The conventional wisdom on field goals seems to date back to the days when the scores were much lower, and the defenses more dominant. In today's game, its value has diminished substantially.

For example, how many times do you see a team kicking a field goal on 4th and plausible or even short when they're down by 14 or more points? That's an absurdity.

Last night Green Bay had a 4th and 2 at about the SF 23 or something down 24-21 and they chose to kick the field goal. They probably weren't going to win anyway, but I'm positive they win more times playing for the touchdown than kicking there.

I would like to propse we kick field goals when they matter most (going up two scores, game winners, 4th and way too many, no more time), but go for the touchdown otherwise.

By the way, was that Jeff Tedford coaching Denver yesterday? He's really grayed up since I saw him last.

In the NFL you take the points, there is a reason NFL coaches kick field goals in those situations.

In GB's case, they can't run and their offensive line was outmatched. If they had a power running game (like SF/Seattle) I might agree with you, but they don't, and they needed points more than a low-percentage play.

pappysghost;842061487 said:

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The conventional wisdom on field goals seems to date back to the days when the scores were much lower, and the defenses more dominant. In today's game, its value has diminished substantially.

For example, how many times do you see a team kicking a field goal on 4th and plausible or even short when they're down by 14 or more points? That's an absurdity.

Last night Green Bay had a 4th and 2 at about the SF 23 or something down 24-21 and they chose to kick the field goal. They probably weren't going to win anyway, but I'm positive they win more times playing for the touchdown than kicking there.

I would like to propse we kick field goals when they matter most (going up two scores, game winners, 4th and way too many, no more time), but go for the touchdown otherwise.

By the way, was that Jeff Tedford coaching Denver yesterday? He's really grayed up since I saw him last.

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This is silly. It is much easier to score a field goal (ESPECIALLY in the NFL) than a touchdown in general. The example you give about being down 14 is really absurd in isolation because 2 field goals puts you within 1 score. You don't abandon the easier points just because of a huge generalization about football being a more offensive-minded game today.

In a game where the expectation is that it will be a barn-burner, it may make more sense, but often the coaching staff will trust the defense and their own coaching too much to essentially abandon all hope in their defense.

Hopefully we see a lot of speed in running plays and no huddles...and more going for it on "4 and 1" a la Chip Kelly.

This thread reminded me of a couple of things:

1. In Sonny Dyke's first job, he was asked to devise a way to improve on Kentucky's previous year of five blocked punts. Dyke's put a bunch of offensive guys on the punt team. Kentucky ran 11 fake punts that year, including one from their own 8-yard line. They were successful on 9 of the 11, including 3 of 3 against defending national champion Florida.

2. A UC Economics professor (and football) wrote a paper that showed that NFL teams would be more successful if they punted (or kicked FGs) less on 4th down.

Maybe Sonny can incorporate some of this into the Bears this season, and make it more exciting and successful as well.

On the decision last night, you are on the road, down three, 3rd quarter, kick the field goal.

I do think there are times when I would like to see coaches be more aggressive but for me it is usually in the first half when one team is dominating but settling for FGs, thus not putting the opponent away. The most recent example I can think of was the TCU - Michigan State bowl game. TCU pushed them all over the field in the first half but had to settle for FGs on two drives ( granted very catchable ball was dropped in end zone on one drive) so they go to the half up only 13-0. TCU "won" the game from a total yardage standpoint but lost 17-16. If I am up 10-0 for instance, I have little interest in another FG - that is the time to gamble.

Conversely, if there is more than 7-8 mins to play and I am the underdog -I am just trying to hang around, and anything that gets me within 8 points works. Down 14-3, kick the FG.

Finally, that study referenced above is I believe cited by Leach who is the ultimate go for it on fourth down guy. I have not read it but I watched Leach regularly for years and I have seen multiple games where he was absolutely reckless and it cost him. Playing Texas in Austin and goes for it 4th and 3-4 on his own 25. Swung the whole game when he failed. Terrible loss at UH in about 09 marred by similar stuff.

pappysghost;842061487 said:

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The conventional wisdom on field goals seems to date back to the days when the scores were much lower, and the defenses more dominant. In today's game, its value has diminished substantially.

For example, how many times do you see a team kicking a field goal on 4th and plausible or even short when they're down by 14 or more points? That's an absurdity.

Last night Green Bay had a 4th and 2 at about the SF 23 or something down 24-21 and they chose to kick the field goal. They probably weren't going to win anyway, but I'm positive they win more times playing for the touchdown than kicking there.

I would like to propse we kick field goals when they matter most (going up two scores, game winners, 4th and way too many, no more time), but go for the touchdown otherwise.

By the way, was that Jeff Tedford coaching Denver yesterday? He's really grayed up since I saw him last.

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Silly post.

Though, I didnt know how to describe why until the end of this game.

Lmao Seattle literally just lost because of this asinine concept. Passed up two fgs and lost by two.

Take Field Goals when necessary, especially since we have the returning 1st Team All PAC 12 Kicker...

Oregon lost to Stanford this year b/c of this

pappysghost;842061487 said:

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The conventional wisdom on field goals seems to date back to the days when the scores were much lower, and the defenses more dominant. In today's game, its value has diminished substantially.

For example, how many times do you see a team kicking a field goal on 4th and plausible or even short when they're down by 14 or more points? That's an absurdity.

Last night Green Bay had a 4th and 2 at about the SF 23 or something down 24-21 and they chose to kick the field goal. They probably weren't going to win anyway, but I'm positive they win more times playing for the touchdown than kicking there.

I would like to propse we kick field goals when they matter most (going up two scores, game winners, 4th and way too many, no more time), but go for the touchdown otherwise.

By the way, was that Jeff Tedford coaching Denver yesterday? He's really grayed up since I saw him last.

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The Falcons disagree!