So, I watched the San Francisco 49ers/Philadelphia Eagles game in its entirety on Sunday along with the last few minutes of the Arizona Cardinals/New York Giants game. In the two games, there were two plays that stood out to me for how boneheaded they were on the players part (and in one case, the coach's as well).
I'll start with the Eagles game. On a 3rd-and-goal from the 49er 1-yard line, tailback Ronnie Brown received the handoff and was stuffed at the 2-yard line. As he was being tackled to the ground, he threw the ball laterally and it was recovered by the 49ers. At first look, I was wondering what in the hell that guy was thinking. Afterward, I still am, but come to find out, it was a called halfback option play. He was told to throw the ball. Now, I doubt Andy Reid said to still throw the ball as he was being stuffed a yard behind the line-of-scrimmage and being taken to the grass. However, it was a called play. How stupid of a playcall is that? A halfback pass play on a 3rd-and-goal from the 1? With a dual-threat quarterback like Michael Vick in the backfield? Receivers like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and tight end Brent Celek? Tailbacks like LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown? Even a fullback like Owen Schmidt? On a pass play that far into your opponent's end of the field, why take the ball out of your quarterback's hands, especially since this quarterback has the ability to make something out of nothing with his legs? Stupid decision on Brown's part, but an awful call by the coach.
Down 27-24 late in the 4th quarter, the New York Giants were starting to drive against the Arizona Cardinals' defense. Eli Manning completed a pass to receiver Victor Cruz, who tried to make the most of the play by gaining some yards after the catch. He maintained his balance by putting one hand on the ground and then running forward once he gained his footing again. He then stumbled to the ground, untouched, but in thinking he was touched, he let go of the football and got up, thinking the play was over. The Cardinals then pounced on the ball and if they gained possession, it could very well have meant the ballgame. The referees huddled together and said that Cruz basically downed himself, like a quarterback would do by sliding and after conferring with Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the lead official came forward to say that the play was a judgment call and was therefore not challengeable. Now, I've heard plenty of Giants fans clamoring that the officials got the call right, that Cruz had obviously downed himself and to just read the rule. However, after the game, Cruz said he thought he was touched, which is the reason why he did what he did. In other words, he didn't down himself. Quarterback Eli Manning said after the game that the Giants caught a break on that play. In other words, he thinks it was a fumble. The two key players involved in that play basically said that Cruz didn't down himself and Arizona should have taken possession of the football. In any case, it was a very stupid decision by Cruz. I have to imagine the coaches laid into him post-game and he won't be letting go of the football until he hears the whistle blow.
I'll start with the Eagles game. On a 3rd-and-goal from the 49er 1-yard line, tailback Ronnie Brown received the handoff and was stuffed at the 2-yard line. As he was being tackled to the ground, he threw the ball laterally and it was recovered by the 49ers. At first look, I was wondering what in the hell that guy was thinking. Afterward, I still am, but come to find out, it was a called halfback option play. He was told to throw the ball. Now, I doubt Andy Reid said to still throw the ball as he was being stuffed a yard behind the line-of-scrimmage and being taken to the grass. However, it was a called play. How stupid of a playcall is that? A halfback pass play on a 3rd-and-goal from the 1? With a dual-threat quarterback like Michael Vick in the backfield? Receivers like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and tight end Brent Celek? Tailbacks like LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown? Even a fullback like Owen Schmidt? On a pass play that far into your opponent's end of the field, why take the ball out of your quarterback's hands, especially since this quarterback has the ability to make something out of nothing with his legs? Stupid decision on Brown's part, but an awful call by the coach.
Down 27-24 late in the 4th quarter, the New York Giants were starting to drive against the Arizona Cardinals' defense. Eli Manning completed a pass to receiver Victor Cruz, who tried to make the most of the play by gaining some yards after the catch. He maintained his balance by putting one hand on the ground and then running forward once he gained his footing again. He then stumbled to the ground, untouched, but in thinking he was touched, he let go of the football and got up, thinking the play was over. The Cardinals then pounced on the ball and if they gained possession, it could very well have meant the ballgame. The referees huddled together and said that Cruz basically downed himself, like a quarterback would do by sliding and after conferring with Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the lead official came forward to say that the play was a judgment call and was therefore not challengeable. Now, I've heard plenty of Giants fans clamoring that the officials got the call right, that Cruz had obviously downed himself and to just read the rule. However, after the game, Cruz said he thought he was touched, which is the reason why he did what he did. In other words, he didn't down himself. Quarterback Eli Manning said after the game that the Giants caught a break on that play. In other words, he thinks it was a fumble. The two key players involved in that play basically said that Cruz didn't down himself and Arizona should have taken possession of the football. In any case, it was a very stupid decision by Cruz. I have to imagine the coaches laid into him post-game and he won't be letting go of the football until he hears the whistle blow.
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