What is the big deal about the Les Miles play call?

[Sannyasin]

There were really 3 seconds left when LSU caught the TD pass. They were already in field goal range, it is just common sense to take one shot into the endzone before kicking it. Plus they had a timeout anyway should something crazy like a sack have happened.

Why do so many media types think it was such a crazy thing to do? To me it was just common sense. Running the clock down to 9 seconds by the QB was the only thing that made it an adventure, but still there was minimal risk.

[BamaDude06]

Because if LSU slips up one more time their NC hopes go out the window. Taking risks can lead to another slip up.

[BAMAPERRY]

The way it played out a couple of seconds were left. Could've happened much differently.

[gatorunvrsty]

There were really 3 seconds left when LSU caught the TD pass. They were already in field goal range, it is just common sense to take one shot into the endzone before kicking it. Plus they had a timeout anyway should something crazy like a sack have happened.

Why do so many media types think it was such a crazy thing to do? To me it was just common sense. Running the clock down to 9 seconds by the QB was the only thing that made it an adventure, but still there was minimal risk.

Are you kidding? All they had to do was kick a 37-yard FG to win. Only a fool chooses to throw a ball into the endzone, and risk an interception that would end your NC hopes. And, it almost happened that way... the AU DB got a hand on the ball. If you wanted to run time off the clock, snap it, and let the QB take a few steps to get the kicker in the middle of the field. Dumbest call I've ever seen.

[crawfish]

Already a few thread on everyone opinion, but basically....

1) Could have been intercepted - game over
2) Could have bobbled the ball enough (incomplete) to where time completed ran out - game over
3) Yeah, there looked like there would have been maybe a second or two remaining, but it took over 50 seconds off the clock just to run that one play.

Hey, I'm just glad we won the game. I don't give a rip about what the media or other opposing fans are saying, but I am hoping that Miles and staff will handle clock management better in the future. I want our team to be put in the position where the % is high that we have the oppotunity to win the game on situations like against AU. I think the field goal would have been in the high % range; the forunate play at the end would not be. But I'll say it again, sometimes its better to be lucky than real smart. Bottom line: LSU 7-1 and #3 in the BCS and in the driver's seat to acheive ALL the preseason goals.

[smfr]

Think about one slip up or anything . common sense get the ball in the middle of the field kick it.

[GeauxTo]

Dumbest call I've ever seen.

Thank you, Vince Lombardi.
:rolleyes:

[Cianne]

This never would have been at issue if Tuberville had done the smart thing and challened the spot on the 3rd and short. LSU would have had to run a play to get the first down, run yet another play to get into FG position, call timeout, and then kick the FG due to lack of time.

[True Grit]

Because no matter what Les does he will always be criticized.

[GatorBait15]

There were really 3 seconds left when LSU caught the TD pass. They were already in field goal range, it is just common sense to take one shot into the endzone before kicking it. Plus they had a timeout anyway should something crazy like a sack have happened.

Why do so many media types think it was such a crazy thing to do? To me it was just common sense. Running the clock down to 9 seconds by the QB was the only thing that made it an adventure, but still there was minimal risk.

So you actully liked the call... a smart play would be give it hester to put you in beter f/g range take note he has fumbled one time...Just imagine if that was picked!! now what would you say?

[GatorBait15]

Think about one slip up or anything . common sense get the ball in the middle of the field kick it.

AGREED!:thumpsup:

[gatorunvrsty]

This never would have been at issue if Tuberville had done the smart thing and challened the spot on the 3rd and short. LSU would have had to run a play to get the first down, run yet another play to get into FG position, call timeout, and then kick the FG due to lack of time.

This never would have been an issue if he hadn't made the second-dumbest call of all time when he kicked off short.:brick:

[gatorunvrsty]

Thank you, Vince Lombardi.
:rolleyes:

Any time. If your coach would like to get some sensible advice from now on, let me know.:thumpsup: You don't have to be any Vince Lombardi to know that was stupid.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

I liked the call.. mainly.. because LSU's kicker has been very inconsistant.. I think his longest kick was 38yards..

[Tator]

You don't have to be any Vince Lombardi to know that was stupid.

It's only stupid if it doesn't work.

[scfan5338]

I liked the call.. mainly.. because LSU's kicker has been very inconsistant.. I think his longest kick was 38yards..

