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Post here when coaches do something you disagree with (2 Viewers)

So they accepted the penalty just to kick from closer? That makes no sense. Like, I literally can't imagine any reason for doing that.

Are you allowed to accept a penalty on an XP kick and apply it to a 2pt attempt? So the D is offside on the kick, and you take a half-the-distance penalty and get to try a 2PC from the 1? Because that might make sense (though not in the scenario the Browns were in, since an XP would have put them up 4). But just to re-kick? I got nothing ...
Its the Browns.  Everything that "makes no sense" actually makes sense when you add the context that it was the Browns.

 
On the other end of the spectrum, Nagy's decision to intentionally take a false start allowed them to run the play clock down an additional time.  I wonder how many coaches are intelligent enough to do that.  

I've always read Belichick knows every rule possible.  And when you look at their long term success, no doubt any advantage possible goes a long way.

 
Its the Browns.  Everything that "makes no sense" actually makes sense when you add the context that it was the Browns.
Not really.  Hue Jackson was the problem and now the new Browns are the Bengals.

Browns are a very good team that was held back by idiocy running things.

 
On the other end of the spectrum, Nagy's decision to intentionally take a false start allowed them to run the play clock down an additional time.  I wonder how many coaches are intelligent enough to do that.  

I've always read Belichick knows every rule possible.  And when you look at their long term success, no doubt any advantage possible goes a long way.
Including cheating, but yeah, good point.

 
Yep.  It also puts Detroit in a situation in which they pull out all the stops to get a field goal to win.  If you tie them they might take the game to OT if something goes slightly wrong, instead of go crazy for the FG.   It's the difference between going for it on 4th down and taking it to OT. 

Stupid call IMO.  You cant win if you convert there, but you lose if you don't. 

Maybe would be different if Carolina was the worse team and didn't feel confident about winning if it went to OT. 
Interestingly, Pederson used this exact argument to defend his decision to kick the XP when Philly was in that scenario yesterday. I'm still not totally convinced it matters -- the data posted by @CalBear does not indicate there's an "aggression bonus" for offenses that are trailing instead of tied, and besides, most teams in that scenario will fail to score, so you should be deciding it more on whether you think you can convert the 2PC -- but it is refreshing to hear a coach think that way as opposed to just saying "We wanted to extend the game."

 
This didn't affect the game at all, but it was definitly a  :whoosh: moment in the stadium. Why the heck are they calling a timeout? Detroit had two timeouts left so the Cards could have just run out the clock. They ran the first play, it didn't go anywhere, they call a timeout???, then run a second play. 

Just a dumb timeout.

Arizona Cardinals at 0:30

1-10-ARZ 19 (:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Johnson up the middle to ARZ 20 for 1 yard (J.Davis).

Timeout #1 by ARZ at 00:24.

2-9-ARZ 20 (:24) (Shotgun) D.Johnson up the middle to ARZ 30 for 10 yards (G.Quin).

 
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This didn't affect the game at all, but it was definitly a  :whoosh: moment in the stadium. Why the heck are they calling a timeout? Detroit had two timeouts left so the Cards could have just run out the clock. They ran the first play, it didn't go anywhere, they call a timeout???, then run a second play. 

Just a dumb timeout.

Arizona Cardinals at 0:30

1-10-ARZ 19 (:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Johnson up the middle to ARZ 20 for 1 yard (J.Davis).

Timeout #1 by ARZ at 00:24.

2-9-ARZ 20 (:24) (Shotgun) D.Johnson up the middle to ARZ 30 for 10 yards (G.Quin).
Bill Barnwell used to have a thing in his Grantland column where he would rip on teams for running meaningless draw plays at the end of the half. It's like, if you're going to try to score, then try to score. If not, just kneel. What could possibly be gained from a running play other than a potential injury?

 
Bill Barnwell used to have a thing in his Grantland column where he would rip on teams for running meaningless draw plays at the end of the half. It's like, if you're going to try to score, then try to score. If not, just kneel. What could possibly be gained from a running play other than a potential injury?
I can *kind of* understand maybe running and if you get 15 or 20 yards on first down you can call a timeout and try throwing from there. But after getting nowhere on the first run, why not just let the clock run out?

I do pretty much agree with Barnwell though. So much more can go wrong running those dumb plays than just taking a knee.

