Defer or Receive?

[Kid~Brady]

We've all notived the team's offense getting off to an "unfamiliar" slow start these days. We starting the season out as one of the teams that almost always scored on the first offensive drive.

Could this be happening because we are deferring instead of receiving? I think if we get the ball to start and get a successful drive, most teams would probably go into panic mode because they know once the Pats score, they usually dont stop. The only knock on that is I have enjoyed getting the ball back after halftime but what should do in the playoffs?

Depending on who we play this could be substantial.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I am probably in the minority, but I want us to RECEIVE.

I have been saying this for a while. I would love to see us open a game with no-huddle and set the tempo...you have to neutralize that rush teams will be sending and I think this is a good way to do that.

IMHO

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

I voted Defer because I wanted to support BB's decision.

 

[NEP4Life]

Others have stated that the strategic value of BB's deferral decision is based on putting the knife in the opponent with two consecutive scores -- one just before the half with Brady running the 2-minute, and one right after the half with the team receiving and Brady driving for a score.

Does it always play out that way? Obviously not, but I like the concept.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Does it always play out that way? Obviously not, but I like the concept.

I thought (and this going from memory) that a team that scores on the last possession of the half and first of the second half wins 90% of games.

I imagine it probably has other factors like having the defenders more gassed for the second half and the possibility of making offensive adjustments during a half (though they have certainly shown some amazing ability to adjust during the game this year...especially on defense).

 

[PatsDeb]

Can't argue with deferring. It has worked so well for the past few years. It always seems the Pats have the ball last in the 1st half and then they get to open the 2nd half with another possession, many of which they score on (both times). It has been the nail in the coffin for many opponents. In fact, I am not sure why, when many teams win the toss against us, THEY don't defer in order to throw us off our game.

 

[Maker's Muppet]

Another plus of deferring. The opposing defense stays on the field for longer in the second half, when they have less energy.

This literally means that your offense is given at least one extra possession against a tired defense.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I like defer. Having the first possession of the second half is very important. You can either continue your momentum or turn things around if you are behind faster. This team can come back from 21 down. It has come from being down 2 games in a row against the Dolphins and the Bills. The offense is a beast just waiting to be unleashed. Love watching this Pats team this season!

 

[brdmaverick]

I am probably in the minority, but I want us to RECEIVE.

I have been saying this for a while. I would love to see us open a game with no-huddle and set the tempo...you have to neutralize that rush teams will be sending and I think this is a good way to do that.

IMHO

Typically I am strongly in the 'defer' mindset, and I still am now, but I can definitely see where the debate would come in.

After all, during our Super Bowl dynasty we were always the team getting on the scoreboard first. With our constant 'deferring' and 'porous' defense, it seems we are always getting behind. In fact, at Buffalo is the only game that comes to mind in which we definitely scored first. There is something to be said for 'setting the tone' or 'dictating the pace' of the game, but I still like the double bonus of hopefull scoring at the end of the half and the beginning of the third. That certainly worked well for us in Super Bowl 39.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I like the coach's plan to defer. Having the ability to put up to 14 points on the board back to back in some games can either get the Pats back in the game, or almost close out the game.

 

[Rob0729]

The third quarter has easily been the best quarter for this team on both sides of the ball. I think in the last six or seven weeks, the Pats have scored close to 200 points and only given up seven points in the third quarter. Because of that alone, I want the Pats to have the ball to start the second half.

Besides that, if you have the ball at the end of the half which the Pats frequently do, it give the Pats a chance to score 14 points before the other team even has a chance to try to score. It helps to rest the defense and take all the momentum away from the other team.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Anybody know the Pats' "record" on the coin toss this year? It seems like every time I look up as the games are starting the Patriots are kicking off.

 

[patfanken]

There is no bigger no brainer in the history of football. That might be a bit of hyperbolic, but it does give me a reason to use the word hyperbolic, and I never pass that up. Still there are just to many reasons to defer....not to, especially at home.

1, By kicking off you force the opponent to start the game when the crowd is at its noisest and most disruptive. A distinct disadvantage.

2. Given the assumption that your defense is going to be worse that the opposing offense, its an advantage to show the offense whatever new wrinkles you have for it. Now you have them run that offense when they are the coldest, adjusting against stuff they haven't seen, a wild crowd, and probably in bad field position.

3. You get the ball in the second half AFTER you have seen most of the adjustments the opposition has to show.

4. Plus the oft mentioned ability to potentially have the a chance to score at the end of the half and get the ball to start the 2nd half.

5. Because you have this possibility you force the opposition to practice clock managament at the end of the second quarter just to keep you from having that that advantage. So you force them to run plays that effect the clock rather than gain yardage.

Any one of these reasons would be enough to defer. Put them all together and it becomes the "greatest no-brainer" in the history of football.

 

[Kid~Brady]

Anybody know the Pats' "record" on the coin toss this year? It seems like every time I look up as the games are starting the Patriots are kicking off.

