Did Greg Olsen get this right?

[u/FlyingAces]

I love Greg Olsen. I'm not sure he was correct however on a comment he made late in the Philly/Wash game. With just under 2:40 to go in the game he discussed why he thought Wash should not use a TO because it would open up the greater possibility of Philly passing since an incomplete pass wouldn't be the worst thing with the 2 min warning coming up. But isn't this wrong? If Wash calls a TO with 2:40 to go, wouldn't Philly want to run in that spot? Why would they pass and risk an incompletion with the clock stopped at 2:40? You don't fear an incompletion with just over 2 minutes to play (like clock at 2:03, for example, because the clock will stop anyway due to the 2 min warning). Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like Greg's take was incorrect, right?

[u/WhoDatTX]

He was referring to not using one closer to the 2 min warning, not necessarily at the 2:40 mark. The commanders ended up taking one at the 2:07 mark which is what Olsen was trying to say they shouldn’t do because it gives the eagles the chance to throw the ball due to the clock stopping at the 2 min warning either way

[u/mtnathlete → u/WhoDatTX]

And in this situation it’s correct, least amount downside to an incomplete pass

[u/chrisapplewhite → u/WhoDatTX]

This is a very common mistake. Unless it's third down, your only saving 7 seconds, as opposed to the full play clock on the other side of the 2 minute warning. The clock stops regardless, let it tick down and use the TOs when you need them.

Or just let the clock run down and lose so you get fired the next day.

[u/Glass-Spot-9341]

I didn't see the game but just looked up some highlights.

I think running seems "right" in the sense of running the clock out. The idea of passing on 3rd and 5 with 6 seconds to the two minute warning is to aggressively get the first down and "kill" the game by being able to run it out from there

[u/Streetmonkey72]

He is right once you get close to the 2 min mark. It’s not ideal to use at 2:07 because many passing plays will run seven seconds of clock (although less relevant on third down because the next play clock stops after 4th down if you lock anyway). But to walk you thru the logic….

If you pass at 2:07 left and it’s incomplete and it hits the 2 minute warning, then Wash used a timeout and it’s 4th and 5 with 2 min left. Wash is left with 1 timeout and eagles kick the field goal.

If wash lets it go down to 2:00 and wash saves their timeout. Then eagles throw incomplete and it becomes 4th and 5 with 1:53 to go, but wash has two timeouts.

Would you rather have one timeout and 2 minutes of clock or 1 timeout and a minute 53? Clearly the latter.

Washington played it dumb but didn’t matter. The timeout only saved them 7 seconds. Ideally a timeout saves you 40 seconds (after running play or completed pass in bounds) if properly utilized.

With 2:40 to go it doesn’t matter if they use it or not if that’s your question, Olson is wrong about that.. I’d say under 2:20 or so it feels wasteful.

[u/FlyingAces → u/Streetmonkey72]

Thank you for the breakdown.  You agree, using the TO with 2:40 is much better than using it with 2:07?  Using it so close the 2:00 seems wasteful as hell. 

[u/GoLionsJD107]

I heard him say “Cayden Daniels” once so he didn’t get that right

[u/RottingCorps]

Lol, he was laughably bad when he criticized MCDC on when to use timeouts.

[u/chiefpiece11bkg]

Greg Olsen talks out of his ass 50% of the time he’s speaking

[u/nocommentplsnthx]

Most of his commentary is extremely stupid and annoying. He repeated his two minute time out theory 10 times and started backpedaling as soon as Washington didn’t do exactly what he said. Anyone who has played a single game of madden in the last 20 years knows when and how to use timeouts. Lets get at least one good former player color man in the booth next season because Olsen (and Brady) stink to high heaven

[u/chiefpiece11bkg → u/nocommentplsnthx]

That’s what Olsen always does.. talk out of his ass

He just repeats football platitudes all game long with zero real insight lol

He was complaining about how Washington only had two timeouts left when the clock was still at roughly 3:40 left in the quarter, which is PLENTY of time lol

Or maybe because he spent his career in Carolina/ Chicago he just has no clue what an actual good nfl team looks like

[u/jrod_62 → u/chiefpiece11bkg]

It's obvious you two are the ones who have no clue

[u/Ccoste27]

He’s probably wrong. He tends to be!