There’s no shame in surrender on 3rd and forever

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsEarly in the season, much fuss was made about Brian Schottenheimer’s tendency to call “surrender” plays on 3rd and long: runs or short passes that stood approximately zero chance of ending in a first down. And it does seem cowardly, doesn't it? A refusal to make the sort of valiant effort we expect from our broad-shouldered boys in blue. Do not go gentle into that good night, et cetera.

Here’s the problem: most of the third downs on which Schotty gives up are third and forever, a unit of distance I’m defining as 15 yards or further. On such plays, the risk of interception is about the same as risk of fire in a matchstick factory. With little need to closely…