Adventures in game management: "playing it safe"

The Titans on Sunday had the Dolphins pinned at their own 2 yard line with 56 seconds left in regulation. They possessed all three timeouts, yet elected to allow Miami to run out the clock and go to overtime. Why not take your timeouts, try and force Miami to punt deep in their own end, and try to win the game in regulation? I have no idea, but Fisher decided he was okay with overtime. Was he really worried that the Dolphins would drive from their own 2 into field goal range in 56 seconds? I guess that's what he's afraid of, but chances are the Dolphins are just going to run the ball, meaning the likelihood of a big play is minimal. It's doubtful they'd have Chad Henne drop back in his own end zone with the game on the line, although you never know.

What really bothers me, though, is the idea that playing for overtime, as Fisher did, is "playing it safe." What in the hell is so safe about overtime? I personally hate overtime, and would avoid it at all costs. You aren't guaranteed a possession in overtime, and a freaking coin toss actually plays a role in deciding how the game is ended. A coin toss! And yet there are people who defend this insanity, including the NFL, which has done nothing to end the outrageousness of a coin toss deciding anything. So with that said, what is so safe about overtime? Nothing; you aren't guaranteed a damn thing in overtime. So coaches should do everything in their power to avoid it.

I firmly believe that if you score a TD with under a minute to go in regulation, and a 2 point conversion wins the game, that you should go for that 2 point conversion. I would much rather put the ball in my offense's hands and let them win the game, even if it is only a one-shot opportunity, and 2 point conversions are, at best, a 50/50 proposition. I don't care; at least with a 2 point conversion my offense has the ball. In overtime, the other team can win the toss, drive the ball a measly 30-40 yards and win the game on a field goal. I'll pass, thank you. Just give me the damn ball and one opportunity to win it. Not to mention that even if you miss the 2 point conversion, you always have a chance at recovering the onside kick. This actually happened in a college game this season; Michigan St. lost to Central Michigan (I believe) after Central Michigan missed the 2 point conversion to tie the game, but recovered the onside kick and drove into field goal range.

I have to believe that if you favor playing for overtime, that you do so only because that's the way it's always been done. Bronko Nagurski didn't go for no 2 point conversion, and neither will you. That kind of thinking drives me insane, and I really see no benefit to playing for overtime. Obviously if you end up in overtime, then you have to just try and win it there. But coaches should do everything in their power to avoid it. Call timeouts, try and get in field goal range, go for 2 and the win, whatever it takes. There is nothing "safe" about overtime.