAR 21-17 with 25secs left. They score a TD and make it 23-21. Instead of kicking the extra point and risking a block that could be returned for 2 points they line up for 2 and take a knee.

Are you guys saying that is the right call? The other team will go for an all out block. They have nothing to lose, even a penalty won't hurt.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The same defense that failed late against NO, SEA, NYG, PHI and TB. Great thinking coach.

You guys can keep going in circles but it was, is and will always be a dumb call.

Only one on repeat I see is you. You have been reduced to stamping your feet and insisting you are right at this point.

They were 1-10 on third downs and we were starting to get to the QB. The backup line was outstanding I thought. Gregory seemed to bullrush the LT into Tannehill every other play he was in there. once he gets stronger and can really shed that then watch out. Jack Crawford kept on getting off blocks and making plays. I thought Hardy was dominant all game long as well. 98, Mincey and DLaw were active and getting in on the action.

That picket fence took away the rookie on an island and made them throw the ball in the middle of the field. We ended up with sacks mostly.

The time of possession at this point has been much discussed so the defense was well rested.

In short this was a defense in a different situation than those other contests. What did you think of all three Cowboys on a 3 man rush getting to Tannehill and pounding him into the turf? It sucks that your ordering makes it bittersweet for you. I don't sit there thinking we got lucky.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

DAL trails CAR 21-17 with 25secs left. They score a TD and make it 23-21. Instead of kicking the extra point and risking a block that could be returned for 2 points they line up for 2 and take a knee.

Are you guys saying that is the right call? The other team will go for an all out block. They have nothing to lose, even a penalty won't hurt.

What difference does it make? You think there is some ideological foolproof way that works for all situations then I can see where our disconnect is.

 

[EST_1986]

69 seconds left is all the more reason to try and pick up an extra 30 yards of field position.

When a punt is skyed for a downing inside the 10 the coverage guys are there waiting for the catch. If Landry even tries to return it he probably fumbles or gets tackled immediately. The risk of a return is almost 0.

At 4th and 6 from the 31 it wasn't a terrible call to run it and try and get the first down. It looked like the play might work before the penalty. But once they lost the 5 yards you have to punt. With the loss on the run we handed them an extra 7 yards of prime real estate. That is like a missed FG or a botched snap on a punt.
We handed them one of the worst case scenarios just to avoid the absolute worst case scenario.

The game is 60 minutes not 58:51 minutes. Play the game until the final whistle. You can't go into a cocoon because you have a lead. I watched Parcells do that over and over again and almost always the other team came roaring back.

Risk being almost 0 doesn't factor in the Cowboys Special teams play I assume. Keep that liability off the field, if we would have punted and they scored this thread would be why did we punt instead of what it is.