To play or not to play at the end of the season

[___]

If you were an NFL coach and your team your team had their playoff spot locked up with 3 or 4 games left, what do you do?

I would play my guys the first half of each game, if they look good, pull them. If they're out of sync, keep them in. Only exception being I would pull my QB if he was getting hit in the first half.

[sher-bant]

Where did this come from?

I've never had an issue with saving your starters and letting your "b" team get some real playing time.

[stulecanem]

I think you've got to play them quite a bit or they will lose their rhythm and timing

[super hot]

stool finally made a post I agree with.

[SexeCute]

Play them. Being out for any amount of time can screw you up.

You would know if you played the game.

[super hot]

sexecute with the pwnage

[gumby]

They need to play at least play the half. Pulling them can also affect their heads. These guys are competitors and want to be on the field, not ridding the pine.

[Buckner1986]

I think you've got to play them quite a bit or they will lose their rhythm and timing

This.

You have to let them play at least a half, but if someone is banged up you should keep them out of the game entirely. (See: Westbrook, Brian)

[Keelar Squeed]

Play them for at least 1 half.

[___]

Where did this come from?

I've never had an issue with saving your starters and letting your "b" team get some real playing time.

Well the Colts are going to have home field locked up early. Dungy always let them rest too much, IMO.

The other factor this year for them in-particular is how beat up they are. If they lose people in their secondary now, they're in some trouble.

Another thing, if a team has a chance at going undefeated, do you factor that in or do you just do what you think is best for the playoffs? I would play them full games, they have their right at history, IMO

[emogoon]

Def play them sitting on the pine fucks with you

[SexeCute]

Well the Colts are going to have home field locked up early. Dungy always let them rest too much, IMO.

The other factor this year for them in-particular is how beat up they are. If they lose people in their secondary now, they're in some trouble.

Another thing, if a team has a chance at going undefeated, do you factor that in or do you just do what you think is best for the playoffs? I would play them full games, they have their right at history, IMO

A lot of the Patriots players were saying that the pressure becomes unbearable at times late in the year. Personally, I would love to be in that situation.

[flashNsmash]

come week 12 I am gonna dump all my starters and pick up backups

[___]

Well it looks like Caldwell is going to play the Colts this week at least.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell has an answer for starters who want to play the final three games: Be ready to go Thursday night at Jacksonville.
AFC South blog

Kuharsky ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky writes about all things AFC South in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

The announcement came one day after three-time MVP Peyton Manning lobbied publicly to play against the division rival Jaguars. Last week, three-time Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne also said he wanted to play the final three games even if the Colts clinched home-field advantage, which they wrapped up with Sunday's win.

For weeks, the biggest question in Indy has been whether the Colts will play or rest starters once playoff seeding was locked up.

Caldwell said "healthy" starters would play Thursday. He plans to revisit the debate for each of the final two games.

[Nutstache]

Play them.

16 - 0 > Superbowl win.

[Elk Penis]

You gotta play them at least for a half or three quarters. The long layoff will fuck everything up.

[INS_tha_rebel]

I don't follow NFL but this comes up in soccer all the time.

Personally, I'd rest them to guarantee they are 100% for the important games. You don't want to lose your best players in a meaningless game.

[Kimo Therabones]

sit freeney and play eeryone else imo

[flashNsmash]

These prick coaches need to fucking realize that millions of fantasy football seasons depend on them leaving their top guys in. Seriously, if I have to go out and draft Jim Sorgi or Matt Leinart in order to earn some points, I'm going to be pissed.

[Buckner1986]

I don't follow NFL but this comes up in soccer all the time.

Personally, I'd rest them to guarantee they are 100% for the important games. You don't want to lose your best players in a meaningless game.

But you wouldn't be worried about them getting rusty or not getting as many gametime minutes?

[INS_tha_rebel]

Yeah, that's the danger I suppose.

In soccer coaches often complain that there are too many games in a season so they always rest the better players when they get the chance.

If there aren't that many games in an NFL season it might make sense to let them play.

[CensoredToezFlava]

I could see Manning ducking the Jets or Bills pass defense.

[pflo]

Those fucking coaches don't realize how important Fantasy Football is to their fans. Those fagets. Yeah Caldwell better play his starters, I got Wayne in the playoffs.