Terrible Decision nobody talking about (1 Viewer)

[Liquid Tension]

I know Pitt won so nobody says anything, but this was absurd and I think Tomlin being a (young) coach really screwed this up. With about 1:08 to go in the game, Pitt completes a 10 yard gain (right after a timeout) for 1st and goal from the 4 yard line with your team down by 3 points...Inexplicably Ben gets up to the line and spikes the ball. I am saying that Baltimore should be using their timeouts and Pitt helps them by stopping the clock AND even more absurd wasting a down. I couldn't believe how bad of a decision this was, absolutely crazy. Now Baltimore has time to try and come back and now Pitt only has 2 downs to get in the end zone instead of 3. The first pass in incomplete and now they are down to their final down. Fortunately after a broken play they get a TD (although that is still questionable)...but what if they were at the 2 inch yard line or what if they were at the 1 or even the 4?

Baltimore did have time to throw a hail Mary at the end as well.

Pitt should have taken their time and run whatever play they thought would work, but time was not even a factor for them (they even had a timeout left), but the downs surely are critical.

Nobody is talking about this because Pitt was lucky enough to win, but I believe this was one of the worst decisions I have seen in some time. They lessened thir chances of scoring a TD and gave baltimore a chance to come back...could not be worse.

 

[identikit]

Spiking it was indeed a horrible decision.

Against a team with a better offense, it could have been a gamebraker.

I like Tomlin a lot (fiery attitude/motivational etc), but I don't think he's all that good in game/time management.

Yet anyways. He's still pretty new in the head coaching biz.

 

[Godsbrother]

Terrible decision and it very well could have cost them. Fortunately it didn't and hopefully they realize the mistake and won't repeat it.

 

[dgreen]

Clock management across the NFL is fairly crappy.

 

[apalmer]

I know Pitt won so nobody says anything, but this was absurd and I think Tomlin being a rookie coach really screwed this up. With about 1:08 to go in the game, Pitt completes a 10 yard gain (right after a timeout) for 1st and goal from the 4 yard line with your team down by 3 points...Inexplicably Ben gets up to the line and spikes the ball. I am saying that Baltimore should be using their timeouts and Pitt helps them by stopping the clock AND even more absurd wasting a down. I couldn't believe how bad of a decision this was, absolutely crazy. Now Baltimore has time to try and come back and now Pitt only has 2 downs to get in the end zone instead of 3. The first pass in incomplete and now they are down to their final down. Fortunately after a broken play they get a TD (although that is still questionable)...but what if they were at the 2 inch yard line or what if they were at the 1 or even the 4? Baltimore did have time to throw a hail Mary at the end as well.Pitt should have taken their time and run whatever play they thought would work, but time was not even a factor for them (they even had a timeout left), but the downs surely are critical.Nobody is talking about this because Pitt was lucky enough to win, but I believe this was one of the worst decisions I have seen in some time. They lessened thir chances of scoring a TD and gave baltimore a chance to come back...could not be worse.

Yeah, bad decision. Reflexes got the better of them...just like they did with you when you called Tomlin a rookie coach.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Terrible decision and it very well could have cost them. Fortunately it didn't and hopefully they realize the mistake and won't repeat it.

I agree, the announcers were all over the Steelers for it to... no one is talking about it because it didn't effect the game's out come in anyway.Coaches are only human

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I thought it was a terrible decision that could have come back to bite them. I hated it. To be fair to Tomlin/Ben, though, I don't see very many instances of poor clock management, this was an isolated incident, but I still thought it was an awful decision.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

This is why I'm always saying that teams need to hire dedicated game managers, as head coaches just have too many things to worry about and badly screw up far too often.

Also far too often it gets ignored when it doesn't end up changing the outcome of the game, like Romeo Crennel kicking a FG when down 21 points with 8 minutes left (that game is still winnable if they go for it and score a TD) or Mike Leach letting his emotions get the best of him against Texas and kicking an extra point rather than going for 2 with a 5 point lead and 1 second left. I was actually rooting for Texas to run back that last kickoff so he wouldn't get a free pass on it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

This is why I'm always saying that teams need to hire dedicated game managers, as head coaches just have too many things to worry about and badly screw up far too often.

Also far too often it gets ignored when it doesn't end up changing the outcome of the game, like Romeo Crennel kicking a FG when down 21 points with 8 minutes left (that game is still winnable if they go for it and score a TD) or Mike Leach letting his emotions get the best of him against Texas and kicking an extra point rather than going for 2 with a 5 point lead and 1 second left. I was actually rooting for Texas to run back that last kickoff so he wouldn't get a free pass on it.

Jeff Fisher did that exact same thing in the Music City Miracle playoff game against Buffalo nine years ago. And he is generally considered one of the NFL's best coaches!

