Timeouts are valuable. Number one you try to save them for end of half or game. When it becomes clear you don't need them for end of game you can step down to other times they provide some value. So on a key 3rd down when you are on defense, you get the offensive formation/look, call timeout in the hopes they go from what they think is their best call to something else. The criticism of this stuff is a little over the top. Did anyone see how Sean McVeigh used timeouts vs Detroit?