Can anyone explane this call by Saban?

[JTmoney]

I think there was a minute and change left on the time clock, at the end of the first half. We had 2 timeouts left, just got the first down and he calls to spike the ball. What in the hell is up with that call?

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

I brought this up in a previous thread and I really didn't understand it either. Not only that, but he followed it up with two running plays. We could have taken some shots and getting 6 down there. That was a head scratcher.

 

[Nick13]

the spike call i thought was a good one. it preserved the timeouts and still gave us two chances to get a first down. the running plays however...not so sure. but either way we won.

 

[Bpk]

I think there was a minute and change left on the time clock, at the end of the first half. We had 2 timeouts left, just got the first down and he calls to spike the ball. What in the hell is up with that call?

I TOTALLY agree. We were driving well, but needed ALL FOUR DOWNS to keep moving the chains. Burning a down only makes sense to me in that situation if there are less than 30 seconds left (in which case you cannot conceivably run too many plays anyways, and cannot afford to let the clock run at all) OR if we had one or no timeouts.

With two timeouts we should have used one, then tried to push a little further for the TD. Really it was about knowing that A) Joey throws a lot of INTs B) The Bears get a LOT of clutch INTS. If we had used a timeout there, we could still have run it on first down, but surely would have had to throw a bit too and I guess Saban (who called for the spike) didn't want to to take the chance by pressing, so opted for some safe runs and saving the timepoouts for those.. figuring we would at least get a bit closer and kick the FG. With Mare kicking at something like 65%, and a Bears club capable of a big comeback, I STILL think Nick should have been more aggressive and used the timeout/preserved the four downs to continue driving for the endzone through the air and on the ground.

 

[JTmoney]

the spike call i thought was a good one. it preserved the timeouts and still gave us two chances to get a first down. the running plays however...not so sure. but either way we won.

Only two chances to get the first down, agianst the the supposed #1 defense in the league, my point exactly. And then the running plays to top it all off. I too was scratching my head on that one as I made my way to the fridge to get another cold one.
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Oh well at least we one, but it leaves me to wonder about future calls in tight situations?

 

[IluvJuMiami]

I think there was a minute and change left on the time clock, at the end of the first half. We had 2 timeouts left, just got the first down and he calls to spike the ball. What in the hell is up with that call?

The spike doesn't bother me as much as the running plays. You can spike the ball in that situation preseriving the timeouts because you figure on passing the ball. You assume that 2 downs is sufficient to gain 10 yards in the air. But why spike the ball and waste a down if your going to try and play it safe anyways? Now all you've done is eliminate a down. On top of which, the final run play wasn't even called to the middle of the field. This coaching staff can really leave you scratching your head sometimes.

 

[Finole]

You have to save one time-out for a FG attempt. So if you don't spike the ball, and burn a time-out, then you pretty much eliminated the option of a run. If the defense knows you're not going to run, they can play the pass the whole way.

I'm sure the defense was thinking we were going to pass, so running the ball was simply an attempt to catch them off guard. Also, on this very drive Ronnie had gains of 16 yards and 21 yards. If he gained another 10 yards instead of getting caught for a loss, we would have been looking at a 27-yard FG instead of a 37-yarder.

Personally, though, if I were the coach, I would have taken a shot at the endzone.

 

[jguig]

I don't know if it's Mularkey or Saban to blame but our clock management isn't very good.

Another decision that's driving me nuts is how we repeatedly substitute Sammy Morris for Ronnie Brown on 3rd down. WTF!! Why do we remove our best player on a very important down?

 

[phinphanforever]

Agreed. Sammie Morris has been a major disapointment this season. He has not played well on special teams, has missed some key blocking assignments, has dropped too many passes, and has made very few plays.
R Brown, on the other hand, has shown all how talented a back he can be if given a decent O-line. He also does a fantastic job in pass protection, and makes catches. I understand that it is hard to put a guy in on every down no matter how talented he may be, but I'd like to see him get a few more opportunities on 3rd down. Either that or put in Minor because Morris has not played up to par.

 

[Mogwai]

The running plays were more ridiculous calls. You saw Booker shaking his head in disgust and even though they set up with an empty backfield I knew it was going to end up as a run. Thankfully, we won, but Saban and Mularkey are frickin bewildering.

 

[inFINSible]

You have to save one time-out for a FG attempt. So if you don't spike the ball, and burn a time-out, then you pretty much eliminated the option of a run. If the defense knows you're not going to run, they can play the pass the whole way.

I'm sure the defense was thinking we were going to pass, so running the ball was simply an attempt to catch them off guard. Also, on this very drive Ronnie had gains of 16 yards and 21 yards. If he gained another 10 yards instead of getting caught for a loss, we would have been looking at a 27-yard FG instead of a 37-yarder.

Personally, though, if I were the coach, I would have taken a shot at the endzone.

well, if we were over 15 yards from the endzone, i don't want harrington making that throw.

 

[Drfletcherdc]

I personally feel there has been poor clock management all year long. Don't they practice the two minute drill? If you get the ball back and there is a minute left, I think you should try to score.

 

[Phin]

Yeah, that did strike me as a little odd. There was a different occasion that really aggrivated me though. We were first and goal and our offense goes for 4 straight passes (4 because of a penalty), we ended up getting only a field goal out of it. Why we didn't run the ball at least twice in that series, I still don't understand especially with Ronnie having the game he did.

 

[Dtronic]

I don't know if it's Mularkey or Saban to blame but our clock management isn't very good.

Another decision that's driving me nuts is how we repeatedly substitute Sammy Morris for Ronnie Brown on 3rd down. WTF!! Why do we remove our best player on a very important down?

I feel the same way.

 

[WindyCityDolfan]

I think there was a minute and change left on the time clock, at the end of the first half. We had 2 timeouts left, just got the first down and he calls to spike the ball. What in the hell is up with that call?

What yard line were we on?