Fake Punt

[leonardfan40]

It wasn’t just Dennard, whoever was on the other side was lined up 5 yards from the gunner too but wasn’t running around. It’s a stupid play design especially in that situation, we had just held them and we’re gonna get the ball back. If you are going to leave the gunners uncovered then you bring the house and try to block it, if they had come all the way in the Steelers probably audible and pull the gunners in to block. Instead we had them right in the middle where they are not in a position to affect the punt or block the gunners, makes no sense. In that situation you set up for the return because you still have a legitimate shot to get back into it. You don’t go for the block because any contact or offsides would give the Steelers a 1st, and you certainly don’t call a punt coverage that takes two of your players completely out of the play.

As for the Steelers, like the announcers said, those types of plays are dictated by a look the punt team sees from the D. They probably saw the look on film and prepped for it during the week, then Tomlin tells his guys if they get the look to run the fake because they know they have the advantage. Has nothing to do with respect, has to do with the other teams play and the field position. Any time you’re covering a punt where the other team is at midfield you have to be prepared for a fake. Any time. That’s fake punt territory and there is no excuse to fall for it. There is also no reason for Pitt not to attack it if you give them the right look. Pitt plays to win, unlike some teams we know