We lost "the book" on winning strategy.

jmar · « **on:** September 11, 2010, 09:58:51 AM »

Chizik motioned for a field goal on third down.
Automatic Wes waited another down, went in and drilled it.

Later, we might have taken a shot in the endzone (INT as good as a punt) but we opt for a FG try that would have put us up by six. Apparently we prefer to go by a gut feel instead of percentages... not when the other team can block... oh they just did!

WTF!!! Who is consulting who? Is anyone consulting anyone?
Did we ask the nine year old on the third row? Did the kid HAVE A COWBELL?

Do we plan to block their extra point when they score? They can't score, they just bat down wide open TD passes. They might not. Yes but they would have.

Where is my clipboard? You...don't have one Coach. Well find me one so I can at least look as if I am pondering something. You can call a timeout. Yes, but that looks like indecision.

The clock is running Coach.

Where?

So my question is this: Who makes the call? Chiz or Gus? Roof or Aubie?
There are a few other coaches in the SEC (Dan Mullen didn't earlier) that would have done similarly, and they won't be competing for the title. But we will I suppose, in spite of ourselves.

My team deserves better.

Fix it!

JR4AU · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2010, 11:45:06 AM »

Instead of paying these coaches all this money, I think we out to fire them, and simply put a bank of computers on the sideline and let the fans coach em. Just hook them up to the innerwebs and have them sign in to TigersX and do what folks posting tell them to do. No game plan, nothing...just like they're our own personal video game.

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2010, 12:00:37 PM »

Quote from: JR4AU on September 11, 2010, 11:45:06 AM

Instead of paying these coaches all this money, I think we out to fire them, and simply put a bank of computers on the sideline and let the fans coach em. Just hook them up to the innerwebs and have them sign in to TigersX and do what folks posting tell them to do. No game plan, nothing...just like they're our own personal video game.

jmar · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2010, 12:20:08 PM »

Quote from: JR4AU on September 11, 2010, 11:45:06 AM

Instead of paying these coaches all this money, I think we out to fire them, and simply put a bank of computers on the sideline and let the fans coach em. Just hook them up to the innerwebs and have them sign in to TigersX and do what folks posting tell them to do. No game plan, nothing...just like they're our own personal video game.

As a mere fan, I could pump sunshine. But this team has a real chance to be special. Nutt and Miles might even know better than to take such a chance as to kick a field goal. I am not much of an analytical person so I am willing to take chances, but for head coaches of a major university there is a model to go by and the best coaches in the game will follow this model more often than not. It is about having confidence in your defense. It is not some riverboat gambler poop that leaves everyone in a state of shock and robs your team of a possible victory. Personally I couldn't care less about computers making decisions but there are coaches out of coaching because of too many of these fly by the seat of my pants decisions. And no one of any consequence pays any attention to postings by fans anyway. I'm just wasting time and venting a little bit.

jmar · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2010, 01:57:54 PM »

This was not the correct call. That's all I am sayin'.

JR4AU · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2010, 02:18:04 PM »

Quote from: jmar on September 11, 2010, 01:57:54 PM

This was not the correct call. That's all I am sayin'.

You always, ALWAYS assume your FG attempts will be blocked. Always.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2010, 02:31:14 PM »

I think it was a dumb call too. But not because of a block. I just like putting the game away right there instead of giving Miss. St. a chance.

But is that what this thread is about? I got all fucked up reading the first post...

jmar · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2010, 02:38:33 PM »

Quote from: JR4AU on September 11, 2010, 02:18:04 PM

You always, ALWAYS assume your FG attempts will be blocked. Always.

Not assuming a block. But it is a better strategy to try the endzone and trust your defense rather than play for a meaningless three while taking the chance of having the FG attempt blocked, possibly for a TD return. The first thing that occurred to me was that this is very risky, especially considering the numerous bullets the team had already dodged.

JR4AU · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2010, 03:35:38 PM »

Quote from: War Eagle!!! on September 11, 2010, 02:31:14 PM

I think it was a dumb call too. But not because of a block. I just like putting the game away right there instead of giving Miss. St. a chance.

But is that what this thread is about? I got all fucked up reading the first post...

Me too! The first post sort of messed me up too.

I'd have rather seen them take a shot too, but wasn't all that pissed with trying to get the points either.

jmar · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:17:23 PM »

I didn't present the argument from an Auburn fan's perspective, but as a bystander.

