Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan did it to the Raiders. Then the Raiders did it to the Browns the following week. The Bills tried to do it to the Cowboys on Monday night but it didn’t work.
Allowing coaches to call a pre-arranged, timed timeout with a sideline official has been legal since 2004 and there’s a bit of controversy brewing over the use of the rule this season to ice kickers who are typically attempting game-winning field goals.
Why change it? The best argument is that it is an abuse of the rule and goes against the spirit of the game.
Why keep it? Because it’s true gamesmanship and hey, everyone apparently is doing it.
I have to admit I don’t like the way coaches have taken advantage of the rule but part of the controversy stems from the fact that in two out of the above-mentioned situations, the kicker made the kick and the team began to celebrate only to have an official waive it off due to a timeout being, well, timely called.
What if the law of averages kicks in? It could backfire on coaches. A kicker might miss the first one and with the timeout, is given a second chance. He nails it. When that happens, maybe coaches won’t be so inclined to plan their timeouts.
Until then, someone in the NFL competition committee should re-consider this rule.
all good the TIMEOUT is there for the team to use and they can use it whenever they want to. so therefore i don’t think they should change anything. it’s apart of the game! it’s a strategy thing and i personally don’t have a problem with that.