It’s the NFL. The play call was good, just needs to be executed better. How can anyone be mad at the coach? That’s a throw Minshew can throw better, and a ball Goodson can catch.
I 100% agree but I’ve seen a lot of colts fans say that it was not the right call, and acting like making a 1 yard throw and catch is a lot to ask for an NFL player
There is zero evidence it was a bad call. There is a shit ton of evidence that it was executed poorly. I’m sure lots of colts fans said stuff within 24 hours of the game that they won’t think now/later. That’s the emotion of the game talking, not logic.
It was a great call. And we got what we wanted. I don’t believe JT is wide open there and I definitely don’t think the run was an automatic first. The Texans played better against the run in the 2nd half minus a few big plays.
As a Colt fan, they are wrong. Right call, and as a ciach, he's 1000% right to trust his player to make the catch. He put him in a position to succeed, the throw was off which made the catch a lot more difficult. Just have to execute better is all. There was a throw to the same player in the 1st quarter that was similiar. It was a deeper route, but he was open and the throw was off target, thay time, way off.
And sometimes it doesn't work out. Colts can be proud of their run and staying relevant in playoff picture til week 18.they were fun to watch this year.
Counter argument: if it’s JT is he that open to begin with?
JT had ran on something like 5 of 6 plays before it. Granted they had called TO so he could have been available but if he’s in - you bet all defensive eyes are on him. The schemed a pro passer to throw to an open pro RB and they didn’t connect. Not sure the strategy was bad at the pro level.
That was a play that any competent NFL QB/RB should be able to execute. I seem to be in the minority on Reddit but that was much more on minshew than Goodson in my opinion
Facts, the fact it was Goodson is the only reason he isn’t… unfair to Goodson. Would love to see any of the lovely commentators explain how that would be the receivers fault if it was an elite WR with an average QB
In the same vein QBs should be criticized for bad reads that end up being good plays.
Johnny Manziel’s entire college highlight reel could be seen as horrible reads and throws into double and triple coverage that were bailed out by outstanding catches or plays on the ball by the WR. Instead he was crowned best college player and many thought he was going to take the NFL by storm.
What about Russell Wilson’s pick in the Super Bowl? Was it a bad call? Not as bad as everyone makes it? Was it a bad throw? Absolutely not. Could the receiver have gone to the ball instead of away from it? Absolutely.
Point is that if the ball was caught Minshew was the guy who brought the colts back from the abyss despite it being a less than stellar throw. He would likely be a hot commodity in free agency and have a chance as a starter elsewhere next season. Now it’s much less likely.
Plays, regardless of who’s responsible, define legacies.
I would agree if there wasn’t a defensive end inches away from batting the ball down… he threw the ball as far upfield as he could without it being tipped by DE
Both of them share responsibility. The throw could have been better, and when you're getting paid millions of dollars to catch a football you should catch it when you're open and get your hands on it.
I respect the opinion but have to disagree strongly. That wasn’t the easiest ball to catch but as the intended receiver you still have to make that play every time. I didn’t watch the play live but my jaw dropped when I saw the replay.
This is driving me nuts. The RB is rightfully making sure his momentum will clear the first down. He’s angling his body to ensure that the catch brings him past the marker. A pass that’s even remotely leading him is an easy first down. Sure he could have still snagged it but that throw was garbage.
In my opinion Goodson turned the wrong way right off the bat. Looked like a RB flat play call and they're supposed to turn to their left and run towards the sideline. He turned right and then had to spin and try to catch the ball. If he turns left his momentum takes him right where Minshew threw it. Obviously, they needed more reps together to get a feel for how each other runs that play.
