As I was watching football this weekend I ran across two maddening occurrences, which sadly has become too much of a trend.  Saturday I was watching the LSU/Alabama game, Bama had the ball late in the fourth quarter driving for the game winning score. Instead of taking a shot at the end zone Coach Saban made the conservative call, ran the ball and attempted a field goal…which was blocked. Bama, fortunately went on to win the game in OT.

Sunday I was watching the Packers/Vikings game.  Late in the game Green Bay was driving, down by one, trying to win the game. The Packers got within field goal range - 52 yards out - and proceeded to run the ball into the middle of the line twice and then forced a bad pass on third down. The Packers tried a long field goal…and missed it.

Now, I understand sometimes you have to go with a safe play every now and again, but what I don’t understand is why, why, do coaches continue to put the game in the hands of a kicker? ESPECIALLY in college, where kickers are about as steady as a swinging bridge. No coach, at least that I can ever remember has ever been fired for winning. The Packer game really is maddening to me, why would you not  try to get closer than 52 yards out? In both cases there was plenty of time to at least try to get it further down the field, or in the case of Alabama to try and go for the TD.

I know it’s easy to “Monday Morning QB”. If the coach goes for the TD and something happens, like an INT, the media will jump on him and ask what he was thinking passing that late in the game. Screw it.  As the great Herm Edwards said. “YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME”.

Coaches need to unclinch and just go for it. Play to win…I gaurantee the fans want to see a QB, RB, or a wide receiver making a play to win or lose the game rather than putting it in the hands of a player who’s on the field maybe 5-6 times a game.