Ridiculous Linehan Critics (Lucky play)

[T-RO]

A lot of folks and even guys like Broaddus are criticizing the calls to give Lucky the ball.

Let me remind all the critics here of a little history some are conveniently forgetting.

It's a big game and we are on the road in Lambeau field. We are backed up on our own 11-yard line and its third and one. 45 second remain on the clock. If we don't convert we punt and Rogers will only need 20 yards to put points on the board for the Packers.

What does Lineman do? He runs the ball...using Lucky Whitehead. WTH?

And the play nets 26 launching a lightning drive where we score 7 points.

If one or two of those mis-direction plays with Lucky work last night...everyone is praising Linehan. Instead--despite a win and 430 yards against a top defense--we have a swarm of critics piling on.

Give it a break people. The Lucky runs have actually been generally high percentage this year and they are instrumental in keeping safeties from crashing down into the box.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I am not convinced

 

[benson]

The play call was the right choice. Lucky had 40 yards of green grass in front of him had he not fumbled the ball.

 

[okstateCowboy]

I'll have to wait for Taylor Stern's opinion on this one.

 

[aikemirv]

I don't usually criticize him but they were just unnecessary last night. Just run and the intermediate passing game was so easy. They could not stop it.

 

[Blackspider214]

So because it worked one time in one game some months ago, we should cease criticism? Lol ok sure thing.

What does that have to do with last night? You do realize the Bucs on defense are all about speed. They want you to run outside and side to side. They will eat that up. You know where they are soft? Right up the middle. Keep pounding it right up the middle. And make them tap out. 3rd and short and you call some goofy reverse 8 yards in the backfield to a guy you can't count on? Yeah, that play is definitely like the GB game where you are backed up and have zero to lose. No, this was a spot on the field where we are driving and looking for points to start securing this game and that was ill advised as it gets. As well as a slow developing toss play to the short side on the field on 3rd and 2 on the last drive of the game to try and put it away. Dez was real upset at that call and rightfully so.

Those Lucky runs last night were ridiculous in terms of when they were called and what we were doing up until that point.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Not only that, the jet action gives the defensive front a ton of misdirection to deal with, and gives Zeke easier holes in the middle of the defense.

 

[BAT]

Mrs. Linehan is that you? Please thank your hubby for installing a great offensive system. The trick plays are nice but we are a dirty yards kind of team, or so I've been told.

Also remind him not to forget our best offensive skill player for several series in a row, an entire quarter or at the end of close games. Or when he's in rhythm and just obliterating opponents.

I'm sure he loves cute, he married you after all. Merry Christmas to you and your family Mrs. Linehan!

 

[Blackspider214]

The play call was the right choice. Lucky had 40 yards of green grass in front of him had he not fumbled the ball.

That's kind of the point. It's not the right call because you are counting on that knucklehead who has shown time and time again you can't, on or off the field. He's a one trick pony that just isn't that good. Why we are so obsessed with him is beyond me.

 

[FaSho]

The play call was the right choice. Lucky had 40 yards of green grass in front of him had he not fumbled the ball.

Somehow that counts as a fumble against Zeke, which is dumb.

 

[BigWillie]

Giving the ball to Lucky is okay because we had a play that worked that one time.

Oooookay.

 

[links18]

That's kind of the point. It's not the right call because you are counting on that knucklehead who has shown time and time again you can't, on or off the field. He's a one trick pony that just isn't that good. Why we are so obsessed with him is beyond me.

Linehan likes his toys....

 

[Paniolo22]

I'll have to wait for Taylor Stern's opinion on this one.

That's freakin' funny

 

[T-RO]

Giving the ball to Lucky is okay because we had a play that worked that one time.

Oooookay.

It was third and two. Perfect time for the Bucs to crash their safeties through a hole in the line in an attempt to stop a vanilla run.

Not one Lucky run all season had netted less than 2 yards all season. Not one.

 

[Blackspider214]

Linehan likes his toys....

Save the "cute" plays for the lower levels of football. I expect that from the high school level where so many players are not disciplined on defense. We have the ability to just ram it down TB's throat all game and it was working but for some reason, we love to draw up these wacky plays.

But hey, it worked that one time in that one game so let's keep doing it!

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

They showed on the replay Witten (I think it was him) didn't get out of Free's way, which kind of messed up the depth of the play and helped lead to Lucky dropping that ball. The Jet sweep and the looks it helps us get have been good this season.

Now I didn't love the playcall when we only needed 1 or 2 yards for the first, but eh plays don't work sometimes.

 

[Blackspider214]

It was third and two. Perfect time for the Bucs to crash their safeties through a hole in the line in an attempt to stop a vanilla run.

Not one Lucky run all season had netted less than 2 yards all season. Not one.

Say that again?

 

[T-RO]

Not only that, the jet action gives the defensive front a ton of misdirection to deal with, and gives Zeke easier holes in the middle of the defense.

Exactly. And some here rightly pointed out how the offense missed that thread in the Giants game.

 

[T-RO]

Say that again?

Seriously, bro? I'm talking about WHEN THE PLAY WAS CALLED.

When the play was called our history this season with lateral Lucky plays had not given us a negative result even once.

8 Games we'd run Lucky...never less than 2 yards. And an average of over 10 yards per play.

Some of your critics just can't keep up.

 

[DandyDon52]

Exactly. And some here rightly pointed out how the offense missed that thread in the Giants game.

I did , but I have to agree it wasnt the right time to call the one play, and no one blocked the guy who tackled him for a loss.

The other play was not the jet play, it was a different play and was not executed right.
Also Tampa defense is speed, so those plays might not work as well against them.

But hey lucky was back and we won ! So he may be our lucky mascot if anything?