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Joined: Dec 1969
I think the article is ridiculous to a "Let me count the ways" degree. First, I'm not sure why people are still writing this column. Did Mr. Reid just wake up with this revelation? Second, I disagree with the revelation. I think coaching football at this level is about minimizing risk. I think that's what's drilled into these guys, especially the need to eliminate or rule out the possibility of negative plays. This is obviously complete speculation on my part, but I imagine that coaches faced with situations like this reflexively run through a list of disasters that could happen and should therefore be avoided: "We're at the 25 and the score is tied. If we pass, Andrew could get sacked, taking us out of FG range, or he could throw a pick, possibly losing the game." I can accept Reid's assertion that you have to trust Andrew Luck, the best college quarterback in decades, but I think that's a lot easier to say when you're sitting in the stands or in the press box.
Then Reid says this: "Shaw must keep in mind that he needs to keep the ball at all costs in big games." He means that he shouldn't punt the ball on fourth and five, which is kind of preposterous.
Finally, he offers his version of how the closing moments of the Fiesta Bowl should've been called, and claims he could've given the Cardinal an easy touchdown in two plays. In his alternate universe, Luck runs a naked bootleg and scores untouched. We've all heard of Monday morning quarterbacks, but Reid could be the first August quarterback in history.
WIM makes a good point, as usual. At some point, most coaches make decisions that don't work out. Because Harbaugh was The Saviour (no sarcasm there, by the way), some -- like Reid, apparently -- choose to forget how his decision to pass instead of run cost his team the Axe and (I will always believe) his player the Voldemort.
Please clear the field! The game is not over!
