Falcons: 2 point conversions - Is Smith Allergic?

[RockHoward]

(01-13-2013 11:52 PM)papachaz Wrote:  the thing I'm still shaking my head about is why call the TO with 13 seconds left. you have time to let it run down to 4 or 5 seconds, esp when you already know you're not going to try another play

So Coach Smith finally addressed this in a recent presser. The deal was that Tony's route was supposed to go for 14 yards. That would have given the Falcons a 54 yard FG attempt. Now that is a makable FG, but the plan was to go for one more sideline throw to possibly get closer, but with the fallback plan that Ryan could throw the ball away if necessary and the Falcons would still get a shot at the 54 yard FG.

It was only after the TO was called that Smith and the brain trust realized that by breaking the tackle and getting upfield some more, Tony had left the Falcons with a 49 FG attempt. Of course with that distance to go, taking the chance with a sideline play no longer seemed necessary and so the decision to kick it right away. Makes sense.