JR4AU · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:21:50 PM »

Quote from: jmar on September 11, 2010, 05:17:23 PM

I didn't present the argument from an Auburn fan's perspective, but as a bystander.

I think I understood what you were getting at. However, I don't think it's as big a blunder of a call as you're making it out. It looks far worse knowing NOW that the FG was blocked. Fact is our D had only allowed one TD other than the short field given on the muffed punt. Adding a FG followed by a solidly covered KO would have mean they needed to drive the field for a TD to win. I think they thought the D could keep them out of the endzone on a long drive. Going for it, IN MY MIND, would have said they didn't trust the D to hold them. Yes a TD would have sealed it, but the 3 points would be a safe bet 90% of the time.

jmar · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:14:44 PM »

Quote from: JR4AU on September 11, 2010, 05:21:50 PM

I think I understood what you were getting at. However, I don't think it's as big a blunder of a call as you're making it out. It looks far worse knowing NOW that the FG was blocked. Fact is our D had only allowed one TD other than the short field given on the muffed punt. Adding a FG followed by a solidly covered KO would have mean they needed to drive the field for a TD to win. I think they thought the D could keep them out of the endzone on a long drive. Going for it, IN MY MIND, would have said they didn't trust the D to hold them. Yes a TD would have sealed it, but the 3 points would be a safe bet 90% of the time.

My argument was that (1) three points served no purpose when the other team had botched so many chances, (2) that we were opening ourselves up to other variables, (3) that even if they drove it down the field and tied it with a field goal we would still command an advantage, (4) If they score a touchdown, we have to block an extra point which seems ridiculous to even fathom. As much of a homer as I am, I just cannot watch a game without being critically objective. I simply hated the decision.

The Prowler · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:20:34 PM »

Stupid Arm Chair Coaches make it hard to enjoy a victory. Usually, they're the loud ones that feel it necessary to voice their opinions...eventhough their opinions are wrong.

"Gaw!!!! You should've known that MSU was gonna block that FG!!!! How could Coach Chizik not know that!!! Boooo!!!! We want a winner not a loser!!!"

You go for the points, and you never assume that it's going to get blocked...That'd be like not calling a pass play during the entire game, because you assume that it'll be picked off.

JR4AU · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:28:30 PM »

Quote from: jmar on September 11, 2010, 06:14:44 PM

My argument was that (1) three points served no purpose when the other team had botched so many chances, (2) that we were opening ourselves up to other variables, (3) that even if they drove it down the field and tied it with a field goal we would still command an advantage, (4) If they score a touchdown, we have to block an extra point which seems ridiculous to even fathom. As much of a homer as I am, I just cannot watch a game without being critically objective. I simply hated the decision.

a 6 pt lead vs a 3 pt lead is huge. Getting in FG range to tie is a shitload easier than driving for a winning TD. when it's a 1 possession game, every point counts.

Quote from: The Prowler on September 11, 2010, 06:20:34 PM

Stupid Arm Chair Coaches make it hard to enjoy a victory. Usually, they're the loud ones that feel it necessary to voice their opinions...eventhough their opinions are wrong.

"Gaw!!!! You should've known that MSU was gonna block that FG!!!! How could Coach Chizik not know that!!! Boooo!!!! We want a winner not a loser!!!"

You go for the points, and you never assume that it's going to get blocked...That'd be like not calling a pass play during the entire game, because you assume that it'll be picked off.

I don't like chasing points either. You take what should be the sure points...there's never anything sure, but you play the percentages. In this case, calling the for FG was a higher percentage bet than throwing for a long TD. Making them go 80 yards for a TD to win, is a better bet than them driving 60 yards to get in FG range.

I get those that would have liked to have gone for the jugular, but this wasn't a blunder of Miles like proportions. It's just a helluva lot easier to criticize since the FG got blocked. Had it been made, nobody would have given it a second thought.

jmar · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:38:04 PM »

No I think you take a shot at the endzone and if that fails they have to drive it three points down for a tie or potential win. The FG opens one up for disasterous results. Did a block never occur to you Prowler, anyone? It did to me. Are we stupid armchair QB's if we question some decisions or are we stupid for never questioning any decisions?

I had rather trust my defense to hold State to at least a FG and a potential OT than to risk them blocking a FG or botched snap and a possible run back for a TD. We had the best team.

JR4AU · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:46:05 PM »

Quote from: jmar on September 11, 2010, 06:38:04 PM

No I think you take a shot at the endzone and if that fails they have to drive it three points down for a tie or potential win. The FG opens one up for disasterous results. Did a block never occur to you Prowler, anyone? It did to me. Are we stupid armchair QB's if we question some decisions or are we stupid for never questioning any decisions?

I had rather trust my defense to hold State to at least a FG and a potential OT than to risk them blocking a FG or botched snap and a possible run back for a TD. We had the best team.

An interception opens it up to disasterous results too. Punting does, running the draw does. If you're being honest, you know that a FG, and holding them out of the endzone is the high percentage play, but I don't think you're going to be honest. Actually a "block" crosses my mind every time we line up for one...it don't happen very often. It IS the higher percentage play. But since it did get blocked, you go that going for you. I have the fact we won going for my side of the argument.

jmar · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2010, 06:54:16 PM »

Quote from: JR4AU on September 11, 2010, 06:46:05 PM

An interception opens it up to disasterous results too. Punting does, running the draw does. If you're being honest, you know that a FG, and holding them out of the endzone is the high percentage play, but I don't think you're going to be honest. Actually a "block" crosses my mind every time we line up for one...it don't happen very often. It IS the higher percentage play. But since it did get blocked, you go that going for you. I have the fact we won going for my side of the argument.

So what's with the question of my "honesty" got to do with an impasse. You are the attorney. Explain why someone disagreeing with another somehow summons honesty into the conversation when we are discussing a FG attempt?

The Prowler · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2010, 10:32:03 PM »

No Jmar...you're stupid. So, you just shut your mouf and get back in your hole

And to answer your question, no...why would the thought of MSU blocking the fieldgoal cross my mind??? Maybe if I'm a "negative nancy", but I'm not...I'm a positive type person. So, Jmar, you're okay with Auburn going for the TD and not getting it, then having MSU drive down the field to tie it with a FG, but you're not okay with Auburn going for the higher percentage play (a FG), then making MSU drive the field to score a TD? Lemme repeat...YOU TAKE THE HIGHER PERCENTAGE PLAY, with in this case was a FG.

jmar · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2010, 11:30:51 PM »

Quote from: The Prowler on September 11, 2010, 10:32:03 PM

No Jmar...you're stupid. So, you just shut your mouf and get back in your hole

And to answer your question, no...why would the thought of MSU blocking the fieldgoal cross my mind??? Maybe if I'm a "negative nancy", but I'm not...I'm a positive type person. So, Jmar, you're okay with Auburn going for the TD and not getting it, then having MSU drive down the field to tie it with a FG, but you're not okay with Auburn going for the higher percentage play (a FG), then making MSU drive the field to score a TD? Lemme repeat...YOU TAKE THE HIGHER PERCENTAGE PLAY, with in this case was a FG.

That's your argument! "...you're stupid." Prowler you can't argue objectively because you are the self-styled PR mouthpiece for this site. A couple of weeks ago I believe you made a statement about your reluctance to pump sunshine which would have been hysterically funny except I think you were dead serious. Alabama fan, Shane of C'point might be the only guy in this state that might match your enthusiasm as a fan. You're very knowledgeable and seem to be a nice guy and we pull for the same team only I don't think we can argue on the same plane.
I think we stop State in either scenario which demonstrates my confidence in our defense and we don't risk a possible disasterous result. Again, we had the best team. It's okay to disagree. But I'm one to question some decisions especially in a close game when you wouldn't give it a second thought as you go merrily on lock-step. War Eagle!

djsimp · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2010, 11:36:03 PM »

Quote from: The Prowler on September 11, 2010, 06:20:34 PM

Stupid Arm Chair Coaches make it hard to enjoy a victory. Usually, they're the loud ones that feel it necessary to voice their opinions...eventhough their opinions are wrong.

"Gaw!!!! You should've known that MSU was gonna block that FG!!!! How could Coach Chizik not know that!!! Boooo!!!! We want a winner not a loser!!!"

You go for the points, and you never assume that it's going to get blocked...That'd be like not calling a pass play during the entire game, because you assume that it'll be picked off.

THIS! Even though you are a dumbass like myself Prowler, I feel your pain and times 2