Opinion on the Punting Play

Punt it or go for outlet pass??

  • Total voters
    27
  • Poll closed .
smhawk

smhawk

Well-Known Member
So on the punt where they left our wide out uncovered early in the play clock to come in and block, does anyone think its too risky to try that throw? He is a backup QB and your on THEIR forty yard line. You typically see the offensive team match the formation of the defensive team anyways. But based on field position and how early they tipped their hand on the blitz I just thought a smart player would have took advantage of that. Whats your opinion?

Also I'm not really certain how to post a poll on here.
Fake Punt Or Punt it Away?
Punt it!!!
Try for TD!!!
 
smhawk said:
So on the punt where they left our wide out uncovered early in the play clock to come in and block, does anyone think its too risky to try that throw? He is a backup QB and your on THEIR forty yard line. You typically see the offensive team match the formation of the defensive team anyways. But based on field position and how early they tipped their hand on the blitz I just thought a smart player would have took advantage of that. Whats your opinion?

Also I'm not really certain how to post a poll on here.
Fake Punt Or Punt it Away?
Punt it!!!
Try for TD!!!
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You would think the former back up QB would always have the green light to throw if the receiver is uncovered.

Any other team it would be a given but its probably asking for to much out of Iowa special teams.
 
What was the score at the time? Don't recall. If it was after the hawks had a big lead...why show it?
 
NCHawker said:
What was the score at the time? Don't recall. If it was after the hawks had a big lead...why show it?
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We had a big lead. It was later in the game (don't recall how late).
And for the record, I disagree with the "why show it" arguement. We're not showing a fake punt. We're showing the that we will take advantage of a stoopid alignment by the return team. We're showing that we'll keep you honest. We're showing we'll keep our foot on it, if you are (they're going for punt block, still passing, 2 pt conversion, etc). We're showing that we want to keep the ball, so we can bleed the clock.
FWIW... I defend and stand by the coach/team nearly all the time, even last week. But I think we missed an opportunity on this one.
 
As others have stated, why show it when it is not needed. Anytime we use a play like a fake punt it will be a surprise to our opponents in my opinion and no, I am not saying that as a slight to our coach for those of you that might 'assume'...
 
HawkeyeHypnosis said:
Punt it. Too many what ifs come into play with the lead like that. A closer game, maybe.
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The thing is, at worst you have a incomplete pass or a sack. He is wide open, no risk of a INT unless he just loses the grip of the ball and that can happen any play. But it does raise a good question, if a team is trying to block a punt with all in the center of line of scrimmage, why doesn't the punt team just audible out flanks and pass from it with a high lob pass. Then if the defense was smart they would have to send two outside to guard against it.

*** This idea really only makes sense to me when your just outside of field goal territory.
 
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They WERE going to pass it I think. They looked confused though. We noticed it, you could tell that, but im not sure why we didnt throw it..
 
smhawk said:
The thing is, at worst you have a incomplete pass or a sack. He is wide open, no risk of a INT unless he just loses the grip of the ball and that can happen any play. But it does raise a good question, if a team is trying to block a punt with all in the center of line of scrimmage, why doesn't the punt team just audible out flanks and pass from it with a high lob pass. Then if the defense was smart they would have to send two outside to guard against it.
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I think the worst thing that can happen is give the ball up along with some momentum. I think it really depends on field position, score and time. But with Wienke back there, it's something we could very well see at some point. Also with FG's, Wienke is the holder there too, few possibilities on that play as well.
 
TheNebraskaHawk said:
As others have stated, why show it when it is not needed. Anytime we use a play like a fake punt it will be a surprise to our opponents in my opinion and no, I am not saying that as a slight to our coach for those of you that might 'assume'...
Click to expand...


IMO, this wouldn't be a "fake punt", in terms of designed fake punts. This is simply passing the ball to a guy the D left uncovered in efforts of going for a block. This isn't showing anything. If you direct snap to the up man, or bring your flanks in and have them run a route instead of blocking, have punter take off running... that would be a fake punt.

I think we called off the dogs today, and shouldn't have (Especially with minny still playing hard, passing, 2 pt attempt, onside, etc).
 
imported_Tmoney12 said:
Called off the dogs by passing it a crap ton... not buying this.
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I was really just referring to the punt play, but since we're here...
If I read the stat sheet correctly, Weisman only ran for 22 yds and JVB only tossed for less than 30 in the 2nd half (additionally the final drive before half). Whether its minnys adjustments or playcalling being less aggressive, it seemed the foot was let off the pedal.

Full disclosure here, this more about my desires to CRUSH the gophers than it is nitpicking a much needed victory. In the end, I really did enjoy this game and look forward to rewatching it this week.
 
At that point in the game, punt it. BUT the way it all played out you know between that and the flea flicker, GD had MN's DC on his heals. I like that some wrinkles are showing up in our O.
 
I think the reason we didn't throw it was because we needed 18 yards for the first down (if I remember correctly). I think maybe they were trying to bait us into throwing it and then would have people mover over and the deep guy come up and make the tackle. If that is 4th and 5 no doubt we throw that, but with needing that many yards I think it was probably the best bet to go ahead and punt.
 
imported_Tmoney12 said:
Called off the dogs by passing it a crap ton... not buying this.
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Didn't call off the dogs to just not run up the score, but they were doing is trying to work on their broken passing game. Weisman had 155 yards in the first half and in the 2nd half he just gets a few carries...

I don't have a lot of faith in our coaching staff right now, but they knew that we had a big lead and have no downfield passing game. They used the rare occasion of having a big lead to try to work on that.
 
Kirk Ferentz does not practice situational football.
Just game plan. Anything that does not conform to plan is a complete surprise.
That's why the panic, lack of initiative, inability to adjust, and time-out.

And then STILL a penalty after the wasted time-out.
 
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