Evidence, proof, whatever. It was a damn designed play.

I don't believe it's that reckless if executed right. If Marshall is in place and catches the ball, not that it's his fault, it's a gain or a loss. The problem is, it obviously wasn't able to be executed right, or it was fine in practice and Gamble's a big pussy.

 

And you know this because you're secretly John Fox in disguise? Or maybe his wife?

Oh dear god, please stop before you completely ruin your reputation. You don't believe it's reckless to attempt a lateral on a punt return in the fourth quarter with a 7 point lead? Holy crap.

 

Because it was a called play. Or a lie. If John Fox didn't know about this play, he has absolutely no control over his team and Pantherfanz is going to need therapy.

 

Answer me this, please. Does John Fox know about and approve every call in the game? Is that what a head coach does?

 

He knows about the gameplans for both. He has veto power for every call.

Every last coach in the league has final say, and the ability to call, special plays.

 

That is not what I asked. Please answer the question.

Does John Fox know about and approve every call in the game?

 

Ahh Mags, you are worse than my wife! I think that is taking things to the Nth degree.

I will break down what I firmly believe transpired and therefore where I am coming from. I think that the play was talked about and practiced during the week because film study showed something. I think that at some point during the game Fox told his his special teams coach to keep an eye on things and perhaps the play can be ran at some point. I think that was all that Fox said on the matter.

I think Crossman sent word out to Gamble that if the opportunity presents itself, run the play. I think Gamble had the play stuck in his head (and it has been discussed there may not be much room to too many things up there) and when he fielded the ball he choose to execute the play. Naturally Marshall was in on things, but from the looks of the film he appeared to see quite early that it was not going to happen and started upfield. He looked back at his boy and attempted to come back but by then the disastrous course was set.

So while Fox knew about things, he did not know that it was going to be that play at that time. The circumstantial evidence supports this hypothesis. Also Fox is not a liar because it was obviously talked about and green lighted at some point even though he did not call in the play at that very second.

 

I tend to agree, but we saw the painful proof of what could have gone wrong. Even a little reckless was too reckless in that situation. I'd think it was dumb even if we'd scored a TD because of what else might have happened.

all of the above.

Gamble fucking freaked out. I expected that deer in the headlights from Hill, but didn't think Gamble would panic and lose his mind.

 

An under mentioned fact is that Will Hunter was covering the cut back all game long on punts, so I have no idea why the coaching staff would think it was open.

 

Not sparing Gamble his criticism, but if the play had been practiced all week, then at some point, once we get the lead and our D is stepping up, Fox says to everyone, "Let's not get wreckless with the lead" or "the trick plays are out for now" or SOMETHING. He knows "it's out there", and as top dog, the buck stops here guy who knows this play is potentially "in" for today, you stop it - period or you take some of the heat (as he has) for the big screw up. As a coach, and more so a head coach, you put your people in a position to succeed and having that play out there, with a lead and a game at least seeming to be in hand, you don't start playing with matches no matter how much practiced or how well it went during practice. Then if Minn launches a determined come back, you lose because they made a valiant effort you couldn't stop, not because you got cute at the worst possible moment in the history of the team.

So I'm an ass too because though I know Gamble should have realized this ain't gonna work, or at least should have thrown a better ball, I think the coaching staff put him in a position to do exactly what he did, good or bad so they get no absolution from me.