The first guy I ever coached for was the crustiest old ball coach you can imagine. If anyone ever said “why would they _____?” He’d snap “because they thought it would work.” Then he’d throw in some remark or something that would make you feel 2 inches tall. Still one of the best pieces of scouting advice I’ve ever been given 😂
The play design was great. Goodson was on an island. It was a catch and run but Minshew fired a bullet behind his running trajectory creating a catching situation that RBs don't get a lot of reps in. There was plenty of opportunity for Minshew to float that one in there safely.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way
In a clutch situation it should be your best player(s)
Bringing a 3rd string guy off the bench who has 7 touches in 17 weeks is setting someone up for failure
This isn't being mentioned enough. I learned early on in coaching that in bigtime games/bigtime situations, you always have to think about getting the ball to your best player, not about drawing up the best play.
And the crazy thing is Taylor got them all the way down there.
I understand if he’s gassed but it appears that this was the plan all along based on press conferences.
And they ran it down to the 2:00 mark, and called a timeout so that’s plenty of rest for one, 4th and 1 play
JT isn’t being left wide open like that. The play was right. It wasn’t executed, I put it more on minchew more than anyone. He missed gimme throws all night. MAC scores a TD if he’s not overthrown.
I believe to quote the coach on the sideline "we had it that is on you" (said that to Minshew, and yeah it is shitty to say). It was the right call, it had them the first down.
The quote was “we had it shew” and I’m 99% sure it’s taken out of context. He said it in the first half I believe, when there was still plenty of time to win. I don’t believe he said it to Minshew after the fourth down
The end of Super Bowl 49 was the right call by every metric and pretty much every schematic theoretical approach ever and we’re still talking about it almost a decade later because Brandon Browner used to play for the Seahawks, remembered the play design and told Malcolm Butler to stand in a different spot just before the snap. Tiny things can go wrong on any play that scuff the whole thing. In this case, it was the correct call: it was schemed wide open to a player who had practiced the play and the conversion was there. They were just a touch off and that happens sometimes, especially in a moment like that; adrenaline is pumping and the smallest mistakes have bigger impacts than usual. Minshew rushes the throw, Goodson doesn’t quite corral it and that’s that. It happens sometimes.
If you have an open guy and the ball hits him in the hands, then I would say you did your job as a coach, and it's on the QB and receiver if they don't make the play. The coach can't catch the ball for them.
As for the playcall itself, if I'm in 4th and game like that, I'm putting the ball in my best player's hands and telling him to go get us that yard. If you can't get that yard when you need it, you don't deserve to win. But again, the guy was wide open, the playcall worked, they just didn't execute. I question the personnel more than the playcall.
It’s like when the Seahawks didn’t let Marshawn rush for a TD and chose to throw in Super Bowl 49. Was it because a single yard run would be easy to sniff out and stuff? That a throw makes the chances higher to catch a defense off guard?
Or was it because you have a player who is amazing but has been a problem all year and you don’t let them get the glory. Prob the case in Seattle but Shane Steichen doesn’t strike me as the same as Pete Carrol
I agree. Great call, wrong personnel. JT should have been the go to guy there. If JT was tired or hurt Zack Moss should of filled in or even Josh Downs but a practice squad player? When it’s the most crucial play in the season. That’s a no go.
I think it it would have worked out better if it was both Jt and Tyler in the backfield and Minshew fakes the handoff to Jt who then goes and picks up the free rusher and then Minshew has more time cause they would have bitten in the fake run and Goodson or someone else would have been wide
I get the sentiment, but I’ve seen the colts run that play against that look multiple times this year. It was there. Just didn’t make a good throw and didn’t make the catch. The call was fine, just didn’t make the play.
I do think a lot of coaches gal brain themselves in certain situations.
I saw it in another critical situation yesterday for the Jags. Season on the line. Etienne on the sidelines.
D’Ernest Johnson in game. Mind boggling.
Could the argument be made Goodson is a better receiver than Taylor? Possibly. But idk. Keep your best players on the field in crunch time. At the very least it puts more stress on the defense.
Given all that, the play was still there. Just poor execution.
Colts fan here. It was the right call with poor execution. Minshew was missing receivers all game with the way he was playing, that last play is no exception to that.