Indeed. Plus, think about how many FG's and extra points that have been blocked in college football this season. Special teams are crazy espeically in the SEC and it wasn't a given that he would have make the FG. He should have taken a TO and then threw the ball, would have been a better decision.

[True Grit]

Our kicker probably would have missed that kick. He is horrible from 30+ yards. Les made the right decision to try and go for a TD first. The only problem was that our players didnt get set fast enough.

[Sannyasin]

Eaxctly, it was the smart call. It was just that there was no urgency by the players so it made the play more risky looking than it really was. The media have been pretty universal that it was nutty but I don't see that at all. Nor have I had any problem with any of Miles' decisions the past couple of games. They needed to go for the 4th downs (and it worked).

[smfr]

There were really 3 seconds left when LSU caught the TD pass. They were already in field goal range, it is just common sense to take one shot into the endzone before kicking it. Plus they had a timeout anyway should something crazy like a sack have happened.

Why do so many media types think it was such a crazy thing to do? To me it was just common sense. Running the clock down to 9 seconds by the QB was the only thing that made it an adventure, but still there was minimal risk.

Should have been 3 seconds but there was 1 second. Fact is it was a very risk call. Should not have been made. Les Miles got lucky. Plain and simple. Had the ball been intercepted or bobbled then missed with no time on the clock you would be screaming about it. But since it was made you praise him. What ever floats your boat. But lucky does run out.
YouTube - THE Catch. LSU vs Auburn 2007. THE Death Valley Defeat. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=b6wJ_vz0zaY)

[SEC-RULES]

I thought it was a dumb call to start with, but after having time to digest the whole event, it made sense to try it. Les has earned the respect of his players and they believe in him, that's why it worked. Flynn threw a perfect pass and the receiver made a great catch, that's what great teams do! Call it luck if you want, but Les has the "KILLER" attitude that I wish Tubbs had. Tubbs likes to get conservative and try and run out the clock, not Les. The LSU players believe in him like the Gators did with Spurrier. They know he will put them in a position to win and he did. You can't be afraid to fail in this league and be successful. Most of the coaches in the league today are afraid of the reprecussions if they fail but not Les. He knows he can go just about anywhere he wants and coach so he doesn't worry about it. Nobody wishes it would have blown up in his face more than me, but it didn't and they won! I just wish Tubbs was more of a play to win coach and not a play not to lose. With that said: congratulations LSU!!!!

[Emilio7]

I watched the play a few times on tivo and if Byrd drops the pass ,LSU would still have 1 or 2 seconds left on the clock . I honestly don't see why everyones getting so bent out of shape about this.

Plus I'm not a big fan of Colt David, He missed to kicks during the Florida game and if i'm not mistaken he missed one during the Kentucky game. I think Jasper #25 should be our field goal kicker.

[razorhead]

Are you kidding? All they had to do was kick a 37-yard FG to win. Only a fool chooses to throw a ball into the endzone, and risk an interception that would end your NC hopes. And, it almost happened that way... the AU DB got a hand on the ball. If you wanted to run time off the clock, snap it, and let the QB take a few steps to get the kicker in the middle of the field. Dumbest call I've ever seen.


Almost as dumb as Urban Meyer throwing the bomb when only up a TD and under 2 minutes left, or call a fake punt from his own end of the field in the SECCG...bottom line is those both turned out to be good calls as was Les Miles' call.
Arkansas fans would give their Nutt's up for a coach that would take a chance like that. Quick bickering and count your blessings folks.

[TPM]

Eaxctly, it was the smart call. It was just that there was no urgency by the players so it made the play more risky looking than it really was. The media have been pretty universal that it was nutty but I don't see that at all. Nor have I had any problem with any of Miles' decisions the past couple of games. They needed to go for the 4th downs (and it worked).

It's just a popular opinion to call Les a idiot. Everything he does is under a microscope.

I think the clock management was bad, but a fade to the corner of the endzone. Not a bad call in my book. Those types of passes hardly ever get intercepted. Was it risky??sure. They just needed to hurry up a little. Our kicker had made 2 easy FG's earlier in the game which could only mean that he was due to miss 1. Our kicker is not that good lately.

If our kicker had missed a FG to end the game everyone would be calling Les a idiot for not trying at least 1 shot to the endzone (The corner of the endzone).

[STUCKNBIG10]

I agree with the original post. I don't see why the media is making such a big deal with it. The only issue that I had with the whole play is the lackadaisical way that LSU went to the line and snapped the ball. I think the play call was correct, I just think the execution was a little bit slow-developing if you ask me.

