Why on the final drive 4th and two, do we throw deep to an inexperienced and underwhelming WR? I like much about Dan Enos, but his tendency to go cutesy on third or 4th and short is a real head scratcher. Steamboat Storey play another example. I hate it for our team. They gave everything they had and almost pulled the shocker. So many what ifs. The Ramsey dropped pick 6 , the AA fumble. Maybe even the Stewart turf tackle, though that did lead to the Defensive TD. Just maddening, but I am proud of our effort today.
Had no problem with the call…had problem with going for it. Should have punted IMO. Thought the 3rd down call was worse…wildcat with a WR alone in backfield…Ummm…its a run
I would have liked our chances with two David Williams runs if necessary, behind a lead blocker. We’ve got two strong blocking backs plus Austin Cantrell and they were practically forgotten today. Sometimes I think I can hear Dan Enos say, " so crazy it just might work".
The Storey run was another easy one to defend. New Qb, he isn’t going to throw. Allen could have handed off, so he was obviously going to run. Hmm. Brilliant.
Had no problem with the call…had problem with going for it. Should have punted IMO. Thought the 3rd down call was worse…wildcat with a WR alone in backfield…Ummm…its a run
[/quote]I’m the opposite. I have MUCH more problem with the call than the decision to go for it.
Anticipating that this specific scenario might come up, I initiated a “what if” conversation on this very decision 2 or 3 plays before we actually had to make the call. My conclusion is that while I would “probably” punt the ball, it was only about 60/40. Therefore, I would also have no problem with going for it (assuming a reasonable distance on 4th down).
My reason is that MSU had suddenly gained the offensive mojo and streaked down the field to score the tying TD moments before. Our defense, who had played valiantly most of the day, was wilting. If we punted them back to, say, their 20 with about 3 minutes to go in a tie game, I’d give them about an 80% chance of doing what they did when they got the ball after we failed on 4th down - driving down and winning the game (remember, they would have only needed a FG).
Conversely, if we could convert on 4th down, we had HOPE of moving the ball close enough to try a winning FG of our own (though I am aware of our FG difficulties). And each moment we ran off the clock gave us a better chance that they would not score late to beat us.
Given that choice, I wanted to at least have the chance to control our own destiny rather than to slowly “die”.
But I do NOT understand the call. We only sent two men out, and one (on the left sideline) was apparently just a decoy of some sort. So, it became an “all or none” deception play, with NO “backup” option (i.e., throw to a back in the flat) if that person was covered. When he WAS covered, we were toast.
A TERRIBLE play call, whoever made it.
But I don’t have heartburn over just punting and putting them in control. Our defense is just too bad to do that.