The Drop Kick: the Pats didn't play to win.

[pats1]

Find any 1-or-2 chart online. The Pats should have gone for 2 after the touhcodnw, which would have made it 25-21, giving the Pats only a 7 point deficit even if the Dolphins got a field goal.

But intead, they decided to screw around with Flutie.

 

[dhamz]

Wrong. That was not a time for a 2 point conversion. If you go for 2 and miss, you are down 9 after the Miami FG and the game is over.

The 2 point conversion is not a high percentage play. As we saw when we actually attempted one, it is far from a lock. It is a play that a good coach does not use until it is absolutely needed. It was not needed at that point.

 

[c_nice_37]

dhamz is correct.

Being down by 7 after getting a 2 pt conversion is not how to play the game. You want to have to get the 2pt conversion as a last resort which is what happened at the end of regulation.

When the announcers started saying Flutie was on the field and the Pats were going for 2 I didn't understand why. History, that was great.

 

[pats1]

With 6:10 left in the game....yeah your point is valid.

 

[spacecrime]

Find any 1-or-2 chart online. The Pats should have gone for 2 after the touhcodnw,

Only the 1-or-2 point chart that John Fox used in the superbowl would have said go for two.

Go for 2 is an act of desparation which usually results the we it did when we in fact did go for two.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Find any 1-or-2 chart online. The Pats should have gone for 2 after the touhcodnw, which would have made it 25-21, giving the Pats only a 7 point deficit even if the Dolphins got a field goal.

But intead, they decided to screw around with Flutie.

I had the same initial reaction as you, but after I looked at the potential variables it became clear that 2 points, 1 point or no points would not have made a significant difference in strategy at that time

I take the 2 point conversion out of the mix because with that much time left, and the uncertainty of converting the risk of being 4 points down as opposed to 5 points down didn't make a huge difference

So what you are left with is the consideration of whether or not Flutie can convert on the drop pass

If he botches it and they are 6 points down instead of 5 points down, with 6+ minutes left, does that make a significant difference?

No it doesn't - but throughout the game I still had this feeling like BB wouldn't have minded losing and taking the 4th seed - its just that the drop kick can't be used as evidence of that.

 

[Bill B.]

I think it was just something BB wanted to have fun with. With the seriousness of the playoffs looming, a little levity at this time is a good thing. Did you see him and Flutie laughing about it after the play?

What does concern me though is taking advice on offensive play calling from Chris Berman.

 

[desi-patsfan]

i wonder if we have to have a new drop kick thread until our first playoff game.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Only the 1-or-2 point chart that John Fox used in the superbowl would have said go for two.

Good One!

... and on the subject, it didn't matter. 2 pt conversions are iffy... I have more faith in a Doug Flutie drop kick.

I think we didn't want to win, but the drop kick is not really evidence of that IMO.

The obvious overthrow at the end maybe.... or the fact that we played our scrubs for most of the game.

 

[maverick4]

re:

The Pats didn't play to win, but it wasn't obvious due to the drop kick or the out-of-bounds throw at the end.

It was clear the Pats weren't playing to win when BB sat his starters after the 1st quarter and played 3rd-stringers against Miami's starters for the rest of the game!!!

Who can blame him though? Easier 4th seed path, short upcoming preparation week... it was the right call!!!!!

 

[Fanfrom1960]

I think it was just something BB wanted to have fun with. With the seriousness of the playoffs looming, a little levity at this time is a good thing. Did you see him and Flutie laughing about it after the play?

QUOTE]

When you mention levity at this time of year, it reminds me of Bill Walsh acting like a bellman, taking care of the 49ers bags when they were checking into the hotel for the SB the last time it was played in Detroit (1981). Maybe Belichick has a flair for history and was mimicking that?

 

[shakadave]

The statistically correct decision was to go for 1 point (granted, not automatically via the drop kick!). Then IF Mia got a field goal, we could still go for 2 next time. And that's what happened. Put off the 2-point try if you can. Had Mia not gotten that last field goal, we would have NEVER needed to try for 2.

 

[Joker]

Why do you guys obsess over this crap??

"they didn't play to wee-un!!! Oh no!!!"

The Pats locked up their playoff berth two weeks ago, no matter how you slice it they have to play three games to get to the Super Bowl. They got some rest for players who have been banged around for 15 games. They got live game speed experience and the confidence it brings for their second string. How can you see this as "BAAAAAAD!!!!"?

Really, lighten up a little bit for Chrissakes