Lovie Smith just gave up (1 Viewer)

[NYSackExchange]

I'm sorry, but are some people taking the position that the Bears are not able to block a kick or return a kick for a touchdown????

That has been their entire game plan for the past 3 years. Their only reasonable chance to win any game for the past 3 years is to hope that their defense or special teams scores a touchdown or two.

I am sure that fans in Philadelphia, Arizona, Detroit, Washington, New York, New Orleans and Chicago would be outraged to know that Lovie quit on their teams last chance to get into the playoffs [if anyone stayed up long enough to notice].

Conspiracy theorists, is it like in college football where the conference shares in the payout if a team makes a bowl game? Do the Bears somehow benefit if Minnesota makes the playoffs? :}

 

[Debeucci]

this chicago homer could not watch the game, but if there was indeed 15 seconds left after the last kneel down, and we had a timeout to burn, there is no logical explanation to not take the timeout and give your team a chance to tie and win in overtime.

none of the chicago papers mentioned this. i wonder why?

 

[Schrute]

this chicago homer could not watch the game, but if there was indeed 15 seconds left after the last kneel down, and we had a timeout to burn, there is no logical explanation to not take the timeout and give your team a chance to tie and win in overtime.none of the chicago papers mentioned this. i wonder why?

I actually emailed my original post in this thread to the beat writer who covered the game for the Chicago Tribune. Haven't heard back.And I'm not some crazed Bears fan, either. I live in Minnesota!

 

[Sopranos]

I had no idea why he didnt want to take a shot at one play. I guess he didnt want to win. He could have saved some time on ANY of the downs and didnt.

 

[nbajam]

Forgive me if this is in the game thread, but I'm not reading through that whole thing, and I think this deserves its own thread anyway.

Explain to me why at the end of the game when Lovie Smith could've called timeout to force the Vikings to punt to the most dangerous returner in the game down by just seven points, he decided to just give up instead?

The announcers said the Bears had one timeout left. The Vikings then kneeled down on third down with like 10 seconds left or something. How do the Bears not call timeout there?

He should be fired immediately. They were still alive for the playoffs if they won, and he just gave up. I don't care how remote the possibility is that you block the punt or run it all the way back, but you certainly have to try with your whole season hanging in the balance. But he decided to not use his final timeout and just gave up instead.

I think he figured the Vikes would just punt it out of bounds on the bears like 20 yrd line. Giving the bears maybe 2 seconds with Orton to go 80 yards. I guess he figured the odds were greater someone would get hurt then the Bears score, and I agree, the season was over.

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't cut it. You're the defending NFC champions and you're so worried about someone getting hurt on one play that you decide to officially eliminate yourselves from the playoffs? That is absolute BS. What a terrible leader.

They werent going to punt to Hester. So I suppose you can try and block it and pick it up and run it back. But the vikes prolly max protect it. The point is, with no time and really no chance that Hester can get. Im guessing Lovie figured his chances of winning were less then 1%, which he was right. Add to that, the Bears would need to win more games with Orton, eeek.

Are you kidding me with this? Then why play the game?????????? I don't care if it's a one in a billion chance. You take it. You don't just lie down and quit.

Hey I am not saying this was the greatest coaching move ever, or that I wouldnt have called the TO. But your belief is the Bears superbowl runner up coach should be fired becuase he didnt call the timeout in a game he had no chance of winning realistically. They werent going to punt to Hester, how exactly were the Bears going to score with no time? And dont tell we they are going to block it and run it back 60 yards to win as this happens at the conclusion of a game never ever ever. So how they going to win? You firing the Coach over this... You kidding me with this?

ESPN Classic down?I fire the coach for giving up on his team, his fans, the entire organization. Of course, he first did that when he started Kyle Orton.

Well to each his own, me I would not fire Lovie over this, I think you are over reacting. Also please site me games where teams have blocked punts and run them back to win as time expires.

How about Wisconsin vs Minnesota college football in the same building two years ago? Mishandled punt by Minnesota leads to a Wisconsin TD in the end zone. About 30 seconds left.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Not calling a TO = 0% chance to win.Call a TO and that % goes up. Not by much, but you still have to call the TO.

That's what it comes down to. "Zero" or "not zero." As a coach, you have to go with "not zero." Orton can't throw the ball 60 yards?

 

[Raider Nation]

I was stunned when it happened.

