Game management

[Walrus]

Lord knows we don't need any more downer topics on here and we don't need to re-live the pain of this game, but I ran across this article that I thought was interesting. It's a couple weeks old, but I hadn't seen it posted here...

The guy makes the argument that Marvin Lewis is the worst game-manager among NFL head coaches. Generally, I like/support Marvin and think he's a great coach, but judging by the example he gives here, it's hard to argue with "sjgmoney"s conclusion in the comments at the end that Marvin should/could've been fired after this game. Ouch.

/>http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Tavern-talk-Worst-game-managers.html

Worst game managers

These five know how to mess things up.

Michael Lombardi

August 06, 2009, 06:30 PM EST .

[ ... ]

5. Sean Payton: Sean doesn’t mismanage games as much as he lacks an ability to close them out. Last year, the Saints lost five games by a combined total of 13 points. Losing too many close games will cause you to re-evaluate how you approach game management. If the Saints excel in this area this year, they might be hosting a NFC Championship game. If they improve in this area, they will be tough to beat with that offense.

4. Andy Reid: I can't understand how a coach as smart as Reid, who has won as many games as he has in Philadelphia (107, including playoffs) can manage games with such a carefree attitude. His overtime tie in Cincinnati is legendary in terms of game management. He often had Jim Johnson to bail him out, but now, unfortunately Jim isn’t there, so this might be worth watching.

3. Brad Childress: This year, the Vikings are going to have better special teams, which won’t make any difference to Childress. Last year, he acted as if his coverage teams could make plays when they couldn’t. Each time he ordered the punt team on the field last season, Vikings fans held their collective breath.

2. Dick Curl: I know, I know. Curl isn’t a head coach, but he was the No. 2 man in Herm Edwards’ regime and is now the No. 2 man (by title, he’s the assistant head coach) in St Louis. Steve Spagnuolo is loyal to his former coach and loves Curl, but he if chooses to listen to him on game day, he’s taking a huge risk. Someone was giving Edwards advice, and that person was Curl. Spags cannot make this mistake as well.

1. Marvin Lewis: I was going to put Marvin lower on this list until I received an incredible email from Sjgmoney, a loyal reader of the site. He made such a compelling argument for why Marvin needs help in this area that it was hard to ignore. Steve admits losing money from betting on Marvin, but his breakdown is not that of a bitter man, just a careful analysis of how Lewis ruined his chances. Allow me to introduce his evidence from a game at the end of the 2006 season. The following is from his email:

As we all knew it would be, the way it always is when you have a lot of money riding on it, the game was a close one. Cincy trailed 7-3 at the half, but took the lead early in the 4th quarter after Palmer hit Chris Henry on a jailbreak special for a 66-yard TD. The Steelers came right back though and took a 14-10 lead with 7 minutes to go. The Bengals would not quit and they took almost 5 minutes to drive 73 yards for the go ahead score, and with 2:54 left they led 17-14. The Steelers started on their own 17 but only needed 3 plays to reach the Bengals 28 yard line as the clock stopped for the two minute warning. Let's pick up the play-by-play (in bold) right here:

Two-Minute Warning

1-10-CIN 28 (1:58) B.Roethlisberger pass short right to D.Kreider to CIN 17 for 11 yards (J.Joseph).

1-10-CIN 17 (1:23) W.Parker left tackle to CIN 17 for no gain (L.Johnson).

Timeout #1 by CIN at 01:17.

Obvious timeout by Cincy, as Pittsburgh has at the very least a chip shot FG try coming and you need to save some time on the clock for your own drive.

2-10-CIN 17 (1:17) B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to W.Parker.

3-10-CIN 17 (1:12) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to S.Holmes.

Wow, what a nice break, two incompletions, plenty of time left on the clock and still two timeouts left for your own drive. Wrong.

Timeout #2 by CIN at 01:07

What? … He called a timeout, I can't believe he called a timeout. To ice the kicker on a 34 yard FG!!!!!! Are you kidding me? The clock was already stopped for the incompletion. Picture me yelling this, YELLING THIS, as I give play-by-play to one of my friends (who doesn't have Sunday Ticket) on the phone. Let's not even get into the fact that I think icing the kicker is one of the stupidest things coaches do. All it does is allow them to catch their breath and get all set up without even worrying about a play clock. I'd much rather make them run onto the field and at least feel rushed. But to waste a timeout here, when you still have a chance to win the game and you are going to want to have as many timeouts as possible, is unconscionable (and unconscious). Critical mistake #1

4-10-CIN 17 (1:07) J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.Warren, Holder-C.Gardocki.