Same here, we always kick the ball off and defer. I honestly like the advantages of this. Some were named in previous post, but we've been starting off pretty slow and honestly our defense hasnt produced enough 3 and outs in the beggining of the game.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Same here, we always kick the ball off and defer. I honestly like the advantages of this. Some were named in previous post, but we've been starting off pretty slow and honestly our defense hasnt produced enough 3 and outs in the beggining of the game.

Yeah, Pats always defer when they win the toss. I'm just curious: Have they won every toss this year? Or close to it? (Edit: Not that it's a significant stat.Just a curiosity. I'd imagine other teams take the ball when they win the toss, wanting to capitalize against this D. SO maybe that's another question: If you play the Pats ... do you defer now, considering how slow the NE O has been starting?)

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I am in the minority......yess!

Seriously though some of those teams we are beating are beating themselves in the third and fourth quarter. Are we making plays....sure, they aren't making any either though.

I think playing against good teams like the Ravens and to a lesser extent the Steelers, they are gonna keep coming at you. They are not going to pull a Buffalo or Miami.

We are assuming we are going to have the ball late in the second Q? Maybe. What if our opponent continues to pour it on. If I am Baltimore I am gonna run that rock with 5-6 min. left in the second quarter more than I am going to pass it, I guarantee you that.

It is a great post op and I believe a valid and important one. Will be interested to see what teams do on wildcard weekend.

I honestly believe that this defering trend is giving our guys some psychological benefit which I am all for. This is the playoffs however. We may be playing catch up all game to higher quality teams.

If I win the toss, I am taking that ball and I am charging down the field with authority and I am gonna be the one setting the tempo for this game, not you. This is my house..I am not the hunted, I am the hunter.

Playing with a lead maximizes your home field advantage, we have all saw what has been happening lately when we come out flat. Not popular with the Gilette faithful.

This ain't the regular season any more...be aggressive and be balanced, you can have both, you need both.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Yeah, Pats always defer when they win the toss. I'm just curious: Have they won every toss this year? Or close to it? (Edit: Not that it's a significant stat.Just a curiosity. I'd imagine other teams take the ball when they win the toss, wanting to capitalize against this D. SO maybe that's another question: If you play the Pats ... do you defer now, considering how slow the NE O has been starting?)

Wk — Opponent — coin toss winner — had last meaningful Q2 possession — received ball to start Q3

1 MIA — NE — NE — NE
2 SD — SD — NE — NE
3 BUF — BUF — BUF — BUF
4 OAK — NE — NE — NE
5 JEST — NE — NE — NE
6 DAL — NE — DAL — NE
8 PIT — NE — PIT — NE
9 NYG — NE — NE — NE
10 NYJ — ??? — NE — NE
11 KC — KC — NE — NE
12 PHI — PHI — PHI — NE
13 IND — IND — NE — NE
14 WAS — WAS — NE — NE
15 DEN — NE — NE — NE
16 MIA — MIA — NE — NE
17 BUF — NE — BUF — NE

The Pats only won the coin toss about half the time, but, as you can see, they started the second half with the ball 15 times out of 16.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The third quarter has easily been the best quarter for this team on both sides of the ball. I think in the last six or seven weeks, the Pats have scored close to 200 points and only given up seven points in the third quarter. Because of that alone, I want the Pats to have the ball to start the second half.

Besides that, if you have the ball at the end of the half which the Pats frequently do, it give the Pats a chance to score 14 points before the other team even has a chance to try to score. It helps to rest the defense and take all the momentum away from the other team.

That would be glorious, but it's not quite correct. On their current winning streak, in which they've outscored opponents 291-158, they've gone 101-7 in the third quarter.

 

[Kulko]

I think the last few games show the advantage of this strategy. Our Offense uses the mismatchs it creates to score, which is easier the longer the game is under way, and the more the opponent has comitted.

Defering gives you a chnce for an additional possession in the second half, when our O is stronger, and also when you are better aware of what you need to do with these extra possesion, because you know how the game develops in general.
On top of that you bget the moral advantage of scoring potentially 14 unanswered points, just by getting two possessions.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Wk — Opponent — coin toss winner — had last meaningful Q2 possession — received ball to start Q3

1 MIA — NE — NE — NE
2 SD — SD — NE — NE
3 BUF — BUF — BUF — BUF
4 OAK — NE — NE — NE
5 JEST — NE — NE — NE
6 DAL — NE — DAL — NE
8 PIT — NE — PIT — NE
9 NYG — NE — NE — NE
10 NYJ — ??? — NE — NE
11 KC — KC — NE — NE
12 PHI — PHI — PHI — NE
13 IND — IND — NE — NE
14 WAS — WAS — NE — NE
15 DEN — NE — NE — NE
16 MIA — MIA — NE — NE
17 BUF — NE — BUF — NE

The Pats only won the coin toss about half the time, but, as you can see, they started the second half with the ball 15 times out of 16.

So basically the Pats and their opponents agree — they want the NE defense on the field to start the game.