McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

**Philagape** · 09-15-2009, 08:43 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

The fumble was inexcusable, but running it out was absolutely the right thing to do.
They couldn't let the Pats use the 2-minute warning as a timeout.
Not handling the ball for fear of fumbling is more scared than smart. A fumble can happen on any play, so just don't fumble it.

**BertSquirtgum** · 09-15-2009, 08:47 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

well fumbling it was. what a dope

**HHURRICANE** · 09-15-2009, 08:52 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

This is where your special teams coach comes to you and says "protect the ball".

Well coached players don't try to run it back for a TD. We had the lead so we needed to protect the ball.

How many more games does Bobby April need to cost us? Seriously? Remeber the Monday night game against Dallas?

**Cleve** · 09-15-2009, 08:59 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Yeah, our 'special teams' aren't so special these days. But the problem isn't Bobby April - it's a head coach with a disconnected (mis)management style. Honestly, its like Bobby April is working without a boss for all practical purposes. Some people don't produce their best unless they're pushed and motivated - perhaps April is one of them? How will we ever know, when the executive branch of this team is so poor?

Heck, Jauron doesn't even think a MISTAKE was made. Period. Read Jauron's post game comments. How is the team going to correct any deficiencies when the head coach is so totally clueless??

Not just clueless - it's like he isn't even part of the team. Comments he made after the game such as 'it tears my heart out for them' make it sound like he's standing on the outside looking in. There's no fire, no passion there - he doesn't take these losses personally.

**Ickybaluky** · 09-15-2009, 09:04 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

I think it was, but it was worse not getting down. The one thing he couldn't do was fumble.

Remember, he fumbled the kickoff return prior to that as well, but was bailed out when Harris picked it up and advanced it. He showed a real lack of situational awareness, and his brain fart was inexcusable.

**justasportsfan** · 09-15-2009, 09:10 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

McKelvin is a kick returner. Thats what he does well. You don't tell Adrian Peterson to stop running. Trying to return the ball was not a problem , it was trying too hard to make a play that was wrong after he was already wrapped up.

**Novacane** · 09-15-2009, 09:34 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Originally posted by NE39

I think it was, but it was worse not getting down. The one thing he couldn't do was fumble.

Remember, he fumbled the kickoff return prior to that as well, but was bailed out when Harris picked it up and advanced it. He showed a real lack of situational awareness, and his brain fart was inexcusable.

You don't count. You're a Pats fan so you wanted that extra TO and time on the clock

.

Seriously, maybe downing it for the Pats would have been the right play. You have Brady and a coach that would have found a way to get the first down and end the game. Not Buffalo. There is no doubt in my mind that we would have run 3 times into the line and punted. There is also no doubt in my mind that Brady would have marched the team right down the field and at least had throws into the endzone for a chance to win. Running the ball out takes 25-30 seconds more off the clock when you factor in no TO. His mistake was fighting for yards. That was inexcusable. Bringing it out was the right play for Buffalo.

**Ickybaluky** · 09-15-2009, 09:41 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Originally posted by Novacane

Seriously, maybe downing it for the Pats would have been the right play. You have Brady and a coach that would have found a way to get the first down and end the game. Not Buffalo. There is no doubt in my mind that we would have run 3 times into the line and punted. There is also no doubt in my mind that Brady would have marched the team right down the field and at least had throws into the endzone for a chance to win. Running the ball out takes 25-30 seconds more off the clock when you factor in no TO. His mistake was fighting for yards. That was inexcusable. Bringing it out was the right play for Buffalo.

His mistake was not being aware of the situation. When your team has a lead, you don't want to give the ball back on a turnover. It is the #1 thing he should be thinking about. Given he also fumbled the prior kickoff, he really didn't have his head where it should have been. That would make be reconsider trusting him with kickoffs late in the game unless I was behind, because you lose games with that kind of mistake (as last night showed).

Personally, I think the smart play is downing it if you can. However, even if you don't his mistake was not something that can be brushed off, no matter how good a kick returner the guy is. You have to trust the guy will hold onto the ball, and he fumbled twice late in the game.

**HHURRICANE** · 09-15-2009, 09:45 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Our coordinator cost us the game. It's not the first time either. "Big play" April has yet to coach our team on defending the onside kick, or as NE39 pointed out having situational awareness.

I'm sure Mckelvin was thinking TD and not about protecting the ball. I guarantee it.

**Meathead** · 09-15-2009, 09:52 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

i will need to vomit after saying this but think about it - which is more likely to repeatedly blow big games with incredible mental mistakes: a dick managed team or a parcells managed team? even from the gm office parcells makes entire organizations play smart. dick doesnt need to be bill because bill is also an ass but cmon do you think mckleonlett would be reacting the same way if he had to face the tuna instead of the dick right now? undisciplined. like getting into a scrum when youre trying to not run out the clock and get a fg at the end of the half wink wink. i dont want to leave it up to guys like mckdumbass to police themselves

yes, mckstupid should have known in advance to not fight for a few yards, and he didnt, and thats inexcuseable. how the hell does he NOT know that? wtf is a hc there for if they arent to prevent at least huge obvious stupid ass mistakes like that. arrgh

fire dick

**Novacane** · 09-15-2009, 10:04 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Originally posted by NE39

His mistake was not being aware of the situation. When your team has a lead, you don't want to give the ball back on a turnover. It is the #1 thing he should be thinking about. Given he also fumbled the prior kickoff, he really didn't have his head where it should have been. That would make be reconsider trusting him with kickoffs late in the game unless I was behind, because you lose games with that kind of mistake (as last night showed).

Personally, I think the smart play is downing it if you can. However, even if you don't his mistake was not something that can be brushed off, no matter how good a kick returner the guy is. You have to trust the guy will hold onto the ball, and he fumbled twice late in the game.

You misunderstand me if you think I'm brushing off his mistake. I totally agree with you about the game situation. He should have known better than fight for yards and if he did not someone, April or Jauron should have got to him before the KO.

My point is it was the right play if he was smart enough or coached enough to know to hit the ground when contact gets even close. We needed to get as much time off that clock as possible and get past the 2 min warning on that play.

Answer this. If Brady gets the ball back at his 30 with 1:30 to go how confident are you he's going to score given his history and watching the previous drive? From a Bills fans standpoint I had little confidence we would have stopped him.

**Ickybaluky** · 09-15-2009, 10:32 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

Originally posted by Novacane

Answer this. If Brady gets the ball back at his 30 with 1:30 to go how confident are you he's going to score given his history and watching the previous drive? From a Bills fans standpoint I had little confidence we would have stopped him.

Who knows? Brady is good, but that is certainly harder than handing him the ball on the 30 YL with 3 timeouts and 2 minutes on the clock. In the end, in the fumble scenario the clock isn't a factor at all, which caused the Bills to blitz a couple LB and leave the middle open. The second scenario the Bills had the clock on their side and could play defense accordingly. Remember, the Pats needed a TD, not a FG, so that makes it easier to defend.

JD · 09-15-2009, 10:33 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

I have no problem bringing it out, but he has to go down. You get hit, when you're IN THE LEAD BY TWO TOUCHDOWNS... you GO DOWN!

**Prov401** · 09-15-2009, 10:35 AM

Re: McKelvin bringing out the kickoff WAS NOT a mistake

I agree with the post. He was trying to make a play, and aside from Mariweather lighting him up, he had a good look at breaking a long run. Should have went down after he got hit, but you can't blame the guy for trying to seal the game.