 

[reg]

this chicago homer could not watch the game, but if there was indeed 15 seconds left after the last kneel down, and we had a timeout to burn, there is no logical explanation to not take the timeout and give your team a chance to tie and win in overtime.

none of the chicago papers mentioned this. i wonder why?

Here is the 4th Quarter from the gamebook. The Bears did indeed have one timeout left. They did not challenge any plays, so didn't lose a timeout due to that.

Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings at Metrodome

Play By Play 4th Quarter 12/17/2007 Page 1

Minnesota Vikings continued.

3-1-CHI 40 (15:00) A.Peterson up the middle to CHI 40 for no gain (B.McGowan).

4-1-CHI 40 (14:27) T.Jackson up the middle to CHI 39 for 1 yard (L.Briggs, T.Harris). R16

1-10-CHI 39 (13:48) T.Jackson pass deep middle to B.Wade to CHI 20 for 19 yards (C.Tillman). P17

1-10-CHI 20 (13:07) A.Peterson left end to CHI 14 for 6 yards (B.McGowan).

2-4-CHI 14 (12:31) T.Jackson right end to CHI 5 for 9 yards (J.Williams). R18

1-5-CHI 5 (11:45) A.Peterson left guard to CHI 8 for -3 yards (M.Toeaina). CHI-C.Tillman was injured during the

play. His return is Questionable. MIN-S.Rice was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

2-8-CHI 8 (11:09) T.Jackson pass incomplete. MIN-T.Jackson was injured during the play. His return is Probable.

Timeout #1 by MIN at 11:02.

3-8-CHI 8 (11:02) A.Peterson up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R19

TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. B.Bollinger rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

CHI 13 MIN 20, 11 plays, 65 yards, 6:18 drive, 4:04 elapsed

R.Longwell kicks 53 yards from MIN 30 to CHI 17. D.Hester to CHI 31 for 14 yards (E.Frampton).

PENALTY on CHI-G.Wolfe, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at CHI 31.

Chicago Bears at 10:56, (1st play from scrimmage 10:50)

1-10-CHI 21 (10:50) K.Orton pass short middle to G.Wolfe pushed ob at CHI 30 for 9 yards (E.Henderson).

2-1-CHI 30 (10:24) G.Wolfe right guard to CHI 32 for 2 yards (P.Williams; J.Mitchell). R7

1-10-CHI 32 (9:49) K.Orton pass short middle to B.Berrian to CHI 47 for 15 yards (D.Smith). P8

1-10-CHI 47 (9:08) K.Orton pass short left to G.Olsen to MIN 40 for 13 yards (C.Greenway). P9

1-10-MIN 40 (8:28) K.Orton pass incomplete short middle to G.Wolfe.

2-10-MIN 40 (8:24) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass short left to G.Wolfe to MIN 39 for 1 yard (C.Griffin).

Timeout #1 by CHI at 07:39.

3-9-MIN 39 (7:39) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass incomplete short middle to R.Davis.

PENALTY on CHI-K.Orton, Intentional Grounding, 10 yards, enforced at MIN 39.

Penalty on CHI-J.St. Clair, Offensive Holding, declined.

4-19-MIN 49 (7:34) B.Maynard punts 47 yards to MIN 2, Center-P.Mannelly, downed by CHI-R.Davis.

Minnesota Vikings at 7:23

1-10-MIN 2 (7:23) A.Peterson right end to MIN 30 for 28 yards (C.Tillman, J.Williams). R20

1-10-MIN 30 (6:39) C.Taylor left tackle to MIN 32 for 2 yards (I.Idonije).

2-8-MIN 32 (5:58) T.Jackson pass short right to B.Wade to MIN 39 for 7 yards (C.Tillman).

3-1-MIN 39 (5:20) T.Richardson up the middle to MIN 41 for 2 yards (J.Kennedy; J.Williams). R21

1-10-MIN 41 (4:36) A.Peterson left end to MIN 39 for -2 yards (M.Toeaina).

2-12-MIN 39 (3:53) T.Jackson pass short right to J.Dugan to MIN 40 for 1 yard (L.Briggs).

Timeout #2 by CHI at 03:46.

3-11-MIN 40 (3:46) (Shotgun) C.Taylor up the middle to 50 for 10 yards (C.Tillman, B.McGowan).

4-1-50 (2:56) (Punt formation) PENALTY on MIN-C.Kluwe, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at 50 - No Play.

