To Kick or Not to Kick?
by Matty I on Sep 2, 2008 12:15 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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PrintAs we prepare for week one of the NFL's regular season, I just wanted to take the time to talk about one of the rule changes that will take effect in 2008.
And the one I wanted to highlight and discuss is the new "2nd half coin-toss" option. NFL.com explains the rule simply as:
Clubs will now have the option to defer the opportunity to kick or receive the kickoff to the second half.
What does this mean? Well, previously, the team that won the coin toss to start the game could only choose to kick or receive. Then, to start the 2nd half, the team that lost the coin toss could decide to kick or receive. So, of course, the decision made by the team that won the toss to open the game would be to receive - otherwise the team that lost the toss could actually receive the kick-off to begin both halves.
But now it's different. Now the team that wins the toss to open the game could choose to defer their decision until the 2nd half. That means the team that lost the toss must decide whether to kick or receiver to start the game. Then, in the 2nd half, the team that originally won the toss will have th option of kicking or receiving to open the 2nd half. So, in theory, the team that won the toss and choose to "defer" and then choose to receive to start half #2. Therefore, the opposing team would certainly choose to receive to begin the game.
So in a nutshell, this basically means that the team that wins the opening coin toss can decide if they want to receive to begin the game or to begin the 2nd half. And with that said, I'm here to make an argument that if the Dolphins win the opening coin toss on Sunday against the Jets, they should choose to KICK to open the game and then take the ball to open the 2nd half.
Am I nuts for thinking this? Maybe. But at least hear me out. Below are my reasons why I think the Dolphins should defer to the 2nd half if they win the toss:
- The crowd will be amped. Think about it. We are beginning a new era, really, of Dolphins football. And with the way the preseason has gone, many fans are as excited as ever about 2008. I firmly believe that Dolphin Stadium will be rocking to start the game. However, as the game goes on, the heat and humidity will take over and take some of the steam out of the fans - as it always seems to do. So let's use that "12th man advantage" while we can.
- Gain momentum. I have no stats to back this up, but because I've watched so much football during my life, I think what I'm about to say is true. Teams in the NFL score points on less than half of their possessions. Therefore, statistically speaking, the Dolphins have a better chance of stopping the Jets on their first drive than they do of scoring points themselves if the Dolphins had the ball first. So let's get momentum on our side. Let this new, pumped up, emotionally charged defense go out onto the field and get after Brett Favre and company. A defensive stop will instantly put momentum on Miami's side. And, if the Dolphins can manage a 3 and out, they will also potentially have the early field-position advantage.
- 2nd half adjustments. By choosing to "defer" until the 2nd half, the Dolphins will not have one more possession in the 2nd half than they would have had if they chose to receive the opening kick. This gives the Dolphins one more possession than they would have had following the half-time adjustments. Let this coaching staff see what the Jets are doing defensively in the first half. Then let them make the necessary adjustments and come out in the 2nd half firing. Perhaps these adjustments are even enough to get the Dolphins into the endzone to open up the 2nd half. That would get momentum back in Miami's side in a hurry.
Now I know that my theory may not be a popular one. And I'm aware that there are a million counter-points to the points I make above. So that's why I want you guys to have at it.
If the Dolphins did win the coin toss, what would you want them to do? Vote below and then tell us why you voted like you did!
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Choosing to "kick" and "defer" are not the same
so technically the Fins would not elect to “kick” to start the game. If they did that, the other team would still have the “choice” to begin the second half.
The Fins could elect to “defer”, and then wait to see what the other team chooses, which would most certainly be to “receieve”. Then the Fins would have the choice of directions to begin the game, and the choice to “receive” to begin the 3rd quarter.
Right?
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Sep 2, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions
Defer the first kick
Let slip the Dolphins of War. The crowd will be charged, let them cheer for the defense and not worry about being quiet for the offense. Plus, if the offense has some growing pains the first series, it won’t kill the crowds enthusiasm. Let “Big Mo” rule for as long as he can. Think how loud it’ll get if we 3 and out them on their first series.
Flip side
I say we just choose to receive. If we kick off and the Jets score, than we lose the game. For one reason or another, it may throw off our team that the defense is playing right away. What would be the point of receiving in the second half when we already have broken spirits down 17 points or something?
It’s better that we have a chance to gain momentum by scoring on our first possession than to let the Jets have that chance.
Also doing that stuff may show we don’t have confidence in the offense. (That doesn’t go for San Diego, since they have proven themselves. The Dolphins are a completely different story)
I guess I should have thought twice before creating my profile's name.
I hear you
But so much adreneline and expectations are going to be on the offense. Let them chill a little and take it in before they take the field. When they do, it’ll be more “business like” and hopefully effective. I think just because they would score on the first drive and we lose is kind of extreme, but I understand what you are saying. A Favre 80 yarder for a touch would kill. But, If this team is going to be good, they are going to have too overcome those things. This is a fresh start for us. And how pumped would the team and crowd be if the first points we got were from the defense?
by HuskerDolphin on Sep 2, 2008 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
very true
its like saying……“whatcha got?”
by HuskerDolphin on Sep 2, 2008 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Always defer
always. first of all.. Defense is all about crowd noise, momentum, aggressiveness, emotion, things that home teams always have to start a game. Offense, on the other hand, is more controlled, precise, calculated, and players perform better offensively when relaxed and focused then when amped up on adrenaline.
