Superman

Watched Warner's video. There's some good stuff there, and it's possible that Goodson's route wasn't perfect. But we don't know how the Colts coach that route. What is undeniable is that Minshew's feet are wrong, he's closed off to the left side, and has to fight across his shoulder to throw the pass. He is not under pressure. He could have opened up to the left with his last step, and made a better throw. Instead he rushes it and throws a pass that was not as catchable as it could have been, even if Goodson's route wasn't great.

There are so many people saying exactly that... Please stop trying to bend reality.

Before the kick I wanted them to punt, for the reasons I've stated already. When the kick barely missed, I actually softened my stance. It's not like our kicker can't make that kick, indoors, at home. I don't think I'm being reactionary. My point was just that it would have been good to flip the field at that point.

For me, it's the idea that any skill player on the roster should be able to make that catch. Acting like throwing to Goodson is irresponsible, like he isn't capable of catching a wide open pass, is what misses the mark. And really, I think the bigger problem on the play was Minshew's bad throw. Yeah, Goodson should have caught it, but Minshew really blew it. Terrible footwork, rushed throw, off target.

Yeah, I think getting another WR is a must. I just push back on the 'Pierce doesn't get open!' stuff because, as I've been saying all year, there have been chances to get him the ball, and we just don't do it. Doesn't mean that he's perfect and we don't need to improve the position. And yeah, Stroud was 20-26, pretty comfortable in the pocket with just a few exceptions. Even when we got them into unfavorable situations with sacks and penalties, they easily got back whatever yardage they needed, plus some. Just easy throws almost all game, and then a couple of really good throws from a talented QB who was already in rhythm. I think we got the full Gus Bradley experience last night. Some good, nice response to the early TD, good run defense. But not enough pressure on the QB, almost no contested throws, wide open receivers, bad tackling (not entirely on Bradley). I don't want it anymore. We need to be better on defense, and I think it starts at the top.

I keep going back and rewatching that clip. I don't think the pocket had collapsed, I think one rusher came from the left. And with anticipation, the QB could have hitched up and had time to throw. Instead, Minshew bailed, and I don't think he needed to. Again, we're talking about an impressive level of anticipation, pocket presence, and poise. A much better QB probably makes that throw look routine.

I definitely understand that logic. Just felt like we were fighting an uphill battle to that point, and it was maybe an opportunity to shift some momentum. Instead we tried the low percentage FG, and when it didn't hit, it put the Texans in a favorable position.

Haven't you been complaining about the TEs lately? I might be confusing you with another poster... For the record, I think we're fine at TE, especially if Jelani Woods comes in healthy. In any event, I think I agree with the bolded. If Richardson can play, the offense will get a huge boost because of what he can do. But we do need more playmaking from the WRs. I'd take some competition and depth at OL also. We need more on defense. I'd start with a new DC.

I think Minshew could have simply hitched up and made this throw. He's fleeing the pocket because that's what he does when he senses pressure, but there's room in the pocket, and more than enough time for him to plant and throw. But that requires anticipation.

Pierce being open has nothing to do with Minshew being on the run. With some anticipation, he could have planted and thrown to Pierce. I agree that this isn't the smoking gun example of Minshew missing Pierce, but for me, it's just the latest exhibit among a mountain of evidence that there have been opportunities to get Pierce more involved.

Just watching the clip you posted, I don't think he anticipates Pierce being an option at all. I've also watched this happen over and over again all season.

I understand that viewpoint, trust me. I get it, it's a valid consideration. I don't have a problem with anyone saying they wish Taylor had been out there instead. I just think it's unreasonable to act like this was malpractice. Goodson is a pro football RB. He's more than capable of catching a pass when he's wide open. And the play call schemed him wide open for a first down. Also, I think the bigger problem is the pass.

I didn't like the long FG, but it's hard for me to be too upset about it when the kicker had plenty of leg and just barely missed. However, on the flip side, Demeco Ryans had a similar situation, punted, and they pinned us at the 1 yard line. We could have used a favorable sequence like that...

