I won't hang the coach for going all out if he feels like he needs to. But then be consistent in your approach. Why would you take a knee at the end of the first half and then go onsides to start the next half? The Jets did not have a great field position, but they were in the 30's. There was plenty of opportunity to throw one downfield and hope for a reception or penalty that would've put the team in FG range and redeemed their domination of the half. But, no, he's playing it safe. Ok. Then play it safe to start the 2nd half. I think it was a matter of time before Grossman makes the big mistake, but instead, Mangini lets Grossman off the hook and allows him to relax. Mindless, unfathomable call. He may be a gameplanning genius, but he's beginning to show Herm/Walton/Kotite like tendencies in terms of judgement and game feel.
To me, Mangini gets a pass on this one because he's had a great first season as a coach. Hopefully he learns a lesson though--the onside kick really did turn the entire game in Chicago's favor.
Fatso? Pretty harsh. Look, that call was very questionable, but then again, it did work vs. the Colts earlier in the year. This is a game that rewards risk takers, and sometimes it backfires. Don't crucify the guy thats brought this team to 5-5, a team that wasn't even supposed to be competing this year.
I can't kill him if a trick play doesn't work because I cheer him when a trick play does work. I just think the circumstances at the beginning of the half were wrong to pull this play in this particular game.
I didn't like the call for a trick play either but I don't think you can overly criticize him for it. The reason he has been praised so much this year is because of his trickery and this was just another example. And like the poster above said... you can't kill him for it because you still want him to keep that aggressive style
It was obvious we needed a spark from somewhere so I don't mind the onside attempt, especially with the way our defense was playing. I don't think it was a bad call.
See I don't agree with that. I won't argue against the call but I don't believe that we needed a spark. We had a few good drives in the first half and had held the Bears to under 10 yards passing.
For a second I thought you were talking about Fatso from the Fan. I like Mangini because he stays consistent emotionally and mentally, but isn't afraid to take a chance on the field. We were successful with our onsides against the Colts, and this backfired. It wasn't the reason why we lost though. Chad was awful, plain and simple.
But you had to wonder how much longer can this defense sustain the Bears passing game. Not to mention the Bears were still doing a good job at running against us like everybody does. But our offense wasn't going to do anything. Pennington was making poor decisions and are rushing game had suddenly trailed off (although I'm happy my boy Houston got some carries and did a decent job he didn't really do anything that would lead to a score).
such a bogus onside attempt though..whirling around to catch them off guard...just schoolyard bush league style really...why didn't nuge just point in the air and yell "look out its a missile!" or something to that effect...that what it seemed like he was trying to do anyways, i laughed at the attempt...right before i cursed for 15 minutes straight
Last year and the years before with Herm,we were begging some chances to be taken. I'll give him a pass,because at least he has balls. That hurt us today,but may help us another day of more importance. This loss falls on pennington. I am a Chad supporter,but he was down right shit today,period!