4-6-MIN 45 (2:56) C.Kluwe punts 45 yards to CHI 10, Center-C.Loeffler. D.Hester to CHI 10 for no gain

(C.Greenway).

Chicago Bears at 2:45

1-10-CHI 10 (2:45) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass short middle to G.Olsen to CHI 15 for 5 yards (E.Henderson).

2-5-CHI 15 (2:19) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass short left to M.Muhammad pushed ob at CHI 34 for 19 yards (D.Sharper). P10

1-10-CHI 34 (2:13) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass short left to D.Hester to CHI 45 for 11 yards (C.Griffin). P11

Two-Minute Warning

1-10-CHI 45 (2:00) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass incomplete short middle to A.Peterson [K.Williams].

2-10-CHI 45 (1:56) (Shotgun) K.Orton pass deep middle intended for B.Berrian INTERCEPTED by D.Sharper at

MIN -2. D.Sharper to MIN 39 for 41 yards (M.Muhammad).

Minnesota Vikings at 1:38

1-10-MIN 39 (1:38) T.Jackson kneels to MIN 38 for -1 yards (Team).

2-11-MIN 38 58) T.Jackson kneels to MIN 37 for -1 yards (Team).

3-12-MIN 37 15) T.Jackson kneels to MIN 36 for -1 yards (Team).

END OF QUARTER Score Time

==== Quarter Summary ==== R P X T 3Down 4Down

First Downs Efficiencies

Poss

Chicago Bears 13 4:40 1 4 0 5 0/1 0/0

Minnesota Vikings 20 10:20 5 1 0 6 2/5 1/1

 

[clarkent]

As was stated in an earlier post the Vikings made the first unforgivable bonehead mistake when they failed to run the play clock all the way down before each kneel down. In reality when you have the ball with 1:38 remaining and your opponent only has 1 timeout you can, for a fact, run the clock all the way down. The Vikings believed that the Bears would not call the timeout because they didn't do it after first down. The Bears coaches knew that the Vikings could run the clock down and were simply not paying attention anymore when they snapped it with extra time on the clock. Lovie's mistake was that he was not prepared for the Vikings to be so incompetent. As was stated in another previous post every player on the field is guilty of the same stupid mistake as coach Smith. No one was heads up enough to realize that they still had a chance to win. Anybody who believes that the Bears wittingly decided to decline the opportunity to extend the game another play or two is simply wrong. Everyone failed. So in the same weekend we witnessed Brian Westbrook's genius refusal to give his team a chance to lose and the Bears unexplainable idiotic refusal to give themselves a chance to win. Only people who can truly appreciate Westbrook's action understand how big the Bears mistake was.

 

[Avery]

As was stated in an earlier post the Vikings made the first unforgivable bonehead mistake when they failed to run the play clock all the way down before each kneel down. In reality when you have the ball with 1:38 remaining and your opponent only has 1 timeout you can, for a fact, run the clock all the way down. The Vikings believed that the Bears would not call the timeout because they didn't do it after first down. The Bears coaches knew that the Vikings could run the clock down and were simply not paying attention anymore when they snapped it with extra time on the clock. Lovie's mistake was that he was not prepared for the Vikings to be so incompetent. As was stated in another previous post every player on the field is guilty of the same stupid mistake as coach Smith. No one was heads up enough to realize that they still had a chance to win. Anybody who believes that the Bears wittingly decided to decline the opportunity to extend the game another play or two is simply wrong. Everyone failed. So in the same weekend we witnessed Brian Westbrook's genius refusal to give his team a chance to lose and the Bears unexplainable idiotic refusal to give themselves a chance to win. Only people who can truly appreciate Westbrook's action understand how big the Bears mistake was.

Incorrect.1st down: 1:38 HIKE! (play clock and game clock start on the snap after stoppage from change of possession)

2nd down: 1:38 - 45 seconds = 53 seconds... HIKE!

3rd down: 53 seconds - 45 seconds = 8 seconds... HIKE! TIME OUT BEARS!

