As I ready myself for today's Packers v. Bears game, I am watching the Vikings take on the Lions. Moments ago the Lions lost a challenge on a play at the goal line -- their receiver, struggling for the stripe, reached the ball forward only to have it knocked out of his hands just before crossing the line. I imagine some Lions fans (assuming there are such things right now) will be critical of the challenge that cost their team a time out. It seems coaches are often second guessed on these matters, and to me it seems rather unfair.
It is much easier for fans to make decisions sitting comfortably at home with the benefit of a 50" plasma HDTV, a variety of camera angles and aided commentary from announcers who are cued by producers with access to vast resources. We aren't under the same pressure or constraints that coaches are: They are bombarded by a stream of information inputs and distractions that can only cloud and slow their judgment, probably more than it helps. They also have a terrible vantage point. Coaches in the booth (apparently) don't have the TV view and, besides, there are 20 assistants who are similarly distracted and come to the problem with a variety of opinions. Then there is the whole sideline circus to deal with on top of that. In other words, it's a mess down there and, to me, the amazing part is that good decisions ever get made under those constraints and circumstances.
So if the Packers game comes down to a murky officiating decision, and somehow that call is challenged unfavorably for Green Bay, I hope the posse will take a step back before it moves to string up Mike McCarthy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment