Ruminator
Well-known member
If most kickers could make 64-yd FGs more than 70% of the time, you almost don't even need a QB.
It was like that the entire game. The Broncos, whether it be Wilson, Hackett, the OC, or who ever, were out of sync all night. They got called for two delay of game penalties on the same drive. One of their goal line fumbles can be attributed at least in part to their race to beat the play clock. Their clock management was horrible.RCW had a play, at the line, with plenty of time on the play clock and game clock, and multiple timeouts. He didn't run that play or audible or call timeout for near 30 secs.
Maybe:
He didn't like the D
He realized he was telegraphing plays with his handsignals/audibles
He didn't trust the play and really wanted to create an offsides
He was distracted from crowd noise, weight of the moment...
He had some sort of unknown injury
He was more fearful of sole responsibility of a loss than shared responsibility.
In the end, though, he left the field purposefully having consciously decided to forego the called play. This indicates, without question, RCW believed the game was more likely won with a kick than with him behind center. Regardless of Hackett's role, there's no scenario where he wants to win the game himself, and he still decides not to run that play and determinately leaves the field.
Watching the videos of him on the sideline leading up to the kick, he did kind of have a vacant look as though he wasn't completely in control of his faculties.I'm not sure, at least in my mind, it's reasonable to lay all the delay-of-game penalties on Hackett. Possibly, he was late getting plays in and that delayed everything. Possibly, the plays were in very quickly, but the team stayed in the huddle longer than they'd practiced. I think, personally, there were a lot of plays where they were lined up while RCW was trying to read the D. Since RCW took delay-of-game penalties in Seattle very frequently, I tend to think it was a problem that followed him, not as much Hackett. ...just my opinion...
I watched the game again this morning. Does anyone think it's possible that RCW was concussed on the last play of the 2nd to last series when he got hit by Shelby Harris? I'm not saying one way or the other. I just don't know. I'm not an expert and can't even find a replay that shows that area of the field. I just know he got hit. The next series (the final one), he threw several short passes where the receiver/RB was very open in Seattle's soft/prevent D. I don't know if a concussed QB would be throwing much at all.... If there's a possibility that RCW was concussed (he has a history of denying it) and the head coach had an inkling, that would completely explain the entire sequence.
Just a thought....
I noticed that too, kind of spaced out. At the time, I thought it was part of the game face or just trying to cover up something. I was very surprised by not talking to Hackett, TWO timeouts no conversation, the HC being partners and all.Watching the videos of him on the sideline leading up to the kick, he did kind of have a vacant look as though he wasn't completely in control of his faculties.
If it was just one or two occasions or if the delay of game penalties were the only organizational issue, I would be more sympathetic towards Hackett. But they were A LOT of times where they had to rush to get to the LOS with very little time for Russell and the center to make their reads/calls. In addition, their clock management was bad, which is a task the HC is responsible for as he's the only one the refs will recognize for timeouts and the only one with a challenge flag, and the decision at the end to attempt the FG, was also all Hackett's. When you add all of that up, it has to lead back to the HC.I'm not sure, at least in my mind, it's reasonable to lay all the delay-of-game penalties on Hackett. Possibly, he was late getting plays in and that delayed everything. Possibly, the plays were in very quickly, but the team stayed in the huddle longer than they'd practiced. I think, personally, there were a lot of plays where they were lined up while RCW was trying to read the D. Since RCW took delay-of-game penalties in Seattle very frequently, I tend to think it was a problem that followed him, not as much Hackett. ...just my opinion...
I watched the game again this morning. Does anyone think it's possible that RCW was concussed on the last play of the 2nd to last series when he got hit by Shelby Harris? I'm not saying one way or the other. I just don't know. I'm not an expert and can't even find a replay that shows that area of the field. I just know he got hit. The next series (the final one), he threw several short passes where the receiver/RB was very open in Seattle's soft/prevent D. I don't know if a concussed QB would be throwing much at all.... If there's a possibility that RCW was concussed (he has a history of denying it) and the head coach had an inkling, that would completely explain the entire sequence.
Just a thought....
Russell may support Hackett's decision to kick the FG in public like the good little soldier he wants everyone to think that he is, but you can bet your bottom dollar that deep down inside, he's burning up about it.Hackett is between a rock and a hard place, he called for FG, and was endorsed by his QB. Now with Russ saying he supported Hackett's decision as if he wasn't part of it, meantime, team 3 and boys are killin' him in public opinion, so Russ again looked like the victim of his HC.
