Stop Deferring the Ball!!!

[Joshbrown]

Deferring is a sign of no confidence in the offense to score to start the game. At least that's the takeaway I've gotten.

Maybe. Could it mean Kirk has no confidence in his own ability to strategize for a high-scoring game? Or as others have said to me, he doesn't want a shoot-out . . . he LIKES low scoring offense. Certainly lots of evidence to support that.

Here's another thought. In his 18th year he's finally doing something that other's consider a "no-brainer". How's that for a slow learning curve. Kirk may be the only person on Earth more stubborn than icky. LOL.

 

[damnfinn]

Deferring is a sign of no confidence in the offense to score to start the game. At least that's the takeaway I've gotten.

yep, that would explain why teams like NewEngland and GreenBay always defer

 

[FranklinHawk]

Weren't people whining in prior years when KF would win the toss and receive, saying he was an idiot not to defer?

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Weren't people whining in prior years when KF would win the toss and receive, saying he was an idiot not to defer?

Probably, but not me.

 

[damnfinn]

Weren't people whining in prior years when KF would win the toss and receive, saying he was an idiot not to defer?

yep, every frikkin game

 

[Stanzi]

If we ever actually scored on our first drive after choosing to receive I'd be fine with taking the ball first, but we always go three and out because our playcalling is a joke so I like deferring to the second half.

 

[guffus]

In 18 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 174-of-219 games (105-69). Iowa has opened on defense in 45-of-219 games. (25-20).

I know there was a stretch last decade where Iowa would never defer and the other team always would defer. So Iowa would always get the ball first.

But I feel like Iowa has not been doing that for years now. I want to say they gave that up way back in 2012, could be wrong.

 

[kicker22]

I think deferring could also be a sign of having confidence in your defense as well as your offense. If you elect to kick off and your defense comes out firing not only do you most likely have good/decent field position with your offense playing off the momentum created by your defense, but also have the opportunity to take the lead knowing you have the ball to start the second half.

 

[Robowe]

Here's a link to the article with the numbers:

http://mmqb.si.com/2016/01/14/nfl-coin-toss-deferral-patriots-bill-belichick

The central reason most coaches have given for deferring comes down to the chance to pair a score at the end of the first half with one at the start of the second. It’s the only opportunity a team has for two straight possessions and can be a chance to instantly put the game out of reach.