Punting on 4th and 1

#27
#27
I was yelling from the stands every time we punted on 4th and 1, my friend disagreed saying we cant pick up a yard with our O line, I told him that if you look at it from the point of view on just that series or just within the scope of the game yes, punting was the safe and 'least likely to make us lose the game' decision. But, this was against the #2 team in the country and our season is already most likely over before the SEC championship game is even played. Our only chance to get a headline or get any sort of media attention the rest of the season was to beat Bama (we have no more marquee games left on our schedule). With no attention comes no recruits. Therefore according to Aristotelean judgment the right decision is the decision that is justified when the largest scope is examined. That means the only way to save our season any respectability and any semblance of positive attention for recruits to consider was to beat Alabama. We needed to pull out all the stops, balls to the wall, because this just wasn't about winning one game, it was a microcosm of our entire season. 'Play not to lose and then lose it in the end.' we needed every chance in that game, regardless of how small, considering how outmatched we were against arguably the best team in the country right now. That game was a MUST win game for us and those decisions made it appear it was just another nobody I-AA we were playing. We were expected to lose, we were expected to not compete, we were expected to just roll over and take it for the good of the conference.....and Fulmer played the part brilliantly. I can't think of one instance in which we took any chance to win even if it didn't work at least it was tried, no trick plays, not a single 4th down attempt, nor any confusing formations. We just lined it up like it was still the 1990s, when we had the best and biggest players, and ran it right into the strength of the Alabama D. OK, so we lost, I had already attempted to make peace with that before kickoff, but what really sold me on the fact we are no longer are an elite team or will be until a change of management is the way we played the game from a schematic standpoint. We had nothing to lose and Bama had everything to lose, it was them who had to be conservative, but it was us who did. It was them who couldn't afford this loss, but we played like it was us at #2 and couldn't take any chances. We didn't deserve to win that game. We got 100% out-coached, and that was the only difference between 29 and 9.
 
#28
#28
My Lord, every once in a while, we should be able to go for it. It's not always the best call to make, but we should at least try it. It's a yard. We'd punt on 4th and 3/4 of an inch though....that's just life. It makes the old ''Nothing ventured, nothing gained'' statement make more sense to me.
 
#29
#29
I think that the last special team's fake was when Britton Colquitt audibled out of a punt on 4th and 8 during the Florida game in 2006. His pass to the receiver fell incomplete.
 
#32
#32
vollygirl said:
Is punting on 4th and 1 playing to win, or playing not to lose?
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IMO it depends. Anyone saying to always go for it on 4th&1 is an idiot and the opposite is also true. There are times to do it and there are times when it's beyond stupid
 
#33
#33
PJ is exactly right IMO. You have to be able to get a yard in a clutch situation. You also have to be able to punt it away on 4th & 1 and let your defense do their job.
 
#34
#34
utvolpj said:
IMO it depends. Anyone saying to always go for it on 4th&1 is an idiot and the opposite is also true. There are times to do it and there are times when it's beyond stupid
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I agree, sometimes we just need to suck it up and go for it.
 
#35
#35
Well, I meant in the situation we're talking about. Every play called depends on the current situation.
 
#36
#36
vollygirl said:
Well, I meant in the situation we're talking about. Every play called depends on the current situation.
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Tennessee had NOTHING to lose by going for it in that situation. The outcome of the game was already in Alabama's favor. Once the Tide gained possession, all they had to do was bleed the clock; which they did effectively.
 
#38
#38
Vol Mania 21 said:
makes me sick...we have nothing to lose, this season is a wrap anyways. why he didn't take chances against bama blows my mind, i wanted to kick that tub of lard right in the gut
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Exactly...Phil coaches scared! Always has...he has no guts whatsoever...And why not give Coleman some P.T. At this point it is not like Stephens is playing like an A.A., so why not get Coleman some reps and see what he can do? The play has been unbelievably horrible, why not see if some of the other guys can make something happen? Have the current players earned the right to remain on the field??
 
#43
#43
Punting on 4th and 1 makes sure to keep you in the game. Giving them the ball and spotting them 40-50 yards is never smart.
 
#45
#45
the only time Fulmer goes for it on 4th and 1 is after we lose to a team and acts PO so he'll do it against a crappy team like UAB.
 
#46
#46
vader said:
As a lover of a strong run game, nothing makes me sadder than the inability to just line up and get a yard when needed. Our line play is weak.
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Ditto.

Just goes to show that we don't trust our offense to get us that 1 yard.
 
#47
#47
utmba93 said:
We don't have the O-line to 'go for it' on 1st and goal from the 5.

How obvious was it that with our offense the real challenge would be to stay in field goal range after 3 plays?

While I'm at it, the only surprise to me from our offense against Bama was that they stayed on the field after getting a first down in the second quarter--which defies everything we know from Pavlov's experiments (e.g. it should be a conditioned response for them to exit the field after 3 plays).

Finally, in a way Clawson has fooled everyone with his genius. Before the season started, he often talked about how he'd get the ball in the hands of the best playmakers-- who knew he meant the punter? That muffed punt had to be our longest play from scrimmage. Utter genius...

However, in Clawson's defense, it's really hard to tell just how bare the cupboard really is. Is it Clawson or is it a lack of talent?
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wow...i might have to save this one in the archives
 
#50
#50
UTvol1fn said:
wow...i might have to save this one in the archives
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I've got some in the archives that I'd like to have set an expiration date on.

Are expiration dates an option, Freak? Also, would the Mods mind sending a mass email whenever the real announcement is coming so we can all tune back in for the debate?
 
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