Of course the kick is good, score is now 17-17.

J.Reed kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to CIN 0. G.Holt to CIN 33 for 33 yards (R.Seigler).

Good field position, plenty of time.

1-10-CIN 33 (:55) C.Palmer pass incomplete short right to T.Houshmandzadeh.

Put your helmets on, here we go:

2-10-CIN 33 (:50) C.Palmer pass deep middle to C.Henry to PIT 20 for 47 yards (B.McFadden).

1-10-PIT 20 (:23) C.Palmer spiked the ball to stop the clock.

Great play by Henry but look how much time expires waiting for all the fat bodies to run down field, and then Palmer is extra cautious making sure they are lined up correctly. At least 15 extra seconds go by here, when all Lewis needs to do is call a timeout. Let everyone catch their breath, regroup, make sure your QB knows what plays you want to run. With at least 35 secs left (and maybe 40 if you are really quick) you can run 2 more plays, spike the clock and then kick the winning FG. But because he idiotically burned the timeout trying to ice the chip shot FG, Lewis only has one left and it appears he is afraid to use it. Critical mistake #2.

Timeout #3 by CIN at 00:22.

Yep, you just read that correctly. The game play-by-play doesn’t do this whole scenario justice. The Bengals were in total disarray and after spiking the ball Palmer looked to the sidelines looking for guidance but all he got was blank looks back. Lewis and the sideline appeared to be in shock that they might get the ball into scoring position so they had no game plan ready when they got there. I mean, you never plan on driving 50 yards in a minute to kick a winning FG, do you? Not something you ever practice, right? Players were shuttling on and off the field, no play was being called, and the play clock was winding down. Jeez, do you think a timeout as soon as Henry was tackled might have calmed things down? So as the play clock expires Palmer has to call the final timeout. The refs were actually very generous here as it looked like Palmer didn't call timeout in time. Critical mistake #3.

In hindsight, maybe a 5 yard penalty wouldn't have been so bad. Now you run a pass play (or two) and try and get 10 -15 more yards and then use your last timeout to set up your FG. Everything Cincy did here was awful, and just flat out wrong. Having said that, we are still in good shape, time for one play and then a spike to stop the clock and then a short FG by a reliable kicker Shayne Graham. A nice straight ahead run, should get a couple of yards. If you are really ballsy maybe even a short pass to get some more yards.

2-10-PIT 20 (:22) C.Palmer kneels to PIT 21 for -1 yards.

3-11-PIT 21 (:13) C.Palmer spiked the ball to stop the clock.

This is what you come up with after discussing things during the timeout? Lose a yard (play sheet is actually wrong as he lost 2 yards) and then hurry to the line and spike the ball, leaving 13 secs on the clock? Why don't you try to get a few more yards? Why don't you run the clock down to 5-6 seconds? Not exactly critical, but still it shows a totally disorganized coaching staff so I'm calling it Critical mistake #4.

Timeout #2 by PIT at 00:12.

Didn’t I just say icing the kicker doesn't work? I think Bill Cowher was hoping the timeout would confuse Cincy into thinking it was still 3rd down and maybe they spike the ball one more time.

4-11-PIT 21 (:12) S.Graham 39 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-B.St. Louis, Holder-K.Larson.

Okay, so icing the kicker here worked, but you almost have nothing to lose here as you have 2 timeouts left and best case you only need 1 when you get the ball back with under 10 seconds to play. And let's face it, if Shayne Graham doesn't choke then all of this is a blur and the Bengals are in the playoffs and my friends and I are counting our money. And remember we are counting 50% more because the best case scenario has played out and Cincy is going to win by only 3 points so we win both bets. But nooooooo!

1-10-PIT 30 (:08) B.Roethlisberger kneels to PIT 29 for -1 yards.

END QUARTER 4

The rest is history as Pitt won the coin toss in overtime and only needed 3 plays to score a TD to win the game. Thanks Marvin.

Postscript: The next season WR Kelly Washington signs with the Patriots after 4 years with the Bengals. He is quoted after one of his first training camp practices saying he can't believe how they worked on all types of game situations in practice. He'd never done it before. What a shocker!!!

Hard to argue with him, right? Marvin deserves to be No. 1 for sure.

Did I miss anyone?

