Football ESPN asked coaches to take timeouts late on Monday night

Stinger · 10-19-2010, 12:00 PM

Jeff Fisher: ESPN asked coaches to take timeouts late on Monday night
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 19, 2010 11:21 AM ET

One of the biggest reasons why a weak Monday Night Football game can out-rate game three of the ALCS in New York: Fantasy football.

While Cliff Lee was dealing, fantasy owners across the country were hoping to squeeze a few more points out of Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew. Johnson's owners prayers were answered when Johnson broke free for a 35-yard touchdown on fourth down with under two minutes remaining.

That led to some (silly) questions about why Johnson was still in the game. Why were the Titans still trying to score?

Titans coach Jeff Fisher indicated that it was largely ESPN's fault. The network still needed more television timeouts and apparently asked both coaching staffs to take timeouts late.

"Jack [Del Rio] used his timeouts," Fisher said after the game via Terry McCormick of Titans Insider. "My understanding is they needed network timeouts, and that's why Jack used his timeouts. They came over and asked me to do it, but I said, 'I was hoping to get a first down and kneel on it.'"

Of course, you can also thank Del Rio for actually listening. Fisher was happy to end the game at 23-3, but Del Rio didn't let him.

"It's the first time I've heard of it," Fisher said about a network request for timeouts. "I just said I would have a hard time using them, because I'm ahead. Honestly, I have no issues with Jack or how he managed the end of that game. It's just what it was, and I don't think he would have an issue with me handing the ball off."

Video of Fisher's comments

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-jack-del-rio/

**Ming the Merciless** · 10-19-2010, 12:35 PM

Maybe I am naive, but I never imagined that the networks would ASK a coach to call a time out....

Something seems wrong about that..

It is hard enough to build the NFL up to international audiences without even MORE unnecessary timeouts...

Bad move on the NFL's part for allowing this, IMO.

Valiant · 10-19-2010, 12:35 PM

Hmm. I guess the only thing left is for espn and other networks to ask for phantom penalties/no calls to get games closer for ratings.

**The Franchise** · 10-19-2010, 12:38 PM

If Chris Johnson went down with an injury.....how pissed would Jeff Fisher be?

**Ming the Merciless** · 10-19-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

If Chris Johnson went down with an injury.....how pissed would Jeff Fisher be?

He would only have himself to blame since he had backups available and playing in the game.

milkman · 10-19-2010, 12:42 PM

Fantasy football plays a part in the ratings, but the fact is, baseball is a slow game and the youth today just aren't going to sit through a game that biggest moments take nine innings to develop.

Valiant · 10-19-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Fantasy football plays a part in the ratings, but the fact is, baseball is a slow game and the youth today just aren't going to sit through a game that biggest moments take nine innings to develop.

Most games are shorter then football games. And the nfl wants to take out the physicalness so what is left?

milkman · 10-19-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

Most games are shorter then football games. And the nfl wants to take out the physicalness so what is left?

Offense.

ILikeBigTiddys · 10-19-2010, 01:09 PM

I think this is a crock of shit

ILikeBigTiddys · 10-19-2010, 01:09 PM

I think this is a crock of shit

ILikeBigTiddys · 10-19-2010, 01:14 PM

I think this is a crock of shit

sedated · 10-19-2010, 01:29 PM

it was a joke.

Hootie · 10-19-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILikeBigTiddys

I think this is a crock of shit

you don't say

Mojo Jojo · 10-19-2010, 01:38 PM

I call BS. The network works with the refs for TV timeouts. Any network can ask/demand a TV timeout during a clock stoppage. In the case of SNF & MNF they front load the TV timeouts in the 4th quarter before viewers go away. FYI most 4th Qtr. TV spots local TV gets inserts during the 1:50.

