[Goose]

Because of this, coaches would be better off with a fail safe play to which the QB defaults if time is running out.  Basically, in terms of value “generic play” > DoG penalty > operational time out.



BC

The "generic" play can't be fully generic. You can't run a back up the middle when you are in an empty set. A QB sneak is also impossible if you are in the gun, it will have to be a QB run. You can get your QB hurt that way. If the QB is told to just throw the ball away, he may have a problem with intentional grounding etc. if the play was not originally a pass. If the original play was a pass, you don't need the generic play. Run the play as called and throw it away if necessary.

If the generic play requires an audible, you have to do so with enough time on the clock for said audible. The QB has to decide to go to the "default" play soon enough to do so. However, since many DOG/operational time outs occur when the QB is already trying to audible, it really isn't a very "generic" solution. It also won't work if the QB doesn't recognize the DOG is unavoidable and thinks he will get the play off. Many operational time outs are called by the coaches in that situation.

I am pretty sure the "default play" approach isn't practical for these reasons and is therefore not much used. The QB has audibles available in most cases. He needs to use them. If he is running out of time, he can't. In the "old days" there was always a tap signal to the center that it would be a sneak. Takes no time and nobody else is involved. Today, with the QB not under center, it's not available.

One problem with your three choice ranking is that it doesn't address one case that often causes operational time outs. The clock isn't going to expire and you are going start a play. However, that play is a real bad choice (for whatever reason), or that you are going to start a play after an audible that has clearly confused some of your players. You could end up with a turnover or worse.

I do agree with Lex24 that it is situational. All operational timeouts are not equally bad. If it is a 3rd and 2 in the opponents half of the field in an even quarter and I have all my timeouts, I would call the timeout for sure. I prefer the loss of the timeout to 3rd and 7. If it is 3rd and 10 on my own 35, I am not going to call the timeout to avoid a DOG or a bad play (except in very, very unusual circumstances).

[Goose]

Because of this, coaches would be better off with a fail safe play to which the QB defaults if time is running out.  Basically, in terms of value “generic play” > DoG penalty > operational time out.



BC

The "generic" play can't be fully generic. You can't run a back up the middle when you are in an empty set. A QB sneak is also impossible if you are in the gun, it will have to be a QB run. You can get your QB hurt that way. If the QB is told to just throw the ball away, he may have a problem with intentional grounding etc. if the play was not originally a pass. If the original play was a pass, you don't need the generic play. Run the play as called and throw it away if necessary.

If the generic play requires an audible, you have to do so with enough time on the clock for said audible. The QB has to decide to go to the "default" play soon enough to do so. However, since many DOG/operational time outs occur when the QB is already trying to audible, it really isn't a very "generic" solution. It also won't work if the QB doesn't recognize the DOG is unavoidable and thinks he will get the play off. Many operational time outs are called by the coaches in that situation.

I am pretty sure the "default play" approach isn't practical for these reasons and is therefore not much used. The QB has audibles available in most cases. He needs to use them. If he is running out of time, he can't. In the "old days" there was always a tap signal to the center that it would be a sneak. Takes no time and nobody else is involved. Today, with the QB not under center, it's not available.

One problem with your three choice ranking is that it doesn't address one case that often causes operational time outs. The clock isn't going to expire and you are going start a play. However, that play is a real bad choice (for whatever reason), or that you are going to start a play after an audible that has clearly confused some of your players. You could end up with a turnover or worse.

I do agree with Lex24 that it is situational. All operational timeouts are not equally bad. If it is a 3rd and 2 in the opponents half of the field in an even quarter and I have all my timeouts, I would call the timeout for sure. I prefer the loss of the timeout to 3rd and 7. If it is 3rd and 10 on my own 35, I am not going to call the timeout to avoid a DOG or a bad play (except in very, very unusual circumstances).