Team 3 strategists need to get more creative, this is getting old.
Hackett is the laughing stock, village idiot all rolled into one. Super stressful for a first time head coach. Having to dealt with Russ's media army or team 3 (?) Is the last thing he needsRussell may support Hackett's decision to kick the FG in public like the good little soldier he wants everyone to think that he is, but you can bet your bottom dollar that deep down inside, he's burning up about it.
Nailed it, so the question should be:If most kickers could make 64-yd FGs more than 70% of the time, you almost don't even need a QB.
The eye test tells me this was mostly on Russ W. They're lined up for the snap, then he starts frantically hand signalling, trying to communicate with the line... then with 1.5 seconds, it's all clap-clap-clap, with zero clock remaining to snaps. Like it's the center that's causing the delay. SMH....It was like that the entire game. The Broncos, whether it be Wilson, Hackett, the OC, or who ever, were out of sync all night. They got called for two delay of game penalties on the same drive. One of their goal line fumbles can be attributed at least in part to their race to beat the play clock. Their clock management was horrible.
You're talking like Russell Wilson is the same NFL QB he used to be. The problem is that he is now also the CEO and head of marketing at Russell Wilson Inc. And THAT version of Russell Wilson doesn't want the stink of a failed 4th down conversion attempt on his new image.I don't agree. Every quarterback dreams about being in a situation like that, to go out and win a game in the waning moments by either scoring a TD or putting their team into very makable FG range.
I don't know that it indicates RCW believed the game would be more likely won with a kick. But it certainly indicates that RCW believed the chance of failing was more than he wanted to deal with.In the end, though, he left the field purposefully having consciously decided to forego the called play. This indicates, without question, RCW believed the game was more likely won with a kick than with him behind center. Regardless of Hackett's role, there's no scenario where he wants to win the game himself, and he still decides not to run that play and determinately leaves the field.
I think this definitely could have played in to the decision.My honest belief as to why the coach chose to go for a 64 yard FG instead of trusting Russ to go for it on 4th and 5 is because of the pressure involved with his contract and the expectations. He didn't want to put Russ in a situation to win the game only to falter. That would have been potentially damaging to the way his teammates and fans perceive him. "Did we blow $250 million on someone who can't win a game for us?"
I do think it was a psychological decision. Had he thrown an incompletion or pick, the fallout could have been massive.
That's Zombie Russell. He shows up when Russell is poutingWatching the videos of him on the sideline leading up to the kick, he did kind of have a vacant look as though he wasn't completely in control of his faculties.
fixed that for youI think this definitely could have played in to the decision.
That said, man, can you imagine being the coach who takes the ball out of Russell Wilson's hands in that game situation? I thought it was insane, given how frequently he USED TO deliver under pressure. Really, really weird call.
You let him win it or lose it, but either way, you let him be the one to do it. That contract demands as much.
It's always going to be a circus for Russ. Denver coach needs to accept it.
He's too busy on the Broncos board telling everyone not to worry. "Look at Russell's stats, we'll be fine guys. Don't panic"Has anyone checked on how John63 has been defending Russ on the FG? would appreciate a link to his rebuttals, always appreciate John63's insight.
Would you happened to know which board and what's his new handle?He's too busy on the Broncos board telling everyone not to worry. "Look at Russell's stats, we'll be fine guys. Don't panic"
which we saw A LOT of, for YEARS while Russ was with us, which led to the same questions and debates in this thread of was it Wilson or Hackett... my arm chair gm opinion is.. I feel its Russ... Russ leaves and now I'm seeing Denver having the same clock mgmt. issues we were seeing here. Russell leaves and we're playing against him and I'm not seeing Geno and Co take it down to 5 secs with stomping and clapping for the snap because they ran it down too far. He was snapping the ball with plenty of time left. Meanwhile on Denvers side.. im seeing the clock issues and everything.The eye test tells me this was mostly on Russ W. They're lined up for the snap, then he starts frantically hand signalling, trying to communicate with the line... then with 1.5 seconds, it's all clap-clap-clap, with zero clock remaining to snaps. Like it's the center that's causing the delay. SMH....