11-03-2018, 01:58 PM
(11-03-2018, 08:31 AM)Wyche Wrote: Here's the thing about all of this complaining about the offense. Last season, everyone was on their case because they couldn't score, and it was their fault the defense struggled to get off of the field. This year, we're complaining because the offense is scoring too quickly or too much, and the defense still can't get off if the field or hold the opponent. At what point do we just hold the defense accountable?
(11-03-2018, 11:06 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: No complaints here about the offense other than unfortunate injuries. In perspective, every defense should take accountability for a loss because, well, their job is to prevent the opponent from scoring. Defense win championships. With a year as you explained where the offense is scoring, not really sure how it could be viewed any other way?
Gentlemen, make no mistake the defense does in fact need to do it's job. You will never hear me give them a pass. The offense did what it was supposed to do and the defense did not. You can blame the players, or coaches or scheme or whatever. Nate and I both agree that Austin is terrible and needs to go somewhere else. I don't give them a pass.
The point is, with 34 yards to go, we had the whole field to work with. We had running plays to work with. We had 2 times outs to work with.
The defense wouldn't have had to make a stand if someone had enough situational awareness to slow things down on offense. I am happy that we scored, I am just pointing out that this loss could have been a win if someone just said, 34 yards is a one play TD, so let us move closer, while running out the clock.
This person should have realized that the opponent had all 3 TOs left and only would need a FG to win. It was evident to fans, that only watch games, and are not getting paid to pay attention to those little details.
We are NOT actually putting this on the offense as you suggest. The offense performed well. They would all be heroes if the Steelers were stopped, the defense as well would look better had they stopped them.
The issue is that the HC did not take into account his defense may NOT stop them. We played into the hands of the Steelers and once again came up short and lost to them. As I said, the first play to start the 2 min warning should have been a run play. Either Mixon gains yards or is stopped for little to no gain. Either way the clock starts, either the Steelers take a TO or they let the clock run, either decision they make would be a positive for us. Them not taking a TO would be to our benefit, as we can let the clock continue to run as we pass on 2nd down. A completion would eat up more clock and move us closer, an incompletion would stop the clock for us.
