Why on earth did pete not call time out?

[dontbelikethat]

Exactly. As soon as it was first and goal, I thought we we should have started using our time outs. Luckily, St. Louis used a couple. But why we didn't call one on 4th down, and stop the clock is beyond me. If they score, I would rather have a shot to run down the field and kick a game winning field goal. But maybe that's just me.... (haha)

Agree. You'd get a run-back and a couple hail maries.

You wouldn't even be near close enough to run a hail mary with the amount of time that would be left.

All we would have needed was a FG, which means getting to the 35 yard line, and there's lots of ways that could happen. A simple pass interference penalty would have done the trick. I've seen it happen multiple times over the past 50 years.

You never want to surrender and close out your options even if it's just one second.

There's not really a right or wrong answer to this, it's all about preference. And Pete decided that he liked his chances with the defense. There's a lot of variables and things to weight out but after initially disagreeing to not use the timeouts, I now agree with what Pete did because ultimately it got us the win, but it would just be hard for me rely on this offense while at the same time hoping the defense doesn't create a penalty to give the other offense more chances. I would just let it be 50/50 and if they get it, they win, if they don't, we win. If he would've called TO on 4th down, it starts to skew your chances because more possibilities come in play since there is more time, like penalties, which can alter your odds to win (since on one hand you get time for the offense, but on the other hand, you're giving them a better chance too).

 

[dontbelikethat]

Also would like to add that on the final drive, near the goal line when we were stopping them, Chris Clemons had an off sides penalty that gave them a fresh set of downs which probably helped play a factor in Pete's decision. It hasn't been mentioned much, but it indeed happened, on 3rd&goal, on the play Heath Farwell&ET stopping the RB, Bobby Wagner actually came in on a late hit that probably should've been flagged and gave the Rams a new set of downs and in which you could see ET furious after the play. In hindsight, obviously Pete made a good call, and especially considering the circumstances with the offense doing bad and getting nothing the entire night, the defense was constantly getting called for penalties all night and even on the final drive, I think it was the smarter decision to just hang it on the defense in man coverage with the 50/50 chance,in you either get beat or you beat them mentality.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

They won the game, he trusted his D to take care of thigns. He wanted them to be rushed in their play calling. No need to complain after a win. Bevell, now THAT is someone to truly comlain about. ouch

 

[tom sawyer]

The Rams had to get in the endzone to win, they were panicing, losing this game on only one level "POINTS", they had us beat on every other statistic that DID NOT MATTER. They were the one on their heels trying to figure out how to get 6pts and not only 3 (which they were successful at doing 3 times already in the game) but now they HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FAST that they haven't been able to do against our defense the last 56-plus minutes.... get the ball "into" the endzone!

Why give them more time to do this? Make them hurry up, make them scramble, make it seem that much more difficult. Don't give them time to organize, analyze, study and execute... make them rush and be flustered at your ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL STOP THEM!!

It worked.... didn't it?!

 

[HolyCatfish]

I agree Tom Sawyer. It was a gamble for sure, but everyone seems to be on the same page, Pete trusted the D to close out the game.

By allowing the clock to wind down, as if we had the game in the bag already, was like drawing the line in the sand, the last shootout at the OK Corral.

"You can not score on us and we know it," says Pete. I love the attitude of our team and coaching. They simply believe in themselves, we should too.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

And believe it or not, PC knows 500 times more about football than any of us.

 

[Polaris]

Also would like to add that on the final drive, near the goal line when we were stopping them, Chris Clemons had an off sides penalty that gave them a fresh set of downs which probably helped play a factor in Pete's decision. It hasn't been mentioned much, but it indeed happened, on 3rd&goal, on the play Heath Farwell&ET stopping the RB, Bobby Wagner actually came in on a late hit that probably should've been flagged and gave the Rams a new set of downs and in which you could see ET furious after the play. In hindsight, obviously Pete made a good call, and especially considering the circumstances with the offense doing bad and getting nothing the entire night, the defense was constantly getting called for penalties all night and even on the final drive, I think it was the smarter decision to just hang it on the defense in man coverage with the 50/50 chance,in you either get beat or you beat them mentality.

Nitpick. Chris Clemon's penalty did not give the Rams a fresh set of downs. It merely allowed the Rams a free play (i.e. a replay of third down).

 

[Lords of Scythia]

You can run a hail mary from anyplace.

You think running a HM from the 20 is a high percentage play?

A hail mary, by definition, is a crap shoot. You throw the ball and pray.

 

[Lords of Scythia]

PC said today in his coaches show that he wanted the Rams to feel the pressure. With only 4 seconds He wanted them to feel the pressure to execute and at the same time wanted the game to be won or lost by the defense. I was with many of you, thinking- "why aren't we calling timeouts to conserve times." It wasn't until that final play that I came to the realization that Seattle MIGHT lose the game. Luckily no flag was thrown on Browner (seemed like the refs were very flag happy yesterday).

What a relief that the pass was completely off target.

That somehow makes some kind of sense. After this brutal defensive battle, wouldn't you want your defense to the be one on the field at the end?

