[stupac2]

We used to hate the fade, but now we seem to rarely complain when it is thrown.

Fades are weird because they're something that the casual fan can easily identify, and (barring unusual combinations of QB and receiver) at best 50-50 plays, so with a dash of confirmation bias (which I think explains 99% of teejer's problems with playcalling) you can easily wind up on "I LOVE FADES" or "FADES ARE THE WORST". Personally, I don't have a problem with them in general, except in do-or-die situations, and that's precisely because they're 50% plays. First and goal? Great time for a fade! Fourth and goal? BOOO FADE. But, as has been mentioned, sometimes you have to go against tendencies. If you never, ever throw a fade on 3rd/4th down, then in the highest-stakes environment that's probably the best time to do it, since the defense won't be expecting it, and an uncontested fade is wade better than 50-50.

Also, even very high-level players are prone to this. Sherman got all up in Carroll's face because they threw from the 1 earlier this year, despite the fact that in the past few years the Super Bowl play is either the only interception on a throw from the 1, or one of very few. The success rate is higher than runs! But because they lost the Super Bowl on a throw from the 1, he doesn't ever want to do it. Not rational!

[stupac2]

We used to hate the fade, but now we seem to rarely complain when it is thrown.

Fades are weird because they're something that the casual fan can easily identify, and (barring unusual combinations of QB and receiver) at best 50-50 plays, so with a dash of confirmation bias (which I think explains 99% of teejer's problems with playcalling) you can easily wind up on "I LOVE FADES" or "FADES ARE THE WORST". Personally, I don't have a problem with them in general, except in do-or-die situations, and that's precisely because they're 50% plays. First and goal? Great time for a fade! Fourth and goal? BOOO FADE. But, as has been mentioned, sometimes you have to go against tendencies. If you never, ever throw a fade on 3rd/4th down, then in the highest-stakes environment that's probably the best time to do it, since the defense won't be expecting it, and an uncontested fade is wade better than 50-50.

Also, even very high-level players are prone to this. Sherman got all up in Carroll's face because they threw from the 1 earlier this year, despite the fact that in the past few years the Super Bowl play is either the only interception on a throw from the 1, or one of very few. The success rate is higher than runs! But because they lost the Super Bowl on a throw from the 1, he doesn't ever want to do it. Not rational!