bigbadbuff 1,779 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 (edited) Gutless punts within hours of today. I didn’t think Vrabel could’ve topped, but Tomlin had other ideas. Which was worse? Vrabel punts 4th&2 @BAL 40 down 4 in the 4th Tomlin punts 4th&1 @PIT 45 down 12 in the 4th Edited January 11 by bigbadbuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FrantikRam 379 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Vrabel was down 4 when he punted, but his was worse. There was less time and they were at the Ravens 40 - plus the Titans defense isn't good while the Steelers D is one of the best - while I wouldn't have done it, I can at least understand the logic - Steelers D could have scored or gotten a turnover. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BayRaider 4,966 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Easily Tomlin imo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DirtyDez 1,276 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Throw in Kingsbury last week which was essentially a playoff game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LeotheLion 853 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Based on time and score it is Tomlin. But it makes more sense for Tomlin to trust his defense than it did for Vrabel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drew39k 288 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 The Steelers defense was playing better in the second half. I don't have a huge problem punting down 13 with an entire quarter to play. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malfatron 15,751 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 tomlin easily. down by multiple scores in the 4th q and a4th and 1. and with momentum Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malfatron 15,751 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 33 minutes ago, FrantikRam said: Vrabel was down 4 when he punted, but his was worse. There was less time and they were at the Ravens 40 - plus the Titans defense isn't good while the Steelers D is one of the best - while I wouldn't have done it, I can at least understand the logic - Steelers D could have scored or gotten a turnover. yeah i mean, i would say basically never punt from the opp 40. how about both were terrible Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ThatJerkDave 3,342 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 I think Tomlin. If for no other reason than the Titans still had a chance as long as they kept the Ravens from scoring a touchdown. The Steelers were down two scores, and the clock was working against them. Even if they held the Browns to a 3 and out, the Steelers would have needed 2 TDs in the 4th to win the game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AFlaccoSeagulls 6,011 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 I want to say Vrabel, but man YOU WERE DOWN BY 12. YOU HAD NOTHING TO LOSE, and still Tomlin chose to punt. Just ridiculous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LaFellSBXLIXMVP 78 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Tomlin and considering all the aspects, not only the statistical aspects it was way worse. Titans vs. Ravens was a low scoring game, both defenses were playing better than their respective counterparts and Titans were down only 4. Steelers were down 12 which per se is bad enough but also they were coming back from a 28 points deficit. So they were already in 4th down mode for a long time (scored a TD on a 4th down) but when they got closer Tomlin got scared against bottom10 defensive unit in the NFL without their two starting corners and their coach. Last but not least 3rd or 4th &1 last time I checked was almost 20 percentage points easier to convert than &2. Wrabel made a bad decision but he had an explanation behind his decision Tomlin was just a coward Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Broncofan 4,787 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Both? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
diamondbull424 2,664 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Tomlin for sure. If you trust your defense (Pitt) then you trust that AT WORST they hold the opposition to a FG if you can’t convert. However, if you convert there and score, that makes it a one score game with ALL the pressure on Cleveland for allowing such a monumental comeback. That would’ve been the exact scenario to allow doubt to creep in on such a team. But they punted. Also, it’s 4th and 1. You can trip and pick up that kind of yardage. I mean it wouldn’t have been easy, but neither is coming back from down by 28 points, but it’s the bed you make that you have to lie in. His players were out there on both sides of the ball battling at that point and that decision and then the terrible punt, definitely knocked the wind out of that defense’s sails. —— Whereas with Vrabel, it would’ve been a ballsy move. The Ravens had been bottling Henry up all night. They had also adjusted to switching on those rub routes to take away the quick pass to the middle. So you’re likely relying on a Tannehill read option keep type of play and a good bit of penetration there could end it. I’d still like my chances with such a call though so it was definitely gutless, but I think it’s a little more defensible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DannyB 1,769 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Titans. Kern only net them like 25 yards. C'mon homey put a LITTLE more pooch into that punt at least. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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