NFL Coaches Continue to Struggle With Clock-Management Issues

Filed under: NFL Coaching, NFL AnalysisWhen, just before halftime of Week 4's Redskins-Eagles game, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid waited for an official's review that placed the ball near the Redskins' 1, called timeout afterward, then watched as his team still could not execute efficiently to avoid a delay-of-game penalty, he offered a succinct explanation.

"I goofed,'' Reid said.

His expanded explanation was that officials spotted the ball back further than where it was initially -- inches from the goal line -- which changed his play call, a problem when the play clock started short and fast.

That is why the Eagles had to settle for a field goal that made it 17-6 at halftime en route to their 17-12 loss.

"Goofed" made more sense.

But Reid is not alone.

Each week in the NFL, at least one coach is caught in a bewildering clock-management snafu that makes fans scratch their heads and critics howl. The question endures: how can coaches at this level so frequently blow it when it comes to the clock, the call, the situation?

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