My 20 Thoughts about the Super Bowl

[Draft Dodger]

(in no particular order).

1) Chris Collinsworth freaking sucks. He contradicts himself almost on every other play. Perhaps he should just comment on alternating plays, and then he'll sound like a coherrent genius. Someday, he's going to be teamed with Phil Simms, and I will stop watching football forever.

2) Terrell Owens is a tool, but he impressed the hell out of me with his play. Next time, I'd rather see him break his jaw than his leg, because he is awesome to watch, and no fun to listen to.

3) Way to go Deion Branch. Awesome to see. 35 catches in 9 regular season games...11 catches in the SuperBowl, 21 the last two SBs. Very cool.

4) Interesting that the Pats could just have easily lost each of the last 3 SBs...it's amazing how they just find a way to pull out the win. But if they'd lost one, two, or all three of those games, I don't think you'd hear the D-word at all.

5) Also interesting that in each of their SB wins, there really hasn't been a clear-cut MVP. Branch won this year, and could have easily won last year...Brady could have won this year (I believe this was his best SB game?)...so could Harrison. Just interesting

6) Philadelphia showed perhaps the worst 2 minute offense I've ever seen. I can't believe how much time they wasted...or that the 3 passes they threw on that last drive were over the middle. Simply dreadful...and I think McNabb is getting blamed for this, probably unfairly

7) That said, McNabb was very inconsistent - some great passes and a lot of crappy ones. Pressure from the Pats got to him, as, I think, pressure from the game. Still, not many QB's in the NFL I'd rather have under center for a big game.

8) I'll take military people doing a proper rendition of the anthem over Whitney Houston or anyone else who wants to use the song to flaunt their vocal chops ANY day of the week.

9) And, though I'm not a big McCartney fan, I'll glady take a focused, one act show with nice production over a "let's get every demographic covered" crap of the last few years. U2 in 2002 will forever be my favorite, but this one was surprisingly good.

10) I think the Freddy Mitchell stuff was WAY overblown. The comments weren't that incendiary. They were a story because the media needed a story, and because they don't like Mitchell. Even the announcers couldn't hide their contempt for Mitchell. I don't like Mitchell either, and am glad he didn't show up, but let's knock him for all the other idiotic things he says and can't back up, rather than this.

11) I know it's a nice pay raise and all, but if I'm Romeo Cornell, I might think about sticking around for a couple more years in New England. This team (and defense) figures to be pretty good for a couple more years anyway...and maybe if you wait, you have a chance of landing a job in an organization that actually has a chance. That's just me.

12) Love all the tie-ins, Fox. The cuts to reaction shots of celebrities associated with your shows (Tom Arnold, Jeff Gordon et al) is really, really awesome. Then you get FX's Michael Chickelis (sp?) and Will Smith (who I'm sure is in a 20th Century Fox movie coming soon to a theater near you) to do those silly opening montages. Just great. Love it. Really.

13) The officiating started off poorly (the missed Mitchell pick, the Branch "fumble", a couple missed penalties), but seemed to be ok later on. At least the replays all were right, but it's worth noting that all three challenged plays the call was wrong on the field...and for at least 2 of them, pretty easy to see from my chair.

14) Eugene Wilson's replacement (Dexter Reid) was pretty bad, and was out of position on a couple of big passes that McNabb missed (not that the FOX guys would notice). The Pats are lucky he didn't get exploited more.

15) I really wouldn't mind if the guys in the booth shut up long enough for Buck to at least notate the field position for each down. It's not too much to ask, is it? If my wife notices it, it's a glaring absence.

16) Homemade Chili-Cheese Fries are yummy

17) The pass interference penalty on the Pats FG drive was huge. Would have been nice for FOX to actually show it.

18) I wish people would stop asking the Patriots (and especially Belicheck) about the Dynasty thing. What the fuck are they supposed to say? Either they say yes, and sound cocky, or they say no and sound artificially humble.

19) Can we find someone else besides Bradshaw to give out the trophy? Do you think FOX can put a breather on James Brown pimping all of FOX's shows long enough to get him down there and bring a bit of dignity to the ceremony?

20) I love Tivoing the game to be able to pause and rewind, but it's kind of strange not fastforwarding during commercials.

[rkmsuf]

What is Bradshaw's fascination with telling people to take the trophy and parade it around the stadium.

He come up with that all on his own? Sounds like it.

[korme]

I approve with this message.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

What is Bradshaw's fascination with telling people to take the trophy and parade it around the stadium.

He does seem adamant about that. It's like they want to steal the NHL's Stanley Cup celebration, which is sad because it's one of only like three things that the NHL actually does right.

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

2) Terrell Owens is a tool, but he impressed the hell out of me with his play. Next time, I'd rather see him break his jaw than his leg, because he is awesome to watch, and no fun to listen to.

Agreed. There was a play late in the game where the Eagles were facing a crucial third down that they absolutely had to make to have any shot at winning. McNabb dropped back, looked over to Owens who was completely covered, and heaved it up for him. No secondary reads, no consideration of going somewhere else, just a pure case of "You're my go-to guy and I'm going to you with the super bowl on the line and you better find a way to catch it". And Owens caught it. Unbelievable play.

[bhlloy]

Dexter Reid might be one of the worst safeties I've ever seen take the field in the NFL. Couldn't agree more that it was a crime the Eagles didn't try to take advantage of him more. Having said that, let's not forget that the Pats secondary lost yet ANOTHER db and still managed to beat a very very good passing attack. To have a horrible free safety, a wide reciever and a scrub signed 3 weeks before out there in the nickel package and still not fold against on of the top passing attacks in the league is pretty damn incredible.

[mhass]

Draft Dodger for President (of FOX). And off with Collinsworth's head (or mic). Dennis Miller was much more entertaining and didn't make me stick things in my ears.

[rkmsuf]

Branch had no intention of getting into his career and going around the stadium with the trophy as TB seemed to want to get off on.

[flere-imsaho]

Who are you, Peter King?

Just kidding, nice post.

[jbmagic]

Patriots goign to be even stronger next season.


Ty Law And Poole coming back right? if so there going to have so much depth at CB

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Who are you, Peter King?

Just kidding, nice post.

actually, I stole all that from King.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

Patriots goign to be even stronger next season.


Ty Law And Poole coming back right? if so there going to have so much depth at CB

Neither may be back.

Poole almost retired last year.

Law is due 12.5 million. He'll have to restructure or be cut. The way he talked last night sounded like there's hope and he wants to stay but it's 50/50 at best.

They will need help in the secondary especially with no Law. Gay did well but he's a little guy back there.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

Patriots goign to be even stronger next season.


Ty Law And Poole coming back right? if so there going to have so much depth at CB

I have a feeling that Law will not be around. His cap number is like $13 M, he's shown he wont renegotiate, and, most importantly, the Pats have shown they can win without him. Unless he negotiates that down significantly, I think the Pats will release him and use the money to sign a couple of vets for the secondary.

Poole is signed for 2 more years, relatively cheaply I believe.

[korme]

Did anyone see the one shot of Law during the game? Where he yawned, and rubbed his eyes, trying to stay awake in the middle of the 2nd quarter?

Either he had just woken up or was high as hell.

[KWhit]

I'll take military people doing a proper rendition of the anthem over Whitney Houston or anyone else who wants to use the song to flaunt their vocal chops ANY day of the week.

Absolutely. That was the best National Anthem I've heard in a long long time.

And, though I'm not a big McCartney fan, I'll glady take a focused, one act show with nice production over a "let's get every demographic covered" crap of the last few years. U2 in 2002 will forever be my favorite, but this one was surprisingly good.

I love the Beatles and thought his performance was excellent. I don't remember the one in 2002, but this was the best halftime show in any major event that I can remember (granted, these things don't seem to be very memorable, IMO).

[Draft Dodger]

2002 was the 9/11 tribute, where they scrolled the names of the victims.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

9) And, though I'm not a big McCartney fan, I'll glady take a focused, one act show with nice production over a "let's get every demographic covered" crap of the last few years. U2 in 2002 will forever be my favorite, but this one was surprisingly good.

