4th & 1 Discussion

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by IlluminatusUIUC

Josh Allen and Buffalo went for it on 4th and inches from inside their own end of the field - with a lead - and didn't get criticized. The thinking has definitely moved on this.

There was almost virtually no way they wouldn't get the yardage (and yet, they didn't haha). It's just easier to control your own outcome offensively than allow them the opportunity to do so as well, even with a football field's length to cover.

I do wish some teams had a working strategy on actually snapping the ball on those hard-count plays, though. Like, they know after the second motioning that they do it, or only the quarterback and center are in kahoots when the magic "tap" happens, or something. At some point, defenses just know not to move if their hard-count tactics are so... obvious.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

I do wish some teams had a working strategy on actually snapping the ball on those hard-count plays, though. Like, they know after the second motioning that they do it, or only the quarterback and center are in kahoots when the magic "tap" happens, or something. At some point, defenses just know not to move if their hard-count tactics are so... obvious.

Most teams already do that as that’s something they work on during the offseason/camp. Go and watch those Rodgers’ Packers teams, he used to draw guys offsides every week with his hard count, even when Defenses “knew” it was coming lol

Defenses can try to be disciplined and just “watch the ball” but sometimes in that moment, you just fold as a DLineman.

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Most teams already do that as that’s something they work on during the offseason/camp. Go and watch those Rodgers’ Packers teams, he used to draw guys offsides every week with his hard count, even when Defenses “knew” it was coming lol Defenses can try to be disciplined and just “watch the ball” but sometimes in that moment, you just fold as a DLineman.

What I mean though are the plays where they have no actual intent on snapping it. Instead, I wish they actually used those to have an intent, as to make the defense assume they won't when they actually do.

In the case of the Bills-Dolphins game, it was 4th & 1, and the Bills' first time out they simply do a hard-count before calling a timeout, then the second time out they go for it on the first hut and are stopped. What if, instead, on that first time out, they play it like they won't snap it, up until the three-second mark when suddenly the defense is on their heels and Allen gets his yardage?

Color commentators have said it themselves live during the play: "You know they won't snap it when they start doing crazy motions and audibles." I agree, and so does the defense. If you can get the defense to jump, then great. However, if you can get them to freeze, that can also heavily work in your favor. I'd just like to see an instance where they really make me believe they won't snap it, until they suddenly do at that most unpredictable time.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

There was almost virtually no way they wouldn't get the yardage (and yet, they didn't haha). It's just easier to control your own outcome offensively than allow them the opportunity to do so as well, even with a football field's length to cover.

We did it twice on that drive. The first time from our own 35 with 4 minutes left, and the second time failed at the 2 minute warning.

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by IlluminatusUIUC

We did it twice on that drive. The first time from our own 35 with 4 minutes left, and the second time failed at the 2 minute warning.

Correct. I was just acknowledging that I endorse their decision to go for it, analytically.

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[IlluminatusUIUC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

Correct. I was just acknowledging that I endorse their decision to go for it, analytically. Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

I am as well, and I think it's because of the time left in both cases. In the first case eith over 4 minutes and all 3time outs for Buffalo, even if we failed Miami could not consume the entire clock. So they would possibly tie and leave us a chance for a fg attempt drive. And on the latter a conversion ends the game. I always think you should try to win the game on offense, as you say.