Tom Jackson - Fox had no faith in Tebow because he defered the opening kickoff - Page 3 - New England Patriots Forums

groundgame · 01-17-2012, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMarr

John Fox had absolutely no faith in Tebow, but not because he deferred. Anybody halfway paying attention would have noticed how bizarre it was for the Broncos to be running the ball almost every down when they were down by 3 or 4 scores in the third quarter. Don't know why the pundits aren't talking about how embarrassing that was.

Agreed, Fox was our best friend in shortening game in 2nd half with head-scratching handoffs to the running backs with his team down 28.

***jmt57*** · 01-17-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strngplyr

Doesn't John Fox defer every kickoff like BB? I think getting the ball to start the second half is a bigger advantage, it allows you to "double score" if you play your cards right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trocadile

In fairness to Jackson, there are many other "analysts" who analyze the coin-toss decision as if there was still no option to defer. In the old days, it did mean something significant when a coach chose to kick off. Now, of course, all it means is that the coach prefers to get the ball at the start of the second half, but some old-time commentators can't seem to make this simple adjustment in their thinking.

Yeah, I've been literally shaking my head listening to these NFL analysts who as far as what I have seen all agree it was a grave mistake for the Broncos to defer. I figured at least one - especially a former coach like Mangini, for example - would counter with the benefit of receiving the ball to start the second half.

The other point that all the 20-20 hindsight experts failed to mention was that until Saturday the Pats have been notoriously slow starters - while the opposite has been the case for them in the third quarter.

To me it is just another example of how little they actually know about the teams they discuss. I realize that is obviously much more difficult to follow and have a good understanding of 32 teams than to follow and be knowledgeable on just one, but still, to me it's pretty sad that not a single one of them could pick up on either of those points.