DMN Blog: Wade Phillips will defer when 'boys win coin toss

[Doomsday101]

I had no idea of the rule change...I love it. I always prefer having the ball in the second half first. If you are down by a few scores, you can make up ground easily by scoring before the half and again out of halftime while keeping the other teams offense on the sideline.

The rule never did you could always defer to the 2nd half if you win the toss of the coin or you can accept the opening kickoff

 

[CrazyCowboy]

yes, I believe most teams will also

 

[aikemirv]

Rule 3: Defer the coin toss- Hasn’t Pop Warner football had this since 1953? Hard to believe it took the NFL until 2008, but coaches can finally choose to defer if they win the coin toss and want the ball in the second half.

http://national-football-league-nfl.suite101.com/article.cfm/nfl_rule_changes_for_2008

 

[LeonDixson]

The rule never did you could always defer to the 2nd half if you win the toss of the coin or you can accept the opening kickoff

That is not true. Under the old rule, if you won the toss you could elect whether to kick off or receive the ball first. That's it. The other team got their choice for the second half.

The reason you never saw a second half choice being made was because nobody in their right mind would ever win the toss and elect to kick off first knowing they would then also have to kick off to start the second half. It just never came into play because you would be stupid to elect to kick off.

 

[jterrell]

That is not true. Under the old rule, if you won the toss you could elect whether to kick off or receive the ball first. That's it. The other team got their choice for the second half.

The reason you never saw a second half choice being made was because nobody in their right mind would ever win the toss and elect to kick off first knowing they would then also have to kick off to start the second half. It just never came into play because you would be stupid to elect to kick off.

The mid 90's Ravens did elect a couple of times to kick off, they actually scored as many points off defense and special teams as offense and wanted that dominant unit on the field all the time, rofl.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Good move by Wade. It's what I always do in Madden, so I think it's sound.

Yea me too

 

[LeonDixson]

The mid 90's Ravens did elect a couple of times to kick off, they actually scored as many points off defense and special teams as offense and wanted that dominant unit on the field all the time, rofl.

You got me there, JT.

With the defense they had it made sense!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Way to go, Wade. Wise move.

 

[bbgun]

I don't like this. The offense is much more likely to score than the defense, so why give up even one offensive possession? I'd rather gas out their defense than ours.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Clayton reported on The Huddle that Bill Belichick said with the new rule he would defer every single time he won the toss.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I don't like this. The offense is much more likely to score than the defense, so why give up even one offensive possession? I'd rather gas out their defense than ours.

Look at it more logically. You can get back to back possessions if you kick first. Kicking first either gives you even possessions or one extra possession. Receiving first does the opposite!

For intance

First Half

• Eagles Possesion
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession

Second Half

• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession burning last 7 minutes off the clock

Thats offically six Cowboys possession vs five Eagles possessions. Why? Because the Cowboys had back to back possessions and the Eagles didn't! That also allows the Cowboys to score twice without the Eagles answering the first score. So, you have it backwards, to kickoff you could LOSE a possession!!!

 

[Doomsday101]

That is not true. Under the old rule, if you won the toss you could elect whether to kick off or receive the ball first. That's it. The other team got their choice for the second half.

The reason you never saw a second half choice being made was because nobody in their right mind would ever win the toss and elect to kick off first knowing they would then also have to kick off to start the second half. It just never came into play because you would be stupid to elect to kick off.

You are correct that was my mistake. College rule was different as some have pointed out it is amazing it took the NFL this long to do the same

 

[joseephuss]

You are correct that was my mistake. College rule was different as some have pointed out it is amazing it took the NFL this long to do the same

I have seen teams in college defer to the second half and elect to kick off the ball. That meant they kicked off in both halves. The few times I have seen it done it was good strategy. It was made because the team had a dominant defense and also were kicking with a very strong wind at their backs. There were a couple of times I saw it happen, where I think the coach just screwed up. Very rare.

I doubt anyone really notices this new rule is in place for the season. If Joe Gibbs were still coaching this year, then maybe it would come into play because he would clearly be confused by what is supposed to happen.

 

[juck]

So defering basically gives you the choice in the second half instead of the first half?Makes sense cause then u know how the game is flowing.

 

[Rampage]

bet the Texans win the coin toss now.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I would rather kick first every single time. Honestly I do not understand why so many fans would cheer when they get the coin toss and see their team is getting ball first.

I like to see the cowboys go into 2 minute offense at the end of the first half, then come back after the half and go on offense again
just seems to happen that way

 

[cowboys2233]

huh?
defer means to literally choose in the second half.

if you choose to kick off to start the game the other team would have the option of receiving it again in the second half.

teams do that when they feel they have phenomenal defenses and will get better field position for the offense.

No, that's just insane talk. You give your opponent one extra possession that they could potentially score on? Take away time from your own offense to score itself? It would take a team with one hell of a good defense and one anemic offense to play this game.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I would rather kick first every single time. Honestly I do not understand why so many fans would cheer when they get the coin toss and see their team is getting ball first.

I like to see the cowboys go into 2 minute offense at the end of the first half, then come back after the half and go on offense again
just seems to happen that way

Are you one of those out of work homeless people currently standing in front of Texas Stadium? :laugh2:

 

[aikemirv]

Look at it more logically. You can get back to back possessions if you kick first. Kicking first either gives you even possessions or one extra possession. Receiving first does the opposite!

For intance

First Half

• Eagles Possesion
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession

Second Half

• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession
• Eagles Possession
• Cowboys Possession burning last 7 minutes off the clock

Thats offically six Cowboys possession vs five Eagles possessions. Why? Because the Cowboys had back to back possessions and the Eagles didn't! That also allows the Cowboys to score twice without the Eagles answering the first score. So, you have it backwards, to kickoff you could LOSE a possession!!!

You can't be serious. You can't guarantee you'll have the last posession in the first half - that is a 50-50 proposition.

 

[cowboys2233]

You can't be serious. You can't guarantee you'll have the last posession in the first half - that is a 50-50 proposition.

Agreed, that is just gibberish. Whoever gets the ball first is the odds on favorite to get more possessions.