Strategy at end of Texans game.

[Dave Gray]

It's easy to second guess once you have access to the results.

But, at the end of the game, considering how we'd been playing the game thus far, I thought that scoring that TD late might've been a mistake.

We pretty much had the game in the bag, and if we'd been able to run some time before scoring, it would've been a difference maker.  Did any of you consider that we maybe should've not tried to score as aggressively, so quickly, and force Houston to waste timeouts.

Even if we are unable to get the TD, you have a pretty guaranteed FG, without much time left.  ....and I think we'd have still been able to get the TD a play or two later.

Just a thought I had....  anyone else have it?

[simeon]

It's easy to second guess once you have access to the results.

But, at the end of the game, considering how we'd been playing the game thus far, I thought that scoring that TD late might've been a mistake.

We pretty much had the game in the bag, and if we'd been able to run some time before scoring, it would've been a difference maker.  Did any of you consider that we maybe should've not tried to score as aggressively, so quickly, and force Houston to waste timeouts.

Even if we are unable to get the TD, you have a pretty guaranteed FG, without much time left.  ....and I think we'd have still been able to get the TD a play or two later.

Just a thought I had....  anyone else have it?

I agree I was hoping Ronnie would hit the ground after he got a first down on the five yard line or near it. I wonder if Houston allowed him to score knowing they had two time outs and 1:40 left. If only Ronnie would have hit the dirt they would burn both time outs and would only have 30 seconds or less to get in field goal territory. But it is what it is.

[bsfins]

I would have liked to seen Chad Henne try to throw a hail mary attempt,rather than the hook and ladder play.....

I understand the stratagy,I'd rather had the TD...and have the Texans drive the the entire field needing 7 to win,rather than kick the field goal...One deep play then they kick a long field goal to win..IE the Falcons beating the Bears today..I was flipping back and forth at the end of both these games.....

[simeon]

I would have liked to seen Chad Henne try to throw a hail mary attempt,rather than the hook and ladder play.....

I understand the stratagy,I'd rather had the TD...and have the Texans drive the the entire field needing 7 to win,rather than kick the field goal...One deep play then they kick a long field goal to win..IE the Falcons beating the Bears today..I was flipping back and forth at the end of both these games.....

Wow another great point. I thought for sure Henne would come for the last play, but when I saw it was still Pennington on the field. I knew they would try the laterial gimmick.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I would have liked to seen Chad Henne try to throw a hail mary attempt,rather than the hook and ladder play.....

It is not called a hail mary for no reason.  With a QB like Brady or Manning and a receiver like Moss or TO, it is has a very low likelihood of success.  I think a hook a ladder when you have players like Brown and Williams gives a better chance. 

[TonyB0D]

i was saying the exact same thing at the bar when we were at the 15 yard line.  i said "let's take it slow here" because of how explosive the texans are.

[bsfins]

It is not called a hail mary for no reason.  With a QB like Brady or Manning and a receiver like Moss or TO, it is has a very low likelihood of success.  I think a hook a ladder when you have players like Brown and Williams gives a better chance. 

And then you have 2 - 6'4"Wide recievers in E. Wilford,Brandon London sitting on the bench not to forget Fasano and Martin both 6'4" and Camarillio,and Hagan both over 6' tall also....You've got size,but not really a guy to throw it...50 yards down the field....

[EDGECRUSHER]

If you can't count on your defense from stopping a QB you dominated all day from going 80 yards in 90 seconds, then all the strategies in the world won't matter.

[dolphins4life]

It's easy to second guess once you have access to the results.

But, at the end of the game, considering how we'd been playing the game thus far, I thought that scoring that TD late might've been a mistake.

We pretty much had the game in the bag, and if we'd been able to run some time before scoring, it would've been a difference maker.  Did any of you consider that we maybe should've not tried to score as aggressively, so quickly, and force Houston to waste timeouts.

Even if we are unable to get the TD, you have a pretty guaranteed FG, without much time left.  ....and I think we'd have still been able to get the TD a play or two later.

Just a thought I had....  anyone else have it?

Dave, I had the same thought and I posted in it the anti-fins section.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

If the Dolphins go 2-14, I'd fire Sparano!!!!!!!!!! 

[run_to_win]

I agree I was hoping Ronnie would hit the ground after he got a first down on the five yard line or near it. I wonder if Houston allowed him to score knowing they had two time outs and 1:40 left. If only Ronnie would have hit the dirt they would burn both time outs and would only have 30 seconds or less to get in field goal territory. But it is what it is.

Agreed.  With the exception of their first drive in the 4th quarter, Houston's offense was dominating our defense in the 2nd half.
5 plays-78 yards - TD
10 plays - 68 yards - fumble by Johnson at our 7
3 plays - 4 yards - punt
8 plays - 56 yards - field goal

If we were going to leave any time on the clock then we needed the touchdown which forced them to go 76 yards instead of 46 for the FG. 

A field is never a sure thing, but this one would have been less than 30 yards. 

1-10-HOU 12  (1:57) 23-R.Brown left end to HOU 6 for 6 yards (56-M.Greenwood). 
Timeout #1 by HOU at 01:51. 
2-4-HOU 6  (1:51) 23-R.Brown up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 

Even if Brown didn't score on 2nd or 3rd down, Houston still had timeouts to stop the clock after each play.  We kick the FG on 4th and they would have had ~1:30 and no timeouts, or :45 and one timeout.  Still too much time if they only needed 45 yards. 



Who was the RB that a dive inside the 5 last season rather than coast in for the TD?

[landlocked]

If the Dolphins go 2-14, I'd fire Sparano!!!!!!!!!! 

Here we go again 

[Phishfan]

Imagine the outcry that would have happened if Brown downed himself and Miami missed the field goal somehow. You never, I repeat never take points for granted.

[Spider-Dan]

Who was the RB that a dive inside the 5 last season rather than coast in for the TD?

Brian Westbrook.

[Phishfan]

There was also one huge difference between the Westbrook & Brown situations. The Eagles had the lead when Westbrook did it.