Defending Sean Payton: Fake field goal was the right call

QBREES9 · 12-13-2009, 09:41 PM

Contrary to what you may hear and read everywhere else, New Orleans coach Sean Payton did not lose his mind when he ordered a fake field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons.

Yes, the fourth-and-7 play failed miserably after holder/quarterback Mark Brunell held the ball too long. Sure, Payton would have been roasted if the Saints had blown their perfect (13-0 and counting) season, with references to him reverting back to the immature risk-taker who cost his team games the past two years.

That criticism would have been dead wrong. He made the right call.

Ahead 26-23 and at the Atlanta 15 with 2:14 left, the Saints could have virtually put the game away with a first down or a touchdown. The way their broken-down defense was playing, a six-point lead would have been anything but safe.

This one had 30-29 written all over it.

The Falcons had gone 80 yards in five plays for a touchdown on their opening second-half series and 79 yards for a TD in 11 plays on their next drive. They had scored on five of their six possessions before Jonathan Vilma’s interception a few plays earlier. The lone exception came after a Chris Redman pass glanced off the fingertips of wide receiver Michael Jenkins when he was 10 yards behind the Saints secondary for a sure 69-yard touchdown.

Psychologically, a 3-point advantage probably was better than 6.

Say what? No, seriously.

Trailing by 6, the Falcons would have been more aggressive on their final drive knowing they had to score a touchdown. With two timeouts and two minutes left, they would have had plenty of time to get to the end zone.

Knowing they needed only a field goal to send the game to overtime, the Falcons were more conservative. They did not take a deep shot on any of the nine plays of their final possession. The Saints, meanwhile, knew they had to stay aggressive to prevent the Falcons from getting in field-goal range. Maybe Vilma would not have come up as quickly to stone receiver Jason Snelling on fourth-and-2 near midfield if Atlanta needed a touchdown.

Other considerations:

If the Saints had converted the field goal, the Falcons might not have needed to go much farther to score a go-ahead touchdown than they would have for a tying field goal. Starting at their 15, they needed about 50 yards to get in reasonable range for kicker Matt Bryant. They had returned the Saints’ last kickoff to their own 36. That’s a potential 14-yard difference.

If Garrett Hartley had missed the field goal – a distinct possibility considering he clanged an extra point off the upright – the Falcons would have taken over at their 23, eight yards better than where they got the ball.

Atlanta, which did not score last Sunday against Philadelphia until the final play, went up and down the field against New Orleans. Redman, starting for the second straight week in place of injured Matt Ryan, threw for 303 yards. The Saints sacked him only once, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ blitzes produced almost no pressure.

Payton did not trust his defense or his kicker enough to settle for the conventional play.

Given the evidence of the first 57:46, would you?

12-13-2009, 09:41 PM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,989	Defending Sean Payton: Fake field goal was the right call Contrary to what you may hear and read everywhere else, New Orleans coach Sean Payton did not lose his mind when he ordered a fake field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. Yes, the fourth-and-7 play failed miserably after holder/quarterback Mark Brunell held the ball too long. Sure, Payton would have been roasted if the Saints had blown their perfect (13-0 and counting) season, with references to him reverting back to the immature risk-taker who cost his team games the past two years. That criticism would have been dead wrong. He made the right call. Ahead 26-23 and at the Atlanta 15 with 2:14 left, the Saints could have virtually put the game away with a first down or a touchdown. The way their broken-down defense was playing, a six-point lead would have been anything but safe. This one had 30-29 written all over it. The Falcons had gone 80 yards in five plays for a touchdown on their opening second-half series and 79 yards for a TD in 11 plays on their next drive. They had scored on five of their six possessions before Jonathan Vilma’s interception a few plays earlier. The lone exception came after a Chris Redman pass glanced off the fingertips of wide receiver Michael Jenkins when he was 10 yards behind the Saints secondary for a sure 69-yard touchdown. Psychologically, a 3-point advantage probably was better than 6. Say what? No, seriously. Trailing by 6, the Falcons would have been more aggressive on their final drive knowing they had to score a touchdown. With two timeouts and two minutes left, they would have had plenty of time to get to the end zone. Knowing they needed only a field goal to send the game to overtime, the Falcons were more conservative. They did not take a deep shot on any of the nine plays of their final possession. The Saints, meanwhile, knew they had to stay aggressive to prevent the Falcons from getting in field-goal range. Maybe Vilma would not have come up as quickly to stone receiver Jason Snelling on fourth-and-2 near midfield if Atlanta needed a touchdown. Other considerations: If the Saints had converted the field goal, the Falcons might not have needed to go much farther to score a go-ahead touchdown than they would have for a tying field goal. Starting at their 15, they needed about 50 yards to get in reasonable range for kicker Matt Bryant. They had returned the Saints’ last kickoff to their own 36. That’s a potential 14-yard difference. If Garrett Hartley had missed the field goal – a distinct possibility considering he clanged an extra point off the upright – the Falcons would have taken over at their 23, eight yards better than where they got the ball. Atlanta, which did not score last Sunday against Philadelphia until the final play, went up and down the field against New Orleans. Redman, starting for the second straight week in place of injured Matt Ryan, threw for 303 yards. The Saints sacked him only once, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ blitzes produced almost no pressure. Payton did not trust his defense or his kicker enough to settle for the conventional play. Given the evidence of the first 57:46, would you? Attached Thumbnails
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