 

[RiverDog]

There is no reason not to have called the timeouts. Pete tried to rationalize it by saying that he was trying to put pressure on Clemens. I say baloney. The Rams had all three of their timeouts at their disposal and could have used them at any point starting at first and goal at the 6 with 1:19 remaining. If the Rams didn't have the right personnel, if Clemens didn't like or understand the play call, if the play clock was running down, or if he didn't like what the Seahawk defense was doing, he could have easily have called a timeout at any point and still had one to burn as they left a TO on the board at the end of the game. Our not calling a timeout did not add anymore pressure whatsoever to that which already existed in a situation like that. Heck, they were already in a rather leisurely slow down mode, huddling up after each play. How the heck is our not calling a timeout going to add any pressure? If anything, we were the ones that were feeling increasing pressure and the Rams were the ones that were gaining confidence as they had moved the ball some 80 yards in that drive.

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager. It's a flaw of his management style, ie the high fiving, butt slapping, running up and down the sidelines behavior we all see on Game Day. He should have been thinking two plays ahead. Holmgren would have called timeout as soon as Richardson hit the ground making it first and goal at the 6. I'm not complaining about Pete in general, quite the contrary, I'm very appreciative of what he's done for us, but this is definitely a downside of his touchy feely coaching style.

 

[HolyCatfish]

There is no reason not to have called the timeouts. Pete tried to rationalize it by saying that he was trying to put pressure on Clemens. I say baloney. The Rams had all three of their timeouts at their disposal and could have used them at any point starting at first and goal at the 6 with 1:19 remaining. If the Rams didn't have the right personnel, if Clemens didn't like or understand the play call, if the play clock was running down, or if he didn't like what the Seahawk defense was doing, he could have easily have called a timeout at any point and still had one to burn as they left a TO on the board at the end of the game. Our not calling a timeout did not add anymore pressure whatsoever to that which already existed in a situation like that. Heck, they were already in a rather leisurely slow down mode, huddling up after each play. How the heck is our not calling a timeout going to add any pressure? If anything, we were the ones that were feeling increasing pressure and the Rams were the ones that were gaining confidence as they had moved the ball some 80 yards in that drive.

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager. It's a flaw of his management style, ie the high fiving, butt slapping, running up and down the sidelines behavior we all see on Game Day. He should have been thinking two plays ahead. Holmgren would have called timeout as soon as Richardson hit the ground making it first and goal at the 6. I'm not complaining about Pete in general, quite the contrary, I'm very appreciative of what he's done for us, but this is definitely a downside of his touchy feely coaching style.

Just can't buy this analysis and prefer to believe Pete is an accomplished coach who knew exactly what he was doing, taking a big gamble. The Rams had the exact same thought we did. By not using any of their timeouts with 1:19 remaining, the Rams were saying we CAN score on you and we KNOW it! Clearly a bluff as Pete had the best hand.

This could have quite possibly been a brilliant, calculated and strategic move to call St. Louis's bluff. This analysis helps me sleep better at night anyway, so I'm running with it.

 

[BigMeach]

There is no reason not to have called the timeouts. Pete tried to rationalize it by saying that he was trying to put pressure on Clemens. I say baloney. The Rams had all three of their timeouts at their disposal and could have used them at any point starting at first and goal at the 6 with 1:19 remaining. If the Rams didn't have the right personnel, if Clemens didn't like or understand the play call, if the play clock was running down, or if he didn't like what the Seahawk defense was doing, he could have easily have called a timeout at any point and still had one to burn as they left a TO on the board at the end of the game. Our not calling a timeout did not add anymore pressure whatsoever to that which already existed in a situation like that. Heck, they were already in a rather leisurely slow down mode, huddling up after each play. How the heck is our not calling a timeout going to add any pressure? If anything, we were the ones that were feeling increasing pressure and the Rams were the ones that were gaining confidence as they had moved the ball some 80 yards in that drive.

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager. It's a flaw of his management style, ie the high fiving, butt slapping, running up and down the sidelines behavior we all see on Game Day. He should have been thinking two plays ahead. Holmgren would have called timeout as soon as Richardson hit the ground making it first and goal at the 6. I'm not complaining about Pete in general, quite the contrary, I'm very appreciative of what he's done for us, but this is definitely a downside of his touchy feely coaching style.

Perhaps... but the Rams don't want us to have time on the clock so they don't use a timeout here unless they absolutely have to use one. So to say the exception is due to the Rams not calling a timeout is a mute point.

 

[dontbelikethat]

I have more faith in the defense closing it out and Clemens messing up than I do having our offense drive about 50-60 yards and be able to spike it for the FG team to come out with out any TO's and with only about probably 45 seconds on the clock, especially when considering how the offense played.

 

[DavidSeven]

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager.

This is such a stretch. Even if he were "caught up in emotion," he has assistants who are specifically assigned to watch the clock and be in his ear about it. If St. Louis wanted to burn their TOs, let 'em. He wasn't going to do them any favors, because Clemens still had to make at least one play. No, this was a calculated move and it paid off with a W.

