First important call of the night....The coin Toss??

[inevitable]

I was thinking recently (never really thought I could think this much about a coin toss) about the importance of the coin toss and the possible conclusions one could draw following the coin toss this Monday night.

I really don't know what I would do if we won the toss. Would you receive? Then, after the halftime show honoring their offensive greats of the past decade, give the ball to their offense - inspired by the halftime festivities? Would you defer and risk letting the crowd get out of control on the first drive of the evening?

I really don't know what I would do, but, I think we can draw certain conclusions from whatever Joe Gibbs decides - receive or defer - as to what kind of game we can expect Monday Night.

I think if Gibbs decides to recieve, he plans on taking it to the Cowgirls defense - opening up the playbook and really going after them.

I think if he decides to defer he plans on the same kind of conservative game plan that we've seen.

I don't know though, possibly an over-analysis of a seemingly meaningless event.

On the contrary, if Gibbs does decide to defer, he could just be relying on the defense to set the tone for the night. Also, if he recieves, he could just be wanting the defense to set the tone after the halftime festivities.

And all of this thinking could be meaningless if we lose the toss.

Anywho, what would you do, if you won the toss?

[Ibleedburgundy]

as long as we don't send Charles Mann out there.

[bwparker]

I was thinking recently (never really thought I could think this much about a coin toss) about the importance of the coin toss and the possible conclusions one could draw following the coin toss this Monday night.

I really don't know what I would do if we won the toss. Would you receive? Then, after the halftime show honoring their offensive greats of the past decade, give the ball to their offense - inspired by the halftime festivities? Would you defer and risk letting the crowd get out of control on the first drive of the evening?

I really don't know what I would do, but, I think we can draw certain conclusions from whatever Joe Gibbs decides - receive or defer - as to what kind of game we can expect Monday Night.

I think if Gibbs decides to recieve, he plans on taking it to the Cowgirls defense - opening up the playbook and really going after them.

I think if he decides to defer he plans on the same kind of conservative game plan that we've seen.

I don't know though, possibly an over-analysis of a seemingly meaningless event.

On the contrary, if Gibbs does decide to defer, he could just be relying on the defense to set the tone for the night. Also, if he recieves, he could just be wanting the defense to set the tone after the halftime festivities.

And all of this thinking could be meaningless if we lose the toss.

Anywho, what would you do, if you won the toss?
I can't think of many occasions where the winning team(EDIT winner of the coin toss) has defered the right to recieve the opening kickoff, the idea being you have an advantage if you play from ahead. Even if our defense is awesome, which it is, you don't want to volunteer to send them onto the field and give the other team an opportunity to decide the pace of the game. Especially with a team like Dallas who is looking to establish the run. If we can put the ball in the endzone, however unlikely, Tuna is playing from behind before he ever sees the ball. That undermines his ability to play a run first offense.

If you defer you are basically hoping for great field position, or better yet a turnover to spark the team. But you have to assume the most likely scenario, if they don't score on you, is that you get the ball back around your own 20. Now you are in the same position you would be if you just took the ball, but your defense is a little bit more tired. You haven't really gained anything. Except initiative after half time, but by that point the momentum of the game has been established.


I guess my feeling is that its better to start the game by establishing your own rhythm and game plan than it is to start the game HOPING to upset theirs.

Anyway, I think Gibbs elects to recieve if given the option.

[CowboyKilla]

Defer.....Let the D set the tone.
Then when getting the ball back after a punt of course, start the Portis pounding.

[MONK_in_HOF]

I like to defer as well. Put our strongest unit on the field first. Plus getting the ball in the second half after adjustments have been made.

[bantu]

I like to kick and recieve the ball in the 2nd half

[GibbsFan]

I say defer because this defense is that good. When you get the ball to start the 2nd half you are putting their D on the field early and you have the chance to begin wearing on them for the 4th Qtr.

If your D does its job, you don't have to worry about playing from behind. Plus if you force a turnover you will more than likely have good field position with a chance to take the lead and get them out of their gameplan early on.

[redwolf1218]

no one defers in the NFL. we need to get a lead and keep it. we arent built for playing catchup in a shootout. if we have to kick off, i just hope we have a kicker who can place it deep.

[GolfFreak]

I like to defer as well. Put our strongest unit on the field first. Plus getting the ball in the second half after adjustments have been made.

Sounds good to me.

[smoak]

I like to defer as well. I absolutely HATE IT when a team scores at the end of the half and then gets the ball first after the half.

[chrisbcbu]

We have to play to our strengths so let our defense show them that they arent going to move the ball then get the ball in the 2nd half.

[BigPlayJay]

I think you take the ball if you win and grind it down the field for 8 minutes. I would rather lose the toos though.

[NamVet4]

The undeniable fact is that our Beloved Team strength is the D! Put them on the field and give the Tuna nightmares right from the get go...
2nd half we start off by pounding the cowpukes d with a running game that flat tires them out... 4th quarter and the pukes are bending over with hands on hips looking to escape from the toilet bowl!!!!

[whistleandthumb]

I prefer to receive first. Even if the offense can't score, hopefully, we can begin to play the field position game, and put them near their own goalline.

Also, after the halftime BS honoring Acheman, Emmit, and the Ex-Con, I'd love to send the Defense out there to shut up the crowd and set the tempo for a second half blowout.

[BIGSEF3]

We absolutely HAVE to let our D go out first if we win the toss. THey are the strength of our team, and we have the opportunity to force the cowboys to go 3 and out on the opening drive.

Giving our offense the ball if we won the toss would be a waste. I have no doubt we would go 3 and out, and it would be a big waste.

More likely than not, we are going to be behind going into the half, and receiving in the 2nd half could give us the spark we need to win the game.

[GWBlitzST]

If Ramsey was in, I would say defer. Since Brunell is in, there probably won't be a pick or fumble on our first drive, so I say go for the points.

[MoeRedskins]

I can't think of many occasions where the winning team(EDIT winner of the coin toss) has defered the right to recieve the opening kickoff, the idea being you have an advantage if you play from ahead. Even if our defense is awesome, which it is, you don't want to volunteer to send them onto the field and give the other team an opportunity to decide the pace of the game.

Right on. In college it works because teams run such a wide array of offenses that you can get the ball back quickly, but in the pro level teams are too good to give them a chance to take the lead. It is always easier to play ahed then play from behind. But when I play madden I always defer my return till halftime. If your up going into half, it is a crushing blow to take the first possiesion for a score.

[whistleandthumb]

If Ramsey was in, I would say defer. Since Brunell is in, there probably won't be a pick or fumble on our first drive, so I say go for the points.
That's actually a really great point. With Brunell, the worst that should be expected is a 3 and out. With Ramsey, there was always the chance for some horrible turnover.

[BurgundyNGold]

I would elect to defer. Nothing gets a crowd more excited than when the home team O forces a 3 and out on the opening series for the visitor and nothing puts a muzzle on the crowd better than a 3 and out by the home team O to open the game.

I'd take my chances that the D would set the tone just fine.

[dj_stouty]

Put the defense out first.

That way...if the offense has sputtered the first half, Gibbs can get them ready with adjustments as soon as the 2nd half starts.