Should the Texans have kicked the 52yd field goal?

Only if the wind is in our favor and it's no more than 52 yards out.

 

It was the right call because we won, and that's all that matters. Had we lost, I would probably be blasting Kubiak, in all honesty.

But that was one ballsy call, I don't care how conservative Kubiak has been. It was conservative, but ballsy conservative. It told the team all the right things.

Some people might not have read this, but Rackers passed a kidney stone during the week, and supposedly, was not himself yesterday. Based off of that, and the fact that he had already missed a 43 (I think) yarder, Kubiak made the right decision.

By making this decision, he told the young defense, "Go out there and stop them, I know you will!" And they did. Excellent way to show your players that you believe in them, and what an excellent reward the players gave Kubiak, showing that they believe in him.

I think the decision was right because we won, like I said. You can call it wrong all you want, but since we won, it's like debating a monkey. It could be a decision that defines this season. It was a huge gamble, and payed off. And for that, it was brilliant!


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Washington had 4 fourth quarter drives that netted 29 yards off 17 plays, 3 punts, a blocked field goal and ZERO points. I would give Washington the ball at their 20 and put pressure, which worked outside of the dumb personal foul.

 

I was bad mouthing Kubiak, too, and voted "YES" to kicking the 52-yarder.

But then I read this: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7208763.html

I don't think anyone isn't happy with the win, but at the time, we didn't know what was in Gary's head. ^^^ well, now you know .

 

If Kubiak knew that odds weren't good with Rackers, then he made the right call. Period.

I will say though, that I don't get why coaches in this position don't just kick to the pylon. I'll never understand why that went away completely. You'd think your odds of pining them inside the 5 would be far greater.

Evan

 

I'm starting to wonder if the average punter could kick the ball straight anymore. It's almost as if they have to aim for the middle just so it didn't shank out of bounds or something. Maybe they have to readjust their stance to kick at one direction or what not.

Either way, if punters kick straight like they're supposed to 99 out of 100 times, then I completely agree that punters really needed to learn how to punt to one direction. If not to pin them deep and not allow returns, then at least make it so that the returner would be pinned to return on one side of the field.

 

I agree with what Today and Swoly-D said.

I also voted yes, but now I would change that vote to no. Seeing Rackers 50+ yd attempts percentages, combined with the unfavorable breeze, it would have been an extremely high risk to kick the FG. The risk was there with a punt too, but the odds played out and the Texans are 2-0.

 

I don't get why this is such a big debate the following day considering it worked out for Houston.

If it had not worked out then I would understand the debate.

 

The lack of punting innovation in the NFL always astounds me. Just one example here, but look at Texas in the most recent Big 12 championship against Nebraska - they pinned Nebraska inside its 5 twice on punts from Colt McCoy, in shotgun, because Nebraska couldn't afford the luxury of a returner.

Even if Schaub were hypothetically such an awful punter that he couldn't be trusted to kick it > 15 yards (the difference in a touchback and where Texans were on the field), another possibility is to line up in a field-goal formation, snap it to Rackers and have him punt it. Again, no one would be back deep - and all you'd need is a 20-yard kick and a slight roll and you would be in great shape.

Personally, I would have gone for it on 4th and 4 at the 35, hands down. But I definitely wouldn't have kicked a FG (Rackers iffy from beyond 50, and into the wind), so I can understand the inclination to punt. But if you want to pin a team back deep, there are far more efficient ways to do it at that spot of the field than simply lining up and punting. Unfortunately, the NFL is filled with conservative, scared-to-death coaches who lack situational innovation. That's my only issue with the call.

 

Looks like my suspicion was correct, Kubiak referenced the wind as a reason why he chose to punt:

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...Redskins/6c7ae946-1e0a-4674-a792-1922978a8574

Edit:
Oops, I see a different link was already posted.

Double Edit:
I'm listening to the Gary Kubiak show right now on SR610 and Kubes and when asked why he didn't attempt the FG, he noted the wind, saying that the 2nd half kickoffs were short.

Listen if you're interested: http://player.radio.com/player/RadioPlayer.php?version=1.1.9780&station=63

 

Kubiak deserves props. It was a great call.

 

They were 4 yards short of the first down. THE play was to set up to go for it (with no play called) and hard count them until time expired. If they jump you have a first down if they don't you get the extra 5 yard cushion for the kicker.

The pandemonium on the sidelines leads lots of coaches into bad decisions. It seems like to me you could spend your Summer game planning situations and have a program monitoring the real time situation and giving you your well considered options for it.

I've been waiting all my life to call the intentional safety.