I have been a McCartney fan my entire life, but I was skeptical. It was good. It's nice to have a halftime show that is relatively simple and presents classic material. I never got the feeling that Sir Paul was trying to make himself bigger than the game. He was just putting on a little show of classic songs. No FCC fines coming out of this one.

[Axxon]

Nice post DD. Just wanted to echo that.

[gstelmack]

Did anyone else see bits of his press conference a couple of days ago? Best bit was Paul saying "You won't have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. We're going to play naked." He had a great sense of humor about the whole thing.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I have a feeling that Law will not be around. His cap number is like $13 M, he's shown he wont renegotiate, and, most importantly, the Pats have shown they can win without him. Unless he negotiates that down significantly, I think the Pats will release him and use the money to sign a couple of vets for the secondary.

Poole is signed for 2 more years, relatively cheaply I believe.

Gay was all over people like blanket. He made some good tackles too and should have had an interception. The same thing could have been said in the Steelers game. At some point he became a very good cornerback. I wouldn't be shocked to see Gay supporters all over Boston this time next year.

[korme]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I wouldn't be shocked to see Gay supporters all over Boston this time next year.

that had to be tongue in cheek.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Gay was all over people like blanket. He made some good tackles too and should have had an interception. The same thing could have been said in the Steelers game. At some point he became a very good cornerback. I wouldn't be shocked to see Gay supporters all over Boston this time next year.

I don't think he's the answer long term for some reason. Maybe he'll mature physically though.

You can't argue with the results however.

[QuikSand]

I think it's hard to talk about the Patriots and their future in terms of what might happen to individual players. Haven't we figured this out yet? The Pats aren't good because Ty Law is good, and so forth. If anything, it's the other way around.

If you want to speculate about where the Pats might be headed, start with the front office -- they lose both coordinators, and for this team, I'd speculate that's potentially a [i]much[/] bigger deal than just about any players.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

8) I'll take military people doing a proper rendition of the anthem over Whitney Houston or anyone else who wants to use the song to flaunt their vocal chops ANY day of the week.

9) And, though I'm not a big McCartney fan, I'll glady take a focused, one act show with nice production over a "let's get every demographic covered" crap of the last few years. U2 in 2002 will forever be my favorite, but this one was surprisingly good.

When I first head who was doing the Anthem, I didn't really care much. Oh yippee, another show of our great and never dying patriotism. But I ended up feeling about the same as you, one of the best I have heard. Especially liked when the female voices kicked in towards the end.

McCartney was a pretty decent show. I will never get to excited about halftime shows though because they wil never have anyone I am dying to see, especially after the decency crackdown.....

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I think it's hard to talk about the Patriots and their future in terms of what might happen to individual players. Haven't we figured this out yet? The Pats aren't good because Ty Law is good, and so forth. If anything, it's the other way around.

If you want to speculate about where the Pats might be headed, start with the front office -- they lose both coordinators, and for this team, I'd speculate that's potentially a [i]much[/] bigger deal than just about any players.

I absolutely agree with this. They played without Law since the Steelers loss. Yeah, they had holes like a flipping swiss cheese back there, but they kept winning. Richard Seymour went down, missed the playoffs, up comes a Jarvis Green and they were fine. Replacing Weisz and Crennel could be one completely different thing...

FM

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

I don't think he's the answer long term for some reason. Maybe he'll mature physically though.

You can't argue with the results however.

I think they'll get at least one long term starter between him and Samuel.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I think they'll get at least one long term starter between him and Samuel.

Yes I agree. I like Samuel. He makes big plays.

As far as the front office, one thing that's clear is that Kraft and Belichick have known about this potential for sometime and they are the kings of planning ahead.

On defense it's almost a lock that they promote from within.

On offense I'd be shocked but less shocked if they don't promote from within.

Either way I don't see them changing much what they do.

The biggest key in my mind is keeping Pioli and I believe they will make that priority #1. Kraft already went out of his way to specifically praise the guy.

[QuikSand]

I don't doubt that the Pats will have quality people in the coordinator positions.

