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What Kirby's Fake Punt actually did
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:03 am
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:03 am
Kirby is getting roasted by UGA fans and media alike for his 4th & 11 fake punt gamble. But what it actually did was take everyone's attention from a Bama call- the all out punt rush when Bama had UGA pinned inside their 10 with a minute or so left in the 1st half.
That was a bonehead call. UGA's punter is subpar and Waddle already had a nice return on the first punt of the game. A decent return there and Bama could be inside the 25 year line with 3 TO. Instead a tired Bama D trots back on the field for some unnecessary snaps.
This was, of course, overshadowed by Kirby's monumental gaffe. I had forgotten about it until I saw the replay of the highlight. All I can day is Thanks Kirby.
That was a bonehead call. UGA's punter is subpar and Waddle already had a nice return on the first punt of the game. A decent return there and Bama could be inside the 25 year line with 3 TO. Instead a tired Bama D trots back on the field for some unnecessary snaps.
This was, of course, overshadowed by Kirby's monumental gaffe. I had forgotten about it until I saw the replay of the highlight. All I can day is Thanks Kirby.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:23 am to Paul B Ammer
They aren’t even comparable. Our offense outside a couple big plays looked like trash. If we thought we could block it then you get easy points. Worst case you rough and UGA still can’t score based on time and field position.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:30 am to Paul B Ammer
I mean, the punt rush call was incredibly dumb. I was furious.
It's not even close to the fake punt call.
It's not even close to the fake punt call.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:31 am to Paul B Ammer
I happened to agree. The punt block call before the half was unnecessary. Of course Saban knows his team better than I do but I don't think the risk was worth the reward there.
But as you said, it pales in comparison to Kirby's 4th & 11 call. It is, without a doubt, the worst coaching decision in SEC History given the context. So glad it blew up Bowl Cut's face.
But as you said, it pales in comparison to Kirby's 4th & 11 call. It is, without a doubt, the worst coaching decision in SEC History given the context. So glad it blew up Bowl Cut's face.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:38 am to FairhopeTider
Kirby was going to to Out Do Nick's onside kick call in 2015. I guess he did since more people are talking about how stupid his decision was for UGA.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:40 am to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
With each press conference you can just see Kirby getting more and more pissed and prickly about being Saban's underling.
It's a joy to watch.
It's a joy to watch.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:42 am to Paul B Ammer
The punt block call would have been fine without the penalty. We were going to get good field position, even with a fair catch. A block would have been a huge bonus for us since I'm sure Saban had about as much faith in our offense at that point as I did.
*Edit* Am I thinking of the right play? The replies after mine have me wondering if I have my facts straight. Didn't we run into the kicker to extend their drive?
*Edit* Am I thinking of the right play? The replies after mine have me wondering if I have my facts straight. Didn't we run into the kicker to extend their drive?
This post was edited on 12/6/18 at 8:01 am
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:46 am to FairhopeTider
Watching the replay you could see Saban going over to the SP coach shaking his head.
Saban like kiffin having blake throw the pick closing out the half against OSU to go up 17.
Against UGA he Look to be thinking at worst we get a FG before half with field position Wadddle's return possibility would set up.
Kirby call was totally against the odds that was in his favor, which was his FG kicker.
No way you fake that kick there when you have the longer more high % FG kicker Who is One of the best in CFB.You pend BAMA down and make them try to move into FG range against the clock.
Most likely with Jalen Saban trys to get a first down and run clock to play overtime depending on a wadlle return.
Saban like kiffin having blake throw the pick closing out the half against OSU to go up 17.
Against UGA he Look to be thinking at worst we get a FG before half with field position Wadddle's return possibility would set up.
Kirby call was totally against the odds that was in his favor, which was his FG kicker.
No way you fake that kick there when you have the longer more high % FG kicker Who is One of the best in CFB.You pend BAMA down and make them try to move into FG range against the clock.