[Baraka]

i wonder how much of that is brat's fault. he makes the offensive calls, who ever was at fault it's pathetic to be sure

[Ickey44]

i wonder how much of that is brat's fault. he makes the offensive calls, who ever was at fault it's pathetic to be sure

Brat blows. I've been saying that for years. He's play calling sucks balls. No ingenuity and soooo predictable.

[derekshank]

The playcalling by Brat was fine. Palmer marched the ball down the field in under a minute. Marvin is responsible for calling timeouts. And although I've never bashed Marvin and view him as a pretty decent coach, he's always been horrible at managing the clock and timeouts at the end of the game. I remember this game very clearly. I was furious, but not surprised - because he's done it multiple times.

[Baraka]

fair enough, i wasn't trying to open the door on a wholesale bashing of brat, but if he couldn't get the play in on time at 23 secs i'd blame that on brat.

[Ickey44]

fair enough, i wasn't trying to open the door on a wholesale bashing of brat, but if he couldn't get the play in on time at 23 secs i'd blame that on brat.

I would, too. But in general, I think they could do better offensive coordinator-wise with getting someone in here who will be more creative when calling and drawing up plays. Yes, this offense has had some record setting numbers, but those are well in the past. Everyone figured Brat out and he hasn't changed a damn thing since 2004.

I did read on Reedy's blog that the Bengals may use Caldwell in the wildcat this year and that would be a huge departure from the norm for Brat. Maybe he has changed the playbook and we won't see it until Week 1, but what we saw on Friday wasn't much different than we've seen the last five years.

[Sea Ray]

fair enough, I wasn't trying to open the door on a wholesale bashing of brat, but if he couldn't get the play in on time at 23 secs i'd blame that on brat.

This has nothing to do with Brat. The most eggregious error of that game (and there were a lot of them) was the TO called to ice the Pitt kicker. Brat needed that TO when we drove down the field. Who do you know that burns a TO to ice a kicker when you get a chance to move the ball in the next possession? I've never seen such a thing...

[Walrus]

fair enough, I wasn't trying to open the door on a wholesale bashing of brat, but if he couldn't get the play in on time at 23 secs i'd blame that on brat.

This has nothing to do with Brat. The most eggregious error of that game (and there were a lot of them) was the TO called to ice the Pitt kicker. Brat needed that TO when we drove down the field. Who do you know that burns a TO to ice a kicker when you get a chance to move the ball in the next possession? I've never seen such a thing...

Agreed. Unfortunately, the buck stops with Marvin on this. That whole sequence of events was a mess and the HC is the guy who is supposed to be keeping the team on course. Not anyone's finest hour, tho (except maybe Chris Henry. Yay.)...

[HairOnFire]

I'm not sure who deserves the most blame, mostly because the announcers noted how angry Lewis was on the sidelines, but it's fair top say the Bengals mismanaged the clock again during the last preseason game against the Saints.

[Ickey44]

When was the timeout rule implemented that lets coaches call timeouts? I know it was recently, but did it exist in 2006?

[Sea Ray]

I'm not sure who deserves the most blame, mostly because the announcers noted how angry Lewis was on the sidelines, but it's fair top say the Bengals mismanaged the clock again during the last preseason game against the Saints.

Was he angry when he called the TO to ice the kicker?

[Walrus]

When was the timeout rule implemented that lets coaches call timeouts? I know it was recently, but did it exist in 2006?

Good thought, but I think that was implemented prior to the 2004 season.

/>http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/a/04rulechanges.htm

[volcom69]

Ive been saying for years that Marvin has horrible game management skills. I cant really see this being Brats fault as he is in the booth just calling the plays, its up to Marvin to call the time outs and get his guys ready. I agree with this 100%

[derekshank]

I'm not sure who deserves the most blame, mostly because the announcers noted how angry Lewis was on the sidelines, but it's fair top say the Bengals mismanaged the clock again during the last preseason game against the Saints.

If only it were just those 2 games that it was the problem.

In fact... the most amazing thing about that play-by-play recap of the end of the Steelers game was the fact that the Bengals had all 3 timeouts late in the 4th quarter. I'd be willing to bet that the number of times that was true could be counted on one hand. The Bengals regularly waste timeouts in the 3rd quarter because they seem disorganized.

As far as the Brat blaming... I'm not a huge Brat apologist, but I think that O-Coordinator is the easiest coach to point fingers at on Monday morning, because everyone knows what they would have done if this were a game of Madden. Marvin deserves blame for disorganization though... and the fact that this team regularly ranks in the lower 25% of the league in 3rd quarter point-differential, I think it's fair to say that this isn't the most prepared bunch in the NFL.

