Mullen Brain-Farts...

[KeyserSoze1999]

After watching the game this morning a couple of things stand out on Mullen.

First, having Hollaway in the game on goal line situations is pure stupidity. It cost us points in the Red zone last night after the long run by Fitzgerald---take the time to substitute Williams or Lee into the game.

Second, what the Hell was that fake punt around mid field about? We had all the momentum and then for some reason Mullen decided to let the lanky slow Columbia Academy Punter try to run for a 1st down. We were lucky that his decision didn't hurt us.

 

[fishwater99]

You left of going for it on 4th and goal.
Take the 3 points.

Holliway getting 15 carries vs Williams 5 is another.

 

[57stratdawg]

The 4th and goal isn't nearly as bad as the fake punt.

 

[patdog]

Yeah. If you're inside the 5, go for it is the percentage play. The fake punt was insanity though. Could have really cost us.

 

[Shamoan]

I liked the 4th and goal decision, maybe not the play. The fake was just awful and uncreative, but I'm not sure everyone was in on the fake. Looked like blocking was not close for that kind of call

 

[57stratdawg]

Plus, South Car's offense had really struggled.

 

[BoomBoom.sixpack]

You left of going for it on 4th and goal.
Take the 3 points.

Holliway getting 15 carries vs Williams 5 is another.

When you believe you are the better team, and are already up a TD....you take the points. Period. Very basic game theory, but we have a HC out there playing checkers.

When you believe you are not the better team, and are trying to pull an upset, then maybe you go for it. But against teams like Bama, we never do. Mullen plays not to lose in those games. Im surprised he doesnt play Prevent D all game.

 

[The Peeper]

I'd rather run a BIG running back on 4th and short rather than a slow punter because the punter in essence adds , what, 12-14 additional yards to be p/u because of his drop?

 

[rugbdawg]

Last year we went for it on 4th and goal against Bama. Should have kicked it when up 7 though. Really dumb move.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Fake punt looked like not everyone knew. Might have worked otherwise.

 

[rugbdawg]

It probably wasn't a called fake punt. Mullen has said something in the past about our punter having a green light to fake it if we get a certain look plus certain distance. I think it's absolutely insane...but it is what it is. I'd like to see the replay.

 

[dawgstudent]

My problem with the 4th and Goal was we lost 3 yards on the previous play. We were going backwards. It would have been different if we had a positive play previously. I wanted it to get the points that early in the game and be up 10.

 

[patdog]

Mullen needs to put the red light on that, then. Because we've missed several fake punts in his career where we didn't even come close to getting the first down.

 

[fishwater99]

Yeah. If you're inside the 5, go for it is the percentage play. The fake punt was insanity though. Could have really cost us.

Percentage of making TD vs making the FG?
I am pretty sure making the FG is a much higher percentage, even with our kicker.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/05/upshot/4th-down-when-to-go-for-it-and-why.html?_r=0

 

[FlotownDawg]

Exactly. Fourth and goal from the one, go for it. Fourth and goal from the three, after you got stuffed for negative yardage on the previous play? Kick the FG.

 

[patdog]

Of course, but you have to weight those odds by the fact a TD is worth 7 points, while a FG is worth only 3. Hell, even the link you provided recommends going for it on 4th and goal from the 3-yard line. Thanks for proving my point.

 

[philduckworth]

Of course, but you have to weight those odds by the fact a TD is worth 7 points, while a FG is worth only 3. Hell, even the link you provided recommends going for it on 4th and goal from the 3-yard line. Thanks for proving my point.

I had no problem going for it on 4th down. If you don't get it, you should be able to get the ball back in good field position. The fake punt was much worse simply b/c of the personnel SC had on the field. Half their coaches were waving their arms for punt safe and they left their starting D-line on the field. We're lucky Cooke didn't get hurt.

 

[tenureplan]

You left out horrible clock management to close the first half...

 

[missouridawg]

I'm amazed at the number of people who are comparing picking up 4 yards with a running punter versus 4 yards with the regular offense as if we put the punter as the RB on a read option type play with the number 1 offense on the field.

The fake punt is there to catch the other team sleeping. They didn't but I certainly was ok with the call there.

 

[Dawgfan61]

For all his brain farts, I like the way he coached the game and want more games like this from him. I don't want "play not to lose" games from him. I like the aggressiveness of the fake punt and the 4th down and goal. Im not a fan of running the inside zone read with Holloway, but I will take aggressiveness from my coach everytime over conservatives. For as good as Sherrill was, I don't think he ever faked a punt the entire time he was here.

 

[fishwater99]

That's also the NFL..