Big Mac

[Patler]

The Cobb completion should have been the first timeout taken. And from there, who knows how gamne plays out in our counter factual world. For sure you lost 20 seconds right there, and you aren't playing to end game with TD.

How can the failure to call timeout there possibly have lost 20 seconds? That play and the play following it were only 17 seconds apart according to the play by play list. Since the play to Cobb itself had to have taken at least around 7 seconds or so (before TO could have been called), at best they might have gained 10 seconds by calling timeout. How would that have helped them on 4th down?

Following AR's run for the first down, the Packers were in absolutely fantastic position to go for the TD. First down on the 36, 35 seconds to play and three timeouts to use. They could run anything they wanted to for the next three downs at least. Runs, throws to any part of the field, etc.

Watching it again, the incompletion to Lacy was a killer. He had a step or two on two defenders, and it looked like he had a real good chance to get the first down. Had he been able to get out of bounds, they could have run at least three more plays for the TD, again including runs and throws to any part of the field. There would have been enough time to do that.

Getting within scoring distance having thee timeouts and enough time to use them all was actually quite impressive. I don't think they could have scripted it any better.

[Harlan Huckleby]

How can the failure to call timeout there possibly have lost 20 seconds? That play and the play following it were only 17 seconds apart according to the play by play list. Since the play to Cobb itself had to have taken at least around 7 seconds or so (before TO could have been called), at best they might have gained 10 seconds by calling timeout. How would that have helped them on 4th down?

You are missing forest for trees. The lack of aggression on that series was symptomatic of the whole day. You are counting seconds and assuming the same chain of events (plays) on the drive. No! Leroy Butler made emphatic point of Rodger's lack of aggression on that series.

[Patler]

You are missing forest for trees. The lack of aggression on that series was symptomatic of the whole day. You are counting seconds and assuming the same chain of events (plays) on the drive. No! Leroy Butler made emphatic point of Rodger's lack of aggression on that series.

Then, in my opinion, either Leroy Butler is an idiot, or he is a media personality simply trying to stir up controversy.

GB absolutely flew down the field, picking up three first downs in three plays, gaining 42 yards while using just 44 seconds of clock time.

You and Mr. Butler are the ones who are missing the forest for the trees. Getting to within FG range with all three timeouts available, and more than enough time on the clock to use them all while trying for the TD was absolutely aggressive.

[Patler]

Would it be better to use the timeouts early, then get within scoring distance and be limited in what plays you can run because you have no timeouts left?

Would it be better to use the timeouts early, then get within scoring distance and have to waste plays clocking the ball?

[mraynrand]

I thought they did a great job of saving the TOs, but then they couldn't convert two straight passes (after which they would have used two time outs). It was bad luck/execution. I would have liked to have seen a run or two tried from the 1st and 10 at the 35, because Seattle was defending the deep pass. The TOs weren't unused for a lack of aggressiveness.

[Patler]

I would have liked to have seen a run or two tried from the 1st and 10 at the 35, because Seattle was defending the deep pass.

Me too.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Would it be better to use the timeouts early, then get within scoring distance and be limited in what plays you can run because you have no timeouts left?

Forget early or late - they didn't use two timeouts at all! They were playing for FG, clenching again.


To change subject, I think Vince (and maybe you too) put too much emphasis on each individual play, justifying decisions. But there is a bigger arc, momentum. You don't want to minimize risk with every decision, not even close.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The TOs weren't unused for a lack of aggressiveness.

If they were going for TD, they call TO after Cobb pass.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Then, in my opinion, either Leroy Butler is an idiot, or he is a media personality simply trying to stir up controversy.

You've been wrong on much of your analysis of the game, Leroy Butler has forgotten more about football than you know.

[denverYooper]

You've been wrong on much of your analysis of the game, Leroy Butler has forgotten more about football than you know.

They didn't have the concussion protocol back in his day.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think Butler & Silverstein are as sharp as they come.

I'm surprised Butler isn't coaching. Maybe he doesn't want to, or maybe he is boat rocker.

[woodbuck27]

You've been wrong on much of your analysis of the game, Leroy Butler has forgotten more about football than you know.

Leroy Butler isn't clouded by any form of Packer loyalty and/or Homerism.

He see's the game and calls from 'esteemed' experience.

[vince]

I think Butler & Silverstein are as sharp as they come.

I'm surprised Butler isn't coaching. Maybe he doesn't want to, or maybe he is boat rocker.

You're surprised. The coaching fraternity is not.

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/baranczyk%20/2015/01/19/amid-tragedy-of-errors-burnett-slide-was-correct-play/22031847/

Eric Baranczyk has some interesting takes. He criticizes McCarthy for playing not to lose in last 5 minutes. But he thinks Burnett was OK to down ball.

[Harlan Huckleby]

You're surprised. The coaching fraternity is not.

What are your brothers saying?