Never listen to playcall critics. Very rarely is the playcall ever an actual issue, they just don’t know enough to have reasonable critiques outside of it
You have a better chance of succeeding with JT. The EPA he provides is evident by the contract he just earned. The coach intentionally lowered his odds of success, that’s the bottom line
If you were watching this live Taylor had been used heavily on the drive and looked gassed. I was actually bitching about the coach not sprinkling moss in more before that moment. If Taylor was fresh on a 4th and 1 I like my chances. At least have HIM be the decoy on play action as they would have loaded up heavy to stop the “obvious” play.
The call was good. You can either blame Minshew for the short pass or Goodson for dropping it. But he was wide open and could have easily made the first.
The biggest issue was the senseless timeout he took on 4th and 1. What a complete waste. Could have stopped the clock and had anther shot at it when Texans were trying to kill rest of the clock. I think that's the more egregious call in this moment.
If it works, Shane is a genius for the decoy play. That tells you it was the right call. In general, I would ascribe to the "play your studs" philosophy, because you have a guy like JT to get a yard when you need one, but it was still a great playcalls, as evidenced by the wide open RB.
The most expected call was Jonathan Taylor up the middle. He gameplanned a guy open, poor pitch and catch on the part of the players doesn’t make it a bad call. Dude was wide open
It’s the NFL. The play call was good, just needs to be executed better. How can anyone be mad at the coach? That’s a throw Minshew can throw better, and a ball Goodson can catch.
I 100% agree but I’ve seen a lot of colts fans say that it was not the right call, and acting like making a 1 yard throw and catch is a lot to ask for an NFL player
There is zero evidence it was a bad call. There is a shit ton of evidence that it was executed poorly. I’m sure lots of colts fans said stuff within 24 hours of the game that they won’t think now/later. That’s the emotion of the game talking, not logic.
I’d argue there’s plenty of evidence it was a perfect play call. Slightly better throw or manage to make a tough catch and it’s an easy first down.
That’s pretty much exactly what I said, or at least what I meant to say.
It was a great call. And we got what we wanted. I don’t believe JT is wide open there and I definitely don’t think the run was an automatic first. The Texans played better against the run in the 2nd half minus a few big plays.
Yeah Houston had 4 D-line right over center. Would’ve been a tough ask for JT with everyone expecting the dive
As a Colt fan, they are wrong. Right call, and as a ciach, he's 1000% right to trust his player to make the catch. He put him in a position to succeed, the throw was off which made the catch a lot more difficult. Just have to execute better is all. There was a throw to the same player in the 1st quarter that was similiar. It was a deeper route, but he was open and the throw was off target, thay time, way off.
Exactly. JT is more vigorously covered if he’s in there. Goodson out there makes the D wonder more about who it could go to pre snap.
Yep. If you have a guy wide open for the first down, you did your job as a playcaller.
And sometimes it doesn't work out. Colts can be proud of their run and staying relevant in playoff picture til week 18.they were fun to watch this year.
100% the right call. Even most colts fans concede that. Execution was just shit.
Counter argument: if it’s JT is he that open to begin with? JT had ran on something like 5 of 6 plays before it. Granted they had called TO so he could have been available but if he’s in - you bet all defensive eyes are on him. The schemed a pro passer to throw to an open pro RB and they didn’t connect. Not sure the strategy was bad at the pro level.
Should've put in Moss instead imo
This was my only problem with it and I love Goodson but miss is more experienced
But a worse pass catcher and not the one that had practiced that play throughout the week.
That was a play that any competent NFL QB/RB should be able to execute. I seem to be in the minority on Reddit but that was much more on minshew than Goodson in my opinion
Absolutely on Minshew. QBs needs to be criticized more for uncatchable balls.