It's true that this isn't a play that most QBs can make. My bigger problem is that Minshew isn't even aware of the possibility that this play can be made, because he appears to be complete oblivious to the fact that Pierce is coming open. He's totally consumed by the pass rush, he panics, and the play is over. I'd probably be less disappointed in plays like that if Minshew at least appeared to see the blown coverage and acted like he might be trying to make the play. But over and over we've seen plays just like this -- including plays that wouldn't require a freak athlete at QB -- and Minshew doesn't recognize them. Then people come online and talk about how Pierce doesn't get any separation...

People are acting like this was a mad scientist play call. He schemed a RB wide open on a simple pass, and the QB and RB didn't do their jobs. You want to see a coach get "cute," go watch the Lions/Cowboys ending again. In general I hate this criticism. No one accuses a coach of trying to get cute when the offense is making huge plays. It's entirely reactionary and based only on the outcome.

Yeah, it's more reasonable to be stubborn on 1st and 10 than it is to be stubborn on 4h and 1. IMO you're backward on this. I don't think Steichen should care whether anyone faults him for his play call. He should keep putting his players in position to succeed. This is silly. There is simply no comparison between trying to catch a team off guard before a punt, and scheming a player wide open on 4th down. None. No I don't think I will stop. It's the very point. Expecting a skill player to catch the ball when he's wide open is not unreasonable. It's literally his job, and he should be capable of executing. Again, they didn't set him up to fail, they put him in position to succeed, and he didn't do his job. And your hypothetical about Manning and Sorgi is nonsense and doesn't apply, for obvious reasons. It's not spin, the guy dropped a wide open pass. If you call a perfect play and the guy whose job it is to catch the ball doesn't catch the ball, the problem is the player, not the play. If that isn't the richest irony...

You don't find it contradictory to say that Steichen was being stubborn in trying to pound it in the run game, while also saying you wish he had tried to pound it in the run game? The other tricky stuff they tried at times this year was low leverage trickery, when they were willing to take a penalty or use a timeout if it didn't work. And they actually did get a first down from the trickery earlier in the season, and I'm not surprised that they tried it again in this game. Not very similar in my mind. I don't think having your QB throw to a professional running back is "cute." Part of Minshew's job is to throw, part of Goodson's job is to catch. They should be able to be counted on to make a simple throw and catch. It was a routine play, one of the easiest plays they'll ever be asked to make to be honest. There are times when a TE winds up trying to block a DE, or something like that where the player is out of their element and outmatched, and the play call sets them up for failure. This wasn't that. Minshew should be able to make that throw, and Goodson should be able to make that catch. The play call did exactly what it was supposed to do, and the players blew it. I don't think Steichen has anything to think about or regret. If we can't count on our veteran QB who has been the starter for more than 3 months to make a simple throw to the flat, or we can't count on any skill player to make a simple catch when he's wide open, then those players shouldn't be active on game day. These are baseline functions.

I understand the criticism. But they asked the QB to throw a simple pass, and they asked a RB to make a simple catch. It's not like they asked someone to do something that isn't part of their job. It wasn't a trick play, HB pass, double reverse, shovel pass (we already saw Minshew mess that one up this season), fake FG, or something other low percentage play.

All they had to do was make a simple throw and catch.

Agreed. They run a play designed to get a player open, the player is wide open just like they drew it up. I get the argument that they should have called a play for one of the best players on the team. But arguing that the play call didn't work because the players didn't execute is a different story.

The play absolutely worked. It's interesting how "in your face" you're being with everyone about this, especially when you keep saying there's no point in repeating yourself. You're on the record friend.

No I didn't. I might have been critical of Reich calling plays that didn't work. I didn't criticize Reich for calling plays that did work.

How many times did he throw a pass out of bounds?

That's been my opinion. Colts haven't had a meaningful home game in a long time.

He's a professional football player. There's nothing wrong with that play call or the personnel. It's not "too cute," it's a great call.