Why can’t some teams ever get out of their own way?

[Huckleberry1]

I don't get the whole going for it on 4th down all the time. I guess the analytics say it is the thing to do, but my gut says points win games. At halftime of the Ravens game last weekend (I think) Tomlin was asked about whether he would go for it again refering to a failed 4th down attempt, and he said "Yes, we're playing to win". Well, Mike... at that point the decision you made had the opposite effect of getting you closer to a win....

I love it. I love the fact that Vrabel coaches them to play aggressively and makes in game decisions to stay aggressive. I hated the way Belichick would punt with 5 minutes to go down 7 e.g.... And I believe that Maye knowing Vrabel is going to go 4 downs on drives when the game is hanging in the balance allows him to play more freely.

 

[Brotherblues]

The Chargers had a clear path to a SB win if the DB doesn't fumble in the 06 playoffs. I think they destroy the Colts and Bears. When they lost that game, they could never really get back. If they win a SB, maybe they stay in San Diego.

Lions had a clear path to a SB appearance two years ago. Instead, their HC messed it up.

Jets & Browns--no explanation needed

Then in '07 they hung with the Pats despite both Rivers and Tomlinson being hurt. Back in '94 they ran into a buzzsaw 49ers team. It's like whenever they're really good they either run into a historic team, or are destroyed by injuries, or something crazy happens like fumbling an INT return.

Take last night for example. Their biggest investment in teambuilding (outside of QB) in terms of money and draft capital is their OTs and their HB. And yet there they were with practice squadders at those 3 spots in a playoff game.

It's some seriously cosmic stuff when it comes to that team. The Mannings knew something.

 

[PlainOldEd]

I love it. I love the fact that Vrabel coaches them to play aggressively and makes in game decisions to stay aggressive. I hated the way Belichick would punt with 5 minutes to go down 7 e.g.... And I believe that Maye knowing Vrabel is going to go 4 downs on drives when the game is hanging in the balance allows him to play more freely.

Im not entirely against it. Down 7 with under 5 to go, and with a reasonable yardage to get isnone thing. Tie game in the first qtr is something else.

 

[scott99]

Some teams are just poorly run. There’s no avoiding the path these teams wind up taking. The Jets are just one of the most poorly run teams in the last 25 years. From the ownership, to coaching, they’ve just been horrendous. They had their moments with Rex Ryan (2 AFCCGs), but they don’t seem to be able to draft well, they sign bad free agents, and when they do draft well, they wind up trading those players.

The Chargers are just basically the same as the Lions. They’ve had good regular seasons, probably more than the Lions, but just can’t get over that hump. The Cowboys are doomed because Jerry Jones is their GM.

The Browns, just another poorly run organization.

The Chargers, Lions and Cowboys, at least they have good QBs, they just need to build around them.

 

[mnpatfan]

Time for Jets fans to experience Zappe Mania!!

 

[NFL Mystique]

I love it. I love the fact that Vrabel coaches them to play aggressively and makes in game decisions to stay aggressive. I hated the way Belichick would punt with 5 minutes to go down 7 e.g.... And I believe that Maye knowing Vrabel is going to go 4 downs on drives when the game is hanging in the balance allows him to play more freely.

He did that mostly post Brady. Not during Brady's reign. I think he did not trust his QB's.

 

[Triumph]

Didn't Jimmy Johnson tell BB that half the teams in the league self destruct?

 

[Sect140]

You know what I mean. Teams like Chargers, Jaguars, Browns, Jets and Lions. Year after year they either suck or find new ways to lose. It’s like they’re cursed. I’m sure there are other examples but what exactly is keeping these teams from excelling? Coaching and quarterback play is an easy answer but it’s 2026 and these teams have gone through a lot of different coaches and some have had good quarterback play. Ownership?

The Jaguars and Chargers losing again made me think about this. Why do the same teams keep ending their seasons like this year after year?

Ownership

 

[Huckleberry1]

He did that mostly post Brady. Not during Brady's reign. I think he did not trust his QB's.

No he didn't, he was always a conservative coach. There were a few instances where he went for it but overall Belichick was a coach who played a read and react defense, and " matriculate the ball down the field" with no turnovers offense. Vrabel plays an attacking defense and offensive style of football.

 

[BTTA]

I tend to think of this as "the curse of high draft picks", creating a subtle hail Mary mindset that one or two personnel changes will fix everything. It allows teams to stick with hope instead of summoning the will and the discipline of the hard slog of building a winning culture over time.

The Pats have avoided that by picking 3/4 instead of 1/2 in the past couple of years, and now have escaped the gravitational pull. I'm still a bit in shock at what Vrabel et al have done in a year.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think the Chargers making the playoffs with that o-line is actually an accomplishment.

True enough… but how does this Patriots team find a way without fail, when last year’s team was a “poor me” team, with us always naming the individual pieces missing? Isn’t it striking how a team can believe and embrace “next man up”… or not? So yeah, re: their OLine… but could it be that that line had it in them NOT to be a punch line?

 

[Raccoonsuit]

Mostly horrible owners.

-Haslam is a grade A piece of ****. He supported a rapist and gave him the biggest contract at the time. Dragged his wife and daughter into to provide moral cover.
Giant fuel scandal targeting smaller trucks companies as well that he skated charges on


-Woody Johnson has horrible politics and mettles and undermines the team.

-Bengals ownership doesn't care. Worst kept secret as they use the team as a piggy bank and don't want to spend any money