 
Explanation: https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/video/1393212995533

TLDR: it was a dead ball foul (encroachment) so the first play never happened. They either had to re-kick or go for two from the 1 yard line.
I remain skeptical.  What is Blandino's source here, or was he just speculating?  Because the official NFL game box score still lists the penalty as offside (not neutral zone enfraction nor encroachment) and lists the play as a live play.

 
I remain skeptical.  What is Blandino's source here, or was he just speculating?  Because the official NFL game box score still lists the penalty as offside (not neutral zone enfraction nor encroachment) and lists the play as a live play.
I mean, I'm inclined to believe it just because, Browns jokes aside, there is no other rational reason for a coach to re-kick there. Maybe if Williams misunderstood the call? But otherwise, no way. I'd sooner believe the game log was wrong than believe anyone would be that stupid.

 
I mean, I'm inclined to believe it just because, Browns jokes aside, there is no other rational reason for a coach to re-kick there. Maybe if Williams misunderstood the call? But otherwise, no way. I'd sooner believe the game log was wrong than believe anyone would be that stupid.
Right there is obviously no reason to choose to re-kick after you just made it.  The charge is that the coach misunderstood and didn't realize he could decline it.

So we're left to decide which is more plausible.  That the play was recorded incorrectly in the official NFL record books or that an interim coach of the Cleveland Browns goofed up.

 
Seattle let the play clock run all the way down in the last minute, wasting 15+ seconds. They'd gotten tackled at the MIN 5 with 1 minute left giving them 3rd & 1, and don't get the next snap off until the 25 second mark. Seemed to be intentional, not wanting MIN to get the ball with time left - apparently they cared more about MIN getting an extra 20 seconds from their own 25 yard line after the kickoff than about having enough time to run their offense inside the 5.

3rd down run gets the first down but not the touchdown, they use their last timeout with 16 seconds left, and now they have to throw it because the half probably ends if they're tackled short of the end zone.

Wilson pressured, stumbling, retreating; desperation heave to avoid the sack; intercepted.

 
Seattle let the play clock run all the way down in the last minute, wasting 15+ seconds. They'd gotten tackled at the MIN 5 with 1 minute left giving them 3rd & 1, and don't get the next snap off until the 25 second mark. Seemed to be intentional, not wanting MIN to get the ball with time left - apparently they cared more about MIN getting an extra 20 seconds from their own 25 yard line after the kickoff than about having enough time to run their offense inside the 5.

3rd down run gets the first down but not the touchdown, they use their last timeout with 16 seconds left, and now they have to throw it because the half probably ends if they're tackled short of the end zone.

Wilson pressured, stumbling, retreating; desperation heave to avoid the sack; intercepted.
Wait, you're saying Seattle screwed up a goal-to-go situation in the final seconds of a half? That's unpossible!

 
Seattle let the play clock run all the way down in the last minute, wasting 15+ seconds. They'd gotten tackled at the MIN 5 with 1 minute left giving them 3rd & 1, and don't get the next snap off until the 25 second mark. Seemed to be intentional, not wanting MIN to get the ball with time left - apparently they cared more about MIN getting an extra 20 seconds from their own 25 yard line after the kickoff than about having enough time to run their offense inside the 5.

3rd down run gets the first down but not the touchdown, they use their last timeout with 16 seconds left, and now they have to throw it because the half probably ends if they're tackled short of the end zone.

Wilson pressured, stumbling, retreating; desperation heave to avoid the sack; intercepted.
Probably the wrong move but doesn't seem egregious to me.  What if they score on that 3rd and 1 from the 5?  If they run a quick play, they're potentially leaving Minnesota with 45-50 seconds.  

 
Seattle let the play clock run all the way down in the last minute, wasting 15+ seconds. They'd gotten tackled at the MIN 5 with 1 minute left giving them 3rd & 1, and don't get the next snap off until the 25 second mark. Seemed to be intentional, not wanting MIN to get the ball with time left - apparently they cared more about MIN getting an extra 20 seconds from their own 25 yard line after the kickoff than about having enough time to run their offense inside the 5.

3rd down run gets the first down but not the touchdown, they use their last timeout with 16 seconds left, and now they have to throw it because the half probably ends if they're tackled short of the end zone.

