Eagles say 4th-down decision was right, but play was wrong

The only people who are more consistent than players and fans in their calls for football teams to go on fourth down ... are sportswriters. So congratulations to all the players, fans and sportswriters currently reassuring themselves that Cameron made "the right call" by going on fourth and goal with less than seven minutes left. Pay no attention to the fact that, two scores down, the only way to STAY IN THE GAME is to get one score. Pay no attention to the fact that the coach himself said it was hard to kick into the wind, because if an 18-yarder is tough, you'll probably be able to hit a longer one later, right? Just childishly focus on the upside of going for it, but don't concern yourself with the downside, namely that if you fail at the goal line, YOU LOSE THE GAME. Sorry, but coming out of that situation still two scores down was INEXCUSABLE. Way to go, fans and sportswriters, you were exactly right; GOING FOR IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL! Of course!

Scott Small wrote:

The only people who are more consistent than players and fans in their calls for football teams to go on fourth down ... are sportswriters. So congratulations to all the players, fans and sportswriters currently reassuring themselves that Cameron made "the right call" by going on fourth and goal with less than seven minutes left. Pay no attention to the fact that, two scores down, the only way to STAY IN THE GAME is to get one score. Pay no attention to the fact that the coach himself said it was hard to kick into the wind, because if an 18-yarder is tough, you'll probably be able to hit a longer one later, right? Just childishly focus on the upside of going for it, but don't concern yourself with the downside, namely that if you fail at the goal line, YOU LOSE THE GAME. Sorry, but coming out of that situation still two scores down was INEXCUSABLE. Way to go, fans and sportswriters, you were exactly right; GOING FOR IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL! Of course!

OK, I can see your beef with sportwriters, but, all the players (and apparently the coaches who disagree with you)are wrong? You're one smarter than all of those dumb jocks?

There's plenty to complain about, and I have been on the record that I didn't like that play selection, but the decision to go for it there is not why we lost the game.

Maybe it was dropped passes and 202 yards of rushing by Philly?

I don't always agree with you Scott, but I do respect you, so please take this retort in the spirit it's intended.

jahndoh wrote:

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OK, I can see your beef with sportwriters, but, all the players (and apparently the coaches who disagree with you)are wrong? You're one smarter than all of those dumb jocks?
There's plenty to complain about, and I have been on the record that I didn't like that play selection, but the decision to go for it there is not why we lost the game.
Maybe it was dropped passes and 202 yards of rushing by Philly?
I don't always agree with you Scott, but I do respect you, so please take this retort in the spirit it's intended.

Agree.
There's been games that have been lost with one bad call, dropped pass, bad play, you name it.

But this wasn't one of them.

Rebuilding is painful and should have been done years ago.

I hope WH and the powers that be will be willing to stand a little more pain....it aint over with yet.

Cameron is a rookie as well as a boatload of other players, a fact that lost on many "fans".

Let's hope cooler heads prevail.

They should have kicked the FG. You have to get one score there. Even Jim Mandich said they should have kicked the FG.

Scam Cameron could lose a Pee-Wee Football Game. He makes Dave Wannstadt seem like Vince Lombardi.

I agreed with the decision to go for it, unfortunately the play call didn't work.

If it had, we would all be praising Cam.

What do you want Cam to do? A couple tries up the gut produced nothing, passing was shaky, and your so, so close to the end-zone - will you get there again? You've got to try in that situation. A field goal shows no b*lls. Give credit to Thomas, he made a great play.

every time a play in that situation is unsuccessful, the arm chair QB's come out of the woodwork. i don't disagree with the play or the call to pass on the FG attempt. this team needs to adopt the same attitude as the Coach, and that is to be agressive and make plays. Cameron is on the right trcak with this team, and he needs to be cut a break from all the nay sayers.

PS they need a defensive tackle PERIOD. how much do we miss Tim Bowens now.

Fins Suck wrote:

Scam Cameron could lose a Pee-Wee Football Game. He makes Dave Wannstadt seem like Vince Lombardi.

Funny. Any comparison to DAVE MUSTACHE is the ULTIMATE insult. This team is in disarray BECAUSE of MUSTACHE and Spielmann to begin with. How many of their draft picks remain on the roster, or are even still in the NFL???

Mr_Bungle wrote:

They should have kicked the FG. You have to get one score there. Even Jim Mandich said they should have kicked the FG.

Who is Jim Mandich?

Fins Suck wrote:

Scam Cameron could lose a Pee-Wee Football Game. He makes Dave Wannstadt seem like Vince Lombardi.

