To punt or not to punt

So we’re still talking about 4th-and-15. Of course by “we” I mean the royal “we.” You know, the editorial “we.” Nevertheless, “we” still would have punted on the 4th-and-15 even though there was only 1:56 left in the game and the Eagles appeared to have converted on the 4th-and-10 before it was nullified on a penalty.

Initially, I wasn’t aware that there was 1:56 remaining in the game, which kind of changed things a little bit. With so little time remaining the proverbial onus was really piled on the Eagles’ defense. They really had to stop the Saints despite the fact that Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush had, as Col. Hap Hapablap says, torn through them like a tissue at a snot party.

But, it was no secret that the Saints were going to run the ball. The Eagles knew that, which is why they punted. It’s just that they couldn’t stop them. It’s as simple as that.

Meanwhile, one thing no one has mentioned is the punt. It was a high, easy-to-fair-catch boot that gave the Saints starting position at their own 22 that went just 39 yards. That’s a good punt for an above-average high schooler, but suppose punter Dirk Johnson was able to kick a 45-yarder? Or a 50 yarder? Does that change things?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Either way, it doesn’t seem as if anyone will stop talking about 4th-and-15 any time soon. It also appears as if the punt will be a part of Andy Reid’s coaching legacy. Only another Super Bowl appearance can make the decision to kick the ball away nothing more than a cloudy memory.

Hey, at least he didn’t call time out before opting to punt… and say what you will, deciding to punt on 4th-and-15 with 1:56 to go is not the reason the Eagles lost to the Saints on Saturday.

In other news, the Phillies open up camp in Clearwater in 30 days.