 

[fred_1_15301]

I know Pitt won so nobody says anything, but this was absurd and I think Tomlin being a rookie coach really screwed this up. With about 1:08 to go in the game, Pitt completes a 10 yard gain (right after a timeout) for 1st and goal from the 4 yard line with your team down by 3 points...Inexplicably Ben gets up to the line and spikes the ball. I am saying that Baltimore should be using their timeouts and Pitt helps them by stopping the clock AND even more absurd wasting a down. I couldn't believe how bad of a decision this was, absolutely crazy. Now Baltimore has time to try and come back and now Pitt only has 2 downs to get in the end zone instead of 3. The first pass in incomplete and now they are down to their final down. Fortunately after a broken play they get a TD (although that is still questionable)...but what if they were at the 2 inch yard line or what if they were at the 1 or even the 4? Baltimore did have time to throw a hail Mary at the end as well.Pitt should have taken their time and run whatever play they thought would work, but time was not even a factor for them (they even had a timeout left), but the downs surely are critical.Nobody is talking about this because Pitt was lucky enough to win, but I believe this was one of the worst decisions I have seen in some time. They lessened thir chances of scoring a TD and gave baltimore a chance to come back...could not be worse.

It was a terrible decision indeed but after the game Ben explained that he simply wanted to stop the clock to calm everyone down. He didn't want to jeopardize the next 2 important plays. Regardless, I agree it was dumb.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Clock management across the NFL is fairly crappy.

It's awful week after week. Even worse in the NCAA.These guys aren't rocket scientists or even paralegals, they're incredibly well-compensated P.E. teachers.

 

[dgreen]

Clock management across the NFL is fairly crappy.

It's awful week after week. Even worse in the NCAA.These guys aren't rocket scientists or even paralegals, they're incredibly well-compensated P.E. teachers.

Some teams have instant replay specialist. I would think someone would hire a clock management specialist.

 

[Liquid Tension]

I know Pitt won so nobody says anything, but this was absurd and I think Tomlin being a rookie coach really screwed this up. With about 1:08 to go in the game, Pitt completes a 10 yard gain (right after a timeout) for 1st and goal from the 4 yard line with your team down by 3 points...Inexplicably Ben gets up to the line and spikes the ball. I am saying that Baltimore should be using their timeouts and Pitt helps them by stopping the clock AND even more absurd wasting a down. I couldn't believe how bad of a decision this was, absolutely crazy. Now Baltimore has time to try and come back and now Pitt only has 2 downs to get in the end zone instead of 3. The first pass in incomplete and now they are down to their final down. Fortunately after a broken play they get a TD (although that is still questionable)...but what if they were at the 2 inch yard line or what if they were at the 1 or even the 4? Baltimore did have time to throw a hail Mary at the end as well.Pitt should have taken their time and run whatever play they thought would work, but time was not even a factor for them (they even had a timeout left), but the downs surely are critical.Nobody is talking about this because Pitt was lucky enough to win, but I believe this was one of the worst decisions I have seen in some time. They lessened thir chances of scoring a TD and gave baltimore a chance to come back...could not be worse.

It was a terrible decision indeed but after the game Ben explained that he simply wanted to stop the clock to calm everyone down. He didn't want to jeopardize the next 2 important plays. Regardless, I agree it was dumb.

He doesn't save himself much time by spiking the ball, he could have huddled up and run a play with 35 seconds left; time was not an issue for Pitt, in fact it was in Baltimore's favor.

 

[Liquid Tension]

Terrible decision and it very well could have cost them. Fortunately it didn't and hopefully they realize the mistake and won't repeat it.

I agree, the announcers were all over the Steelers for it to... no one is talking about it because it didn't effect the game's out come in anyway.Coaches are only human

That is the point, because they won nobody is talking about...unfortunately that is pretty sad.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

I don't agree with his reasoning but....Tomlin was asked about this at his press conference today. He said that they chose to spike it so that they could keep their timeout and leave the option to run the ball on the table.

 

[Nemesis]

Is everyone sure that this was actually a coaches decision from the sideline or merely a rushed Big Ben reaction?

 

[tombonneau]

I don't agree with his reasoning but....Tomlin was asked about this at his press conference today. He said that they chose to spike it so that they could keep their timeout and leave the option to run the ball on the table.

That thought process is even worse than the decision.

 

[Das Boot]

Clock management across the NFL is fairly crappy.

It's awful week after week. Even worse in the NCAA.These guys aren't rocket scientists or even paralegals, they're incredibly well-compensated P.E. teachers.

Some teams have instant replay specialist. I would think someone would hire a clock management specialist.

I'm shocked all teams don't have both full time specialists in both of those positions.

 

[TakiToki]

This is why I'm always saying that teams need to hire dedicated game managers, as head coaches just have too many things to worry about and badly screw up far too often.

Also far too often it gets ignored when it doesn't end up changing the outcome of the game, like Romeo Crennel kicking a FG when down 21 points with 8 minutes left (that game is still winnable if they go for it and score a TD) or Mike Leach letting his emotions get the best of him against Texas and kicking an extra point rather than going for 2 with a 5 point lead and 1 second left. I was actually rooting for Texas to run back that last kickoff so he wouldn't get a free pass on it.

