Murray's 2nd Pick

[Reddog]

Everyone was complaining that we should have kicked but as difficult a time as we have in the redzone going for it on 4th and 2 was a fine decision. Throwing the ball was the poor decision. The 2nd view gives you the perspective KM had so there is a chance at a tiny window but the lane to the marker and the 1st down marker was there and likely the endzone.

https://www.steelers.com/video/highlight-watt-picks-off-murray-in-end-zone

 

[Russ Smith]

Everyone was complaining that we should have kicked but as difficult a time as we have in the redzone going for it on 4th and 2 was a fine decision. Throwing the ball was the poor decision. The 2nd view gives you the perspective KM had so there is a chance at a tiny window but the lane to the marker and the 1st down marker was there and likely the endzone.

https://www.steelers.com/video/highlight-watt-picks-off-murray-in-end-zone

I would argue the very reason Kyler threw the pick is why we should have kicked there, he didn't want to run and he's been like that most of the season. He wasn't having a good game at that point, kicking the FG puts it to a one score game. Yes he should have gotten the first down, we all agree on that, but it wasn't exactly hard to predict he might not make the right decision he's a rookie who wasn't playing well and was clearly confused by Pittsburgh. Sometimes the coach has to be the adult in the room and not get caught up in the moment and take the points. We got the ball back, had we kicked the FG we would have tied the game when we scored the TD to DJ.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Kliff's comments later made no sense. "We needed two scores." Uh, a FG and a TD are two scores. SMH.

 

[bojack]

KM acted like it was 4th and goal instead of 4th and 2. The first down was easy and he may have been able to get the TD also without being hit.

 

[Reddog]

I would argue the very reason Kyler threw the pick is why we should have kicked there, he didn't want to run and he's been like that most of the season.

I agree with this and it concerns me that his fear is so in his head and that is who he is. We saw it at the beginning of the season when he would scramble and run out of bounds 5 yards behind the LOS and now that he has been hit he seems scared to death. If you have ever been around small dogs they might have a yappy bark but they trip over themselves trying not to get stepped on. Very jumpy. Hope this isn't who KM is. I don't remember Wilson having that disposition when he was a rookie but he also had a much better team around him.

 

[Dr. Jones]

KM acted like it was 4th and goal instead of 4th and 2. The first down was easy and he may have been able to get the TD also without being hit.

This is right....... It was a boneheaded mistake but I am glad he is making it now instead of when we are fighting for the division on SNF.

 

[Chopper0080]

That was the right call when you factor in our defense. It was a fine play call. It was terrible execution by Murray highlighting the indecision he has shown in key moments this entire season.

 

[TheCardFan]

I like the call and K1 could have scored but at the very least made the 1st down.

There were a couple of times he should have run yesterday but didn't.

And a few times he needed to throw the ball earlier and didn't. The first two or three plays of 2 min offense there were guys open 10-15 yards downfield but he was looking long.

If he can work that out (run vs pass) and stop taking those unnecessary sacks...he will be great. We also need a couple more WR's that can pressure the defense.

 

[Buckybird]

KM acted like it was 4th and goal instead of 4th and 2. The first down was easy and he may have been able to get the TD also without being hit.

Kliff acted as if the Cards were down 7 with 30 seconds left in the game

 

[TheCardFan]

KK gets roasted earlier in the year for kicking FG's in that situation and then roasted for going for a TD. The play call was right...the execution was the problem.

 

[TRW]

I think you kick the FG there. Then, you go for the TD the next time you get the ball. I know, I know that would mean trusting the putrid defense to keep them from scoring and get the ball back but you just have to kick it there.

Of course, let's say KM runs for the 1st down. Then, it's probably a lateral run play for a loss, 2 sacks losing 20 yards (at least) and a missed FG with a lot of clock run down...

Catch-22 all the way around. Damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

 

[JeffGollin]

I like the call and K1 could have scored but at the very least made the 1st down.

There were a couple of times he should have run yesterday but didn't.

And a few times he needed to throw the ball earlier and didn't. The first two or three plays of 2 min offense there were guys open 10-15 yards downfield but he was looking long.

If he can work that out (run vs pass) and stop taking those unnecessary sacks...he will be great. We also need a couple more WR's that can pressure the defense.

When scrambling, he also tended to start his slides 2 yards before the 1st down marker. (I think he's overly cautiuos, but what do I know? The first time he'd go for the extra yardage, he'd probably tear up a knee or something).

 

[Reddog]

I think you kick the FG there. Then, you go for the TD the next time you get the ball. I know, I know that would mean trusting the putrid defense to keep them from scoring and get the ball back but you just have to kick it there.

Of course, let's say KM runs for the 1st down. Then, it's probably a lateral run play for a loss, 2 sacks losing 20 yards (at least) and a missed FG with a lot of clock run down...

Catch-22 all the way around. Damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Tough call but this offense wasn't getting to the 6 yard line very often yesterday so I think you try to get the 7 and then the odds are more in your favor to get to the 30 on you next possession for the FG. The field position for a FG is much more attainable.

 

[Stout]

I swear, if they call that stupid sprint for the end run one more time, I'll personally choke KK. KM is paralyzed with indecision whenever he tries this, and every time seems truly shocked at how fast the edge players in the NFL are. IT DOESN'T WORK!

To the thread topic, it's the wrong call if it fails and the right call if it succeeds. In this instance, I'd say it was the right call, as the play was there, and just grossly awful QB play, as has been on par with most of the last two games. All KM's fault there.