4th down: PUNT or CHANGE OF POSSESSION ON DOWNS. 8 seconds left

 

[Real Man of Genius]

As was stated in an earlier post the Vikings made the first unforgivable bonehead mistake when they failed to run the play clock all the way down before each kneel down. In reality when you have the ball with 1:38 remaining and your opponent only has 1 timeout you can, for a fact, run the clock all the way down. The Vikings believed that the Bears would not call the timeout because they didn't do it after first down. The Bears coaches knew that the Vikings could run the clock down and were simply not paying attention anymore when they snapped it with extra time on the clock. Lovie's mistake was that he was not prepared for the Vikings to be so incompetent. As was stated in another previous post every player on the field is guilty of the same stupid mistake as coach Smith. No one was heads up enough to realize that they still had a chance to win. Anybody who believes that the Bears wittingly decided to decline the opportunity to extend the game another play or two is simply wrong. Everyone failed. So in the same weekend we witnessed Brian Westbrook's genius refusal to give his team a chance to lose and the Bears unexplainable idiotic refusal to give themselves a chance to win. Only people who can truly appreciate Westbrook's action understand how big the Bears mistake was.

Incorrect.1st down: 1:38 HIKE! (play clock and game clock start on the snap after stoppage from change of possession)

2nd down: 1:38 - 45 seconds = 53 seconds... HIKE!

3rd down: 53 seconds - 45 seconds = 8 seconds... HIKE! TIME OUT BEARS!

4th down: PUNT or CHANGE OF POSSESSION ON DOWNS. 8 seconds left

The actual plays take time off the clock too...

 

[Avery]

As was stated in an earlier post the Vikings made the first unforgivable bonehead mistake when they failed to run the play clock all the way down before each kneel down. In reality when you have the ball with 1:38 remaining and your opponent only has 1 timeout you can, for a fact, run the clock all the way down. The Vikings believed that the Bears would not call the timeout because they didn't do it after first down. The Bears coaches knew that the Vikings could run the clock down and were simply not paying attention anymore when they snapped it with extra time on the clock. Lovie's mistake was that he was not prepared for the Vikings to be so incompetent. As was stated in another previous post every player on the field is guilty of the same stupid mistake as coach Smith. No one was heads up enough to realize that they still had a chance to win. Anybody who believes that the Bears wittingly decided to decline the opportunity to extend the game another play or two is simply wrong. Everyone failed. So in the same weekend we witnessed Brian Westbrook's genius refusal to give his team a chance to lose and the Bears unexplainable idiotic refusal to give themselves a chance to win. Only people who can truly appreciate Westbrook's action understand how big the Bears mistake was.

Incorrect.1st down: 1:38 HIKE! (play clock and game clock start on the snap after stoppage from change of possession)

2nd down: 1:38 - 45 seconds = 53 seconds... HIKE!

3rd down: 53 seconds - 45 seconds = 8 seconds... HIKE! TIME OUT BEARS!

4th down: PUNT or CHANGE OF POSSESSION ON DOWNS. 8 seconds left

The actual plays take time off the clock too...

OK. What do we think? About two seconds to knee down?That would leave 4 seconds on the clock.

All you need is one second for a play.

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

 

[AB in DC]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

 

[cholo]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

Assuming that the punter could avoid being tackled (or fumbling) for those 5 seconds. Otherwise, the other team gets the ball with much better field position.

 

[Real Man of Genius]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

Assuming that the punter could avoid being tackled (or fumbling) for those 5 seconds. Otherwise, the other team gets the ball with much better field position.

Does the play clock start when the whistle blows on the last play, or when the ball is set? That usually takes a couple of seconds...

 

[clarkent]

In Minnesota, I'd say that each play would consume at least 3 seconds of the game clock.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I honestly can't fathom anyone defending Lovie here. Seriously, anyone that says Lovie did not screw up and did not give up on his team has ZERO understanding of basic football principles. No, basic sports principles. This is so basic as to extend beyond just football.

 

[cholo]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

Assuming that the punter could avoid being tackled (or fumbling) for those 5 seconds. Otherwise, the other team gets the ball with much better field position.

Does the play clock start when the whistle blows on the last play, or when the ball is set? That usually takes a couple of seconds...

If there had been a timeout or a delay-of-game penalty, then the clock wouldn't start until the ball was snapped.

 

[sdsjr3]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

That that would be smart why? You'd trust the punter to keep possession for that long? That's a while in terms of an NFL play. After a second or two, there would be 2 or 3 bears in his face. Not a good scenario. They would HAVE to punt the ball. Out of bounds? Yes, for certain. But there would most likely be time left for one play.

 

[encaitar]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

That that would be smart why? You'd trust the punter to keep possession for that long? That's a while in terms of an NFL play. After a second or two, there would be 2 or 3 bears in his face. Not a good scenario. They would HAVE to punt the ball. Out of bounds? Yes, for certain. But there would most likely be time left for one play.

