Another look at 4th and one
September 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pm by John Murphy under News 4 Buffalo Sports
A lot of things went wrong with the Bills in their 27-7 loss to the Saints Sunday. And there’s more than enough blame to go around.
But at the risk of espousing an unpopular view. I’d like to address Dick Jauron’s infamous decision to punt on 4th and one in the fourth quarter. Jauron has been roundly criticized in the last 18 hours for not going for it from his own 28-yard line. I’ll admit that punting the ball is a very conservative move. But it is not a boneheaded, indefensible, unfathomable move.
Down by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Bills were faced with fourth down and a full yard at their own 28-yard line. Think about this–if they fail to convert (and they had failed on their preceding nine third down conversion attempts) the Saints get the ball at the Buffalo 28. They are essentially already in makeable field goal range, with the wind at their backs. If the Bills fail to convert on fourth and one, you are essentially conceding three points.
That’s what I believe Jauron meant when he said afterwards that “we’re not just going to give them the game.” If the Bills fail on the fourth down attempt, the game is virtually over.
Jauron’s defense had just surrendered a 34-yard touchdown run to the Saints, but they had forced the New Orleans off the field 3-and-out on the prior two possessions. The game was still in play, and Jauron’s logic is sound–don’t lose it here.
Was it conservative? Absolutely. Did it work? Nope. But at the time (without benefit of hindsight) I believe it was the correct strategy–you don’t want your opponent to start a drive at your 28-yard line. In order to win the game, first you must not lose it.
There’s plenty of opportunities to criticize the Bills coaching moves as a result of the Saints game. There’s the botched clock management late in the first half, the inability to get substitutes on the field in a timely fashion, the inability to deal with the Saints pressure defensive packages, the failure to get TO and Lee Evans into the offensive mix. You can fault the coaching staff for assembling a roster without adequate depth on the offensive line and at other spots.
But the fourth and one call was the right one to make. Jauron’s decision to punt was ultra-conservative–but sound. I’m sure many disagree.
I listened to the questions given to T.O. after the game and the intention to try and goad him into “losing it”. I just wonder if Lee Evans was asked what he thought of the play calling. Just my opinion, but let’s keep it fair. That whole q & a session was all over the sports shows, but I failed to see any other players interview. Except of course, Captain Checkdown.
I like what Jerry Sullivan had to say today. Bill Belichick went for it on 4th down from his own 24 with a 6 point lead. Confidence inspires confidence and Jauron doesn’t have it.
Hindsight is 20-20, but after Jauron punted the ball, what did the highest scoring offense in the NFL do? They scored…..and pretty easily too. In the end, either way the Saints were going to put up 6. But the bigger damage may be to the psyche of his team. Jauron sent the message that he didn’t have confidence in his young team to get 1 yard in a critical situation…..and the message was received loud and clear.