Dumbest Coaching Call In History Earlier Today? You Tell Me....

Every pro sport franchise is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. NFL teams are a billion and up. Each team ought to have a "probability guru" to consult with the coach on proper strategy. The problem is, most coaches are too proud to admit that THEY themselves do not know all this stuff already. When pride gets in the way, bad decisions are made. Happens in sports. Happens in business. Happens in life. Happens all the time.

[QUOTE=Calsport;31574]Let's not forget the weekly Brad Childress SNAFU. Nearing halftime yesterday he decides to go for 4th and goal from the 1. I'm OK with the decision since there's about 1:30 to go and he has 2 timeouts, so if they fail they can force a punt and still have a shot at a FG before halftime. Nope, this dummy has Favre stand there and run the clock all the way down, then burn his second timeout leaving about 1:15 or so. Then they run the play, fail, and only have the one timeout left so New England takes the knee. Obviously a big part of the decision to go on 4th and goal is that if you fail to get the TD you benefit from the field position. I don't think that has occurred to Childress. Every week this guy fumbles more than Favre.[/QUOTE] Agree 100%. I would like to add that it was the play CALL that was the problem. If they are going to go for it, don't run Adrian Peterson. The Patriots' defense was effectively saying, "If you show any imagination and run any other play than Peterson up the middle, we'll give you the TD." The Pats KNEW the Vikings did not have the mental capability to call a different play and they were prepared for only one play -- a rush by Peterson. If a coach is too lazy (or unimaginative) to call a good play, he should kick the field goal. The only wrong move is; run the ball up the middle. When I was watching the game I was wishing I could bet on the play call. When EVERYONE knows what the offense is going to run, it does not reflect well on the coaching staff. Prof M.

[QUOTE=bigrobbie;31588]Every pro sport franchise is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. NFL teams are a billion and up. Each team ought to have a "probability guru" to consult with the coach on proper strategy. The problem is, most coaches are too proud to admit that THEY themselves do not know all this stuff already. When pride gets in the way, bad decisions are made. Happens in sports. Happens in business. Happens in life. Happens all the time.[/QUOTE] an even bigger issue is getting the answer in 10-20 seconds MAXIMUM. that 40 second clock is ticking and if you need an immediate answer, you dont have time to wait for someone to run the numbers...

I agree Prof; the play call was a joke. Anything BUT the delayed handoff in the backfield. QB sneak (except Favre sucks at it and has a bum ankle; where's Culpepper when you need him?), quick hitting fullback dive, play fake and toss to the wide open tight end is the best, mis-direction toss back against the grain, and I always loved the QB naked bootled with nobody home (again, won't work with Favre). The call was terrible, the timeout was terrible, the execution was terrible. That was the game right there...

Saints are at the 10 last night with 240 left, pit 1 to. 3 runs leaves pitt at best with 110 min to go down 6, receiving KO. Can still score TD. Saints risk inc/int by throwing into EZ.

These guys (like Ernie Adams on the NE staff) don't just know stats, but understand football situations as well. That is their ONLY job - to know the options, probability, AND understand the present situation. That means they condense the info for the coach - so he can make a good decision in 10 or 20 seconds. Yes, there is a need for someone like this on every team. Some situations are obvious. For the ones that aren't, that's where guys like Lovie Smith and Childress screw up.

[QUOTE=custer;31599]Saints are at the 10 last night with 240 left, pit 1 to. 3 runs leaves pitt at best with 110 min to go down 6, receiving KO. Can still score TD. Saints risk inc/int by throwing into EZ.[/QUOTE] But I can't fault someone for being aggressive. We saw 2 drives before Pitt marched right down the field in 5 plays and scored. Then the previous drive they were driving until Heath fumbled. Pass on 1st down to the EZ is unexpected and not a bad play, imo. Up 10 there and your a near lock to win.

[QUOTE=Prof Meyer;31590]Agree 100%. I would like to add that it was the play CALL that was the problem. If they are going to go for it, don't run Adrian Peterson. The Patriots' defense was effectively saying, "If you show any imagination and run any other play than Peterson up the middle, we'll give you the TD." The Pats KNEW the Vikings did not have the mental capability to call a different play and they were prepared for only one play -- a rush by Peterson. If a coach is too lazy (or unimaginative) to call a good play, he should kick the field goal. The only wrong move is; run the ball up the middle. When I was watching the game I was wishing I could bet on the play call. When EVERYONE knows what the offense is going to run, it does not reflect well on the coaching staff. Prof M.[/QUOTE] Adding to his poor decision he ran the exact same play in Week 2 vs Miami and it was stuffed. He has his best lineman on the left side of the line with OT McKinney, and G Hutchinson and instead ran both times to his weaker right side.