Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site busch.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!mgnetp!we53!busch!dcm From: dcm@busch.UUCP (Craig Miller) Newsgroups: net.sport.football Subject: Re: 4th down choice Message-ID: <358@busch.UUCP> Date: Mon, 17-Dec-84 09:10:22 EST Article-I.D.: busch.358 Posted: Mon Dec 17 09:10:22 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 18-Dec-84 03:27:37 EST References: <600@asgb.UUCP> Organization: Anheuser-Busch Companies - St. Louis Missouri Lines: 45 > 1. one of your receivers DOES catch -- first down I guess it's possible, but the percentages are against you here, unless of course, your last name is Flutie... :-) There's a definite possibility that by the time the ball gets there, there are more defenders than receivers waiting for it... > 2. a defender catches it -- same as a punt (in fact the > results may be better because there may be no return) How many defensive backs would be dumb enough to catch it? Most (if they were thinking) would knock it down and take the good field position they would have by taking over possession at the line of scrimmage... Then again, we are assuming that they can all think... :-( > 3. nobody catches it -- no big problem if the line of > scrimmage is not too bad (obviously you don't attempt > a kamakazi (spelling?) pass within an sight of the > endzone) Well, if the line of scrimmage wasn't that bad, how about a field goal? If the ball is outside field goal range, this usually means it's in pretty good field position for the other team... Now, if the ball was between, let's say, their 35 and midfield, then maybe it's worth the chance... But, would you rather have your defense trying to stop them at midfield or on their 20? Giving them the ball at midfield is putting alot of pressure on your defense, right? And, if the ball is anywhere else, the decision to punt or not is *almost* automatic. (within their 35: try a field goal or go for the first, within your territory: punt - of course these may change according to situation, but not by much...) Oh well. Any comments on the Redskin/Cardinal game? Cardinals did put up a respectable 2nd half... -- Craig Miller ..!ihnp4!we53!busch!dcm The Anheuser Busch Companies; St. Louis, Mo. "Unix(tm): it's not just a job, it's fun."