[Bearcat1975]

Marvin's game management is about as bad as it gets. I remember that game. It wasn't Opie that choked, it was a low snap from Brad "choke" St. Louis. And at the party I was at, the whole room was screaming at the TV, baffled because no one had ever seen a pro coach squander that much time.

If there is a game that really makes you wonder whether or not the NFL is fixed, that one comes to mind right away. It was as if Chris Henry caught the pass but was "supposed to drop it," and that sent everyone scrambling because they were now "off of script."

Hey, it's either that, or Marvin stinks at clock management when the pressure is on. I believe the latter, rather than the former, but it speaks volumes that Marvin's clock management sucks so bad that it almost seems like he is throwing the game on purpose.

[Clackwoods]

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions on our coaching, but have any of you actually called plays for an offense in a real game situation from the sidelines? I have and it isn't as easy as it looks. Sure, they were retarded on their moves, but they did have a kicker that is damn near perfect from inside the 40 kicking for them. Shayne blew that kick and the rest is history for 2006.

Also, I don't know if it has to do with Marvin or with Carson, but the record the Bengals have kept during his tenure hasn't been great, but it also hasn't been late 90's early 00's bad. I like Marvin and I think he is like Brett Farve, as long as he wants to come back he should be welcome because of his past work here and in the NFL...Unless of course he develops Alzheimer like Al Davis

[Bearcat1975]

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions on our coaching, but have any of you actually called plays for an offense in a real game situation from the sidelines? I have and it isn't as easy as it looks.

Have you ever flown a plane? It isn't as easy as it looks. So don't blame the guy for crashing it and killing 56 people.

Have you ever done Tommy John surgery? It isn't as easy at it looks. So don't blame the guy for messing up your arm.

That's your line of thinking here right?

Sure, they were retarded on their moves,

There you go.

but they did have a kicker that is damn near perfect from inside the 40 kicking for them. Shayne blew that kick and the rest is history for 2006.

Low snap. Watch the reply. St. Chokus "blew it," like a punt snap sailed over a punter's head during a crucial playoff game kind of "blew it."

Also, I don't know if it has to do with Marvin or with Carson, but the record the Bengals have kept during his tenure hasn't been great, but it also hasn't been late 90's early 00's bad. I like Marvin and I think he is like Brett Farve, as long as he wants to come back he should be welcome because of his past work here and in the NFL...Unless of course he develops Alzheimer like Al Davis

Actually, the 2000's are shaping up to look almost exactly like the 90's from a statistics standpoint:

1 winning season

1 playoff season

Blake to Pickens or Palmer to Johnson

Garrison Hearst or Cedric Benson

Pelfrey or Opie

Crappy TEs

No pass rush

Seriously, if the Bengals don't do something this season, the two decades will be DAMN similar. But don't take my word for it:

/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_Bengals_seasons

[Sea Ray]

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions on our coaching, but have any of you actually called plays for an offense in a real game situation from the sidelines? I have and it isn't as easy as it looks.

All the more reason not to blow a TO icing the other team's kicker when you're about to get the ball back with a chance to get the winning score. I haven't heard anyone defend that decision

[Clackwoods]

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions on our coaching, but have any of you actually called plays for an offense in a real game situation from the sidelines? I have and it isn't as easy as it looks.

Have you ever flown a plane? It isn't as easy as it looks. So don't blame the guy for crashing it and killing 56 people.

Have you ever done Tommy John surgery? It isn't as easy at it looks. So don't blame the guy for messing up your arm.

That's your line of thinking here right?

Sure, they were retarded on their moves,

There you go.

but they did have a kicker that is damn near perfect from inside the 40 kicking for them. Shayne blew that kick and the rest is history for 2006.

Low snap. Watch the reply. St. Chokus "blew it," like a punt snap sailed over a punter's head during a crucial playoff game kind of "blew it."

Also, I don't know if it has to do with Marvin or with Carson, but the record the Bengals have kept during his tenure hasn't been great, but it also hasn't been late 90's early 00's bad. I like Marvin and I think he is like Brett Farve, as long as he wants to come back he should be welcome because of his past work here and in the NFL...Unless of course he develops Alzheimer like Al Davis

Actually, the 2000's are shaping up to look almost exactly like the 90's from a statistics standpoint:

1 winning season

1 playoff season

Blake to Pickens or Palmer to Johnson

Garrison Hearst or Cedric Benson

Pelfrey or Opie

Crappy TEs

No pass rush

Seriously, if the Bengals don't do something this season, the two decades will be DAMN similar. But don't take my word for it:

/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_Bengals_seasons

I wish I could ignore all of your posts. I am now less intelligent from reading your response. Compare the records from Marvin era and the 90's!

