What ever happened to the hail mary (1 Viewer)

[bro1ncos]

I am just watching the end of the 1st half of the CLE/PIT and the PHI/WAS games and both CLE and WAS got the ball at the end of the 1st half on approx. their own 40's. There was less then 5 seconds left in the half and both games the teams took a knee and jogged into locker rooms.

Why don't more teams throw one hail mary up? There seems to be a lot more hail marys years ago, now a team just wants to get off the field. I don't seem to recall that there are more injuries on that particular play, so I wonder what a coach's reasoning is for not trying. Seems you have a much better chance having something good happen to you then anything worse then an interception happen against you.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Seems you have a much better chance having something good happen to you then anything worse then an interception happen against you.

Of the QB, who has to hold the ball longer than usual so the receivers have a chance to get downfield, could get sacked, fumble the ball, and the defense then returns it for a TD.In a close game, or if you are winning by a lot, it probably isn't worth it.

 

[Clifton]

I am just watching the end of the 1st half of the CLE/PIT and the PHI/WAS games and both CLE and WAS got the ball at the end of the 1st half on approx. their own 40's. There was less then 5 seconds left in the half and both games the teams took a knee and jogged into locker rooms. Why don't more teams throw one hail mary up? There seems to be a lot more hail marys years ago, now a team just wants to get off the field. I don't seem to recall that there are more injuries on that particular play, so I wonder what a coach's reasoning is for not trying. Seems you have a much better chance having something good happen to you then anything worse then an interception happen against you.

You've got a full half to recoup a couple of TD's. A quick defensive TD could be the nail in the coffin.

 

[bro1ncos]

Like I said, I don't ever recall a QB getting hurt on a play like that. I do know I have never seen a INT on a hail mary returned for a TD.

 

[bidiot]

I blame it on creeping secularism!

 

[Revo]

I am just watching the end of the 1st half of the CLE/PIT and the PHI/WAS games and both CLE and WAS got the ball at the end of the 1st half on approx. their own 40's. There was less then 5 seconds left in the half and both games the teams took a knee and jogged into locker rooms. Why don't more teams throw one hail mary up? There seems to be a lot more hail marys years ago, now a team just wants to get off the field. I don't seem to recall that there are more injuries on that particular play, so I wonder what a coach's reasoning is for not trying. Seems you have a much better chance having something good happen to you then anything worse then an interception happen against you.

IMO, there was more "recklessness" years ago in the NFL, whereas today's game is much more methodical and micro-managed. Although I don't have factual evidence, I would feel pretty comfortable saying coaches of the 70s and 80s didn't examine statistical data determining the success % of a play like the Hail Mary.Also, I think there are far more explosive players on defense today that could just as easily turn a play like that into a score for the D.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I am just watching the end of the 1st half of the CLE/PIT and the PHI/WAS games and both CLE and WAS got the ball at the end of the 1st half on approx. their own 40's. There was less then 5 seconds left in the half and both games the teams took a knee and jogged into locker rooms. Why don't more teams throw one hail mary up? There seems to be a lot more hail marys years ago, now a team just wants to get off the field. I don't seem to recall that there are more injuries on that particular play, so I wonder what a coach's reasoning is for not trying. Seems you have a much better chance having something good happen to you then anything worse then an interception happen against you.

IMO, there was more "recklessness" years ago in the NFL, whereas today's game is much more methodical and micro-managed. Although I don't have factual evidence, I would feel pretty comfortable saying coaches of the 70s and 80s didn't examine statistical data determining the success % of a play like the Hail Mary.Also, I think there are far more explosive players on defense today that could just as easily turn a play like that into a score for the D.

I'm certain that the expected value of running a Hail Mary in the situation defined in the OP is positive. I don't think reliance on statistical data is causing coaches to kneel the ball.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Like I said, I don't ever recall a QB getting hurt on a play like that. I do know I have never seen a INT on a hail mary returned for a TD.

Ray Lucas got injured on a Hail Mary at the end of a game in 1999 for the Jets.

 

[Chili1034]

Because interceptions are minus fantasy points in most leagues. The head coach's would hate to make fantasy owners mad. Especially Mike Shanahan.

 

[BLOX]

To keep Darren Sharper's stats down?

 

[RenegadeGM]

most teams have switched to the Our Father