Reiss: Benefits of calling plays from press box

[PatsChamp88]

With Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees calling the last two games from the press box, and with plans to continue with that approach, the thought was that it would be interesting to speak with a coach to add insight on the move.

Per:New England Patriots Blog - Benefits of calling plays from press box - ESPN Boston

Interesting, wonder how many other defensive coordinators call from the box... Are there any benefits of a defensive coordinators being on the sideline?

 

[maverick4]

I think the press box is MUCH better for a coach like Pees.

I would imagine a major benefit of being on the sidelines is going up to different groups/units during breaks and getting them fired up, or in their faces, or other inter-personal interactions that are more powerful being there than simply through the phone. I don't think Pees has the talent to emotionally manipulate his players like that. Also, the biggest drawback is, of course, you can't really see a lot of what is actually happening on the field from a holistic perspective from the sidelines.

Pees is a lot better up in the box where he can't keep doing his Pete Carroll impression in running out to the field and high-fiving his guys whenever they got a 3rd down stop... which I noticed him doing a few games ago.

 

[maverick4]

Most OC's also like to call from the box for the same reason; you see a lot more of what is actually happening.

Weiss used to love calling from the sidelines, but I would imagine a small part of that is so he could see up-close what defenders were biting/cheating on, since a very successful part of Charlie's play calling was mis-direction and taking advantage of what a defense was expecting (and not expecting).

 

[Gwedd]

I have to admit that I've never understood why the Head Coach, as well as the Offense & Defense coaches aren't upstairs watching the game in God-mode. There's only so much you can see of the field from the sidelines. Better to leave the assistant coaches on the sidelines to pass along info from the big-three and take care of the little details, while the play callers get a better look at how things are developing.

Just my 2-cent's worth.

 

[PatsChamp88]

I think the press box is MUCH better for a coach like Pees.

I would imagine a major benefit of being on the sidelines is going up to different groups/units during breaks and getting them fired up, or in their faces, or other inter-personal interactions that are more powerful being there than simply through the phone. I don't think Pees has the talent to emotionally manipulate his players like that. Also, the biggest drawback is, of course, you can't really see a lot of what is actually happening on the field from a holistic perspective from the sidelines.

Pees is a lot better up in the box where he can't keep doing his Pete Carroll impression in running out to the field and high-fiving his guys whenever they got a 3rd down stop... which I noticed him doing a few games ago.

I kind of what I figured communication could be somewhat of a downside but yeah not seeing from the sidelines could be another however like the article mentions you can see the game so much better and what is exactly happening.

 

[satz]

There is no best way. Its known that you will have communication problem with so much hitting.
Its usually easy to sign in a new formation or action even after the 15sec cutoff .

WHen you are rotating players sometimes they will go handsignals which is now become impossible.

satz

 

[jmt57]

I second all that mav said in regards to the original question of whether it is better for an OC or DC to be in the press box or on the sideline.

With larger coaching staffs than a generation ago, it probably makes more sense for them to be up above. If you only had a defensive coach and defensive assistant for example, put the assistant up above, and leave the DC below to both call plays and also talk to specific players and units, as well as the head coach. But when you have a larger staff (OL coach, WR coach, QB coach, etc.) you can leave the coach-player and coach-unit discussions to those guys - while the OC and DC call plays with their superior view of the entire field from the press box.

 

[nabwong]

You need a coach on the sideline so that you can try and fake a time-out.

 

[RxJock1120]

I have to admit that I've never understood why the Head Coach, as well as the Offense & Defense coaches aren't upstairs watching the game in God-mode. There's only so much you can see of the field from the sidelines. Better to leave the assistant coaches on the sidelines to pass along info from the big-three and take care of the little details, while the play callers get a better look at how things are developing.

Just my 2-cent's worth.

You COACH from the sidelines, while you CALL PLAYS from the press box. In the end it all depends on the team you have. If you have a young team whose mistakes must be corrected constantly and need lots of motivation than you really need to be on the sideline. However, if you have a well disciplined veteran team then you want the best play called which is done from the pressbox. I think we all know the category our Pats fit under.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I have to admit that I've never understood why the Head Coach, as well as the Offense & Defense coaches aren't upstairs watching the game in God-mode.

Clearly, you don't understand the basics when it comes to our HC:
1) Who else could wear a moth-eaten, carelessly cut-off hoodie with style?
2) Who else could command respect bending over and pulling a silly looking red flag out of his sock?
3) Who else could give the networks their favorite story by giving selected opposing coaches a limp handshake without eye contact after the game?

On a serious note, I don't know enough about the dynamics of the relationship among the OC and DC and their players and how important it is that they be physically "there" at critical times, so I'll leave that to those who know the game much better than I do.

