You’ve gotta be kidding me!

[Troglodyte]

Kicking off into the end zone isn’t the issue! Allowing an offense to get into FG range from its own 25 yard line with :13 remaining is the issue!

Communication cited as issue in Bills' blown lead at KC

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s nothing Matthew Smiley can do to change Buffalo kicking off into the end zone on a fateful play which contributed to the Bills squandering a three-point lead in the final 13 seconds of regulation of a thrilling and heartbreaking overtime loss to Kansas City in...

apnews.com

 

[CoolieMan]

I just don't give a ****

 

[Troglodyte]

I just don't give a ****

I’m over the Bills losing, it wasnt that important to me. What gets me is the view of NFL football that doesn’t expect a defense to be able to protect a 3 point lead :13 left and blames a touchback of all things.

 

[Steeltime]

I’m over the Bills losing, it wasnt that important to me. What gets me is the view of NFL football that doesn’t expect a defense to be able to protect a 3 point lead :13 left and blames a touchback of all things.

Exactly.

"13 seconds, we have to give up less than 35 yards."

"That's impossible, coach!!"

 

[Badcat]

I’m over the Bills losing, it wasnt that important to me. What gets me is the view of NFL football that doesn’t expect a defense to be able to protect a 3 point lead :13 left and blames a touchback of all things.

Well, it was one aspect of a complete **** show of strategy and execution. You can't point to any one thing for the complete collapse but it was significant.

 

[Troglodyte]

Well, it was one aspect of a complete **** show of strategy and execution. You can't point to any one thing for the complete collapse but it was significant.

A pooch kick probably wouldn’t have improved the scenario much and possibly could have made it worse if the returner found a seam.

 

[Badcat]

A pooch kick probably wouldn’t have improved the scenario much and possibly could have made it worse if the returner found a seam.

Disagree, pooch kicks are awkward as **** to handle and eat 5 to 6 seconds off the clock on average. I'm not the only one who feels this way, a strategy web site posted this:

Strategy​

In a pooch kick the ball is specifically kicked short so that the players on the receiving team that are typically designated to block are forced to recover the ball first, before the actual kick returners. The players on the receiving team lined up closer to the kicking teams are typically slower than the designated kick returners, so it is the aim of the kicking team to get the ball in their hands. Additionally, the odd bounces of the ball after a pooch kick may make it extra difficult for the receiving team to pick up and control. The added time it takes for the receiving team to field the ball allows the kicking team more time to get downfield and get to the ball-carrier to prevent a large return. Plus, the kicking team has less distance to cover in order to make a tackle, as the ball was kicked short, and there will be less blockers to deal with. So, while after recovery of a pooch kick the receiving team’s field position may be better than after a traditional kickoff, the potential of a big return, or a potential kick return touchdown is minimized.


Thus, a pooch kick is often utilized against a team that has an especially dangerous kick returner.

 

[Troglodyte]

Disagree, pooch kicks are awkward as **** to handle and eat 5 to 6 seconds off the clock on average. I'm not the only one who feels this way, a strategy web site posted this:

Strategy​

In a pooch kick the ball is specifically kicked short so that the players on the receiving team that are typically designated to block are forced to recover the ball first, before the actual kick returners. The players on the receiving team lined up closer to the kicking teams are typically slower than the designated kick returners, so it is the aim of the kicking team to get the ball in their hands. Additionally, the odd bounces of the ball after a pooch kick may make it extra difficult for the receiving team to pick up and control. The added time it takes for the receiving team to field the ball allows the kicking team more time to get downfield and get to the ball-carrier to prevent a large return. Plus, the kicking team has less distance to cover in order to make a tackle, as the ball was kicked short, and there will be less blockers to deal with. So, while after recovery of a pooch kick the receiving team’s field position may be better than after a traditional kickoff, the potential of a big return, or a potential kick return touchdown is minimized.


Thus, a pooch kick is often utilized against a team that has an especially dangerous kick returner.

I’m not arguing that a pooch kick wouldn’t have been a better strategy, but It’s only marginally better given the alternative was a touchback. Giving the Chiefs the ball at the 35 with :08 is only marginally better than giving them the ball at the 25 with :13. The defense should be able to hold either way.

 

[Iron95]

I wish we has a kicker that could kick the ball into the end zone.

 

[steelcan58]

In Buffalo's glorious history they've also lost a playoff game by doing the pooch kick late in the game - the Music City Miracle.

 

[Drink IRON City]

A pooch kick probably wouldn’t have improved the scenario much and possibly could have made it worse if the returner found a seam.

I have ZERO faith in our ST coach but it wouldn't be a pooch kick if they actually kicked it high and just short of the goal (inside the ten but as high as possible for hang time).

I doubt "bubbles" would have our K practice anything like that because,......well ........... he didn't even have a contigenncy plan for when Boz got railed and put out of game.

I get what you are saying but think goal line kick would be better play and directional.



Salute the nation

 

[SteelerFan448]

I wish we has a kicker that could kick the ball into the end zone.

We do, they just call for short kicks often thinking the coverage unit can put the defense in better field position.

As far as the Bills go, the defense was a much bigger issue compared to the touchback.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I'm not sure you could have pooched it. Couldn't he have just given himself up on catching it. Say at the 35 or 25. You could have dropped it at say the 15 or 10 and then it's either take time off and get it to the 25 or 35 or take the horrible field position. That was the play in my opinion. Then you get one play max and a field goal attempt.

 

[BLITZ]

I wonder how the pooch got its name.