[tigerthelion]

Wrong. Why would the game be over? They still had to stop NO from getting a first down anyway. They could have used their two timeouts and hoped to stop Deuce from running for a first down. Then NO would have attempted a FG. There would be time left on the clock for the Eagles to drive down the field in hopes of a touchdown. Actually, maybe NO would have missed the fg attempt and then Philly would have been in even better condition. Barring a touchdown by New Orleans, field position was almost irrelevant.

With all due respect, how can you say that I'm "wrong"? Remember that guys like Andy Reid are where they are because they have far better credentials in making these decisions than you or I. I feel much more confident siding with the professional elite than I would with my complete lack of credentials in coordinating an NFL offense.

Now -- If New olreans kicks a FG, the Eagles would have had about 0:45 to drive the length of the field, with NO timeouts, to score a touchdown.

That would take a virtual miracle. Good luck with all that.

Reid's realistic choices were:

1. Try to convert a highly improbable 4th & 15 own conversion, and in the event it fails, hope to stop three runs and force a missed FG, and hope to gain 40 yards on the ensuing possession with no timeouts in less than a minute and kick the tying field goal.

-or-

2. Punt, hope to force a three and out, and hope to gain 40 yards on the ensuing possession with no timeouts in less than a minute and kick the tying field goal.

I'm pretty sure that a concensus of experienced coaching staffs would go with option #2. Reid knows his team better than any of us. I'm sure he and his staff thought that there was virtually no chance of converting that 4th down, and wasn't going to then pray for a missed FG if they could stop the Saints rushers.

With all due respect, professional coaches make mistakes all the time and you said the game was OVER if the Eagles didn't make the possible 4th down try. That's wrong. What about Marty Schottenheimer's decision to waste a timeout on an obvious fumble. Can I question that or am I not allowed to because Marty is a professional coach?

Jimmy Johnson has more Super Bowl rings than Andy Reid and Jimmy Johnson said they shouldn't have punted. I'd be more inclined to lean on the side of a multiple SB winner than a guy that comes up short every year, like Andy Reid.

[tigerthelion]

Wrong. Why would the game be over? They still had to stop NO from getting a first down anyway. They could have used their two timeouts and hoped to stop Deuce from running for a first down. Then NO would have attempted a FG. There would be time left on the clock for the Eagles to drive down the field in hopes of a touchdown. Actually, maybe NO would have missed the fg attempt and then Philly would have been in even better condition. Barring a touchdown by New Orleans, field position was almost irrelevant.

With all due respect, how can you say that I'm "wrong"? Remember that guys like Andy Reid are where they are because they have far better credentials in making these decisions than you or I. I feel much more confident siding with the professional elite than I would with my complete lack of credentials in coordinating an NFL offense.

Now -- If New olreans kicks a FG, the Eagles would have had about 0:45 to drive the length of the field, with NO timeouts, to score a touchdown.

That would take a virtual miracle. Good luck with all that.

Reid's realistic choices were:

1. Try to convert a highly improbable 4th & 15 own conversion, and in the event it fails, hope to stop three runs and force a missed FG, and hope to gain 40 yards on the ensuing possession with no timeouts in less than a minute and kick the tying field goal.

-or-

2. Punt, hope to force a three and out, and hope to gain 40 yards on the ensuing possession with no timeouts in less than a minute and kick the tying field goal.

I'm pretty sure that a concensus of experienced coaching staffs would go with option #2. Reid knows his team better than any of us. I'm sure he and his staff thought that there was virtually no chance of converting that 4th down, and wasn't going to then pray for a missed FG if they could stop the Saints rushers.

With all due respect, professional coaches make mistakes all the time and you said the game was OVER if the Eagles didn't make the possible 4th down try. That's wrong. What about Marty Schottenheimer's decision to waste a timeout on an obvious fumble. Can I question that or am I not allowed to because Marty is a professional coach?

Jimmy Johnson has more Super Bowl rings than Andy Reid and Jimmy Johnson said they shouldn't have punted. I'd be more inclined to lean on the side of a multiple SB winner than a guy that comes up short every year, like Andy Reid.

Also, you say it is next to impossible to convert on a 4th and 15. Wasn't is the Eagles that kept their hopes alive two years ago in the playoffs by converting on a 4th and 26?

[opiated]

most "experts" that i've seen on tv or read since that game, say that reid should have gone for it..and they're "experts" because they're much more qualified than any of us

[The Horrible Esthete]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I will not admonish Reid for his decision. I think the Eagles had no prayer of converting that 4th down, but that's just my opinion (and Andy Reid's, too). And I suppose the Eagles thought that the chances of the Saints inevitably kicking a field goal after getting the ball turned over to them on downs were pretty damn good, too, or they probably would have gone for it anyway.

And call me crazy, but falling behind by 6 with no timeouts and less than a minute to play, awaiting a kickoff IS game over in my book.

We're talking about the NFL, not TECMO Bowl.

Also, you say it is next to impossible to convert on a 4th and 15. Wasn't is the Eagles that kept their hopes alive two years ago in the playoffs by converting on a 4th and 26?

