Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Week 1)

[mheisig]

5. Clock Management
I hate to add on to another man's list, but I can't ignore this one. I was as upset about every other aspect of the game as anyone else, but the clock management at the end of the half and especially the end of the game was absolutely infuriating.

We're nothing short of lucky that we managed to score at the end of the half, completely in spite of poor clock management.

Do we not even have a 2-minute offense? A 4-minute offense? I swear it was like Zorn didn't even realize it was the 4th quarter or that this game actually goes on the record. The play calling was atrocious and the timeout management was like they weren't even sure how the system worked.

The sense of urgency, the playcalling and the time management was reminiscent of either a preseason game or a 3rd quarter drive.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by mheisig

5. Clock Management
I hate to add on to another man's list, but I can't ignore this one. I was as upset about every other aspect of the game as anyone else, but the clock management at the end of the half and especially the end of the game was absolutely infuriating.

We're nothing short of lucky that we managed to score at the end of the half, completely in spite of poor clock management.

Do we not even have a 2-minute offense? A 4-minute offense? I swear it was like Zorn didn't even realize it was the 4th quarter or that this game actually goes on the record. The play calling was atrocious and the timeout management was like they weren't even sure how the system worked.

The sense of urgency, the playcalling and the time management was reminiscent of either a preseason game or a 3rd quarter drive.

In addition to the WR's not getting to the sticks (or JC throwing past the sticks)...this is the one thing that really bothers me coming out of this game. I understand, for Zorn & Co, its a transition to becoming an NFL head coach. I get that. Our offensive performance as a whole, I'll chalk up to that in a way. We didn't play well at all, but I can see how that might take some time to come along....HOWEVER, there is no excuse for the clock management. Weather your a new head coach, or one who has 32 years of experience, theres just some things you need to know how to handle, and this is one of them.

There was absolutely no excuse for the piss poor clock management we had last night. Coming out of the game, thats the one thing that really bothers me.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

In addition to the WR's not getting to the sticks (or JC throwing past the sticks)...this is the one thing that really bothers me coming out of this game. I understand, for Zorn & Co, its a transition to becoming an NFL head coach. I get that. Our offensive performance as a whole, I'll chalk up to that in a way. We didn't play well at all, but I can see how that might take some time to come along....HOWEVER, there is no excuse for the clock management. Weather your a new head coach, or one who has 32 years of experience, theres just some things you need to know how to handle, and this is one of them.

There was absolutely no excuse for the piss poor clock management we had last night. Coming out of the game, thats the one thing that really bothers me.

I think the reason it's so infuriating is that it seems relatively simple. I'm not saying I could be a coach in the NFL or understand the game half as well as these guys do, but it just seems like the goofed on really, really simplistic stuff.

Maybe it's more of a mindset. There seemed to be no sense of urgency. You're down by 2 scores with less than 3:00 on the clock and there's no hurry up, still huddling, still casually walking up to the line, Zorn is still on the sideline squinting and staring and calling 5 yard dives up the middle JC hitting receivers in the middle of the field for a gain of 4 yards.

It seems SO simplistic and such a dumb thing to screw up on which I guess is why it's so maddening. It's not like it felt like two offensive or defensive geniuses scheming and playing a hard fought game. It felt like the Giants were an NFL team and we were complete amateurs, totally fucking clueless as to what to do next.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by mheisig

I think the reason it's so infuriating is that it seems relatively simple. I'm not saying I could be a coach in the NFL or understand the game half as well as these guys do, but it just seems like the goofed on really, really simplistic stuff.

Maybe it's more of a mindset. There seemed to be no sense of urgency. You're down by 2 scores with less than 3:00 on the clock and there's no hurry up, still huddling, still casually walking up to the line, Zorn is still on the sideline squinting and staring and calling 5 yard dives up the middle JC hitting receivers in the middle of the field for a gain of 4 yards.

It seems SO simplistic and such a dumb thing to screw up on which I guess is why it's so maddening. It's not like it felt like two offensive or defensive geniuses scheming and playing a hard fought game. It felt like the Giants were an NFL team and we were complete amateurs, totally fucking clueless as to what to do next.

Agreed. Zorn does not deserve a free pass here. He looked overmatched last night and over his head. DS and Vin wanted the guy they felt comfortable with and they got him. On a personal level I can understand it, because even when I watched the post game interviews I was taken with the man. But he has never been a head coach on any level and you saw last night that the learning curve remains steep for him. He even looked Sonny in the face in the locker room and indicated he had total control of the clock at the end of the game. The guy gives a good interview, but we've retarded the offense yet again and maybe ruined Jason Campbell for good. Anyone else notice that the best looking throws he made all night were the ones down the field (including that one that James Thrash should have caught at the end of the game), could we incorporate that into the offense? Apparently DS&V made it a priority to find someone to help Jason Campbell's development in their extensive interview process. But I guess it didn't cross their mind that just bringing in a "QB Guru" to run a new offense might not be as good as keeping Al Saunders and retaining some offensive continuity (Gregg Williams first choice apparently, retain the staff for the good of Campbell's development ... maybe that guy understands football ... novel concept). Zorn might be fine, but it might take a while. I wonder if he'll even get the time? No one else has gotten that luxery.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by mheisig

5. Clock Management
I hate to add on to another man's list, but I can't ignore this one. I was as upset about every other aspect of the game as anyone else, but the clock management at the end of the half and especially the end of the game was absolutely infuriating.

We're nothing short of lucky that we managed to score at the end of the half, completely in spite of poor clock management.

Do we not even have a 2-minute offense? A 4-minute offense? I swear it was like Zorn didn't even realize it was the 4th quarter or that this game actually goes on the record. The play calling was atrocious and the timeout management was like they weren't even sure how the system worked.

The sense of urgency, the playcalling and the time management was reminiscent of either a preseason game or a 3rd quarter drive.

I can almost live w/ the other bad parts of the game, but the clock management was horrible. I don't really give him a free pass b/c he's a 1st yr head coach. When there's only 6 minutes left in a game and your down by 2 scores you'd better be in your hurry up offense. I know they had one b/c at the end of the game w/ about 1 min left they used it. Wasn't pretty but they used it. It was pretty bad. John Madden was trying not to be too critical but he couldn't help himself.