Defer or take the ball first?

[PatsDeb]

Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

There was a thread on this issue, i.e. whether the Pats should elect to receive sometimes when they win the toss, in the last two weeks, but I couldn't find it (sorry). As I commented on that thread, I don't know why our opponents don't defer more often when they win the toss against the Pats because it is obviously a big part of our game plan to have the ball at the end of the first half and score, and then to open the 2nd half with a score, before our opponents even get a chance to touch the ball.

I am wondering if Denver will try to throw off our game plan and defer should they win the opening coin flip? I guess the downside is you hand the ball to Brady and he marches down the field on you, but let's face it, we've had (more than) a few slow starts this year.

The Pats won the toss at the first game they played, so Denver did not get a chance to make the election.

If I were them and I get the chance, I'd defer. What say you?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

Yes, I think they will.

It was said during the Steelers game that John Fox defers 100% of the time if he wins the coin toss. (Obviously regulation time only).

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

Honestly, I don't think they will or even should defer.

Take the ball, try to take the crowd out of it a bit, get your score now.

I think they'll receive...

 

[Dufflebagz]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

I"m not even gonna try to guess what they will do, but I will say it's a tough decision.

They can elect to recieve, Tebow could look like...well, Tebow, and it's a quick 3 & out. Maybe they'll look at how slow we've started in a lot of games and how easily they moved the ball against us early just several weeks ago. That could have them feeling confident about taking an early lead.

Personally I think if they defer, they're taking a huge risk. I can see the reasoning behind it, of course. Once again it would have to do with our slow starts, it would basically take a 2nd half possesion away from us too. The risk is Brady could drive down the field and take a quick 7-0 lead.

If I'm them, I'd elect to recieve.

 

[BlueThunder]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

You're keeping an idiot in suspense here Duffle

 

[Gwedd]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

You're keeping an idiot in suspense here Duffle

Yeah, Duffel....... elect to what?

If I'm Denver I take the ball and get things started. They scored early on us the last time. They might figure what the heck, they have nothing to lose anyway, so go for it.

I think that the LAST thing that Denver wants is for Brady to have the ball.

 

[Big-T]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

I'd take the ball too if I had to make the choice for Denver, sure the Patriots have made some slow starts but you also have to take into account the Patriots could open up with a 10 minute 80 yard drive to start the game which would get the crowd pumped and then if you go 3 and out then it could be 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Take the ball, use the clock and hope the Patriots start off slow again is the way Denver should go about the start of the game.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

You're keeping an idiot in suspense here Duffle

I try.....

I meant "elect to recieve"

 

[UK_Pat37]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

I think they receive.

The way you beat the Pats is by keeping the ball. So many teams who have had success against us get the ball first, and kill time off the clock to start the game off. Especially teams which pride themselves a little more on their ability to runt he football and defend/rush the passer. You keep the ball out of Brady's hands as much as you can and giving him the first possession and allowing him to score on it give the Patriots a huge amount of momentum you can't afford to give.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

All of you that are predicting that they will choose to recieve:

Did you miss the start of the second half of the Pitt @ Denver game when they listed all the reasons John Fox told them why he ALWAYS defers?

Or did you hear it and decide that he is going to change the plan because he is playing someone who always elects to defers for the exact same reasons?

 

[VrabelJr]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

Denver will defer. We start slow + Fox is pretty conservative.

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

All of you that are predicting that they will choose to recieve:

Did you miss the start of the second half of the Pitt @ Denver game when they listed all the reasons John Fox told them why he ALWAYS defers?

Or did you hear it and decide that he is going to change the plan because he is playing someone who always elects to defers for the exact same reasons?

I missed Fox saying this. I guess there is no controversy as both coaches here will defer if they win the toss.

After I posted this I was arguing with myself though that maybe Denver should receive if they win the toss. Our O gets going slow, but so does our D. Is it better for Denver to hit our D early when they are so often flummoxed at the start of games, but usually buckle down by the 2nd half? Denver doesn't score a lot of points (only scored 23 against us, and against Pittsburgh in regulation), so getting up early is a premium for them, as is, presumably, facing our D before said D figures out what Denver is doing.

Can't wait for this game! Go Pats!

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

I missed Fox saying this. I guess there is no controversy as both coaches here will defer if they win the toss.

After I posted this I was arguing with myself though that maybe Denver should receive if they win the toss. Our O gets going slow, but so does our D. Is it better for Denver to hit our D early when they are so often flummoxed at the start of games, but usually buckle down by the 2nd half? Denver doesn't score a lot of points (only scored 23 against us, and against Pittsburgh in regulation), so getting up early is a premium for them, as is, presumably, facing our D before said D figures out what Denver is doing.

Can't wait for this game! Go Pats!

None of the reasons you listed are part of the analysis for either coach.

Both have mentioned the following:

1. Chance for back to back scoring at the end of the 2nd quarter and start fo 3rd.

2. Extended rest for defense at the half.

3. Noise level in the stadium is at its lowest at the start of the third. Best time to have the offense on the field if you are on the road, least benifit to your defense if you are at home.

 

[catsigater]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

Yes, I think they will.

It was said during the Steelers game that John Fox defers 100% of the time if he wins the coin toss. (Obviously regulation time only).

Yep. Unless the Pats win and defer, the Pats will have the first possession.

 

[highlander2190]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

most likely no. The Broncos game plan will be to keep it close and put as little pressure on Tebow to make this a shooting contest. If they elect to defer and then we go put up 10-14 points in our first 2 drives while, they put up 0, the game will move very quickly out of hand for them. They are also on the road, and the best way to put a crowd down is by scoring on the opening drive. The last thing you want to do is let Brady to be the first one to score.

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: Do You Think Denver Will Defer on the Kickoff If They Win the Coin Toss?

most likely no. The Broncos game plan will be to keep it close and put as little pressure on Tebow to make this a shooting contest. If they elect to defer and then we go put up 10-14 points in our first 2 drives while, they put up 0, the game will move very quickly out of hand for them. They are also on the road, and the best way to put a crowd down is by scoring on the opening drive. The last thing you want to do is let Brady to be the first one to score.

Well, looks like you'll have to get on John Fox's coaching staff before the game (is that allowed? should we complain?) as the word is if he wins the toss, he's deferring, just like BB.

 

[DOGWARZ]

Personally I would like to take the ball 1st this game, so we can try to get up early or At least if we go 3 and out and Denver scores we can try to tie it up on our 2nd drive If we defer and Denver scores like last time and we go 3 and out we might be down 14-0 on our 2nd drive. What do you think?