In what sport would a GM not have his coaches back in the public?
Even if the plan is to fire him I don't think there are many GM's that would publicly call out their coach in a situation like this
Nuance exists. Defending the call as credible, stating that you had no concerns in relation to the call, that you wouldn't do it any differently is a lie. A pure lie.
Within the context of say nothing pro sports jargon that is so tight lipped that perfectly appropriate comments made by the Calgary linebacker get vilified is inane. He's the one person that has been honest stating that it wasn't a good decision and that it was a bad strategy hedging that a Calgary offense that had run for 150yds in the second half would be incapable of getting a first down. Keeping in mind that with the Maas gambit all that was required was for the Stamps to obtain a first down. That would be all they need to march the clock down.
Actually Messam, as well thanked Maas for "helping us to win the game". Which is exactly what transpired. The decision to kick a FG in that decision couldn't be worse if Dickenson had somehow made the call for the Eskimos..
I do think theres a way to say "the wrong call was made by a young coach" without throwing Maas under the bench. Indeed it signals no accountability for such an egregious error to be made in the first place. The Esks way...
Theres no reason for Sunderland to state the opposite of what he displayed in reaction about the call on a TSN national broadcast.
If the Esks stand by this decision they put themselves in the 1% of people that would. With most of those people being trolls.