LSU's pre-half time FG blunder / Miles blaming Russell

I was watching NFL on TV once and some coach said that his team drills on the time running out scramble from the sidelines for a last second FG attempt.

If I remember correctly, He said at BEST it takes 16 or 18 seconds to get the offensive team off and the special teams on the field to line up and kick a FG. And that assumes everyone is on the same page.

If you're kicking a longer FG it takes less time to pull the switch than a shorter FG b/c of how far the players have to run from the sidelines. Distance, hash mark spots and knowing to make the switch are the key variables.

Consider that you're asking a few 300 lb linemen to run 20-30 yards across the width of the field to the sideline. (not all of them will come out for the kick. But it only takes 1 switching lineman to slow the play down).

If the kick is from the 20 yardline they are running about 40 total yards (to the player's area on the sideline).

They are exhausted at the end of the game.
They have to pick themselves up off the ground from the last play.

Then they have to stand and sprint (exhausted) to the sideline.

At their best, they probably run a 5.5+ 40. Exhausted, they probably couldn't break 6.0 or 6.5. PLUS, they have to stand up if knocked down from the last play. Just getting everyone off takes about 8-10 seconds.

While that's happening the new players are lining up.

Then the kicker has to take 5 or so steps back. Take a breath and wait for the snap.

To get all of that done in 16 seconds is TOUGH.

Desipte Les Miles throwing Jamarcus Russell under the bus in his post-half interview, it wasn't Jamarcus Russell's fault that they didn't score before the half. He was trying to make a play. It wasn't the smartest play, but it wasn't a terminal error. The fault lies with Miles for not looking up at the clock and KNOWING that there was no way in hell he could get the kicking team on the field. He should've never sent the FG out there.

He should've been sending in the Spike call. That was entirely Miles fault.

But what do you expect from a guy that wanted to call a timeout during the change of possession pre-overtime.

Les Miles = The New Poster Boy for Bad Clock Management

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