To defer or not to defer that is the question

[D521646]

Don't know about anyone else, but it seemed to me that deferring on the kickoff was ill conceived last year and the years under Gailey. It almost always put us in the hole early, and IMO having the ball in the second half was not enough to justify the strategy. Take the damn ball if we win the toss, attempt to put pressure on the opposing team with a 7 point lead. What say you?

[atlbillsfan1975]

I agree based off the last several years.

Belichick and his staff did a much better job then the Bills coaching staffs making adjustments at half time. I would take the ball and let EJ and the O have a crack at NE. Let EJ get in rythm early with some high percentage throws and let him hand the ball of to CJ!

[D521646]

My guess is that BB will make EJ beat them in the air by loading the box, and until he can do that, that's what we can expect from the Patriots come Sunday.

[prissythecat]

There are a number of interesting articles about the decision to receive or defer. Below is one of them. From the stats cited in the article, it seems that team that choose to receive the kickoff first on winning coin toss actually do less well than those who defer.

 

"....Since the start of the 2010 season, flip-winning clubs that have opted to receive first are 185-209 (.470), versus 140-115 (.549) for those deferring."

 

 

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/jim_trotter/11/15/coin-flips/index.html#ixzz2e7tTvwPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

link to SI article

[The Big Cat]

Always take the ball to start the second half, I say.

[thebandit27]

I always want the ball to start the 2nd half...always.

[D521646]

Interesting, I would have thought that most would choose to take the ball in the first half? Of course this is all predicated on the principle that we actually score with our first possession.

[thebandit27]

Interesting, I would have thought that most would choose to take the ball in the first half? Of course this is all predicated on the principle that we actually score with our first possession.

 

I just think I'd rather have the ball after seeing the other team's game plan and being able to make adjustments. I also like the idea of being able to either keep or wrest back momentum with a score to open the 2nd half.

[DonInBuffalo]

During my years as a season ticket holder, I lost count of the number of times the visiting team took the 2nd half kickoff and marched down the field and scored while the stands were still half empty. (people still finishing their smoke breaks, waiting in beer lines, ...) That alone may be justifiable reason to always defer.

[atlbillsfan1975]

I always want the ball to start the 2nd half...always.

I hear you that is the rule. Just like you do not go for 2 until the fourth quarter.

But when you have watched one set of coaches constantly out coach another with adjustments at half, i think it is time to change it up.

You also send another message to your rookie by taking it in the first that you have confidence in him. Marrone being an o minded guy might just do that.

[D521646]

Well the Broncos deferred last night and it worked out well, but, but, well they do have this QB named Manning, so perhaps not a good gauge for the Bills.

[eball]

Deferring makes sense, as taking the ball after halftime allows that team to take "first" opportunity of halftime adjustments. Furthermore, it gives one team the opportunity to have two consecutive drives (ending the 1st half, beginning the 2nd).

 

I have no problem whatsoever with a strategy to defer 100% of the time.

[bladiebla]

Interesting, I would have thought that most would choose to take the ball in the first half? Of course this is all predicated on the principle that we actually score with our first possession.

 

Statistically you'll get more possesions by defering. Still I think the morale part of it outweighs the statistical probaility.

[mannc]

I am much more interested to find out whether Marrone will break with the pathetic Bills' coaching traditions of punting from inside the other team's territory, not going for it on 4th down, and failing to go for 2-point conversions when appropriate. He talks like a confident coach, but let's see if his decision-making backs that up. Perhaps some Syracuse fans will chime in regarding his game-day decisions when he coached the Orangemen.

[FluffHead]

I like to take the ball if I think we are the worse team. When that is the case, if you can get points on the opening drive, it really makes your team believe.

 

If I think we are the favorite and our team believes we will win, ill defer and take the possession to start the second half

[JPS]

Deferring makes sense most of the time. But I'd love to see the Bills set the tone with a huge return against the new ST of the Pats. Forget smart. Let's be aggressive. Of course, a touchback screws it up...., but I'd love to hear that stadium at 1:20 pm after a Bills KO return for a TD. Play your strengths and play them early.

[eball]

I had some more thoughts on this topic, but I will defer.

[nemhoff]

Take the freaking kick off and go get 7

[D521646]

I had some more thoughts on this topic, but I will defer.

Took you that long to come up with that? You're slipping eball..

[BillsFan-4-Ever]

take the damn ball!!!

 

IIRC one advantage of deffering is to select which way to face in the 2nd half (4th) into the sun (if it's out) or into the wind, (that always changes in Buffalo)

 

If you want the ball so bad in the 3rd qtr take it away from them in 3 plays or less.

Edited September 6, 2013 by BillsFan-4-Ever