~2017 NFL Thread~

[Kris61]

I'm late on this, but will add
similar to a punt returner deciding on a fair catch or a run back, yes the defender should be aware of the situation on the field during the play and can judge the probability of being tackled immediately or gaining yardage
obviously some players have more field awareness than others

Much like the Hail Mary comparison I think this is an apples and oranges situation.  Punt returns are practiced everyday.  It is routine for a punt returner to call for a fair catch.  A punt returner knows if the ball is in the air a few seconds he should take the fair catch.  He doesn’t have to survey the field to make that decision.  
A player on defense trying to make a play doesn’t have the luxury as the ball is coming at him to take a quick glance of the field and determine whether he should catch it or not.
I found an article from 2012 when John Fox was coaching the Broncos.  They had a play in a game where Jim Leonhard picked off a 4th down pass and it cost the team yardage.  He was asked about it afterward and he said in general he would like for them to bat it down but it’s just like everything else, if it works you’re happy, if it doesn’t you’re not.
That’s where I think most coaches fall on the issue.  They don’t have hard and fast rules in place for that situation because it doesn’t happen that often.  It’s a tough call.  Yeah, you want them to make the smart play but you also want them reacting instinctively and not thinking too much.  Because if that happens then maybe they hesitate for a split second and a ball they could have made a play on is completed.

[FearlessF]

nope, no hard fast rules, but just common sense or "football savvy"

if you've been playing DB since you were a teenager, you should be aware of the situation and act accordingly

grabbing the INT is just a selfish act to promote your stats

it may be instinctive, but the player should know better

[ELA]

The Steelers are in big trouble.  Their 3-4 can't stop a power run game with Shazier out.  ILBs are garbage.

[Kris61]

Somebody forgot to tell Jacksonville everyone wanted to see Pats-Steelers.  Would this be the biggest playoff upset since Jacksonville beat Denver in the Divisional Round in ‘96?

[Kris61]

That 4th and 11 just got Pittsburgh back in it.  Wow.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Jalen Ramsey just got flagged for a late hit out of bounds on Leveon Bell.

Upon viewing the replay, he didn't do squat. Smith-Schuster blocked him into Bell, there was very light contact, and Bell flopped.

Great acting job by the Steelers gets them 15 and an automatic 1st down.

[Kris61]

That was a big drive by Jacksonville.  Looked like they were going to gack it away for a moment there.  Still a lot of time left.

[Kris61]

And for the second time today Pittsburgh scores a TD on a 4th down play in the middle of the field in a semi-desperate situation.

[Brutus Buckeye]

So the Teal Curtain held up against the Squealers, eh? 

[FearlessF]

not really, but the Squeel curtain was tattered and ripped apart

[Kris61]

Tomlin’s gonna get some second guessing for that onside kick.  2:18 left and he had two timeouts and the 2:00 warning.  Fouts said before it happened he would kick it deep and I agreed with him. 

[MaximumSam]

I don't think the onsides kick was bad decision, either way they need a stop. However, the kick itself was ridiculously bad. The jags got it at the 35 instead of the 50

[rook119]

The Saints keep balling out the Vikings by running around the picks instead of into them. 

[Kris61]

You gotta be shitting me.