 

[TRW]

Tough call but this offense wasn't getting to the 6 yard line very often yesterday so I think you try to get the 7 and then the odds are more in your favor to get to the 30 on you next possession for the FG. The field position for a FG is much more attainable.

I can definitely see that. Either way, it was a messed up play by KM that made it all moot anyway.

 

[Russ Smith]

KM acted like it was 4th and goal instead of 4th and 2. The first down was easy and he may have been able to get the TD also without being hit.

Absolutely agree but again given his play last game and the one yesterday was anybody surprised when he didn't run and instead threw it into coverage? I wasn't and I'm still a believer he's going to be very good. he's clearly not been "right" the last 2 games, combination of the defenses we're saying and apparently either reluctant to run because of the hammy, or just reluctant to run. As soon as we lined up I said we're not really going to snap it right we're just trying to get them offsides and if they don't jump we will take the penalty and kick it. I could not believe we actually ran a play.

 

[Russ Smith]

KK gets roasted earlier in the year for kicking FG's in that situation and then roasted for going for a TD. The play call was right...the execution was the problem.

Not for kicking the FG's for the play calling that led to us HAVING to kick FG's earlier in the year. Kliff has been very aggressive, going on 4th down, the fake punt yesterday etc. But this was a play where there's 12 minutes left and you're down 10 points, tons of time. You kick the FG to get within 7. Then we lucked into the guy screwing up the punt and got a TD and we now should be tied. Obviously Kliff doesn't know that's going to happen at the time but we're 48 minutes into the game and they only have 20 points, it wasn't one of those situations where we can't seem to stop their offense so you have to go for the TD assuming you are going to need more than 1 TD.

In the end Kyler screwed it up, we should have gotten the first down with him running, fully agree, but it's IMO a play that should never have been run it should have been a FG.

 

[BigRedRage]

Everyone was complaining that we should have kicked but as difficult a time as we have in the redzone going for it on 4th and 2 was a fine decision. Throwing the ball was the poor decision. The 2nd view gives you the perspective KM had so there is a chance at a tiny window but the lane to the marker and the 1st down marker was there and likely the endzone.

https://www.steelers.com/video/highlight-watt-picks-off-murray-in-end-zone

it was a touchdown if he ran. he is soft still and afraid to run at defenders.

 

[Russ Smith]

I swear, if they call that stupid sprint for the end run one more time, I'll personally choke KK. KM is paralyzed with indecision whenever he tries this, and every time seems truly shocked at how fast the edge players in the NFL are. IT DOESN'T WORK!

To the thread topic, it's the wrong call if it fails and the right call if it succeeds. In this instance, I'd say it was the right call, as the play was there, and just grossly awful QB play, as has been on par with most of the last two games. All KM's fault there.

See my other post for whatever reason when he runs right he REALLY wants to throw the ball and it ends up usually badly, runs out of bounds, gets tackled for a big loss, throws the ball away. It almost never works. When he runs left it's like he is less inclined to throw because it's running left so he is far more decisive to actually run. I'm not 100% sure but I think at least 3 of the 4 rushing TD's this year have been to the left.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Not for kicking the FG's for the play calling that led to us HAVING to kick FG's earlier in the year. Kliff has been very aggressive, going on 4th down, the fake punt yesterday etc. But this was a play where there's 12 minutes left and you're down 10 points, tons of time. You kick the FG to get within 7. Then we lucked into the guy screwing up the punt and got a TD and we now should be tied. Obviously Kliff doesn't know that's going to happen at the time but we're 48 minutes into the game and they only have 20 points, it wasn't one of those situations where we can't seem to stop their offense so you have to go for the TD assuming you are going to need more than 1 TD.

In the end Kyler screwed it up, we should have gotten the first down with him running, fully agree, but it's IMO a play that should never have been run it should have been a FG.

Not completely true. I distinctly remember people complaining because he wouldn't go for it on 4th and short and instead just take the FG. Of course there have also been complaints all year about his RZ play calling.

 

[Russ Smith]

Not completely true. I distinctly remember people complaining because he wouldn't go for it on 4th and short and instead just take the FG. Of course there have also been complaints all year about his RZ play calling.

Maybe so I don't remember them all. Most of the ones I saw were why do we have to keep kicking FG's run the ball stop being cute. Ok those are mostly MY posts though!

 

[PJ1]

Right call and horrible execution by KM. If we had any chance it was gone then.

 

[Krangodnzr]

If Murray runs for it, it's an easy TD there. Great play call, poo execution.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If Murray runs for it, it's an easy TD there. Great play call, **** execution.

yup. and to make sure of it. There was only one guy who could have possibly stopped it if Kyler just ran to the corner and that was Watt and a good QB could have easily frozen him with simply a pump fake. problem was Kyler never even saw him there. that play, the slide later in the game to set up 3rd and 2 instead of just getting the first down bugged the crap out of me yesterday. There are plays to lay up and then plays that you have to gut out to get the win. In two big spots in the fourth quarter, he laid up. he has to get a little tougher if he's going to be great.

 

[Krangodnzr]

yup. and to make sure of it. There was only one guy who could have possibly stopped it if Kyler just ran to the corner and that was Watt and a good QB could have easily frozen him with simply a pump fake. problem was Kyler never even saw him there. that play, the slide later in the game to set up 3rd and 2 instead of just getting the first down bugged the crap out of me yesterday. There are plays to lay up and then plays that you have to gut out to get the win. In two big spots in the fourth quarter, he laid up. he has to get a little tougher if he's going to be great.

From what I saw it looked like a fairly easy run in.

You guys know I love Murray the player and I believe in him, but the dude needs to somewhat get over his fear of taking hits.

He easily scores there if he runs hard to the edge.