Most likely with Jalen Saban trys to get a first down and run clock to play overtime depending on a wadlle return.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 7:55 am to AjA77
Watch the play again. Waddle did not field the ball and GA got a great role. Still, we would of had time and a chance to move the ball. I was furious Waddle didn’t fair catch the punt before I knew there was a penalty.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:10 am to Paul B Ammer
quote:
UGA's punter is subpar
6 punts for 48 yard avg and a long of 60 wasn't subpar.
While I didn't agree with the punt block call, you have to wonder did Saban worry about another 60+ yard punt flipping field position and one of our guys add a block in the back to the potential bad field position.
I believe he was looking at stealing a quick 7 on a block and then add more on the first drive coming out after the half.
After the running into the kicker call, I believe UGA ran 2 run plays up the gut and sat on the last 25-30 seconds of clock.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:12 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
I was furious.
That's the maddest I've been during a Bama game in a while. Completely idiotic to not try and allow one of the best punt returners in the game to give good field position to a heisman trophy candidate QB with 1 minute left in the half.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:13 am to vuvuzela
Yep, and it wasn't like we were getting stonewalled. We had scuffled, but we'd also hit big plays. We were basically 2 throws away from being in field goal range (yes I know LOL) with 1 min to go if we go punt safe and Waddle fair catches it (he didn't).
I have no idea what we were doing.
I have no idea what we were doing.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:21 am to SummerOfGeorge
I agreed with the call completely. Our offense couldn’t string anything together at the time. We needed a short field to work with. Only one minute to play so if we hit the kicker they don’t have time or position to score.
The result wasn’t what we wanted. I don’t care. It was the right call. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.
The result wasn’t what we wanted. I don’t care. It was the right call. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:21 am to Teague
You just don't go with block called with 4th & 2. On 4th & 6+ I could see it. Any contact with the punter would give UGA a 1st down. Plus Waddle is a bigger threat to score on a punt return when you look at the odds.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 8:26 am to Ol'DirtyCam
Maybe so - I thought our offense was spotty but it wasn't awful. In a hurry up 1 minute mode I was confident we could get a few first downs, more so than that we could block a punt. Additionally, with a return put on Waddle had a chance to do what he did on the 1st punt.
Either way, it was at least understandable why we did it.
Either way, it was at least understandable why we did it.
This post was edited on 12/6/18 at 8:27 am
Posted on 12/6/18 at 9:00 am to Paul B Ammer
quote:
That was a bonehead call. UGA's punter is subpar and Waddle already had a nice return on the first punt of the game. A decent return there and Bama could be inside the 25 year line with 3 TO. Instead a tired Bama D trots back on the field for some unnecessary snaps.
Yeah the call was questionable but if we get the block or at least don't hit the kicker no one would be discussing it.
Kirby's call was just inexplicable. I would understand it if it was 4th and 1......but 4th and 11? Come on man.......you make Bama and Jalen drive the length of the field...instead you give it them at mid field with plenty of time of the clock for the go ahead score.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 9:02 am to 14&Counting
quote:
Yeah the call was questionable but if we get the block or at least don't hit the kicker no one would be discussing it.
Exactly. I'd even go further - if Danielson hadn't questioned the call, 75% of the people who complain about it wouldn't even have noticed anything other than the penalty.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 9:06 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
I mean, the punt rush call was incredibly dumb
I could not understand it at all. If you're up big then sure why not, try to end it all right there. If you're down big, go ahead and try to make a big play. Everything was in our favor there.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 9:10 am to Paul B Ammer
Mark Richt did the fake punt against us in the 2012 SECCG and it worked.
Kirby tried it but had no chance with our punt coverage.
Kirby tried it but had no chance with our punt coverage.
Posted on 12/6/18 at 10:55 am to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
quote:
Kirby was going to to Out Do Nick's onside kick call in 2015.
Bingo. Kirby was trying to prove that the torch had been passed. It was ego.
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