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Craig: Play-callers are easy targets

Article by: MARK CRAIG , Star Tribune
Updated: September 12, 2012 - 5:25 AM

Any seemingly sound decision that doesn't work out is going to be roundly second-guessed.

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joe_anokaSep. 12, 12 8:04 AM

Is there a reason that Peterson and Harvin can't be in the backfield at the same time in those situations???

hollowpoint9Sep. 12, 12 8:12 AM

If they wanted to kill the clock so badly and not be predicatable maybe a quick screen would suffice. Instead of three runs right into the teeth of the defense. But I can live with the calls, because without the penalty it wouldve worked out a lot better. What I can't live with is the defensive coverage on the final Jags drive. How in the world can there be no saftey help over the top when the other team is in an obvious deep passing situation? Should have cost us the game.

zebmuasSep. 12, 12 8:59 AM

Win ONE superbowl with your play callings and I'll stop second-guessing you, FOREVER AND EVER!!! Promise!!! Just like I never second-guess Tom Kelly.

zebmuasSep. 12, 12 9:01 AM

And do we have those 14 seconds at the end had Jenkins not stopped the clock? Because no matter what, if you give the ball back to the other team, OUR defense was going to give up a touchdown, guarantee!

zebmuasSep. 12, 12 9:15 AM

The coaching staff's gotta have the mentality that the offense and playcallings was going to either run out the clock or score more points. Instead, their mentality was this: go 3 and out, run off SOME clock, and cross your fingers, cover your eyes, hang on to dear life, etc... Not the mentality of winners, would you agree?

holdsteady76Sep. 12, 1210:02 AM

No problem with the offensive play calling in that situation; three runs and a punt gives the Jags the ball with very little time a long way to go - the defense absolutely holds in that situation. More a problem with the lack of execution throughout the game that put them in position to lose.

bredpathSep. 12, 1210:04 AM

Well, if you're still going to run the ball from the 3, then I'd say stick with your all-world running back. Why hand it off to a smallish WR and run him up the gut?

mattbrad2Sep. 12, 1210:44 AM

zebmuas - I've thought about that. Ironically, the penalty ended up giving us just enough time to score the FG at the end however the Jags would have had just under 40 seconds to score a TD from their own 20. If they give that up, they certainly deserve to lose the game.

NorseForceSep. 12, 1210:48 AM

I won't question the play calling, but I do question the lack of execution. If they are going to exert their will on the other team, their execution needs to be much better. The O-line was blown up on that last drive before the Jacksonville score.

conormacleodSep. 12, 1211:26 AM

No problem with running near end of game. No problem giving Percy one run inside 5 (it's worked a lot before). HUGE problem having first and goal inside the 5 yard line and not giving the ball even once to your goal line sniffing all pro running back. You are always going to take criticism when you don't give the ball to AP, and the play you called doesn't work.

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