I am absolutely fascinated by their tactical decisions, though. There is a lot of calculated risk-taking that this team uses (like deciding to bring a lot more pressure in the SB than they have for weeks against any other team). They always seem to have the right call there, though -- at some point, it looks less like luck and more like someone really knowing how to push buttons and pull strings.

Unbelievable.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I don't doubt that the Pats will have quality people in the coordinator positions.

I am absolutely fascinated by their tactical decisions, though. There is a lot of calculated risk-taking that this team uses (like deciding to bring a lot more pressure in the SB than they have for weeks against any other team). They always seem to have the right call there, though -- at some point, it looks less like luck and more like someone really knowing how to push buttons and pull strings.

Unbelievable.

I think it's that they have the experience to be confident enough to take calculated risks.

I mean leaving Gay singled up like that when they are taking shots takes guts and makes you look like a genius when it works.

I for one hope they keep the same style win or lose. They aren't afraid to do the opposite of conventional wisdom but then play very soundly when required.

[Kodos]

I found this year's Super Bowl to be much more enjoyable than the one last year. Instead of last year's Super Bowl party where women were talking during the game and shushing me during commercials, I Tivoed this Super Bowl, watched it alone, zapped through the commercials and halftime show, and was able to enjoy a football game rather than an event that caters to non-football fans. After starting the game about an hour after kickoff, I caught up somewhere in the 4th quarter and saw the game's finish live. Perfect!

Now if it had just featured a team that I like...

[AlexB]

Great post: agree with just about every one of them...

Even as an Englishman, (or maybe because?) I really appreciated the national anthem: you guys have a very patriotic, uplifting anthem and it seems that every time there's a big occasion they get somebody into crucify it...

I actually don't mind Collinsworth - find him quite funny - but he did noticably keep shifting views on how impressed he was by the Pats DBs dominating and the Eagles WRs dominating all night...

Did anybody else find it strange that Paul McCartney chose to do a cover version of Guns N Roses covering Paul McCartney's Live & Let Die?

Was there a nasty-pastel-coloured woolly jumper giveaway in a Jacksonville mall before the game? About 90% of the (frankly unconvincing) fans for the pre-game seemed to be wearing them...

I thought Will Smith's into was pretty good tbh, but the Pat's one didn't work at all - and this is gonna be norm now as teams shun the individual introductions...

Belicheck (spelling?) was great in providing an answer completely non-related to the dynasty question - that's the way to avoid either cockiness/false humility...

Is Mitchellcalled FredX because he's usually so anonymous?

And I'm looking forward to nine months without hearing overblown hype about Brian Westbrook(or Michael Westbrook according to Aikman - that would have been a comeback player!)? He's a good back, but he's nowhere near as good as people are making out. Remember Reid has never planned for him to be the absolute feature back - he might have been no. 1 on the depth chart for the last couple of years, but there's been Buckhalter and Staley the last couple of years, and this year when Buckhalter went down, Reid went and got Levens and still runs the ball less than any other team in the NFL. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. He's a very good receiver, not a featured running tailback - there's a reason he averaged 11 carries a game this year...

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

I thought Will Smith's into was pretty good tbh, but the Pat's one didn't work at all - and this is gonna be norm now as teams shun the individual introductions...

Not as long as Ray Lewis is in the game and miked up.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

(in no particular order).

1) Chris Collinsworth freaking sucks. He contradicts himself almost on every other play. Perhaps he should just comment on alternating plays, and then he'll sound like a coherrent genius. Someday, he's going to be teamed with Phil Simms, and I will stop watching football forever.

The worst was his unending praise for Brady's ability to look off the defense before throwing to his target. This comment came out after his touchdown pass to the side of the end zone. Watching the replay, it was perfectly clear that Brady was frantically searching for anyone to throw too.

8) I'll take military people doing a proper rendition of the anthem over Whitney Houston or anyone else who wants to use the song to flaunt their vocal chops ANY day of the week.

The anthem was written as a march, and that is really the way it needs to be performed. This is an opportunity to honor the country, NOT to show off your own talent.