Well, considering the play clock doesn't start until the ball is set, the Vikings could have run the clock all the way out. If you figure the snap, the kneel down, handing the ball to the ref, and the ref setting it in place, that's gonna be 4 seconds along with each 45 second play clock. The Vikings really should have taken all the time off of it. Plus, even if there were 6 or 7 seconds left on 4th down, by the time you snap the ball, punt it and get 4.5 seconds of hangtime, the game is over.

 

[cholo]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

That that would be smart why? You'd trust the punter to keep possession for that long? That's a while in terms of an NFL play. After a second or two, there would be 2 or 3 bears in his face. Not a good scenario. They would HAVE to punt the ball. Out of bounds? Yes, for certain. But there would most likely be time left for one play.

Well, considering the play clock doesn't start until the ball is set, the Vikings could have run the clock all the way out. If you figure the snap, the kneel down, handing the ball to the ref, and the ref setting it in place, that's gonna be 4 seconds along with each 45 second play clock. The Vikings really should have taken all the time off of it.

It doesn't take 4 seconds for a ref to place the ball down -- it takes 2-3, tops. That leaves you with the following scenario:1:38 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

1:35 - game clock starts

:51 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

:48 - game clock starts

:04 - kneel down (instant timeout)

:03 - final play

Yeah, I suppose the Vikings could have run around for those 3 seconds -- but that's a pretty big risk. Either way, it's not relevant to the point, which is that Chicago should have at least forced Minnesota's hand. They had absolutely nothing to lose by calling a timeout.

 

[clarkent]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

That that would be smart why? You'd trust the punter to keep possession for that long? That's a while in terms of an NFL play. After a second or two, there would be 2 or 3 bears in his face. Not a good scenario. They would HAVE to punt the ball. Out of bounds? Yes, for certain. But there would most likely be time left for one play.

Well, considering the play clock doesn't start until the ball is set, the Vikings could have run the clock all the way out. If you figure the snap, the kneel down, handing the ball to the ref, and the ref setting it in place, that's gonna be 4 seconds along with each 45 second play clock. The Vikings really should have taken all the time off of it.

It doesn't take 4 seconds for a ref to place the ball down -- it takes 2-3, tops. That leaves you with the following scenario:1:38 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

1:35 - game clock starts

:51 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

:48 - game clock starts

:04 - kneel down (instant timeout)

:03 - final play

Yeah, I suppose the Vikings could have run around for those 3 seconds -- but that's a pretty big risk. Either way, it's not relevant to the point, which is that Chicago should have at least forced Minnesota's hand. They had absolutely nothing to lose by calling a timeout.

There are a few points here. The most obvious being that Lovie crapped the bed. Anybody who doesn't know that is lost. The argument over whether or not the Vikings completely mismanaged the final possession is relevant because it helps to explain why perhaps the Bears were not ready to take the timeout. I would think that just like teams have a formula for when they can go for a 2 point conversion as opposed to the PAT, they also have a cheat sheet to guide them as to how much time you need on the clock relative to how many timeouts you have in order to extend the game. I'm guessing that 1:38 is listed as not enough time with 1 timeout. It is just a very interesting situation to try and figure out, especially because to this point I am not aware of anyone questioning coach Smith about it. It seems that the only way I can imagine a millionaire football coach screwing this up is if the other team screwed it up first. Either way the mistake is inexcusable in my opinion. I just think the smarter coaches in the league are now going to pay a lot more attention to exactly how many seconds the offense runs off the clock at the end of the game instead of just assuming they can't get the ball back because mathematically they shouldn't. Never underestimate your opponents stupidity I guess. I lean towards believing that the Vikings should have run out the game clock regardless of the Bears calling a timeout or not, but I am not sure. I'm just saying that it is interesting, and I bet Bill Belichek paid attention to it.

 

[cholo]

I would think that just like teams have a formula for when they can go for a 2 point conversion as opposed to the PAT, they also have a cheat sheet to guide them as to how much time you need on the clock relative to how many timeouts you have in order to extend the game. I'm guessing that 1:38 is listed as not enough time with 1 timeout.

Excellent point. But I'd bet that same sheet also says that they DID have enough time on 2nd and 3rd down, since Minnesota wasted at least 7 seconds of their own time.

 

[MarshallRob]

Forgive me if this is in the game thread, but I'm not reading through that whole thing, and I think this deserves its own thread anyway.

