Do not defer

[tm1119]

This may seem like a minor thing, but I think Garrett deciding to defer against the Eagles was a terrible decision. Teams with suspect defenses should not be deferring to an offense that can score easily. Despite the weapons we have this is now a running and clock possession offense, if we get behind we struggle. So if we win the toss take the ball and pound Murray for a nice long drive that will set the pace and get the crowd out of it. Do NOT put the D out there and possibly force the team into a hole from the very beginning

 

[Alexander]

Not really certain what the strategy is behind Garrett doing this other than the guarantee getting the ball in the second half. Personally this team starts slow and the defense gives up way too many opening drive scores for me to ever elect the option.

 

[remdak]

I understand the point, but I like getting the ball to start the 2nd half, so I don't mind when they defer.

 

[Zordon]

so you'd rather watch the offense drive to mid field and stall? both sides start slow unfortunately.

 

[ChooChoo73]

makes no difference. being up or down 7-0 or 3-0 is not impactful for this team. Won Seattle and recent NYG game after being down and I think we led against the cards early on. that's off of memory but I think it's correct.

 

[Idgit]

I'm not sure it really matters all that much, does it? Road teams will often defer, as they get the 'benefit' of starting that 3rd quarter drive while fans are still up getting beers and using restrooms, Seriously. So, perhaps JG wanted the Eagles to be going against a pumped home crowd in their first series and to not have the benefit of the quiet series after the half.

Or maybe it was something else. Either way, they get the ball whenever you don't have it, so it you can't stop them it doesn't really matter when they have it.

I tend to prefer us taking the ball on offense, myself, though, even if it's just for cosmetic reasons. The sooner we can potentially have a team playing from two scores down, the better as far as I'm concerned. It helps our defense, playing with a lead. Of course, that means we have to score earlier in the game.

That's what I'd most like to see tonight, as a matter of fact: the Cowboys getting an early lead and then taking the air out of the ball against a bad defense.

 

[Idgit]

so you'd rather watch the offense drive to mid field and stall? both sides start slow unfortunately.

I actually don't know how slow we start offensively relative to everybody else, but it sure seems like we do, huh? This team, in particular, would be nice to see them playing with the benefit of a lead in games. The last several weeks we've been digging out of holes, or trying to. Makes the whole game a lot less enjoyable.

 

[Alexander]

So, perhaps JG wanted the Eagles to be going against a pumped home crowd in their first

A pumped up home crowd? You mean the one that was so quiet on the Eagles first drive that the loudest noise were the grunts coming from their OL slamming our defense?

 

[Crown Royal]

Strategically I'm for deferring because it allows you to open the second half after revising your gameplan. The ability to score on the first drive of the second half can be very important in a close game.

the problem is that the defense is struggling mightily, so you put immediate onus on your team if you defer but get scored on in the opening drive.

 

[Alexander]

Strategically I'm for deferring because it allows you to open the second half after revising your gameplan.

I know a lot of times people think there the time/ability to do a lot of halftime adjustments, but that is not always the case. You can tweak a few things here or there, but revising an entire gameplan? Not sure that's realistic.

 

[Crown Royal]

I know a lot of times people think there the time/ability to do a lot of halftime adjustments, but that is not always the case. You can tweak a few things here or there, but revising an entire gameplan? Not sure that's realistic.

Yeah I didn't mean that you would revise the whole thing, but typically if you see that they are selling out against the run/bitzing/playing shell cover 3 or something, you make sure to make adjustments. Certainly they are not going to install plays they haven't practiced or anything.

Our defense has quietly been pretty good at in-game adjustments. They start slow almost every game but tend to improve a little as the game goes on. Even during the eagles game they settled some. Just too little too late, and the offense didn't put any pressure on them .

 

[Idgit]

A pumped up home crowd? You mean the one that was so quiet on the Eagles first drive that the loudest noise were the grunts coming from their OL slamming our defense?

Hey, that's a different topic. Just sharing the anecdote re: why Garrett might elect to have the ball at home after halftime. He related the story in a press conference a couple years ago when asked about deferring or not deferring. I thought it was sort of silly, sort of interesting at the time. Silly, because I have a hard time thinking it matters. Interesting, because it shows you how much thought has gone into trying to find the littlest advantage for a home team over the years.

Of course, in this case, he might have deferred for an entirely different reason. Unless he's asked directly, we'll never know.

 

[Crown Royal]

Hey, that's a different topic. Just sharing the anecdote re: why Garrett might elect to have the ball at home after halftime. He related the story in a press conference a couple years ago when asked about deferring or not deferring. I thought it was sort of silly, sort of interesting at the time. Silly, because I have a hard time thinking it matters. Interesting, because it shows you how much thought has gone into trying to find the littlest advantage for a home team over the years.

Of course, in this case, he might have deferred for an entirely different reason. Unless he's asked directly, we'll never know.

I wonder if they figure that out as coaches during the week or day before, or if it's a game time decision. I do think that the decision matters to your overall game plan.

 

[rpntex]

A pumped up home crowd? You mean the one that was so quiet on the Eagles first drive that the loudest noise were the grunts coming from their OL slamming our defense?

The crowd was VERY pumped at the game's outset. The energy didn't last long, but IF that's what Garrett wanted (Eagles ofense dealing with an energetic crowd), he got it. It just didn't last long, as it had no effect on the Eagles' offense.

 

[jazzcat22]

He could have thought if the Eagles got the ball first, and the defense stopped them, it would set a defensive mind set, that they can stop this defense, and get into the Eagles heads a bit.
Give the defense some confidence right away.

 

[CF74]

Seattle deferred often last season and it worked for them granted we don't have that same shutdown defense but our offense is supposed to be Top rated...

 

[DCBoysfan]

I like when Garrett does it. I perfer to get the ball at the begining of the second half.

 

[LandryFan]

Not really certain what the strategy is behind Garrett doing this other than the guarantee getting the ball in the second half. Personally this team starts slow and the defense gives up way too many opening drive scores for me to ever elect the option.

I think at least one of the thoughts behind deferring is hoping to have the ball and score at the end of the first half, then get the ball and score again to open the second half. If you can have back-to-back scoring drives like that, it is a huge advantage in either catching up in a major way or putting the game potentially out of reach. The OP's thought behind NOT deferring in certain cases (such as tonight) is accurate, though. It will be extremely important to start out ahead/not start out behind tonight.

 

[DenCWBY]

Not really certain what the strategy is behind Garrett doing this other than the guarantee getting the ball in the second half. Personally this team starts slow and the defense gives up way too many opening drive scores for me to ever elect the option.

This. 1st down stretch off tackle run with Murray gain 5 yards. 2nd down empty backfield spread formation. Short pass incomplete or 2 yd gain to TE. 3rd down shot gun formation with Murray blocking, Dez runs sideline route with CB on his back or back shoulder fade timing is off. incomplete. Punt.
Kick first half and take the ball in the second half

 

[Roadtrip635]

Personally I prefer to defer, but I did see a stat last week that our defense has given up more opening drive points than any other team in the NFL. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to take the ball first against the Bears. They have a suspect defense, especially with Briggs on IR and if we can come out and pound it and get a score it may have a psychological impact. Cutler is very Jekyll and Hyde and getting an early lead might help release Bad Cutler.