He shouldn't be benched, he's been punting very well. Rex just needs to rip him a new one, and take away his ability to make that call himself. Rex is partly to blame for him having this option to begin with.
Willie, I didn't see the presser so I don't know what the protocol is here. Rex said that Weatherford has the green light to audible to a fake without checking in with the staff? If this is true then I retract the benching comment. However, if Weatherford has the green light to call a fake but needs to check in with coaching and neglected to do so, he should be benched.
My understanding is that if certain things are true he can fake when he wants. If the defense is lined up in a vulnerable way and he's confident he can make it, he always has the keys to make the call. From listening to Rex it sounds like he forgot about one of the factors in making that decision OR Rex didn't clearly spell out the fact that he can't do that in that situation. Regardless, I highly doubt it will ever happen again.
One of the concerns the coaching staff had with this team in the preseason was the lack of leadership. We can say what we want from our collective armchairs but weatherford was trying to step up and make a play for the team. It's what leaders do. Unfortunately it failed (barely) and gave the other team 3 points. I support the call and i hope it sends a message to his teammates. Leaders need to emerge from the very talented group of players on the roster. Consistent, every game, every play leaders. If leaders don't step up, the team will underachieve. The defense doesn't have this problem because it has multiple leaders. Experienced guys who put the game on their own shoulders and expect to make big plays every time. Leonhard, Scott and Harris...Lowery is even starting to be one of those. The offense needs to find a couple. (Sanchez is a great guy but he isn't a leader yet).
We don't need leadership out of our Punter. Weatherford has been GREAT this year and I'm happy we have him but he made a boneheaded decision yesterday.
You don't bench the punter(especially since hes really good) but to not know it was 4th and 18? wtf? weatherford is lost.
I agree with you 90% of your post and sentiment. We shouldn't need leadership from our punter but the offense has none and I think he was trying to step up.
Hmmm....maybe i'm not explaining it very well. Being a great player or the best player is not the same as being a leader. I'm not knocking them as individuals but somebody should be stepping up and settling the troops down. That can be done a lot of ways but the easiest is to say "give me the ball, guys up front take care of business and we'll right this ship and get rolling" or conversely a veteran lineman can say the equivalent. That's what leaders do. If i'm still doing a crappy job of explaining i apologize. It just seems like the offense, as a unit, is waiting for someone to step up and become the every day leader. /letting it go //Bring on the lions
What mark did organzing his teammates for that passing camp was leadership, what he ahs shown us all year has been leadership. he's a leader and he's our offenses leader. We have no idea what was said in the huddle or on the sideline. I think the O is still adjusting to having another weapon in Holmes. It was humming along pre-Holmes and hasn't looked great since he came back. That will work itself out.
I didn't really care about the call because I thought it was really funny. But it was definitely a horrible call considering how well our defense was playing
This dumb play set the tone for the day. 4th and effing 18 and your punter thinks he's got the wheels to go for it? Sorry, but whatever "freedom" they gave him should be limited to 4th down plays within 5 yds.
I don't agree with anyone condemning Weatherford...it's Rex's fault (100% imo) for leaving it up to his punter. Horrendous coaching decision. In my opinion, this was Rex's worst game as head coach.
It looked open and he almost got there. Unfortuantly he was just short, sometimes you have to take risks to get get rewards
normally you should just cut him but he is a great punter so id fine him and then take away his playcalling responsibility