BAtheBEAST · 10-19-2010, 01:45 PM

Stars & Strikes! Branden Albert and Leonard Pope of the Chiefs are hosting a charity bowling event to benefit the Make-A-Wish-Foundation on Tuesday, November 2nd from 6-9 PM at Lucky Strikes Lane on Grand Boulevard. $20 cash includes your bowling and shoes. Bowl alongside Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers and other Chiefs all for a great cause!

10-19-2010, 12:00 PM
Stinger Bazinga Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $4074507	ESPN asked coaches to take timeouts late on Monday night Jeff Fisher: ESPN asked coaches to take timeouts late on Monday night Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 19, 2010 11:21 AM ET One of the biggest reasons why a weak Monday Night Football game can out-rate game three of the ALCS in New York: Fantasy football. While Cliff Lee was dealing, fantasy owners across the country were hoping to squeeze a few more points out of Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew. Johnson's owners prayers were answered when Johnson broke free for a 35-yard touchdown on fourth down with under two minutes remaining. That led to some (silly) questions about why Johnson was still in the game. Why were the Titans still trying to score? Titans coach Jeff Fisher indicated that it was largely ESPN's fault. The network still needed more television timeouts and apparently asked both coaching staffs to take timeouts late. "Jack [Del Rio] used his timeouts," Fisher said after the game via Terry McCormick of Titans Insider. "My understanding is they needed network timeouts, and that's why Jack used his timeouts. They came over and asked me to do it, but I said, 'I was hoping to get a first down and kneel on it.'" Of course, you can also thank Del Rio for actually listening. Fisher was happy to end the game at 23-3, but Del Rio didn't let him. "It's the first time I've heard of it," Fisher said about a network request for timeouts. "I just said I would have a hard time using them, because I'm ahead. Honestly, I have no issues with Jack or how he managed the end of that game. It's just what it was, and I don't think he would have an issue with me handing the ball off." Video of Fisher's comments http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-jack-del-rio/
Posts: 10,180

10-19-2010, 12:35 PM	#2
Ming the Merciless Emporer of Mongo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milky Way Casino cash: $2617556	Maybe I am naive, but I never imagined that the networks would ASK a coach to call a time out.... Something seems wrong about that.. It is hard enough to build the NFL up to international audiences without even MORE unnecessary timeouts... Bad move on the NFL's part for allowing this, IMO.
Posts: 44,496

10-19-2010, 12:35 PM	#3
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6212380	Hmm. I guess the only thing left is for espn and other networks to ask for phantom penalties/no calls to get games closer for ratings.
Posts: 18,374

10-19-2010, 12:38 PM	#4
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2745047	If Chris Johnson went down with an injury.....how pissed would Jeff Fisher be?
Posts: 92,303

10-19-2010, 12:42 PM	#6
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Fantasy football plays a part in the ratings, but the fact is, baseball is a slow game and the youth today just aren't going to sit through a game that biggest moments take nine innings to develop. __________________
Posts: 70,769

10-19-2010, 01:09 PM	#9
ILikeBigTiddys The American Catastrophe Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $2555005	I think this is a crock of shit
Posts: 620

10-19-2010, 01:14 PM	#11
ILikeBigTiddys The American Catastrophe Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $2555005	I think this is a crock of shit
Posts: 620

10-19-2010, 01:38 PM	#14
Mojo Jojo Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Johnson County Casino cash: $10013802	I call BS. The network works with the refs for TV timeouts. Any network can ask/demand a TV timeout during a clock stoppage. In the case of SNF & MNF they front load the TV timeouts in the 4th quarter before viewers go away. FYI most 4th Qtr. TV spots local TV gets inserts during the 1:50.
Posts: 3,341

10-19-2010, 01:45 PM	#15
BAtheBEAST Rookie Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	Stars & Strikes! Branden Albert and Leonard Pope of the Chiefs are hosting a charity bowling event to benefit the Make-A-Wish-Foundation on Tuesday, November 2nd from 6-9 PM at Lucky Strikes Lane on Grand Boulevard. $20 cash includes your bowling and shoes. Bowl alongside Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers and other Chiefs all for a great cause!
Posts: 8