Wilson pressured, stumbling, retreating; desperation heave to avoid the sack; intercepted.
Wait, you're saying Seattle screwed up a goal-to-go situation in the final seconds of a half? That's unpossible!
Nope, I'm saying the messed up in the set of downs when the line to gain was the MIN 4, which left them with limited options once they got goal to go.

Probably the wrong move but doesn't seem egregious to me.  What if they score on that 3rd and 1 from the 5?  If they run a quick play, they're potentially leaving Minnesota with 45-50 seconds.   
If they get a TD and then have to kick off with 50 seconds left in the half that's still way better than just getting a FG, especially with how their defense has been playing.

 
Nope, I'm saying the messed up in the set of downs when the line to gain was the MIN 4, which left them with limited options once they got goal to go.

If they get a TD and then have to kick off with 50 seconds left in the half that's still way better than just getting a FG, especially with how their defense has been playing.
But why are they only getting a FG by snapping the ball at the 5 with 25 seconds left?  They could have probably run the ball for the first and still gotten off 2 passing plays.  I don't think they needed to call a pass play there.  

 
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But why are they only getting a FG by snapping the ball at the 5 with 25 seconds left?  They could have probably run the ball for the first and still gotten off 2 passing plays.  I don't think they needed to call a pass play there.  
They did run the ball there. They got the first down, giving them first and goal at the 1.

When you have 1st and goal at the 1 you'd like to be able to run the ball, and you'd like to be able to use your full set of downs, and you'd like to be able to get points even if you take a sack. Instead they just had enough time to take 2 shots at the end zone and could not afford a sack, and on their first shot Wilson threw a pick while desperately trying to avoid the sack.

 
They did run the ball there. They got the first down, giving them first and goal at the 1.

When you have 1st and goal at the 1 you'd like to be able to run the ball, and you'd like to be able to use your full set of downs, and you'd like to be able to get points even if you take a sack. Instead they just had enough time to take 2 shots at the end zone and could not afford a sack, and on their first shot Wilson threw a pick while desperately trying to avoid the sack.
Gotcha.  I don't disagree with you.  Just don't think it was "obviously stupid".  In hindsight it didn't work out but I can understand their thinking.  

 
They were both close, but I was 🤣 when the Packers were out of challenges three plays into the game.
First challenge was a good one and I have no idea how it wasn’t overturned.  Second whilenclose was definitely stupid given the situation.  Just lost your first one, that early in the game, and the upside is you don’t give up a first down in that play.  Downside you are out of challenges and lose a second timeout.

Philbin did have good humor about it...joking he did it to have one less thing to worry about.

 
sho nuff said:
First challenge was a good one and I have no idea how it wasn’t overturned.  Second whilenclose was definitely stupid given the situation.  Just lost your first one, that early in the game, and the upside is you don’t give up a first down in that play .  Downside you are out of challenges and lose a second timeout.

Philbin did have good humor about it...joking he did it to have one less thing to worry about.
They are out of challenges either way after he threw the flag that second time.

 
They are out of challenges either way after he threw the flag that second time.
That’s my point of why it was dumb to even challenge.  Even winning it yiu are done with challenges to save a first down rather than having one that could change a  bigger play later.

 
After the Chargers showed their formation on the 2pt attempt...why didn't the Chiefs use their final time out?

You verify the defense is on the same page and/or make LA go to their second best play or formation for that play.

 
I give Lynn credit for going for the win ... but if that was going to be their strategy, they should have gone for two after the previous TD. That way, if they had missed they would have gotten a second bite at the apple.

 
I give Lynn credit for going for the win ... but if that was going to be their strategy, they should have gone for two after the previous TD. That way, if they had missed they would have gotten a second bite at the apple.
Bottom line is that he didn't have a plan in the last 5 minutes of that game.  He got lucky.

 
I give Lynn credit for going for the win ... but if that was going to be their strategy, they should have gone for two after the previous TD. That way, if they had missed they would have gotten a second bite at the apple.
But we could give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he realized that he made a mistake after the first TD and then corrected for it. 

 
That Kc TD drive that was aided by several BS charger penalty —- weak 

also rivers did it without Allen 

 
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But we could give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he realized that he made a mistake after the first TD and then corrected for it. 
More likely is that, as with every other coach outside of Pederson and Shurmur, it never occurred to him to do it after the first one.

But like I said, going for the win at the end was absolutely the right call. No way you want to risk giving the ball back to Mahomes with a chance to win the game.

 
trader jake said:
After the Chargers showed their formation on the 2pt attempt...why didn't the Chiefs use their final time out?

