[fullmetal]

Ah, Wilner makes his first real contribution to my enjoyment of this season with this interview.

So here’s Shaw, after being asked if he second-guessed himself calling the Wildcat:

(And please note: At no time during his explanation did Shaw lose his cool, get nasty or anything or the sort.)

“Not at all. I heard we got beat up a little by (Kirk) Herbstreit. I got questions after the game. I tried not to answer them in a nasty fashion, which I’m trying not to do now, either.

“The bottom line is: We’re down three, have a backup tackle in the game, they’d gotten good pressure during the course of the game, you’re playing against the Tampa 2 doctor. It’s third and 8 with not a lot of space in the red zone against the Tampa 2.

“You guys diagram the play. Tell me what throw you want to make against two high safeties with the (middle) linebacker in the middle of the field, two linebackers that are robbers and cornerbacks that cheat inside their receivers.

“I’ve been going against this defense for a long time. There are not a lot of throws. So what we did, we got into the Wildcat, which (Gaffney) has made play after play after play.

“They have an automatic check to the Wildcat, which is to bring the strong safety down. You’ve got a weakside bubble, a strong safety down on the right, and we run a counter play back away.

“Two weeks ago, the kid took it for 15 yards. This past one, you’re one block away from him potentially scoring, let alone a first down. Either way: A first down, great; if you don’t, then you kick a field goal to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. It’s a great call.

“I’m not going to apologize for it. I think I over-explained it just now. It’s the wise call. We can’t take a sack, we can’t turn the ball over or force ball into coverage. It’s a run it’s a screen, it’s something wise to make sure you get the tie.

“Because if turn it over or take a sack and you have a long field goal for your backup kicker, you guys would be saying, ‘Gosh, why couldn’t you run the ball and make sure you get the field goal.’

“I’ve been around the business my entire life. That’s how it works; you guys cant fool me. I feel great about it. Win, lose or draw, that’s right call.”

Why Shaw called the Wildcat play.

[fullmetal]

Ah, Wilner makes his first real contribution to my enjoyment of this season with this interview.

So here’s Shaw, after being asked if he second-guessed himself calling the Wildcat:

(And please note: At no time during his explanation did Shaw lose his cool, get nasty or anything or the sort.)

“Not at all. I heard we got beat up a little by (Kirk) Herbstreit. I got questions after the game. I tried not to answer them in a nasty fashion, which I’m trying not to do now, either.

“The bottom line is: We’re down three, have a backup tackle in the game, they’d gotten good pressure during the course of the game, you’re playing against the Tampa 2 doctor. It’s third and 8 with not a lot of space in the red zone against the Tampa 2.

“You guys diagram the play. Tell me what throw you want to make against two high safeties with the (middle) linebacker in the middle of the field, two linebackers that are robbers and cornerbacks that cheat inside their receivers.

“I’ve been going against this defense for a long time. There are not a lot of throws. So what we did, we got into the Wildcat, which (Gaffney) has made play after play after play.

“They have an automatic check to the Wildcat, which is to bring the strong safety down. You’ve got a weakside bubble, a strong safety down on the right, and we run a counter play back away.

“Two weeks ago, the kid took it for 15 yards. This past one, you’re one block away from him potentially scoring, let alone a first down. Either way: A first down, great; if you don’t, then you kick a field goal to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. It’s a great call.

“I’m not going to apologize for it. I think I over-explained it just now. It’s the wise call. We can’t take a sack, we can’t turn the ball over or force ball into coverage. It’s a run it’s a screen, it’s something wise to make sure you get the tie.

“Because if turn it over or take a sack and you have a long field goal for your backup kicker, you guys would be saying, ‘Gosh, why couldn’t you run the ball and make sure you get the field goal.’

“I’ve been around the business my entire life. That’s how it works; you guys cant fool me. I feel great about it. Win, lose or draw, that’s right call.”

Why Shaw called the Wildcat play.