Explain to me why at the end of the game when Lovie Smith could've called timeout to force the Vikings to punt to the most dangerous returner in the game down by just seven points, he decided to just give up instead?

The announcers said the Bears had one timeout left. The Vikings then kneeled down on third down with like 10 seconds left or something. How do the Bears not call timeout there?

He should be fired immediately. They were still alive for the playoffs if they won, and he just gave up. I don't care how remote the possibility is that you block the punt or run it all the way back, but you certainly have to try with your whole season hanging in the balance. But he decided to not use his final timeout and just gave up instead.

I think he figured the Vikes would just punt it out of bounds on the bears like 20 yrd line. Giving the bears maybe 2 seconds with Orton to go 80 yards. I guess he figured the odds were greater someone would get hurt then the Bears score, and I agree, the season was over.

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't cut it. You're the defending NFC champions and you're so worried about someone getting hurt on one play that you decide to officially eliminate yourselves from the playoffs? That is absolute BS. What a terrible leader.

They werent going to punt to Hester. So I suppose you can try and block it and pick it up and run it back. But the vikes prolly max protect it. The point is, with no time and really no chance that Hester can get. Im guessing Lovie figured his chances of winning were less then 1%, which he was right. Add to that, the Bears would need to win more games with Orton, eeek.

Are you kidding me with this? Then why play the game?????????? I don't care if it's a one in a billion chance. You take it. You don't just lie down and quit.

Hey I am not saying this was the greatest coaching move ever, or that I wouldnt have called the TO. But your belief is the Bears superbowl runner up coach should be fired becuase he didnt call the timeout in a game he had no chance of winning realistically. They werent going to punt to Hester, how exactly were the Bears going to score with no time? And dont tell we they are going to block it and run it back 60 yards to win as this happens at the conclusion of a game never ever ever. So how they going to win? You firing the Coach over this... You kidding me with this?

ESPN Classic down?I fire the coach for giving up on his team, his fans, the entire organization. Of course, he first did that when he started Kyle Orton.

Well to each his own, me I would not fire Lovie over this, I think you are over reacting. Also please site me games where teams have blocked punts and run them back to win as time expires.

1977, Week 13: With nine seconds remaining and the Colts up 10-6, the Lions' Leonard Thompson blocked a Colts' punt, picked up the ball and scored the winning TD for Detroit.1986, Week 14: With 20 seconds left, the Colts' Eugene Daniel blocked a punt for a touchdown to beat Atlanta 28-23. The Colts were 0-13 at the time so that play gave them their first win of the year.

Technically, time probably had not completely expired at the time the winning TD's were scored.

 

[clarkent]

I would think that just like teams have a formula for when they can go for a 2 point conversion as opposed to the PAT, they also have a cheat sheet to guide them as to how much time you need on the clock relative to how many timeouts you have in order to extend the game. I'm guessing that 1:38 is listed as not enough time with 1 timeout.

Excellent point. But I'd bet that same sheet also says that they DID have enough time on 2nd and 3rd down, since Minnesota wasted at least 7 seconds of their own time.

Exactly.That's what I'm guessing happened. Nobody on the Bears was paying enough attention to recognize the opportunity they had just been given. I'm just astonished that nobody freaked out in the media about it when it happened. All these people make a living by covering these games and something so out of the ordinary happens, but you don't hear a peep. I don't get it. I lost my mind when I watched those last 14 seconds tick off. I had to watch the sequence again to make sure that it was in fact 4th down. Then I just assumed that Mike Tirico had to be mistaken about the Bears having a timeout remaining. Then I called my buddy who I know would have been freaking out too, but he didn't notice it. I started to think that I was going insane, thank god I googled " Lovie Smith final timeout" and found this thread. It is just amazing how few people realize what a humongous error this was for a football coach. I will never have confidence in coach Smith in any situation ever again.

 

[Schrute]

Forgive me if this is in the game thread, but I'm not reading through that whole thing, and I think this deserves its own thread anyway.

Explain to me why at the end of the game when Lovie Smith could've called timeout to force the Vikings to punt to the most dangerous returner in the game down by just seven points, he decided to just give up instead?

The announcers said the Bears had one timeout left. The Vikings then kneeled down on third down with like 10 seconds left or something. How do the Bears not call timeout there?

He should be fired immediately. They were still alive for the playoffs if they won, and he just gave up. I don't care how remote the possibility is that you block the punt or run it all the way back, but you certainly have to try with your whole season hanging in the balance. But he decided to not use his final timeout and just gave up instead.

