Lost in the celebration today or at least I haven't seen any discussion so far is Philbin's gutsy call to go for it on 4th and 5. Both announcers thought punting was the right call but even before it was successful I was applauding Philbin's decision to go for it. The way Brady was moving the ball and with Grimes out of the lineup what difference did it make if Miami pinned them deep or turned it over on downs? It was the right call and it worked. I would have defended it even if it didn't. Sherman deserves credit too for the playcall to convert on 4th and 5. For those who were clamoring for Philbin to be fired, I think it's time to reconsider. He's not the guy to point the finger at and never was, IMHO. His job keeping this team together during adversity has been phenomenal. I'm so glad he's put this team in a position to make the playoffs and keep his job. I think it would have been a terrible loss for the franchise if he had been let go. I'm happy to have Philbin as coach even if it means another year of the pasty legged soulless ginger GM…
While I too thought it was the right decision, I didn't like the call at all. Had Clay not made a truly great play, it would've ended up short. JMHO.
I loved the decision to go for it there but i absolutely HATED the play call. Without Clay making an absolutely amazing play, you don't convert there.
Yeah, I won't argue that it was a risky call but it worked. The blocking was set up properly but you're right it could have been blown up. Forget about Sherman then and let's just focus on Philbin who coached a hell of a game today.
What made that play was Tannehill's adjustment on his pass. Otherwise it would have been knocked down at the line of scrimmage.
A side note on Philbin, anyone else catch the shot where he told an assistant coach to get the **** away from him lol? He literally waved his hand at him and said to go away. Laughed pretty hard at that. It was during the final few plays of the game.
I think that was a game-changer. At that point, New England had carved up Miami's secondary the previous drive, and as we saw on the last drive, we still had issues stopping them. That took balls, but it was the right call. As for the play-call itself...yikes...but it worked.
Great decision. Bad play call. Those calling for Philbin to be fired were doing so not for his lack of guts but rather for his complete, shocking fear of change and how long it takes him to adjust. Great game though.
Which in turn made the play more difficult for Clay. The pats were in position to stop it (knock the pass down) but the play making of Tannehill and Clay combined made it happen.
I liked the call only because the defence looked gassed. The Pats had a 7min drive the beginning of the 4th qtr. Fins then go 3 and out. Fins defence gives up 73 yard TD drive in 2 mins and looked tired. Fins get the ball and on 4th down looked like going 3 and out again. If they punted I don't think the defence could have held up any way. Going on 4th down at least gave the fins a chance.
I was very impressed by the decision to go for it. It was definitely the right thing to do. If we had not gone for it, we wouldn't have gotten the ball back unless the Pats scored a TD.
I didn't have a problem with the play call at all. It was a play designed to get the ball into the hands of their best offensive playmaker and let him make the play. It worked.
I thought this was real cool. Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero 1h The message in the Dolphins locker room: pic.twitter.com/k04yUtTZHF
I agree with some, the play was for our playmaker... Clay has had huge plays in the last couple of games... He is a tuff guy to bring down... and the blocking was there for him... A good call and good execution on the Offense in general... Like Philbin states ...football is a simple game...
I think it was Rizzi (the special teams coach). I saw it, and mentioned it to the guys I was watching the game with. Looked liked Rizzi was trying to point something out to Philbin, and he wanted nothing to do with it. First time I've seen any real emotion out of him, which is why I said something to my friends. Will be interesting to hear what it was all about if it comes out.
Had to go for it. Brady was carving us. No doubt in my mind he kills the clock and game if we punted it back in that spot...
My beef with Philbin is he is to cautious and sits guys to long. That was mitigated today, have to have cajones to win in this league
I figured the decision was made before the 3rd down play that it was now 4 down football time. And I agreed with it. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
I thought it was the only decision he could make. I'm not sure where the announcers were coming from. At least you have a shot at winning by going for it. You punt and the game is over. You're not getting the ball back. We couldn't stop New England with our cornerback situation. I also felt it was 4-downs at that point in the game. The decision was already made. - sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 beta -
Philbin knew we wouldn't get the ball back if we punted. It was the right call........thank god Clay made the crazy catch and run. My heart was in my throat watching Brady on the last drive.......I was waiting for a flag to give them 1st and goal. I guess Ross was more generous than Kraft today...lol
Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Dion Sims made a great block to help Clay. If not for that block, Clay does not make it back to the line of scrimmage, IMO.
i love it...stay in attack mode from start to finish. it's our only chance. our defense isnt good enough for our offense to be so conservative. we cant win with field goals.
...yup, typically depends on outcome of play. We'd have folks calling for philbin's head if we lost of course. Any how, great call. I thought it was the right call as well. Middle of the field, time running out - go for it! Also, that TD to thigpen could have easily been picked if the LB turned his head. Thigpen made a great play, but just pointing out the inches between great play and "horrible decision". Folks go so far one way or the other depending on outcome. Looking forward to rooting for Detroit tomorrow night!