I honestly think that Leach did that because he thought the fans would rush the field again on a two-point play.

 

[No. 16]

These coaches need to play more Madden. Almost anyone who plays football video games knows how to manage the clock better than these guys.

 

[Daywalker]

NFL coaches are not as smart as you think nor is anyone in most professions.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

It blows my mind, that stuff. Parcells was great at clock management. It's not that tough, they just don't make it a priority, which is ridiculous when you think about the difference it can make. I don't get it.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

This is why I'm always saying that teams need to hire dedicated game managers, as head coaches just have too many things to worry about and badly screw up far too often.Also far too often it gets ignored when it doesn't end up changing the outcome of the game, like Romeo Crennel kicking a FG when down 21 points with 8 minutes left (that game is still winnable if they go for it and score a TD) or Mike Leach letting his emotions get the best of him against Texas and kicking an extra point rather than going for 2 with a 5 point lead and 1 second left. I was actually rooting for Texas to run back that last kickoff so he wouldn't get a free pass on it.

I see the term "Quality Control Manager" popping up on football coaches' resumes. Shouldn't they be managing these things?

 

[Godsbrother]

These coaches need to play more Madden. Almost anyone who plays football video games knows how to manage the clock better than these guys.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

These coaches need to play more Madden. Almost anyone who plays football video games knows how to manage the clock better than these guys.

I know. But as funny as it sounds, I was thinking there's probably a lot of truth to it (and I've never played Madden).

 

[jsbcpa]

There was an even worse decision made that I haven't heard of anyone mentioning. After the initial ruling on Holmes being down at the 1, it would have been 4th down. Ben called timeout with about 24 sec on the clock? He should have waited until there was just 1 sec left. It was the last play Pgh was going to run unless there was a penalty and then the clock wouldn't have mattered anyway. Obviously this had no impact but it struck me at the time as a huge mistake. It Tomlin decided to play it safe and kick the fg Balt would have had enough time to win the game.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Terrible decision and it very well could have cost them. Fortunately it didn't and hopefully they realize the mistake and won't repeat it.

I agree, the announcers were all over the Steelers for it to... no one is talking about it because it didn't effect the game's out come in anyway.Coaches are only human

That is the point, because they won nobody is talking about...unfortunately that is pretty sad.

The Great Play that Ben made and the Ref overturn into a TD is the much bigger story of this game

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

There was an even worse decision made that I haven't heard of anyone mentioning. After the initial ruling on Holmes being down at the 1, it would have been 4th down. Ben called timeout with about 24 sec on the clock? He should have waited until there was just 1 sec left. It was the last play Pgh was going to run unless there was a penalty and then the clock wouldn't have mattered anyway. Obviously this had no impact but it struck me at the time as a huge mistake. It Tomlin decided to play it safe and kick the fg Balt would have had enough time to win the game.

On the other hand...if the Steelers hadn't gotten in on 4th down there would still be around 20 seconds left in the game. Potentially time for a safety, punt return and FG attempt.Also, playing devil's advocate here...if the Steelers had run a play on first down and not gotten in and the next two plays were the same they'd have been scrambling after Holmes' catch as it was ruled on the field to be 4th down. Would they have quick-snapped before the officials had time to review the play?

 

[PhD]

There was an even worse decision made that I haven't heard of anyone mentioning. After the initial ruling on Holmes being down at the 1, it would have been 4th down. Ben called timeout with about 24 sec on the clock? He should have waited until there was just 1 sec left. It was the last play Pgh was going to run unless there was a penalty and then the clock wouldn't have mattered anyway. Obviously this had no impact but it struck me at the time as a huge mistake. It Tomlin decided to play it safe and kick the fg Balt would have had enough time to win the game.

On the other hand...if the Steelers hadn't gotten in on 4th down there would still be around 20 seconds left in the game. Potentially time for a safety, punt return and FG attempt.Also, playing devil's advocate here...if the Steelers had run a play on first down and not gotten in and the next two plays were the same they'd have been scrambling after Holmes' catch as it was ruled on the field to be 4th down. Would they have quick-snapped before the officials had time to review the play?

This whole topic seems like a typical armchair QB issue (maybe more specifically a Madden-version of armchair QBing). Revisit the atmosphere and emotion: At that point in the game you are losing, time is ticking away, your teammates are not yet on the same page, and yet you are all lining up against a ferocious ball-hawking defense, which is second best in the league and one that knows you pretty well after playing you in your own division and you are in their stadium with clear playoff implications on the line. Though you have been methodically moving the ball this is not the defense that loses confidence and folds under pressure. Thugs on the team are literally (allegedly) putting bounties on your heads. Move your arm chair to that spot on the field in that emotion and I doubt you'll even plug in the computer efficiently let alone play the video game efficiently. Cool heads prevail and if you have to spike the ball to cool heads then that's unfortunate, but do it.