This is not a bash any particular player or coach post. I do not want anyone benched and I do not want anyone fired. Well, maybe the special teams coach should at least have a very warm seat.
I guess what has bothered me more than anything this year is that the team does not seem to be very "football smart". Not judging their off-the-field intelligence as I am sure they are just fine.
Abdullah and Bell with their eyes upfield when "attempting" to catch a punt. After they have called a fair catch.- This has to do with them being young, and not knowing how to stay calm. They are trying to catch, while looking for that route they want to run, as well at the same time trying to make sure they aren't going to have a cheap hit put on them. Like I said, they are young, mistakes are going to happen. They are true sophomores. Sure you can expect that not to happen since they are starters, but they are the best we have, they earned it, and maturity comes with experience. Time will help them be better decision makers.
Stafford's personal foul on what would have been a key, early turnover in NW territory.- The kid plays hard, but doesn't think with his brain when he is on the field. Not only has he had two VERY numb skull calls so far, but he consistantly misreads the offense and gets caught on a fake, and out of his route. One play to be exact, that 80 yard run at the beginning of the 3rd by Venric Martin. He is a hard hitter, and can tackle, but poor decision making skills in my opinion.
Having Colter hemmed in, but letting him slip between you and your fellow defender that you could have been holding hands with. (happened at least twice).- We contained Colter very well. 14 carries for 34 yards if I remember correctly. You can't stop the guy every time. We did very well, and to nit pick off two, what you call bad plays, is just odd.
Martinez attempting a very low percentage side-line pass on 3rd and 3 when he could have walked for a first down.- You can't expect 100% play calling throughout a game. Its impossible. There was something Beck saw that you didn't, that he thought would be an easy first down. It obviously didn't work, but play calling was superb during that game. For a matter of fact, the play calling has been quite good all year.
Reed going the wrong way on a crucial 4th down play.- Lack of communication is something Martinez fixed throughout the game. Look at the last 3 drives. This isn't something the coaches can really do, but communication relies completely on the leader, that being Martinez.
An OL getting called for not lining up on the line of scrimmage after it had already been called once earlier in the game.- This is something that is all judged per ref. Some allow you to line up further off the line than others. Actually, this call is rarely ever called. Many OL coaches tell their players to adjust themselves the best way they can to help keep the pocket from collapsing. The line judge was obviously a stickler on that rule.