Take the momentum early, especially at home, and try to force a mistake by the offense before they can get into a rhythm and relax. On the road, same principle. Take the crowd out of the game early just by using scenarios. The home crowd is quiet when the home team has the ball, and the players will have to control the opening game emotions right from kickoff, while our defense can try to steal the momentum with a big play and let the emotion and adrenaline carry them through the first series.
always defer.
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
not to mention
the off-chance that a team captain fxxks up and says “we’ll kick” allowing us to recieve to start both halfs
=)
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
by Little Nicky 21 on Sep 2, 2008 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I love the high response I've gotten off this topic...
…and I’d like to take a second to thank my girlfriend’s brother-in-law for inspiring this topic. We got into a long debate over this yesterday at a BBQ.
And so far, I’m winning the vote!!!
We talked about this a bit on here right after the rule changes came down.
This was my favorite rule change, and like Lil Nicky pointed out, if the other team chooses to “kick”, then you get to choose the side, and receive in the first half, AND receive first to start the 2nd half. It’s been known to happen. :)
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Sep 2, 2008 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions
There are times to Defer
But September in Miami is ABSOLUTELY NOT one of them! Take the ball and add one more position to wear the Jets Defense down. If it’s a nice 8-10 minute drive it will add to the affect of the of the heat down there and the Jets will be busted by the 4th Quarter.
R&R breaking the heat striken backs of the Jests!!!
by ATS16 on Sep 2, 2008 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
You could
Do the same thing with a quick 3 and out by kicking too them. That wouldn’t take much time, and you can still do the things you mentioned. One 3 and out followed by a long drive could almost kill the first quarter.
by HuskerDolphin on Sep 2, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
defer
Teams seldom score on their first drive. If the Phins are losing to start the 2nd half, they need the ball. If the Phins are winning to start the 2nd half give them a healthy dose of Ricky & Ronnie and run ten minutes off the clock.
phyrmun
Defer against certain teams
But not the Jets with Farve. With our suspect pass defense and Farve’s uncanny ability to hit the big gain pass, I would prefer to take the ball and let our ball control offense keep their D on the field. This is the old Dolphin style of pounding the running game with the short pass picking up 1st downs and winning the time of possession game.
I would feel better defering against a running team. We have a better run defense and I could see a 3 and out from them.
I personally think both have their benefits and minuses
If it comes down to this to win the game its a 50/50 shot either team is going to win the game anyway and I dont think its going to make that big of a difference. I actually think its a dumb rule leaving more ways for confusion to happen during the coin toss, when it was fine the way it was.
lol
yea, an “under review” timeout for a coin toss would be ridiculous….
by HuskerDolphin on Sep 2, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously....
Kicking….
Remember, most likely Crowder is going out there and he has no idea what a head or tail is unless it is boar hunting.
Why aren’t we talking tailgating plans?
Factors to consider:
1. Phins have Ted Ginn Jr. who could take it to the house on the opening kickoff of the season (special teams are notoriously green)
2. Phins have a great punter Brandon Fields, who if the opening drive stalls, could still pin the Jets back on their side of the field.
3. The opening drive is where Henning and Sparano can pull out all their offensive wrinkles (fake reverses), misdirection, and unseen/hidden plays dictating to the defense forcing them to react.
4. A ball-control time-consuming season-opening drive could make the Jet offensive players nervous and stiff while they wait their turn after warm-ups.
5. Good plays on offense would rev up the crowd to be in full voice when the Jets Offense finally gets its chance, hopefully down 7-0 (especially if #1 happens).
I think the Phins Defense is stronger than its offense, so for every other game this season I would be in favor of receiving the second half kickoff, but at home in the first game of the season, I would vote take the ball to start the game.
There’s just too many advantages to having the ball first to start off a season at home.
all good points
but the percentages go against most of what your saying. Teams score on less than half of their posessions, and they run kicks back on much, much less than that. I would say play the percentages, and they point to a defensive stop. I’d rather start the season with our own D setting the tone with a stop, then losing some start-of-game momentum with a punt.
I mean, there’s no right answer here, but I still think the D can get the crowd involved moreso than the offense, especially with so many new parts on O.
On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz
by Little Nicky 21 on Sep 2, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
THIS REMINDS ME....
WASNT IT THAT LIONS COACHTHAT DECIDED TO KICK WHEN HE WONT THE TOSS IN OVERTIME? WHAT WAS HIM NAME?
Its Sunday afternoon.....do you know where your beer is?
Forget the scientific stuff
think ATTITUDE!!!! If we win the toss, the offense has to go out first. If you send out the Defense than the message is loud and clear: “we think that the offense is still bad and the only way we win is defense.” Put the offense out and let them smack NJ in the mouth and show that they have some business to settle. I say come out firing and let Pennington carve up his old team. Again, ATTITUDE. . .kick ass!
Phatfinfan
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