Game observations

[nate505]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

I failed to call out the very late 4th down call to go for it vs punting it. I said it in the game thread- the absolute correct call there was to punt it. Yep, we got it, which we do quite a bit, but man, once again the guy just can't bring himself to make the more logical situational decisions.

I disagree. I thought going for it was correct. The Pats were down two scores and were moving the ball at will. Getting the first down meant burning a lot more clock potentially vs. just giving the ball back and letting them make up that yardage in a a minute.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by nate505

I disagree. I thought going for it was correct. The Pats were down two scores and were moving the ball at will. Getting the first down meant burning a lot more clock potentially vs. just giving the ball back and letting them make up that yardage in a a minute.

Just a "decent" punt, and they are going to have to go a LONG way to make it happen. Ostensibly a lot of clock was going to go away. Then again Kraft had probably already ordered the "45 yards pass interference at this point is $700K" from the Goodell menu.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by nate505

I disagree. I thought going for it was correct. The Pats were down two scores and were moving the ball at will. Getting the first down meant burning a lot more clock potentially vs. just giving the ball back and letting them make up that yardage in a a minute.

I was at the game..... yelled PUNT..... when they went for it I sat down thinking it was the wrong call. Obviously I had beers. So who knows if I was right. BUT. loved the outcome

[Oldcolt]

I am not crazy about all these times we go for it on 4th down either. It ain't going to change under Reich. For me going for it every time makes sense if you are playing the odds, which he is. I still don't like it but it isn't a coach changer by any means. CW you and I part ways when you start talking individual plays that didn't work. My concern was the team identity. It was that we had spent a fortune on this offensive line so they could dominate and we seemed to be getting away from that physical play. Yesterday we did not play finesse by any stretch of the imagination and came away with a victory. I fucking loved it.

[rm1369]

I guess I’m one of the few that loves Reich’s aggressiveness. The OL is a team strength and the league wide success rate on 4th and 1 is very high. It’s somewhere between 72 -77% (depending which analysis you use). I’ve seen analysis that shows QB sneaks were successful on 4th and 1 82.8% of the time over the 17 year period analyzed. I like those odds especially with one of the best OL in the league.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by rm1369

I guess I’m one of the few that loves Reich’s aggressiveness. The OL is a team strength and the league wide success rate on 4th and 1 is very high. It’s somewhere between 72 -77% (depending which analysis you use). I’ve seen analysis that shows QB sneaks were successful on 4th and 1 82.8% of the time over the 17 year period analyzed. I like those odds especially with one of the best OL in the league.

I love it too... he believes in his players to execute. It less likely a bad coaching decision but sometimes its bad execution that makes it look like a bad decision

Do what you do Frank. All I have to say

[nate505]

Originally Posted by rm1369

I guess I’m one of the few that loves Reich’s aggressiveness. The OL is a team strength and the league wide success rate on 4th and 1 is very high. It’s somewhere between 72 -77% (depending which analysis you use). I’ve seen analysis that shows QB sneaks were successful on 4th and 1 82.8% of the time over the 17 year period analyzed. I like those odds especially with one of the best OL in the league.

Best OL in the league, and maybe the best QB sneaker (ok, it's a word but I've never heard that term, but still) in the league.

Seriously, for a team with a rushing identity, having a guy who is near automatic on QB sneaks is so huge. Like if the Colts can just get three yards an attempt rushing on each play and Wentz is successful on 4th and 1, it's unstoppable offense.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by nate505

Best OL in the league, and maybe the best QB sneaker (ok, it's a word but I've never heard that term, but still) in the league.

Seriously, for a team with a rushing identity, having a guy who is near automatic on QB sneaks is so huge. Like if the Colts can just get three yards an attempt rushing on each play and Wentz is successful on 4th and 1, it's unstoppable offense.

This has been my thought recently. Wentz as a hard nosed quarterback would be an addition to our identity as a kick you ass team if he buys into it. And I think he will buy into it. He is our 3-5th best offensive player (JT and Nelson are obviously better, I would argue that Smith and Kelly are also), but our best short yardage guy. We do that a shitload. The way we are converting these 4th downs Reich is going to make me a believer and Wentz is a huge part of that.

[HoosierinFL]

Here's at least 1 video highlighting things Reich does well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebP5Rx9W2dk

Points out the way the run game sets up different looks and catches defenses off guard. But also of course highlights JT's versatility that he can run each scheme

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I am not crazy about all these times we go for it on 4th down either. It ain't going to change under Reich. For me going for it every time makes sense if you are playing the odds, which he is. I still don't like it but it isn't a coach changer by any means. CW you and I part ways when you start talking individual plays that didn't work. My concern was the team identity. It was that we had spent a fortune on this offensive line so they could dominate and we seemed to be getting away from that physical play. Yesterday we did not play finesse by any stretch of the imagination and came away with a victory. I fucking loved it.

I'm not either, but it does depend on how close you are. If within a yard, I think that Wentz can get it 90% (or better) of the time. More than that, it depends on where you are on the field. If past the 50 but too far for a FG, I like the risk. A punt may only get you 25 net yards. If within a FG range and the score is close and the time is not a factor, then kick the FG. Beyond the 50 with the time and score not a factor, punt the ball.