against the Patriots. Do you receive or kick? Last week it turned out great to defer to second half. I'm not sure against the Patriots. If they want a better chance to lead at the half, they should take it I think.
You defer because the crowd will be to hyped to put your offense out there first..communication is key, u wanna see if you can calm them down a bit by stopping their offense first
I'm a big defer guy. I like starting the game with my defense. The defense can set the tone early on. I also like getting the ball to start the second half. That way, if we're behind we get a chance to catch up right away, and if we're ahead, we get a chance to expand the lead.
You ALWAYS defer against the Cheatriots, no matter what. Their #1 goal is to have the ball last in the first half and first in the second half. They make a living off that stuff.
I agree with all who said to defer. We can shut them up early and then we can finish them off doing what we do best...embarrassing them in their own house.
I'd rather get the ball first and strike. Campbell wants the team to play on their toes and not on their heels... is there a better way to exemplify this mantra than by getting the ball, scoring and securing a lead right in the beginning of the first quarter? Maybe the only thing I can think of that beats this is to start with the defense, force a turnover and score with the offense subsequently, and we all know how hard it is to do this against the Patriots.
I almost never want to defer. I want the ball and I want to score. When we kick off and the other team takes the ball right down the field, putting us in a 7-0 hole before we've ever touched the ball on offense, it's such an emotional let down. We're playing just to tie at that point, and then it seems like things have to break our way to ever get a lead.
Personally I'm not sure it should always be one way or the other. I totally get and agree with what you're saying but if your offense is bad that day, receiving the second half kickoff can hurt if you are down if you can't flip field position. Generally against "Better" teams I want the ball first. I want my offense to set the tone with an early score to give my defense a cushion.
I think Campbell should defer. Then, huddle up and have him tell the team "We are kicking off and we expect to score first!" - That really puts a boost in both the offense and defense psyche. And, helps keep the psych of the crowd down. Plus, you always want the ball at the start of the 2nd half - if you are down you have a chance to put points on the board. If you are up, you can stretch your lead.
the pats, brady is about rhythm..dont let them trot out and get a rhythm, you delay that routine....ice the kicker kinda theory.
What a difference two weeks makes. If Philbo was still coach the title of this thread would be, "If we are down 24-0 after the first quarter will you still watch?"
So true, so sadly true. Our dudes will be fired up BIG TIME for this game...if we've schemed it well and make adjustments well on the fly, there's no reason we shouldn't be in it toward the end.
The problem with deferring in this case is if for some reason our defense doesn't stop Brady from scoring a TD on the first drive. That's the worst of all possible scenarios IMO (more than us not scoring first). Campbell-led Dolphins have been great at the opening bell so I say get the ball, score and worry about the rest later.
I always kick in my mind I always want the ball at the half. Only time not to defer is in OT to me. Our DL will be fired up coming out of the tunnel to get into the backfield.
I believe this team, and its history over the last couple decades has conditioned my thinking into a defensive based mindset. What appears so different about the current perspective is its aggressive approach, being more offensive based. So in support of the prevailing winds of change, Give us the damn ball!