Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Quick Lesson on the Two-Point Conversion
We begin today's quick lesson by pointing out that this is simple math, people. Very simple math.
• Friday night, Hawaii trails Wisconsin by three possessions, 41-17, in the closing minute. With 16 seconds left, Hawaii scores a TD, and kicks the extra-point to remain three possessions behind. Now, granted, with 16 seconds remaining to score two more touchdowns, what are the odds, right? But still: Go for the two. That way, if you make it, you're down 16, or two possessions. It is possible to get an onside kick, do a Hail Mary, get another onside kick and do one more Hail Mary in 16 seconds. You just need to do the first three in 15 seconds and leave one second left. And if you believe there's no way that can happen, the game is over, well, you still have nothing to lose. Practice the two-pointer.
• Sunday, Baltimore trails Cincinnati 42-21. Kyle Boller hits Todd Heap for a TD with 2:03 left. There must have been a comet somewhere over Ohio that affected brainwave patterns, because the Ravens elected to go for two. Why? You don't need it. You miss, you're down 15 and you still need to get a two-pointer if you want to have a chance at tying the game. Go for one, and get to within 14 points.
• Sunday, Browns trail Minnesota 24-6. Dennis Northcutt catches a TD pass to make it 24-12, and inexplicably Cleveland goes for two. And Cleveland misses. Now this braintrust is still down two touchdowns, when it could have gone for one and gotten to within a touchdown and field goal. A lot less to do with the 1:12 you have left, if you are able to kick for points. Sheer non-brilliance.
There really should be a course taught to every football coach. We've seen some silly-ass usage of the two-point conversion, and some non-usage as well. You're down 14-12 after you score a touchdown and you go for one?
• Friday night, Hawaii trails Wisconsin by three possessions, 41-17, in the closing minute. With 16 seconds left, Hawaii scores a TD, and kicks the extra-point to remain three possessions behind. Now, granted, with 16 seconds remaining to score two more touchdowns, what are the odds, right? But still: Go for the two. That way, if you make it, you're down 16, or two possessions. It is possible to get an onside kick, do a Hail Mary, get another onside kick and do one more Hail Mary in 16 seconds. You just need to do the first three in 15 seconds and leave one second left. And if you believe there's no way that can happen, the game is over, well, you still have nothing to lose. Practice the two-pointer.
• Sunday, Baltimore trails Cincinnati 42-21. Kyle Boller hits Todd Heap for a TD with 2:03 left. There must have been a comet somewhere over Ohio that affected brainwave patterns, because the Ravens elected to go for two. Why? You don't need it. You miss, you're down 15 and you still need to get a two-pointer if you want to have a chance at tying the game. Go for one, and get to within 14 points.
• Sunday, Browns trail Minnesota 24-6. Dennis Northcutt catches a TD pass to make it 24-12, and inexplicably Cleveland goes for two. And Cleveland misses. Now this braintrust is still down two touchdowns, when it could have gone for one and gotten to within a touchdown and field goal. A lot less to do with the 1:12 you have left, if you are able to kick for points. Sheer non-brilliance.
There really should be a course taught to every football coach. We've seen some silly-ass usage of the two-point conversion, and some non-usage as well. You're down 14-12 after you score a touchdown and you go for one?