 

[BigMeach]

I think it all makes perfect sense to me. 4 plays (turned into 5) to get into the end zone, our best unit vs. their worse. How else would we want a game to end if its going to come down to the wire? In not calling timeouts you're letting your defense know you believe in them, which is HUGE. The mental part of sports is bigger than the athletic part.

I'd rather have this as the way the game ends then having 40 seconds for RW and that horrible offense we had out their that night trying to get down field to get a field goal in.

Obviously it was the right choice. We pulled it off.

 

[HolyCatfish]

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager.

This is such a stretch. Even if he were "caught up in emotion," he has assistants who are specifically assigned to watch the clock and be in his ear about it. If St. Louis wanted to burn their TOs, let 'em. He wasn't going to do them any favors, because Clemens still had to make at least one play. No, this was a calculated move and it paid off with a W.

No doubt! Not sure you can get to coach high school without some basic clock management skills. To suggest Pete simply lost track of the clock is a bigger stretch than Baldwin laying it out in the end zone for a TD reception.

 

[Zebulon Dak]

There is no reason not to have called the timeouts. Pete tried to rationalize it by saying that he was trying to put pressure on Clemens. I say baloney. The Rams had all three of their timeouts at their disposal and could have used them at any point starting at first and goal at the 6 with 1:19 remaining. If the Rams didn't have the right personnel, if Clemens didn't like or understand the play call, if the play clock was running down, or if he didn't like what the Seahawk defense was doing, he could have easily have called a timeout at any point and still had one to burn as they left a TO on the board at the end of the game. Our not calling a timeout did not add anymore pressure whatsoever to that which already existed in a situation like that. Heck, they were already in a rather leisurely slow down mode, huddling up after each play. How the heck is our not calling a timeout going to add any pressure? If anything, we were the ones that were feeling increasing pressure and the Rams were the ones that were gaining confidence as they had moved the ball some 80 yards in that drive.

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager. It's a flaw of his management style, ie the high fiving, butt slapping, running up and down the sidelines behavior we all see on Game Day. He should have been thinking two plays ahead. Holmgren would have called timeout as soon as Richardson hit the ground making it first and goal at the 6. I'm not complaining about Pete in general, quite the contrary, I'm very appreciative of what he's done for us, but this is definitely a downside of his touchy feely coaching style.

It worked, ergo your ideas and theories are nil.

 

[Scottemojo]

There is no reason not to have called the timeouts. Pete tried to rationalize it by saying that he was trying to put pressure on Clemens. I say baloney. The Rams had all three of their timeouts at their disposal and could have used them at any point starting at first and goal at the 6 with 1:19 remaining. If the Rams didn't have the right personnel, if Clemens didn't like or understand the play call, if the play clock was running down, or if he didn't like what the Seahawk defense was doing, he could have easily have called a timeout at any point and still had one to burn as they left a TO on the board at the end of the game. Our not calling a timeout did not add anymore pressure whatsoever to that which already existed in a situation like that. Heck, they were already in a rather leisurely slow down mode, huddling up after each play. How the heck is our not calling a timeout going to add any pressure? If anything, we were the ones that were feeling increasing pressure and the Rams were the ones that were gaining confidence as they had moved the ball some 80 yards in that drive.

IMO Pete got caught up in the emotion of the game and simply lost track of his role as a game manager. It's a flaw of his management style, ie the high fiving, butt slapping, running up and down the sidelines behavior we all see on Game Day. He should have been thinking two plays ahead. Holmgren would have called timeout as soon as Richardson hit the ground making it first and goal at the 6. I'm not complaining about Pete in general, quite the contrary, I'm very appreciative of what he's done for us, but this is definitely a downside of his touchy feely coaching style.

Your posts are always good for a laugh. Or a loaf.
Pete talked about the decision the next morning, he actually has an advisor just for these situations, so no it was Pete getting all emo at the critical part of the game. He did not forget anything, he made an executive decision.
I think the decision was insightful. Jeff's use of the run game and full huddles indicated he was comfortable trying to use almost all of the clock to get the touchdown. Maybe he was trying to get us to use timeouts, which would explain 4 runs from a team that has not scored a touchdown running this year. Not one. I think predicting they would pass when it mattered was a pretty easy call.

I also think knowing we could not protect Russell and the defense was running on empty played into not prolonging the game.

But yeah, go on with your narrative that somehow connects every butt slap with bad clock mangement and assume Pete can't think two plays ahead like Holmgren. Who would have needed that time to try and drive the field for a field goal because his midget cornerbacks would have been roasted playing zone at the goal line.

 

[bigtrain21]

I absolutely think it was the right decision. That isn't results based either. I was saying that before the final play. If it was a 41 to 36 game and the offense is moving the ball really well I think calling a timeout is a no brainer. That wasn't the case in this game at all.

 

[RiverDog]

I have more faith in the defense closing it out and Clemens messing up than I do having our offense drive about 50-60 yards and be able to spike it for the FG team to come out with out any TO's and with only about probably 45 seconds on the clock, especially when considering how the offense played.

It wasn't an either/or proposition. Calling the timeouts does not take away any ability whatsoever, or show any lack of confidence, in the ability of the defense to stop the Rams from scoring a TD.