[hayaka]

[quote author=hayaka link=topic=17425.msg201437#msg201437 date=1505777689]
[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=17425.msg201388#msg201388 date=1505765722]
While I agree in theory that the defense has to get the last stop on the final drive, don't you have to be realistic, especially when the defense had only given up 13 point in the first 59 minutes? Can you really expect a defense with a gassed DL to be that effective after playing 40 minutes, given the lack of depth on the DL?  Something is going to break playing with that small a margin for error.  And the reason the error was small was because the offense didn't to its job.  Given the head coach is responsible for the offense, it seems incumbent upon him to take the blame, not deflect and say no, the defense needs to play better.

To me, it's just a bad look for the head coach to ever not take responsibility when given the opportunity.

There had just been a 25 minute break due to the light failure.  The DL (and the rest of the D) should have been relatively fresh, thanks to the delay.
[/quote]

Well there's a difference between "not winded" and "fresh". In fact, having a long delay could be problematic because your body's recovery mechanisms could start to set in. I'm no physiologist, and am obviously not in the same shape as these guys, but if I've just busted my ass and then sat around for half an hour, I'm not really ready to go bust my ass more, know what I mean?
[/quote]

I said "relatively fresh".  Obviously not as fresh as at the start of the game, but also no longer gassed thanks to the light delay.  And I don't understand your other argument.  Recovery mechanisms are setting in?  If that were true, then it would also be detrimental for the offense to give the D a break by taking 6 or 7 minutes off the clock (which would probably be 15-20 minutes in real time), as "recovery mechanisms" would be setting in.  I think a nice long drive by the O is something coaches hope will happen when having a fatigued defense.  I've never heard anyone suggest there is a downside to it.

[hayaka]

[quote author=hayaka link=topic=17425.msg201437#msg201437 date=1505777689]
[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=17425.msg201388#msg201388 date=1505765722]
While I agree in theory that the defense has to get the last stop on the final drive, don't you have to be realistic, especially when the defense had only given up 13 point in the first 59 minutes? Can you really expect a defense with a gassed DL to be that effective after playing 40 minutes, given the lack of depth on the DL?  Something is going to break playing with that small a margin for error.  And the reason the error was small was because the offense didn't to its job.  Given the head coach is responsible for the offense, it seems incumbent upon him to take the blame, not deflect and say no, the defense needs to play better.

To me, it's just a bad look for the head coach to ever not take responsibility when given the opportunity.

There had just been a 25 minute break due to the light failure.  The DL (and the rest of the D) should have been relatively fresh, thanks to the delay.
[/quote]

Well there's a difference between "not winded" and "fresh". In fact, having a long delay could be problematic because your body's recovery mechanisms could start to set in. I'm no physiologist, and am obviously not in the same shape as these guys, but if I've just busted my ass and then sat around for half an hour, I'm not really ready to go bust my ass more, know what I mean?
[/quote]

I said "relatively fresh".  Obviously not as fresh as at the start of the game, but also no longer gassed thanks to the light delay.  And I don't understand your other argument.  Recovery mechanisms are setting in?  If that were true, then it would also be detrimental for the offense to give the D a break by taking 6 or 7 minutes off the clock (which would probably be 15-20 minutes in real time), as "recovery mechanisms" would be setting in.  I think a nice long drive by the O is something coaches hope will happen when having a fatigued defense.  I've never heard anyone suggest there is a downside to it.