Uh, I said "highly improbable", not "next to impossible"....

C'mon tiger. You can't cite one ridiculous and miraculous play to drive your point home. If you do, I guess I could always cite every unsuccessful 4th and 15+ to argue my point. And I bet I'll have more examples than you will.

Also - what does Schottenheimer's blindness have to do with this? He isn't any more qualified to use EYESIGHT than I am. :lol:

[opiated]

We're talking about the NFL, not TECMO Bowl.

That game rules!!!

[The Horrible Esthete]

most "experts" that i've seen on tv or read since that game, say that reid should have gone for it..

Way to carefully document and support your input there, ope.

It sure is easy for "experts" to accuse Reid of making the wrong decision knowing how things turned out, innit?

By the way, God said Reid made the better choice, if that matters..... :mrgreen:

[opiated]

most "experts" that i've seen on tv or read since that game, say that reid should have gone for it..

Way to carefully document and support your input there, ope.

It sure is easy for "experts" to accuse Reid of making the wrong decision knowing how things turned out, innit?

By the way, God said Reid made the better choice, if that matters..... :mrgreen:

i stand by my experts... ...and god's a niners fan by the way...he's just been having fun "slumming" it lately

[Hard Canadian]

conference championship weekend, who are your picks.

i hate the patriots so i hope they go down hard but i have a feeling they'll make it to the big dance yet again. the NFC game is a tough call but i take the bears to win but i'd much rather see the saints in it. so i'd like it to be the colts vs. the saints but i think it will be the other way around.

[tigerthelion]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I will not admonish Reid for his decision. I think the Eagles had no prayer of converting that 4th down, but that's just my opinion (and Andy Reid's, too). And I suppose the Eagles thought that the chances of the Saints inevitably kicking a field goal after getting the ball turned over to them on downs were pretty damn good, too, or they probably would have gone for it anyway.

And call me crazy, but falling behind by 6 with no timeouts and less than a minute to play, awaiting a kickoff IS game over in my book.

We're talking about the NFL, not TECMO Bowl.

Also, you say it is next to impossible to convert on a 4th and 15. Wasn't is the Eagles that kept their hopes alive two years ago in the playoffs by converting on a 4th and 26?

Uh, I said "highly improbable", not "next to impossible"....

C'mon tiger. You can't cite one ridiculous and miraculous play to drive your point home. If you do, I guess I could always cite every unsuccessful 4th and 15+ to argue my point. And I bet I'll have more examples than you will.

Also - what does Schottenheimer's blindness have to do with this? He isn't any more qualified to use EYESIGHT than I am. :lol:

I just thought the 4th and 26 was a nice supplement to my argument. Kind of like icing on the cake, since it was THE EAGLES that made this 4th down. You're right though, that was a miraculous play.

I guess Marty is coming back next year. Now, I know the coach doesn't play the game and the coach doesn't throw bad passes or drop balls BUT what more does Marty have to do to prove his ineptness in the playoffs? When it happens a few times, that's fine, but 5 wins and 13 losses in the playoffs? That's a pattern. Marty had some GREAT Kansas City teams that underachieved in the playoffs. When a coach continually fails in the playoffs, there comes a point where I don't know why teams keep hiring him. Tony Dungy has had great regular season success without winning the SB too and I think he should be on thin ice also. There's only one coach at the end of the year who is the head coach of a SB winner but still, a losing playoff record is unnacceptable.

[sean.bonner]

Yet again,
All I know is that the Colts are playing on Sunday, and I couldn't be happier.

[The Horrible Esthete]

I guess Marty is coming back next year. Now, I know the coach doesn't play the game and the coach doesn't throw bad passes or drop balls BUT what more does Marty have to do to prove his ineptness in the playoffs? When it happens a few times, that's fine, but 5 wins and 13 losses in the playoffs? That's a pattern. Marty had some GREAT Kansas City teams that underachieved in the playoffs. When a coach continually fails in the playoffs, there comes a point where I don't know why teams keep hiring him. Tony Dungy has had great regular season success without winning the SB too and I think he should be on thin ice also. There's only one coach at the end of the year who is the head coach of a SB winner but still, a losing playoff record is unnacceptable.

Marty sure has had a rough go of it in the postseason. I'll never forget Earnest Byner's fumble as he was heading into the endzone in Denver that would've sent Marty's Browns to the Super Bowl. Rough. But you're right, his playoff struggles would indicate that it's more than just bad luck or tough breaks.

Still, I just can't help but be sympathetic towards the guy. He certainly knows how to put together winning teams (draft), and sustain success over the course of the regular season -- he just can't finish.

I think SD made the right move. But 2007 might be his last gasp. He'll have a SB-caliber team, so he better win the AFC Championship next year....

[sean.bonner]

Sorry for not contributing to any intelligent conversation, but I have one question:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOOOOOOTBALL!

[Hard Canadian]

god damn the saints need to hold onto that football!

[sean.bonner]

Dear god.
Not again.


This isn't happening AGAIN.

[cferneyh]

Apparently Peyton Manning took Marty Turco's course in "how to shit the bed when it really matters."