Nowadays, it's uncommon to find an issue where the vast majority of people are in agreement. Tonight, we discovered a common cause behind which we could all unite.
In his debut game as a head coach, Nathaniel Hackett made the odd choice to substitute a field goal for the Bronco quarterback Russell Wilson with the game on the line.
Not a field goal of 34 yards. Or a field goal from 44 yards. Either a 54-yard field goal or. Instead of giving Wilson a chance to convert on fourth and 5, Hackett decided to dial up a 64-yard field goal attempt, which would have been the second-longest in league history.
The fact that the Broncos waited until 20 seconds left before signaling their first time out of the second half made the scenario even more strange.
Hackett claimed during the game that they were "exactly on the line" in Brandon McManus's field goal range. However, it was still a field goal of 64 yards.
They also have Wilson. They did so to give away all those picks. They handed him all that money for that reason. To perform in certain circumstances. Especially since it may be the only time, he is back in Seattle in his career.
Fortunately for Hackett, the numerous fans and media members who believe it was stupid not to try to convert on fourth and five won't be pressing him for an explanation. However, he will be held accountable to owners who did not appoint him as the team's head coach. Greg Penner, Rob Walton, and colleagues will undoubtedly pose some challenging inquiries to Hackett.
He'll be able to respond to them. Coaches of football always do. Additionally, he is shielded from ultimate responsibility for an ultimately stupid decision by the security of a recently created contract.
But he had better make amends right away. He must be aware that he made the incorrect decision in the heat of the moment, even if he will never admit it to anybody but himself. He wouldn't be the first coach to last a year, barely in his position, though. Not that the new owners are unable to pay for the buyout.
Consider it in this way. Would anyone say, "Man, you should have tried a 64-yard field goal instead of trusting your franchise quarterback" if he had tried it with Wilson and failed?"
Perhaps someone, somewhere, would have presented that defense. Perhaps someone who believed they were playing the game in Denver. Maybe someone who would always look back in hindsight.
McManus makes excellent kicks. When you've just made a significant investment in a quarterback in whom you presumably have enough faith to gain five yards in a must-have situation, there is no way that he is competent enough that you choose a kick that long at sea level.
Why did you bet everything on Russell Wilson if you didn't believe in him then? The time had come to lay all their cards on the table and see what Wilson could offer.
Why don't you let Russ cook? Russ was allowed to watch. Wilson might be contemplating the choice as well. Thoughts that he is sure to keep private.
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