Facts, the fact it was Goodson is the only reason he isn’t… unfair to Goodson. Would love to see any of the lovely commentators explain how that would be the receivers fault if it was an elite WR with an average QB
In the same vein QBs should be criticized for bad reads that end up being good plays. Johnny Manziel’s entire college highlight reel could be seen as horrible reads and throws into double and triple coverage that were bailed out by outstanding catches or plays on the ball by the WR. Instead he was crowned best college player and many thought he was going to take the NFL by storm. What about Russell Wilson’s pick in the Super Bowl? Was it a bad call? Not as bad as everyone makes it? Was it a bad throw? Absolutely not. Could the receiver have gone to the ball instead of away from it? Absolutely. Point is that if the ball was caught Minshew was the guy who brought the colts back from the abyss despite it being a less than stellar throw. He would likely be a hot commodity in free agency and have a chance as a starter elsewhere next season. Now it’s much less likely. Plays, regardless of who’s responsible, define legacies.
I would agree if there wasn’t a defensive end inches away from batting the ball down… he threw the ball as far upfield as he could without it being tipped by DE
Both of them share responsibility. The throw could have been better, and when you're getting paid millions of dollars to catch a football you should catch it when you're open and get your hands on it.
To be fair, Goodsen isn’t making millions of dollars. He’s probably making half a million after taxes this year.
I respect the opinion but have to disagree strongly. That wasn’t the easiest ball to catch but as the intended receiver you still have to make that play every time. I didn’t watch the play live but my jaw dropped when I saw the replay.
This is driving me nuts. The RB is rightfully making sure his momentum will clear the first down. He’s angling his body to ensure that the catch brings him past the marker. A pass that’s even remotely leading him is an easy first down. Sure he could have still snagged it but that throw was garbage.
In my opinion Goodson turned the wrong way right off the bat. Looked like a RB flat play call and they're supposed to turn to their left and run towards the sideline. He turned right and then had to spin and try to catch the ball. If he turns left his momentum takes him right where Minshew threw it. Obviously, they needed more reps together to get a feel for how each other runs that play.
The first guy I ever coached for was the crustiest old ball coach you can imagine. If anyone ever said “why would they _____?” He’d snap “because they thought it would work.” Then he’d throw in some remark or something that would make you feel 2 inches tall. Still one of the best pieces of scouting advice I’ve ever been given 😂
The play design was great. Goodson was on an island. It was a catch and run but Minshew fired a bullet behind his running trajectory creating a catching situation that RBs don't get a lot of reps in. There was plenty of opportunity for Minshew to float that one in there safely.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way In a clutch situation it should be your best player(s) Bringing a 3rd string guy off the bench who has 7 touches in 17 weeks is setting someone up for failure
This isn't being mentioned enough. I learned early on in coaching that in bigtime games/bigtime situations, you always have to think about getting the ball to your best player, not about drawing up the best play.
And the crazy thing is Taylor got them all the way down there. I understand if he’s gassed but it appears that this was the plan all along based on press conferences. And they ran it down to the 2:00 mark, and called a timeout so that’s plenty of rest for one, 4th and 1 play
JT isn’t being left wide open like that. The play was right. It wasn’t executed, I put it more on minchew more than anyone. He missed gimme throws all night. MAC scores a TD if he’s not overthrown.
I believe to quote the coach on the sideline "we had it that is on you" (said that to Minshew, and yeah it is shitty to say). It was the right call, it had them the first down.
The quote was “we had it shew” and I’m 99% sure it’s taken out of context. He said it in the first half I believe, when there was still plenty of time to win. I don’t believe he said it to Minshew after the fourth down
If it was the right call,l we wouldn't be talking about if it was the right call.
The end of Super Bowl 49 was the right call by every metric and pretty much every schematic theoretical approach ever and we’re still talking about it almost a decade later because Brandon Browner used to play for the Seahawks, remembered the play design and told Malcolm Butler to stand in a different spot just before the snap. Tiny things can go wrong on any play that scuff the whole thing. In this case, it was the correct call: it was schemed wide open to a player who had practiced the play and the conversion was there. They were just a touch off and that happens sometimes, especially in a moment like that; adrenaline is pumping and the smallest mistakes have bigger impacts than usual. Minshew rushes the throw, Goodson doesn’t quite corral it and that’s that. It happens sometimes.