You verify the defense is on the same page and/or make LA go to their second best play or formation for that play.
Maybe he had the defense he wanted for that formation?  No reason to think you are going to guess right on the second break.  More often than not coaches are just showboating with the defensive TO.  I laugh to myself every time a guy does it before an onside kick attempt.

 
Maybe he had the defense he wanted for that formation?  No reason to think you are going to guess right on the second break.  More often than not coaches are just showboating with the defensive TO.  I laugh to myself every time a guy does it before an onside kick attempt.
You mean the defensive formation where they leave the Chargers' best WR uncovered?  :lol:

And yes, I agree with you in general that teams shouldn't automatically be expected to call a timeout -- look at the way Belichick mindf##ked Carroll in the Super Bowl by not calling one. But given how discombobulated his secondary was on the 2PC, maybe it would have made sense in that scenario? I still haven't heard an explanation of what happened to the Chiefs on that play.

 
You mean the defensive formation where they leave the Chargers' best WR uncovered?  :lol:

And yes, I agree with you in general that teams shouldn't automatically be expected to call a timeout -- look at the way Belichick mindf##ked Carroll in the Super Bowl by not calling one. But given how discombobulated his secondary was on the 2PC, maybe it would have made sense in that scenario? I still haven't heard an explanation of what happened to the Chiefs on that play.
The analysis I saw had them in an inside-outside coverage, ie like a switch in basketball except the outside guy didn't recognize the cross which is why it looked like a pick with the WR so open.  The formation and coverage can be spot on but the execution still has to come thru.  The coach can only control the first two elements in that equation.  

 
The analysis I saw had them in an inside-outside coverage, ie like a switch in basketball except the outside guy didn't recognize the cross which is why it looked like a pick with the WR so open.  The formation and coverage can be spot on but the execution still has to come thru.  The coach can only control the first two elements in that equation.  
True, though going back to SB 49, it's worth keeping in mind that Belichick specifically drilled his DBs on defending that play during the week, then inserted Butler into the game as soon as he recognized the formation. Meanwhile, KC fell for a play that LA had already run for a TD to Williams in the same game.

Also, in reference to my earlier discussion with @fred_1_15301, note that Lynn doesn't say anything about whether he should have gone for two after the earlier TD, but said he always knew he would after the second one. Which pretty much proves that he used a sub-optimal process that, fortunately for him, yielded good results.

 
True, though going back to SB 49, it's worth keeping in mind that Belichick specifically drilled his DBs on defending that play during the week, then inserted Butler into the game as soon as he recognized the formation. Meanwhile, KC fell for a play that LA had already run for a TD to Williams in the same game.

Also, in reference to my earlier discussion with @fred_1_15301, note that Lynn doesn't say anything about whether he should have gone for two after the earlier TD, but said he always knew he would after the second one. Which pretty much proves that he used a sub-optimal process that, fortunately for him, yielded good results.
As discussed earlier ITT and others.  The optimal choice is to go for two on the first score regardless.  The fact that he planned to go for the win in regulation ahead of time makes it a bigger mistake.

 
Okay, not sure this counts as obviously stupid, but the Jets just declined a penalty so that the Texans would have 4th-and-3 and presumably be forced to punt.

Instead, the Texans kicked a 53-yard field goal.

Now, I know that 53-yard-field goals are not gimmes, but it was within Fairburn's range and they had perfect weather and field conditions.

I dunno....it seems to me that you have a higher probability of winning the game if you accept that penalty and take your chances on 3rd-and-8.

 
Okay, not sure this counts as obviously stupid, but the Jets just declined a penalty so that the Texans would have 4th-and-3 and presumably be forced to punt.

Instead, the Texans kicked a 53-yard field goal.

Now, I know that 53-yard-field goals are not gimmes, but it was within Fairburn's range and they had perfect weather and field conditions.

I dunno....it seems to me that you have a higher probability of winning the game if you accept that penalty and take your chances on 3rd-and-8.
Ya, seemed dumb to me

 
Jason Myers the first Jets kicker to miss multiple PATs since John Hall on Dec. 12, 1999. Myers has now missed more extra points this season (3) than field goals (2). Myers is a career 87% kicker on extra points and a career 85% kicker on field goals.

:loco:

 

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