Interesting Take On That 4th and 1 in 1st Qtr

[Slapstick]

You can face-guard in the NFL, but you cannot contact the receiver, according to that article...

[pittpete]

Blake was called for it against the Bengals, same thing, had the receiver covered just never turned his head. That gets called all the time, the announcers make a point to let everyone know that the DB didn't get his head around. IMO, its a no call, but it seems that the Steeler DBs are flagged for it.

Pappy

It was Will Allen if you're talking about the playoff game, Pap.
PI is so inconsistent from game to game and it needs to be reviewable.
Some teams rely on the chuck and pray(hint,hint Ratbirds)as part of their playbook vs. us.

[NorthCoast]

It was Will Allen if you're talking about the playoff game, Pap.
PI is so inconsistent from game to game and it needs to be reviewable.
Some teams rely on the chuck and pray(hint,hint Ratbirds)as part of their playbook vs. us.

I agree. And it probably makes sense against teams especially with weak DBs like the Steelers.

[squidkid]

it was a terrible play call, period

[raycafan]

Based on the pictures and my memory Pittpete. I seem to recall that Ben was throwing off his back foot due to the pressure. in the pictures Heath was open nobody was covering him, all defensive players seemed to be manned up on others. So many want to blame the play caller, well then blame Ben. I have read that on every play, he has the option to audible. Based on his previous years of playing he always has wanted the SPLASH play, my feeling he was thinking deep when he saw man to man. Think back just on this season how many 3 and shorts they had and he went for the jugular. When as we all know the first down play was right in front of him, he just likes it to make that Splash play so he gets on highlights for the week. IMO

[feltdizz]

it was a terrible play call, period

play call was fine IMO. the decision to go deep was not.

[NJ-STEELER]

I was just listening to Ben's radio show on 93.7 The Fan and they asked him about the 4th and 1 play.

Ben said that Jesse James lined up in the backfield and was actually the #1 read on the play and was to go to him out of the backfield, however, he was covered, so Ben went to his #2 option Wheaton deep. Wheaton was in a one on one and Ben thought he was open with the defender's back to him, so that's where he went as he was getting pressure. He thought Wheaton should've made the play.

When asked about Heath being wide open on the play, Ben says he saw he was coming open but because of the pressure, he went with his #2 immediately to avoid a sack.

Would like to actually see this replay.....

So, if anyone was wondering, there's the explanation from the QB. He also said he wasn't in on any decisions on FG attempts.

i noticed that as the play happened. Even responded to some who questioned it on a game thread (another board) that the ball was gone (or about to be) by the time Heath came across the formation and was open

it was a quick drop back as well. So I'm sure the play called for a quick decision/throw. Had he Been sacked waiting for Heath to come across, you know Jonny yinzer would be all up in arms over why he didn't throw the ball to his 1st or 2nd read.

The bigger problem I had with the play is the design/ personnel.
Why is James lined up away from outside the OT? Almost as if they highlighted him to the defense.
And even though he faster then Heath (who isn't at this point... Maybe Eddie lacy lol) i'd rather a quicker guy (Wheaton) be the target there.
You're asking 6-7 260 lbs to get open within a yard of the LOS against fast Denver linebackers.

I also would have preferred Bryant (assumed he was on the field) be the guy running Wheaton's route.

[Mr.wizard]

Wheaton has to make that play, plain and simple.

[Slapstick]

He probably does make that play if the DB isn't allowed to interfere...

[feltdizz]

Wheaton has to make that play, plain and simple.

Ben has to make that play IMO. Throw the ball a little deeper and the DB can't make a play on it

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

"Look ma, no hands!".

Can't be sure, but was this one of his many reception attempts where he catches/tries to catch it with his body instead of sticking out his arms and using his hands?

[RobinCole]

Amusing to read all the fine points about "face-guarding" when the defender went way beyond face-guarding. This official didn't call PI; a different official might have. Then we'd all be talking about what a great decision Ben made - - with a split-second of real time to make it in.

As for proclaiming it a bad play call, well, somebody didn't read the OP. The first read was James. If Heath was open before Ben spotted Wheaton and threw, then it was a good play call, no? It got somebody open but the QB elected to go to another guy he thought was open. Ah, what a luxury the couch QBs have. Two days to think about it, plus film and still shots to review at leisure.

[pittpete]

Glad we could amuse you. All i did was link an article to face guarding and how it pertains to the NFL.
Face guarding isnt a penalty so i dont know what some of you thick heads dont understand.
Bens read was fine. The pass was slightly underthrown. James as the primary target on 4th and 1, not so brilliant.
Focus should be on the inconsistency in PI calls by refs. It differs from game to game, week to week.

[NJ-STEELER]

Wheaton has to make that play, plain and simple.

Pretty much.
We can argue about play call, going deep, should have been a flag etc.
but the ball hit him in the chest.


I've also seen some savvy receivers in that situation jump back into the defender to make sure the flag is drawn

[NJ-STEELER]

Glad we could amuse you. All i did was link an article to face guarding and how it pertains to the NFL.
Face guarding isnt a penalty so i dont know what some of you thick heads dont understand.
Bens read was fine. The pass was slightly underthrown. James as the primary target on 4th and 1, not so brilliant.
Focus should be on the inconsistency in PI calls by refs. It differs from game to game, week to week.

and team to team.

If if that play was vs the steelers defense, I bet there's a flag thrown