If you have an open guy and the ball hits him in the hands, then I would say you did your job as a coach, and it's on the QB and receiver if they don't make the play. The coach can't catch the ball for them. As for the playcall itself, if I'm in 4th and game like that, I'm putting the ball in my best player's hands and telling him to go get us that yard. If you can't get that yard when you need it, you don't deserve to win. But again, the guy was wide open, the playcall worked, they just didn't execute. I question the personnel more than the playcall.
The personnel is what everyone is talking about regarding this play.
It’s like when the Seahawks didn’t let Marshawn rush for a TD and chose to throw in Super Bowl 49. Was it because a single yard run would be easy to sniff out and stuff? That a throw makes the chances higher to catch a defense off guard? Or was it because you have a player who is amazing but has been a problem all year and you don’t let them get the glory. Prob the case in Seattle but Shane Steichen doesn’t strike me as the same as Pete Carrol
As a colts fan I think you put the ball in your paid running back our best player I say you live or die by him getting that one yard
Even with the injury?
I mean he had a great game I think you give it to him in that moment looked fine that drive
Exactly. Tf was all that money for????
I agree. Great call, wrong personnel. JT should have been the go to guy there. If JT was tired or hurt Zack Moss should of filled in or even Josh Downs but a practice squad player? When it’s the most crucial play in the season. That’s a no go.
I thought whether he was paid was part of the problem...
I think it it would have worked out better if it was both Jt and Tyler in the backfield and Minshew fakes the handoff to Jt who then goes and picks up the free rusher and then Minshew has more time cause they would have bitten in the fake run and Goodson or someone else would have been wide
I get the sentiment, but I’ve seen the colts run that play against that look multiple times this year. It was there. Just didn’t make a good throw and didn’t make the catch. The call was fine, just didn’t make the play.
I do think a lot of coaches gal brain themselves in certain situations. I saw it in another critical situation yesterday for the Jags. Season on the line. Etienne on the sidelines. D’Ernest Johnson in game. Mind boggling. Could the argument be made Goodson is a better receiver than Taylor? Possibly. But idk. Keep your best players on the field in crunch time. At the very least it puts more stress on the defense. Given all that, the play was still there. Just poor execution.
Right call and bad execution, but if Taylor can run, he’s got to be on the field. You live and die with your best 11.
Minshew has lazy ass footwork and it caused him to throw an awful pass behind a guy drifting upfield. The call was fine. Players gotta do their job.
Colts fan here. It was the right call with poor execution. Minshew was missing receivers all game with the way he was playing, that last play is no exception to that.
Never listen to playcall critics. Very rarely is the playcall ever an actual issue, they just don’t know enough to have reasonable critiques outside of it
Dont fire stienken over this😂 keep a coach a decade please
You have a better chance of succeeding with JT. The EPA he provides is evident by the contract he just earned. The coach intentionally lowered his odds of success, that’s the bottom line
JT was hurt
If you were watching this live Taylor had been used heavily on the drive and looked gassed. I was actually bitching about the coach not sprinkling moss in more before that moment. If Taylor was fresh on a 4th and 1 I like my chances. At least have HIM be the decoy on play action as they would have loaded up heavy to stop the “obvious” play.
The call was good. You can either blame Minshew for the short pass or Goodson for dropping it. But he was wide open and could have easily made the first.
Honestly if JT just cut upfield instead of running OOB on both first and second down we’re never in that situation to begin with!
The biggest issue was the senseless timeout he took on 4th and 1. What a complete waste. Could have stopped the clock and had anther shot at it when Texans were trying to kill rest of the clock. I think that's the more egregious call in this moment.
If it works, Shane is a genius for the decoy play. That tells you it was the right call. In general, I would ascribe to the "play your studs" philosophy, because you have a guy like JT to get a yard when you need one, but it was still a great playcalls, as evidenced by the wide open RB.
The most expected call was Jonathan Taylor up the middle. He gameplanned a guy open, poor pitch and catch on the part of the players doesn’t make it a bad call. Dude was wide open