Quote:
Originally Posted by Slanter
I don't know... I realize that usually when a coach makes a call like that, there's some back-and-forth about whether he made a mistake. In this case, I think it might have been objectively a bad call:
-On the kickoff, Williams caught the ball on the Stampeders 20. On a deep kickoff, you're pretty much guaranteed a 10 yard return, so let's say best case scenario (for the redblacks) the Stamps scrimmage from their own 30. If you're pretty sure Paredes will hit from the 40, then you need to defend 40 yards against a field goal.
-If you punt out of your end zone, Williams probably catches it on the redblacks 45, and might get 5 yards return (again, best case scenario for the redblacks special teams). Now you need to defend 40 yards against a touchdown.
I'd take 40 yards against a touchdown every time, over 40 yards against a field goal. Either way a significant return is a risk, although I think you could cover the punt better than the deep kickoff. I think he just whiffed on that call.
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Kickoff return average is usually much longer than 10 yards.
On a normal kickoff from the 35, “average” field position after the return is your own 35, that’s why you have the option simply to take the ball on your 35 after the opponent scores a FG.
However, a safety kickoff is done from the 25, not from the 35. So “average” field position after the return should be about your own 45. It’s only 20 yards from there to attempt a 53 yard FG.
Meanwhile, the Redblacks were lined up on their 8 or so, and the average NET punt is about 40-45 yards. On average, Calgary would have got the ball 50 yards away, needing a TD.
50 yards for a TD, vs 20 yards for s long FG attempt, or 30 yards for a very makable FG attempt. Also, a team needing a TD can’t run out the clock like you can with a FG to kick on the last play. If you leave Calgary needing a TD, you are much more likely to have a chance to answer back if your defense fails. It might not be a lot of time, but you would only need a FG to tie.