Are Interceptions a real bad thing?

[raiderArt]

Any time you turn the ball over it's a bad thing.


That said, I see your point. In many ways, I'd rather have a QB that throws an int once in a while because he takes calculated risks to move the game forward. For instance, in the SD game week 17 Palmer threw a drive ending pick on third and long when we were trying to get back into the game. It was mostly because Ford slipped, but even if it was a bad throw by Palmer I wouldn't have been too miffed because he had to make something happen. If we didn't get the first, the game was over anyway, same result as him throwing a pick.

Another example: I played QB for my flag football team last year, and one of the turning points in our last game (we lost) was when I threw a costly int in our own redzone. We were down by two scores, time was running out and we were penalized into a 3rd and 20 situation. I threw the ball 20 yards towards the sidelines, but the safety jumped it. I don't regret making that throw. I had to try for something in that situation. And in similar situations, I would hope the Raiders' QB would make the same choice. The int is frustrating, but in some situations you have to forget your reservations and make the throw.

Is that you Jeff George? j/k man

[Harmer <Canada>]

yes they're a bad thing but I kinda get where you're coming from. Going 3 and out should be considered a turnover IMO. Or the defense should get some kind of "credit" - a new 3 and out stat column. Of course when you have Shane Lechler punting that pretty much negates that great defensive stand anyway.

To answer your question though, IMO you're better off punting and playing defense than having your QB throw an interception. Even those INTs before halftime when you're trying to throw a hail mary with time expiring $uck. And to me it's not really because of the bad stat but because it's a momentum changer. The confidence of a defense tends to grow with turnovers so giving them anything extra isn't a good idea.

Exactly I would say 3 and outs should be considered a turnover as well. The thing is not all teams have a Lechler or a Janikowski that kick it like they do.

[Hawaiian Raider]

Are Interceptions a real bad thing?

... only when you throw them.

Otherwise, an interception is a beautiful thing:

- when its Jack Squirek taking a Theisman dump-off in for a TD in the Super Bowl

- when its Rod Woodson going the distance against the Donks on Monday Night

- when its matched by Chris Carr going the distance against the Steelers

- when it's Huff on the last play of the game for ol' man Tootles against Houston ...

[Hawaiian Raider]

... when it's Mike "couldn't catch a cold standing bare-footed in the snow" Davis picking off Brian Sipe in the end zone to end their season and advance the Raiders to another Super Bowl Championship. The "couldn't catch a cold" quote is from Gene Upshaw about the play.

Mike Davis is remembered for a playoff game interception against the Cleveland Browns in January 1981, where he made the game-winning interception on a play known as Red Right 88. Cleveland, in the final minute, trailing 14-12 and in position for a game-winning field goal, attempted a pass into the end zone. (The Browns made this decision because windy conditions had already caused kicker Don ****roft to miss two field-goal attempts, and they had also failed on two extra-point tries [one blocked, one aborted by a muffed snap], thus giving the Raiders their lead.) The pass from quarterback Brian Sipe fluttered in the strong wind, and Davis stepped in front of the receiver, Ozzie Newsome, and made the interception.

The play sealed the win and propelled the Raiders into the AFC title game against the San Diego Chargers, and an eventual Super Bowl XV triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders thus became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl.

[Hawaiian Raider]

... ^ ... censor wouldn't allow the "C'ck" in Don C'ckroft.

[Raider Ran]

Any time you turn the ball over it's a bad thing.

You need not have gone any farther than this YES Int are bad. Unless your playing for the other team to win.

[signal]

Unless you have Bobby Boucher (Waterboy) on defense - it is a bad thing. That is the only universe when you would rather have your defense on the field than your offense.

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[HITMAN]

Turnovers are turnovers I don't see how you can make a positive argument about INT's...

[Okie]

It depends:

Do you have a food defense?

If so, turnovers don't hurt as much, if not, your screwed.

I don't remember the numbers exactly but speaking for our Quarterback and our team over the last 5 years, interceptions have been the biggest Indicator of wins and losses. If memory serves me both Carson and the Raiders have won something like 75% of their games maintaining a or close to 2:1 td to int ratio. More interceptions than that we both won under 25%.

I'll go find the post but I think that's close. Look at Eli Manning numbers, they tell the same story.

[dmauke]

It depends:

Do you have a food defense?

Attachment 16739

Haha... just messin!

[dmauke]

Unless you have Bobby Boucher (Waterboy) on defense - it is a bad thing. That is the only universe when you would rather have your defense on the field than your offense.

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Compliments of Captain Insano!

[ottomatic1]

the only time an INT is not a bad thing is when you are 3-long and you throw a long ball for an INT around the goal line. Then its just like a good punt.

[MileHighRaider]

the only time an INT is not a bad thing is when you are 3-long and you throw a long ball for an INT around the goal line. Then its just like a good punt.

Exactly what I said above.

As others have correctly pointed out, you don't want to go into the play with this being your plan, but it, IMHO, makes the INT more acceptable and the risk of the down field throw less... ummm... risky.

An INT across the middle isn't a good thing.

[Harmer <Canada>]

Its funny that our Superbowl winning QBs both threw more career INT than TDs.

[ecnirp]