Tomlin’s paraphrased response today to questions about why he didn’t challenge the Deonte TD reception:
“As a black and white principal and strategy when it comes to challenging: we do not challenge scoring plays when playing on the road based on the situation and how officials call the game.
On the road, you don’t get any replay on the field and have very little time. I’m a close observer of how the game is officiated and if the refs think there’s any possibility it was a catch, even with doubts, they will call a catch in that scenario because it is automatically reviewed. We basically accept rulings on the field on scoring plays due to the extremely low percentage of success and risk of losing the timeout and challenge.”
I thought this made a ton of sense and gave me some peace on Mike not challenging. Obviously still not the right call but the overall strategy/mindset of challenging in those plays seems sound.
Thoughts?
Good process is good even if results are not
We pay someone to do it. They should call it in and the red flag should be thrown
He literally just said since the ref didn’t call it a catch it must have been right so we good. That makes sense to you? Just leaving it to random chance the ref was right so we don’t need to look at it?
I mean that’s why there is a review system in the first place. lol
I think he’s saying that during away games, the staff on the field doesnt see any replay so they can’t make a good decision.
The question of couse is why they don’t have staff in the booth to handle this
Is there a video anywhere of the play?
What possible downside was there? Lose a timeout in the first half?? Oh NOOOOO!!!
lol i was listening to the presser live. Absolute bullshit copout answer
Tomlin needs to have a guy whose sole responsibility is to review plays so we can avoid situations like this. Get someone in the booth to do it and give him 30 seconds when you control the ball. He’ll be able to give you a good shot to get most of this stuff right
I don’t really see the risk in losing a first half timeout
There’s always the potential to get in a situation where that timeout could void a delay of game or other penalty that may boot you out of field goal range. There’s the potential to use that timeout to save clock to get into field goal range. Essentially, without the benefit of being sure it was 6 points, there is too much risk in giving up potential potential points that could help you if you’re playing from behind or tied and you need/want those points going in at the half. This especially factors in considering bengals got the ball to start the 3rd quarter.
The booth still had access to broadcast feed. They can watch that I real time and tell him if they think it is a 50/50 shot.
You are coaching one of the worst offenses in the nfl. What are you saving your challenge for if not something to help your team win and score?