As for field goals, this is not the NFL and very few field goals are "automatic." Any time you can throw a relatively low-risk pass where only your receiver has a good chance at catching it, I think it's a good try.

Les is getting lauded for his "stones" and I don't have a problem with that; however, I do have a problem with everyone acting like he is an idiot. The man is 29-5 in his tenure at LSU. Everyone this side of USC would take that in a minute.

[Roscoe]

If our kicker had missed a FG to end the game everyone would be calling Les a idiot for not trying at least 1 shot to the endzone (The corner of the endzone).

You hit the nail on the head w. that one.

[STUCKNBIG10]

Almost as dumb as Urban Meyer throwing the bomb when only up a TD and under 2 minutes left, or call a fake punt from his own end of the field in the SECCG...bottom line is those both turned out to be good calls as was Les Miles' call.
Arkansas fans would give their Nutt's up for a coach that would take a chance like that. Quick bickering and count your blessings folks.

good point razorhead. Meyer had Tebow throw the bomb when he could have simply run up the middle to milk clock. Meyer is wildly hailed as a "genius", while Les is mocked as a buffoon. The media always writes stories that validate their own opinions (even if they are wrong).

[Tennessee Ted]

I heard a rumor that during the press conference Myles mistakenly thought there was more time on the clock? Is that true? Excuse me if this is BS, just recently got back from Tuscaloosa and have not been able to catch up on everything yet.

[raptorcox]

I heard a rumor that during the press conference Myles mistakenly thought there was more time on the clock? Is that true? Excuse me if this is BS, just recently got back from Tuscaloosa and have not been able to catch up on everything yet.

Yes, he acted like there was 16 seconds on the clock when the play started and it should be completed with still well over 5 seconds left from the way it sounded.

People can call him a genius if it makes them feel better, but the fact is he mismanaged the clock and it almost cost them the game.

[Tennessee Ted]

If he did not know how much time was on the clock then that is inexcusable, but in the end it really does not matter as it worked. Unless he does something else really dumb later this year that costs him a game this will blow over.

[TDArkansasOhmy]

Are you kidding? All they had to do was kick a 37-yard FG to win. Only a fool chooses to throw a ball into the endzone, and risk an interception that would end your NC hopes. And, it almost happened that way... the AU DB got a hand on the ball. If you wanted to run time off the clock, snap it, and let the QB take a few steps to get the kicker in the middle of the field. Dumbest call I've ever seen.

Totally agree. It was careless, and it put the program at risk to lose it all. It was a bonehead call, by a bonehead coach. Finally, what I've been saying since the duffus arrived in Baton Rough, that one call now let's the rest of the country in on what most of us has know for years. HE IS THE WEAK LINK TO THE LSU PROGRAM. And this time, his athletes pulled his ass outta the fire. The guy is blind and everything he touches turns to gold....at least for now.

http://www.brokencredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/Mr-Magoo1.gif
Les Magoo

[GeauxTo]

I saw Les being interviewed on the six-o-clock news tonight and he explained it like this:

If you run the ball to get it centered, call a time out, and kick the field goal, you have one chance to score.

If you try the TD pass 1st, then go to the field goal if necessary, you have two chances to score.

Makes sense. The clock management was the scary issue.

[crimsonnation713]

I saw Les being interviewed on the six-o-clock news tonight and he explained it like this:

If you run the ball to get it centered, call a time out, and kick the field goal, you have one chance to score.

If you try the TD pass 1st, then go to the field goal if necessary, you have two chances to score.

Makes sense. The clock management was the scary issue.

I didn't see a problem with the play that was called. It was the timing. After the game he stated it wasn't a big deal because he had 16 or 18 seconds left. He didn't. If that ball gets tipped....game over.

[BamaFan425]

Just for future reference in this argument, here is Colt David's number per LSUSports.net (as of 10/22/07).

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/bamafan425/coltdavid.jpg

He was 8-10 from 30-39 yards, but looks as though he choked from 37 in the Florida game (I did not see this play.) I think it was a risky call that could have been called better. It looks that if the Auburn defender had been looking more for the ball, it could have been picked. That said, LSU caught it and won the game. Risky call payed off, can't complain. If risky calls start biting LSU in the ass, complaining should and will start.

Continue the argument, use these stats if necessary, thought it would be helpful.