What is your preference....start the game on offense or defense? (1 Viewer)

[Turpin]

Just interested in how others feel about starting the game. Personally, if I won the coin toss I would defer the choice to the second half. I prefer to put my defense on the field first, and ideally shut the opposition down on a 3 and out. The way the Saints can control the clock, they are very capable of holding possession at the end of the half, and put some points on the board going into the break. Coming out in the second half and going back on offense can be huge. Others opinions???

 

[Sprung]

I agree. Kick to start , hold them to 3 and out, get good field position and commence to whipping serious bootay. Plus I love getting the ball for the 2nd half.

 

[desmondskiggers]

For me, I like to put my opponents' strength to the test right away. So if I were playing the Saints, I'd want to have them on offense first. If I was playing the Ravens, I'd want to get the ball and go right at them.

So for the Eagles I say if we win the toss, defer.

 

[Paul]

Just interested in how others feel about starting the game. Personally, if I won the coin toss I would defer the choice to the second half. I prefer to put my defense on the field first, and ideally shut the opposition down on a 3 and out. The way the Saints can control the clock, they are very capable of holding possession at the end of the half, and put some points on the board going into the break. Coming out in the second half and going back on offense can be huge. Others opinions???

Same for me. I never want us to take the opening kickoff because I view the second half opening kickoff as an opportunity to either break a tie, add more to your existing lead, or mount a comeback. If you're already losing at halftime, and have to kick off in the second half, if the other team scores, that may be the nail in the coffin.
Now, the argument can be made that deferring to the second half puts an additional drive on your defense's shoulder.

 

[mambodeath]

you can't defer the choice in the nfl.

 

[desmondskiggers]

you can't defer the choice in the nfl.

Ah. Didn't know this. Still, the results are the same, just the wording is different, right?

 

[geauxboy]

I am an SEC homer and I love to see an SEC team smile and defer to the opponent. It's great.

The Saints, on the other hand, is in a different position. I have pretty good confidence in our D to hold up well, but I wanna see us on O first.

Why? I want to see a knock down, drag out smash mouth 8 + minute 65 yd (after a nice Lewis return) drive featuring that beat up has been DOOOOOOOOOCE. To knock Philly's D around early and hard would put a wicked smile on my face as I watch them with their hands on their hips already.

Would I like to see a quick, long strike for a TD? Sure, but want to see some emphasis on fundamentals that will keep their O off the field. Besides, a long, clock killing drive to start the game could seriously deflate Philly before their O gets on the field. Behind, of course.

 

[SHOE21]

Guys we had this discussion back in October and here are the rules I copied into the thread back then in case you are interested in what it says officially.

NFL Digest of Rules

Coin Toss
1. The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other:

(a) Receive or kick

(b) Goal his team will defend

2. Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice

Therefore, basically, in the NFL you always take the ball because it is not like college where you can defer to the 2nd half. The loser of the toss gets the choice n the 2nd half.

 

[BoNcHiE]

Guys we had this discussion back in October and here are the rules I copied into the thread back then in case you are interested in what it says officially.

NFL Digest of Rules

Coin Toss
1. The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other:

(a) Receive or kick

(b) Goal his team will defend

2. Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice

Therefore, basically, in the NFL you always take the ball because it is not like college where you can defer to the 2nd half. The loser of the toss gets the choice n the 2nd half.

I've seen the rules 100 times...but every Sunday I still see some teams kicking off to start and getting it back first after halftime after winning the toss. Theres gotta be some kind way to explain how that happens. Maybe its a sportsmanship thing where its just an unwritten rule. I don't know.

 

[mvtrucking]

I always prefer to go on defense first. Not only to you get the ball 1st in the 2nd half but your defense can set the tone early.

 

[Great Dane]

The croud is always more noisy at the beginning of a game. I also like to receive the ball in the second half. I say put on the defense and make some noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sackhappysaint]

We want the ball.


If the Saints win the toss and elect to kick, thats a bit risky..Should the Eagles march down and score at the start of the game this takes will take a little wind out of the crowd. We don't want to even risk this!

Our strength is our offense and it is very important in a game like this to score first. Our offense is more than capable of putting together a strong drive to start the game..just picture up 7-0 kicking off to the Eagles? Talk about a crowd in a frenzy.

Trust me, Payton will want the ball first.

 

[DownWithDisease]

The croud is always more noisy at the beginning of a game. I also like to receive the ball in the second half. I say put on the defense and make some noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly! The crowd will be going freakin' nuts at the beginning of this game. If we can go on defense first, make crazy noise, Philly may make a big mistake because of the atmosphere and nerves and all.

 

[CabezaDeBakka]

Kick to them. Nothing like starting 3 and out in a hostile environment. Set the temp of the game.