Wannstadt is the biggest reason that this team is 0-10+. No draft pick between 1998 and 2002 is still on the team. Also, 22 players currently on the Patriots team were drafted AFTER Miami picks. And 8 other players on the Pats were former Dolphins.

MJZ wrote:

What do you want Cam to do? A couple tries up the gut produced nothing, passing was shaky, and your so, so close to the end-zone - will you get there again? You've got to try in that situation. A field goal shows no b*lls. Give credit to Thomas, he made a great play.

A play fake, pass. Not and sweep.

Justin wrote:

I agreed with the decision to go for it, unfortunately the play call didn't work.
If it had, we would all be praising Cam.

Anyone missing Chris Chambers?

whoever asked who Jim Mandich is needs to go root for another team, who ever agrees with going for it on fourth down is's a rookie fan, just like the rookie coach. YOU JUST DONT DO THAT! not with two scores needed. what's the point, even if you do make it, you have to get pretty close on your next possesion because CaMoron pick for a kicker can barely make it from 45 yards away and into the wind? forget about it! CaMorons pick for a punter averages high school punter yards on his punts. And why in the hell do you throw to a player who only three weeks ago was on the practice squad? And why in the hell are you running a play that is dependent on the opposition not fulfilling his obligation, yea, thats right.. just close your eyes and hope the defender is as inept as we are. what kind of Mularky coaching is that? No pun intended.

I'm not going to second guess the call. Alot of the comments make good points. If the tight end doesn't drop the pass to him in the end zone, this discussion never takes place. As much as I hate to admit it, it's not this play that lost the game. Where was Hagan? he dropped 4 passes. caught none.Beck needed people to be there for him. Ginn did a very nice job. Marty Booker made a drive prolonging catch. Chatman is not a good receiver. Or perhaps he was just out of sync with Beck. It is good to get Beck in there now though. The players need to adjust to him. As he does to them as well. That punting had me scratching my head. 35 yard punts will not do . Feeley missed a makeable field goal. this was a team loss. that said, Ginn had 5 receptions for 55 yards or so, another run back for a touchdown. This kid is GOOOOD!!! when he and Beck are together for a while and we get an offense that isn't afraid to throw it downfield, they'll be one heck of a duo. keeping the offensive line together in the offseason should be a priority. Look what New Englands offensive line is doing. Some of the plays brady is looking to pass, I could go make a sandwich and come back before he passes. Keep Jason Allen at safety,rebuild the defensive line, get two cornerbacks and a couple of linebackers. I still want to see more of this Quentin Moses in small doses at first.

I was in two live blogs that game, and just about everyone unanimously said go for it. I don't disagree. It was the closest to the end zone we were all day, and the wind was against us. Smart decision to go for it, but bad play call to try to run it outside. Philly is known for swarming to the ball, and that's exactly what happened. Maybe trying to run behind our mean new center would've made more sense, at least we would of had them at the goaline if it failed up the middle.

With that said, Cameron needs to step down as OC next year and find someone so he can really learn how to be a head coach. He's filling two huge roles, and one he is a rookie at. Either he's the head coach, or the offensive coordinator. I think that is where Mueller and Wayne need to sit him down and convince him either or.

By the way, this was a game I was actually excited about. Yeah, we lost, but the team is getting really young, but there is no quit, and there was still a lot of emotion. The record reminds me of Cincinatti in the 90's, or Detroit up to this year, but the attitude is way different. I hope with another solid draft and better offseason signings/trades we can really start to see the beginnings of a well managed team.

Mr_Bungle wrote:

They should have kicked the FG. You have to get one score there. Even Jim Mandich said they should have kicked the FG.

u always go for the touchdown....that way if they had another drive there isnt only a possible tieing situation but the ability to take the lead.......and btw Jim Mandich doesnt know shit about what he talks about.

They probably should of kicked the FG, but c'mon, they haven't won yet. If they would of played it safe and kicked the FG they still would of lost because the defense is finished in the 3rd quarter. If they kicked the FG and still lost, everyone would be crying that they didn't go for it.

"Cameron's decision to go for a TD, down 10 with 6:45 left? Correct. Although the Dolphins needed two scores, it was unlikely they would drive so deep again."

It was a BS play call, as was the choice to call that touch pass to a nobody TE. Booker or Peele would have had that ball caught.

Unlikely they would go deep again? Who said? Is this an admition that the game is fixed? Cuz last time I checked 6 mins is plenty of time in the NFL. And Beck was starting to get in a groove.

BAD COACHING ALL YEAR, IN ALL PHASES. INCLUDING PRE-SEASON DECISIONS.

No

SSgt D wrote:

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Anyone missing Chris Chambers?