[Bearcat1975]

I wish I could ignore all of your posts. I am now less intelligent from reading your response. Compare the records from Marvin era and the 90's!

Is there really a difference if a team goes 3-13, 6-10, or 8-8? Not to teams trying to GO TO THE PLAYOFFS there isn't. Maybe some Bengals fans have been pummelled by losing for so many years that 8-8 means more to them than 4-12. Newsflash though, both records suck, and both records mean "no playoffs."

If they Bengals miss the playoffs this season, they will be 1 for 10 for the decade. Just like the 1990s.

[Sea Ray]

Is there really a difference if a team goes 3-13, 6-10, or 8-8? Not to teams trying to GO TO THE PLAYOFFS there isn't. Maybe some Bengals fans have been pummelled by losing for so many years that 8-8 means more to them than 4-12. Newsflash though, both records suck, and both records mean "no playoffs."

If they Bengals miss the playoffs this season, they will be 1 for 10 for the decade. Just like the 1990s.

As a fan I by far prefer 8-8 to 4-12. At 8-8 we're in the hunt until late in the year. When we have our 4-12 and 3-13 seasons we're usually out of it by late Oct. There's nothing worse than a winless Sept/Oct

[Bearcat1975]

Is there really a difference if a team goes 3-13, 6-10, or 8-8? Not to teams trying to GO TO THE PLAYOFFS there isn't. Maybe some Bengals fans have been pummelled by losing for so many years that 8-8 means more to them than 4-12. Newsflash though, both records suck, and both records mean "no playoffs."

If they Bengals miss the playoffs this season, they will be 1 for 10 for the decade. Just like the 1990s.

As a fan I by far prefer 8-8 to 4-12. At 8-8 we're in the hunt until late in the year. When we have our 4-12 and 3-13 seasons we're usually out of it by late Oct. There's nothing worse than a winless Sept/Oct

I am the opposite. If they are going to miss the playoffs, I'd rather they suck as early as possible so I don't waste my time. The golf courses are wide open on Sunday afternoons during football season. I prefer the dead cat bounce on a TV I never turn on to a strong start and a return to ineptitude at the end.

[Walrus]

Is there really a difference if a team goes 3-13, 6-10, or 8-8? Not to teams trying to GO TO THE PLAYOFFS there isn't. Maybe some Bengals fans have been pummelled by losing for so many years that 8-8 means more to them than 4-12. Newsflash though, both records suck, and both records mean "no playoffs."

If they Bengals miss the playoffs this season, they will be 1 for 10 for the decade. Just like the 1990s.

As a fan I by far prefer 8-8 to 4-12. At 8-8 we're in the hunt until late in the year. When we have our 4-12 and 3-13 seasons we're usually out of it by late Oct. There's nothing worse than a winless Sept/Oct

I am the opposite. If they are going to miss the playoffs, I'd rather they suck as early as possible so I don't waste my time. The golf courses are wide open on Sunday afternoons during football season. I prefer the dead cat bounce on a TV I never turn on to a strong start and a return to ineptitude at the end.

I'm not sure why you're on here, but clearly it's not because you're a fan of the Bengals. Isn't there a golf course somewhere you could be drooling on?

[Ickey44]

I wish I could ignore all of your posts. I am now less intelligent from reading your response. Compare the records from Marvin era and the 90's!

Is there really a difference if a team goes 3-13, 6-10, or 8-8? Not to teams trying to GO TO THE PLAYOFFS there isn't. Maybe some Bengals fans have been pummelled by losing for so many years that 8-8 means more to them than 4-12. Newsflash though, both records suck, and both records mean "no playoffs."

If they Bengals miss the playoffs this season, they will be 1 for 10 for the decade. Just like the 1990s.

Nice dodge. But if I had to choose between 8-8 and 4-12 I'd take 8-8. Sure neither of them are going to the playoffs, but at least 8-8 isn't a losing team.

[Pidge]

Yep, I like Marvin. It's a little sad to some of his fire extinguished yr by yr. However, his clock management has sucked donkey balls for some time now. No getting around it. Just like players have to improve their game so do the coaches. Let's hope some improvement is seen.