Why did Ed Oneil call timeout at the end? - Little Giants (1994) Discussion

I thought the same thing. Also, is it me, or did the ball break the plane when spike dove for the endzone at the end?

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[–] 18 years ago

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If the teams are tied (as they were) its makes no sense to call a time-out and allow the opposing team one more offensive play, unless he felt his team could get a saftey or turnover and return it for points. But the clock stopped on the change of possesion anyway, so it made no sense.

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[–] FenianB 18 years ago

Moranis called the time-out, not O'Neill. Presumably during the time-out he told the Giants that the opposing team were going to run the same play O'Neill's character had been telling stories about for umpteen years, with Spike in O'Neill's position.

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[–] runsliketurtle08 18 years ago

Right, and then after Icebox stopped Spike on the one, Ed Oneil called a timeout.

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[–] FenianB 18 years ago

Did he? I'm sorry, I guess that it slipped by me. I just watched again. The Cowboys no longer had possesion of the ball so I guess he wanted the time to go over defensive strategy, hopefully force a turnover.

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[–] shermsticky122 18 years ago

but when he called the time out another second ticked off the clock for some reason. change of possession would have stopped the clock.

and why would it have been 4th down? spike ripped off two huge runs that had to be first downs. at the very least it would have been 3rd down.

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[–] emphasizes 18 years ago

I thought when the ball's possession switches to the other team, the clock stops automatically. He could have just called a timeout to get his team ready for it.

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[–] cacolwell 18 years ago

Always wondered this myself. Maybe since it was pee wee football-- the clock doesnt stop at possession change-- who knows--- but being a big football guy-- it makes no sense at all to stop the clock-- he would have been better off going to OT and beating them then

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[–] SyphiliticHobbit 17 years ago

The clock was stopped on the possession change. The timeout was for strategic reasons. It isn't a flaw. /End thread.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] ariel-cardona 17 years ago

The script said he was going to lose. That's why he asked for a timeout.

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[–] D-Wright5 17 years ago

One other theory is to switch out some of the guys from offense and send in some guys from the bench or to give his guys a breather for a few minutes before the Giants started the last play of the game. Or he just wanted to discuss strategy and set up the right defensive formation.

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[–] CaffeineAddict84 17 years ago

how bout this?? on 4th down why the HELL didnt he kick a field goal?? MMmmmm? it was 21-21.. couple seconds left, make it 24-21 and BAM, youre in the lead... seemed pretty easy to me considering no one missed their PA's (extra points after touchdowns) why not try a field goal from the 1 yard line? THAT is what pissed me off as a football fan.

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[–] ItalianYanksFan 17 years ago

maybe he had to read a big un's magazine..lol j/k

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[–] K_Holly 17 years ago

Field Goals are not guarenteed at the Pee-Wee level. Yes these kids were probably good kickers but you have to remember their age level. Kicking a FG is difficult even for High School kickers let alone for kids who aren't yet in Middle School.

Also remember O'Niel's character is arrogant and liked to mention his accomplishments. He used the same play that won the game for his team because their was a possibility that he was re-living that moment. When it was shut down, he freaked and called time-out, probably to get his wits together along with preparing for his defense for one last play

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[–] RoadSideAssistance 8 years ago

There was one second left and on a change of possession whether INT/Fumble or turnover on downs the clock automatically stops.

That said, the playclock starts running for the opposing team and defense. By calling a timeout the Cowboys coach would have more time to get his defense together and try and develop a scheme (maybe a sack/fumble, etc.) especially since the Giants had to go for it to win.

Also, at the 1 yard line you can't just kneel... you'd have to run and try to at least get back to line of scrimmage to perhaps Kevin figured he could stuff them or something.

It's a smart play even in professional football. If there was 1 second left and the only option for the other team was to go for a 99 yard touchdown you'd call a timeout (if you had it) and get your D together and make sure nobody was going to do anything stupid.

That said, Giants did the crazy play and pulled it off. It has happened before although not sure if from the 1 yard line.

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