tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38600807.post4701056540397057512..comments2008-05-09T13:23:38.017-04:00Brian Burkenoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38600807.post-60336435939240459592008-05-09T13:23:00.000-04:002008-05-09T13:23:00.000-04:00

Canadian teams only have a 20-second play clock as well (vs. 40 for the NFL). They run more plays-per-game.

JTapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17812390329612009756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38600807.post-13191448694749249722008-05-08T16:40:00.000-04:002008-05-08T16:40:00.000-04:00

I would agree. A team with a 4-down mentality would turn 3rd down into a 2nd down. There would be far more runs. The CFL is a 3-down only league. From my vague memory of the Baltimore Stallions, the standard series was pass-pass-punt, with an occasional draw play sprinkled in to keep defenses constrained. It's as if they started with a 2nd and 10 on every series.The fewer the downs, the more

Brian Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371470711365236987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38600807.post-52451754216689424052008-05-08T16:28:00.000-04:002008-05-08T16:28:00.000-04:00

Also, looking at your previous work (The Passing Paradox) it stands to reason that teams that go for it regularly on 4th down should be more risk-averse on 3rd down. This should greatly affect the team's playcalling mix.

JTapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17812390329612009756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38600807.post-49061248570593755602008-05-05T12:56:00.000-04:002008-05-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

Awesome analysis, I think you're on the money with the maximin. Don Shula supposedly said that one day there will come a coach who just won't punt. We'll be waiting forever. You could really publish a great follow-up to Romer on this.

JTapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17812390329612009756noreply@blogger.com