Defending the fake punt
 

Seems everyone hated this call.

Obviously when a call doesn't work, it looks bad. But I liked the decision. It was a good call, just poor execution. If Chung could handle the ball cleanly, he would have had it. He simply dropped the ball.

The potential positives outweighed the negatives in my mind. We had the opportunity to pick up a big 4th down, score going into halftime and get the ball to start the second half.

The potential negative when it failed was that it gave the Jets the ball on our side of the field. But to this point, their offense had only produced 7 points and 120 yards. If the defense held, it's still a one-possession game.

The biggest problem was the first play after the fake punt. By giving up a 16-yard run to LT, it put the Jets near the red zone. A few plays later, McCourty overpursued Edwards and gave up the 15-yard TD. But it was reasonable to expect only a FG in that situation before LT's run. Considering the potential gains vs. negatives, it made a lot of sense in that situation.

Of course we can make easier decisions in hindsight, but I felt it was a great call, just poor execution. And there were a lot of other problems that cost us this game besides this call.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

Given BB defends the mantra of situational football it was a very stupid idea. It changed the complexion of the match.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

TBH, I would have used Woodhead in there, he has good hands, even if it didn't work out properly he can tackle.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

I liked the call. In fact, I actually predicted it. It was unfortunate that it failed, but I think had it succeeded, it would have been huge. I'm not upset over it.

What I expected to see and didn't was more emotion from Brady on the sidelines. He's usually in everyone's faces and pumped up during the game. Was surprised to see his sitting on the side almost emotionless.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

Nah, the worse decision was to run the clock down down 10 pts. I mean isn't that what you do when you're UP 10 pts? *facepalm*

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

I liked everything about it apart from the execution on Chung's part.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

The risk / reward was not great. Punt the ball and the Patriots start the half down 4, bad call, bad execution.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

I don't understand the decision or how anyone can agree with it. Even if Chung doesn't drop the snap I don't think he would have picked up the first down which means the end result is pretty much the same. High risk for little reward, called for absolutely no reason.

I disagree with the fake punt, the offensive playcalling in the 2nd half and the first onsides kick. Very un-belichick/patriot game imo.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

Like I said in the other thread. We're 14-2, playing at home, down by 4. We're getting the ball to begin the 2nd half most likely down 7-3 and a chance to regroup. This was an act of desperation that put our young defense in a tough situation after the Jets already had 2 drives starting in our territory. Bad call.

People can say what it should've / could've done all they want but the fact is these plays are rarely run because it's such a risk. And you're assuming a 2nd year safety isn't going to slip up in such a huge huge spot, that's a major assumption. Horrible call by BB, put faith in your team to overcome a friggin 4 point deficit regardless of the slow start.

Re: Defending the fake punt
 

Come on, do you seriously think the defense would have been fooled that Woodhead was blocking for the punter?