I think he figured the Vikes would just punt it out of bounds on the bears like 20 yrd line. Giving the bears maybe 2 seconds with Orton to go 80 yards. I guess he figured the odds were greater someone would get hurt then the Bears score, and I agree, the season was over.

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't cut it. You're the defending NFC champions and you're so worried about someone getting hurt on one play that you decide to officially eliminate yourselves from the playoffs? That is absolute BS. What a terrible leader.

They werent going to punt to Hester. So I suppose you can try and block it and pick it up and run it back. But the vikes prolly max protect it. The point is, with no time and really no chance that Hester can get. Im guessing Lovie figured his chances of winning were less then 1%, which he was right. Add to that, the Bears would need to win more games with Orton, eeek.

Are you kidding me with this? Then why play the game?????????? I don't care if it's a one in a billion chance. You take it. You don't just lie down and quit.

Hey I am not saying this was the greatest coaching move ever, or that I wouldnt have called the TO. But your belief is the Bears superbowl runner up coach should be fired becuase he didnt call the timeout in a game he had no chance of winning realistically. They werent going to punt to Hester, how exactly were the Bears going to score with no time? And dont tell we they are going to block it and run it back 60 yards to win as this happens at the conclusion of a game never ever ever. So how they going to win? You firing the Coach over this... You kidding me with this?

ESPN Classic down?I fire the coach for giving up on his team, his fans, the entire organization. Of course, he first did that when he started Kyle Orton.

Well to each his own, me I would not fire Lovie over this, I think you are over reacting. Also please site me games where teams have blocked punts and run them back to win as time expires.

1977, Week 13: With nine seconds remaining and the Colts up 10-6, the Lions' Leonard Thompson blocked a Colts' punt, picked up the ball and scored the winning TD for Detroit.1986, Week 14: With 20 seconds left, the Colts' Eugene Daniel blocked a punt for a touchdown to beat Atlanta 28-23. The Colts were 0-13 at the time so that play gave them their first win of the year.

Technically, time probably had not completely expired at the time the winning TD's were scored.

There you go, Goldplaitednails! Happy now?

 

[scott72]

Don't worry, the Bears will look like a Superbowl team against the Pack this week. Remember this is all Lovie cares about anyway right? Beating the Packers?

 

[eom]

thank god I googled " Lovie Smith final timeout" and found this thread

hahahaha...just think of all the traffic this board gets from people searching 'punched in da mouf'.

 

[cenahater5000]

Hey, people. The play clock in the NFL is 40 seconds, not 45. The Vikings could not have run out the clock had the Bears called a timeout.

 

[cenahater5000]

Hey, people. The play clock in the NFL is 40 seconds, not 45. The Vikings could not have run out the clock had the Bears called a timeout.

 

[cenahater5000]

Also, since we're breaking this down so close, if you used all 45 seconds of the play clock, you'd have a delay of game, so the best that the Vikes could do is use 44 seconds of the play clock so add back in 2 seconds.

And this is a problem, why?With four or five seconds left, they could snap it to the punter and have him run around until the clock expires.

That that would be smart why? You'd trust the punter to keep possession for that long? That's a while in terms of an NFL play. After a second or two, there would be 2 or 3 bears in his face. Not a good scenario. They would HAVE to punt the ball. Out of bounds? Yes, for certain. But there would most likely be time left for one play.

Well, considering the play clock doesn't start until the ball is set, the Vikings could have run the clock all the way out. If you figure the snap, the kneel down, handing the ball to the ref, and the ref setting it in place, that's gonna be 4 seconds along with each 45 second play clock. The Vikings really should have taken all the time off of it.

It doesn't take 4 seconds for a ref to place the ball down -- it takes 2-3, tops. That leaves you with the following scenario:1:38 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

1:35 - game clock starts

:51 - kneel down

[3 seconds pass]

:48 - game clock starts

:04 - kneel down (instant timeout)

:03 - final play

Yeah, I suppose the Vikings could have run around for those 3 seconds -- but that's a pretty big risk. Either way, it's not relevant to the point, which is that Chicago should have at least forced Minnesota's hand. They had absolutely nothing to lose by calling a timeout.

The play clock is 40 seconds, not 45.

 

[Fallerjw]

Don't worry, the Bears will look like a Superbowl team against the Pack this week. Remember this is all Lovie cares about anyway right? Beating the Packers?