Running a quick play to avoid a potential challenge

Why are we the only team in the league that doesn't rush to the line to run a play when there is a close call on the field? We should have rushed to kick the XP on the Rosario TD, and there was a 3rd down play to King that got overturned on a challenge that we could have potentially avoided by running a quick play.

The second instance actually didn't hurt as we still got the first down, and obviously the first instance didn't hurt cause it was still ruled a TD, but we're the only team it seems that NEVER forces the issue. There were a few calls last year where we didn't get a challenge in because the other team ran a play, hell Philly did it in game 1. We've been burned by this several times but we still never adjust our strategy.

Especially on the road, what benefit is there in letting the opposing coach get a replay on the big screen before we run a play on a close call? Well coached teams around the league are forcing the issue. I actually think there should be a rule in place to prevent the strategy but as long as it exists I think we should start exploiting it as well.

 

I agree 100%. The coaching staff for this team makes me want to vomit. Offensively, we are doing ok. Not spectacular, but ok. Defense and Special Teams are putrid. I have been a Jake supporter for a long long time. His days when he turns the ball over multiple times aggrivates me, but I still think he should be our QB...at least this year. However, when Jake has a bad day everyone calls for his head. I can't believe I don't see more people calling for John Fox's head. He is turning this franchise into a joke. We play our corners 10 yards off the receivers to keep the WRs from burning our DBs for a long play. However, the other team still marches down the field and scores easy TDs. It just takes more time off the clock and tires our defense. If our corners are not good enough to cover, then why did we give Gamble an extension? Heck, we even play 7-8 yards off when they are inside our 10 yard line. Are we afraid of getting beat deep???? If I were to write about all the stupid things we do, I would have blisters on my fingers. Our Defense is absolutely pathetic and our special teams is crap. Atlanta had a couple of big returns yesterday on the kickoff. We keep Lloyd to put the kickoffs in the endzone. That's his only job!!! He wasn't able to do that yesterday and it hurt us. I guess maybe it was windy...oh wait, we were in a dome. John Fox should take the blame for the horrible defense we play. I would rather give up some long TDs if we would be more aggressive some time. Fox doesn't have this team ready to play. He needs to go.

 

I wasn't intending this to be a John Fox bash topic but ultimately that is who the responsibility falls on.

You bring up a good point about Rhys Lloyd, I was thinking the same thing yesterday. He had a nice kickoff after halftime but the whole time I was thinking 'damn, if you had done that before halftime perhaps they wouldn't have gotten that late TD.'

He's been VERY inconsistant so far this year, especially in comparison to what he did last year.

 

Their kicker was a perfect five for five on Kickoff touchbacks. On turf, in a dome, Lloyd should be the same. Boom the freaking thing six yards deep and don't take any chances.

 

I don't think there's a separate call where the coaches say "yes, please hurry out there extra fast to kick" versus "no, please take your time." Ideally you'd have some consistency out there.
Different than "run a quick play" IMO. I'd also rather the players on the field not be first concerned with judging whether the play before was something to concern with reviews.

 

I'd like to get the old conservative Fox back. I think we are too tempted to go long. I'd rather us be able to consistently move the ball in 3-4 yard gains than a couple of 28 yard gains and go 3 and out.

I like the Fox that said, "a punt isn't a bad play." Then again, I guess he's seen our special teams.


To be honest, a new coaching staff change wouldn't totally upset me. I'd like to see more consistencey and our team playing smart football than the product we've seen the last 2-3 seasons.

 

You don't think teams accelerate a play based on a beneficial call that could potentially be overturned? Have you been watching NFL football games the past three years?


Often times a team will line up and run a play before TV is ready to show it. It happens all the time nowadays. Philly did it against us in Week 1.


edit: It's not something I'd concern the players with either, it's definitely a sideline adjustment imo. Of course certain players like Peyton Manning likely have calls they can make as well.

 

But that's what works, we were among the league leaders in big plays last year.

 

I know teams do. Congrats on using sarcasm!

I dunno. Easy to second guess anything. Fox didn't run a throwaway hurry-up extra point after a touchdown. He must go!

 

Really? Judging by your response you pretty much insinuated that no teams have ever thought about the strategy.

I don't remember saying Fox should go, so good job yourself on the sarcasm. Sorry for trying to start a legitimate conversation. It's a good strategy in my opinion, it's cost us overturned calls in the past couple of years and we're fucking stupid for not taking advantage of the rules.

The Dante Rosario call in particular could have easily been overturned and all we had to do to prevent it was line up and kick an extra point. We lost a first down by not running this strategy.

I'm glad you think we're in the position to throw away first downs and get other coaches to 'waste' challenges. I just think we don't take advantage of situations as well as we should have. At least we have a better 2 minute drill than Miami I suppose.