I do, however, think that it's important for the Head Coach to be on the sideline, if for no other reason than to have an authority figure there who can be in the Officials' faces when there are close or questionable calls. I have to think that it is useful for a team that the Ref and other officials have to make ongoing eye contact with a Belichick or other highly regarded HC throughout a game. It reminds the officiating crew that these guys will have their say after the game either to the media or the League Office.

And in Belichick's case, these Patriots are Belichick and Belichick is these Patriots. He has to be there.

 

[RobertWeathers]

You COACH from the sidelines, while you CALL PLAYS from the press box. In the end it all depends on the team you have. If you have a young team whose mistakes must be corrected constantly and need lots of motivation than you really need to be on the sideline. However, if you have a well disciplined veteran team then you want the best play called which is done from the pressbox. I think we all know the category our Pats fit under.

I agree to a point. Both RAC & Wies were sideline guys- even in 2004 and the Pats had a prtty veteran bunch. Not sure how you account for that in your arguement.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It's also alot easier in case he needs to use the restroom

 

[JSn]

You need a coach on the sideline so that you can try and fake a time-out.

Ah, the instant-classic Rex Ryan "Fake Ice-The-Kicker" move!

I also dig his play "Blocked field Goal for a TD" - at least as a concept, haha.

 

[RxJock1120]

I agree to a point. Both RAC & Wies were sideline guys- even in 2004 and the Pats had a prtty veteran bunch. Not sure how you account for that in your arguement.

Good point. Crennel was a motivator and a discipline freak, those were his greatest assets. I don't think he was a genius when it came to calling plays. Weis was all about momentum and misdirection. He had to get a feel for the game to be at his best. That's my best explanation. Everything should be take with a grain of salt. And any coach should try to maxizime his greatest asset, but only if their weakness is not killing them. Which, in my opinion is Pees problem. He simply does call the best plays at the best time. However he seems like someone who will prepare the guys well during the week.

 

[patfanken]

This is why Reiss is the BEST. He is constantly trying to gives the fans a greater insight into whats going on behind the scenes, and WHY. No one else would bother to even ask the question, let alone find a guy with enough credibility to offer an opinion. My only complaint with the article is that it was too short. I wanted more.

Note: as a coach, I hated to be away from the sidelines. Even though there is no question you can see the game MUCH better from the booth, it can be difficult to communicate to the players what you have seen. AND, quite frankly, its way more fun on the sidelines. One of the best things about being the HC is that you are never sent to the booth.

 

[WhiZa]

I think the press box is MUCH better for a coach like Pees.

I would imagine a major benefit of being on the sidelines is going up to different groups/units during breaks and getting them fired up, or in their faces, or other inter-personal interactions that are more powerful being there than simply through the phone. I don't think Pees has the talent to emotionally manipulate his players like that. Also, the biggest drawback is, of course, you can't really see a lot of what is actually happening on the field from a holistic perspective from the sidelines.

Pees is a lot better up in the box where he can't keep doing his Pete Carroll impression in running out to the field and high-fiving his guys whenever they got a 3rd down stop... which I noticed him doing a few games ago.

I agree that he seems emotionless out there on the field (though I never seen him running out on the field greeting the team). Keep him up top where he can focus on making good decisions and let the other players (Seau) and coaches (Johnson) fire up the team.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Great points people. I might add that both Scar and Pepper are very emotional, concerted asst coaches on the sidelines. I'm sure that Pepper conveys any needed emotion to the entire D despite his less comprehensive official title. Also, in many games BB kneels by the defensive bench with photos in hand making diagrams on the chalkboard and exhorting players. It's probably good to have somebody cerebral with a different vantage point and to be away from the fray. We all know that HCs like BB can over ride any play or formation calls.

 

[Gumby]

I have to admit that I've never understood why the Head Coach, as well as the Offense & Defense coaches aren't upstairs watching the game in God-mode. There's only so much you can see of the field from the sidelines. Better to leave the assistant coaches on the sidelines to pass along info from the big-three and take care of the little details, while the play callers get a better look at how things are developing.

True insanity. Sure send the play callers (OC / DC ) up to the press box. But the HC?????

BB has made a point numerous times in press conferences about the comms that go on between the Ref and the HC explaining calls before they make them or clarifying rules and their choices. That alone is a reason for HC to be on the sideline.

Then how about the number of times you have seen BB down on sideline with a group (most often LBs) and looking at photos or diagrams and he gives them in game corrections.

Then throw in murphy and technology and what happens when comms go out with all 3 of your sr leadershp upstairs.....

 

[Jared]

Whenever I think of coaching from the box, I think of Ernie Zampese and his mug full of pencils that he always had.

 

[patsfan13]

IIRC J Johnson of the Eagles called the D from upstairs, and a number of other DC do the same, no reason Pepper can't handle the comm part and firing up the troops.