9) And, though I'm not a big McCartney fan, I'll glady take a focused, one act show with nice production over a "let's get every demographic covered" crap of the last few years. U2 in 2002 will forever be my favorite, but this one was surprisingly good.

The half time show was rather dull, but I guess dull is better than annoying. The music was fine, but it didn't give me the energy to dive into the second half.

13) The officiating started off poorly (the missed Mitchell pick, the Branch "fumble", a couple missed penalties), but seemed to be ok later on. At least the replays all were right, but it's worth noting that all three challenged plays the call was wrong on the field...and for at least 2 of them, pretty easy to see from my chair.

Officials have started using replay as a crutch. If there is any possibility that a call might be close, officials generally pick the call that is able to be challenged. That "fumble" was clearly not a fumble since the defender had to tug two or three times after everyone was laying down just to get the ball out. If the ref blows the play dead, nobody can review the call. If he calls it a fumble - just in case - it can be corrected on review.

[rkmsuf]

One thing I had never seen before is the officials digging for the ball in the pile while the guy was standing at midfiled with it.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Not as long as Ray Lewis is in the game and miked up.

you forgot about TO...

FM

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by BrianD

The half time show was rather dull, but I guess dull is better than annoying. The music was fine, but it didn't give me the energy to dive into the second half.

I thought a good trip to the bathroom provided that.....

BTW, welcome to the board........

[Franklinnoble]

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I really enjoyed the halftime show. I can't stand pop music these days, so maybe that's it, but I'll take McCartney singing his old stuff over a bunch of:

* White sissy boys acting black
* Thug rappers pretending to be gangsters walking around with saggy pants, 6 pounds of jewelry, and shouting incoherently into a microphone.
* Tramp girls lip synching and trying to look sexy doing it.
* Any combination of the above.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Officials have started using replay as a crutch. If there is any possibility that a call might be close, officials generally pick the call that is able to be challenged. That "fumble" was clearly not a fumble since the defender had to tug two or three times after everyone was laying down just to get the ball out. If the ref blows the play dead, nobody can review the call. If he calls it a fumble - just in case - it can be corrected on review.

I agree pretty much, especially the first part - I think it's really hurt the on-field officiating. I like the idea of letting the play run...but it seems like every game I see where they should have let the play go, they didn't. And, still, that fumble was blatantly not a fumble.

Granted, I was sitting about 2 feet from the projector screen...but I think even people with little TVs could have seen that, and certainly the refs on the field should have.

[jetpunk2000]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

(in no particular order).


11) I know it's a nice pay raise and all, but if I'm Romeo Cornell, I might think about sticking around for a couple more years in New England. This team (and defense) figures to be pretty good for a couple more years anyway...and maybe if you wait, you have a chance of landing a job in an organization that actually has a chance. That's just me.

Well, the main problem with that is Crennel is 57. His window is definitely closing.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good stuff, DD. But, I agree with JP2000, Crennel's time is now. He's 57, which is close to retiring age for most professions. He's been the D coordinator for three Super Bowl teams. What else is there for him? He's at the heigh of his popularity right now. Look at Kifkin in Tampa. After they won the Super Bowl there were all sorts of rumors. He doesn't look so hot right now, does he?

Also, the Browns have a good a shot as any other team looking for a head coach. It's rare for good teams to fire their coach.

Also, wasn't there a roughing the passer call on a play? Did we ever see that?

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Also, wasn't there a roughing the passer call on a play? Did we ever see that?

sorry, I said pass interference, but it was roughing the passer. and it was stupid not to show it. I don't even remember if they said who it was on, but I may be wrong on that...

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

And I'm looking forward to nine months without hearing overblown hype about Brian Westbrook(or Michael Westbrook according to Aikman - that would have been a comeback player!)? He's a good back, but he's nowhere near as good as people are making out. Remember Reid has never planned for him to be the absolute feature back - he might have been no. 1 on the depth chart for the last couple of years, but there's been Buckhalter and Staley the last couple of years, and this year when Buckhalter went down, Reid went and got Levens and still runs the ball less than any other team in the NFL. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. He's a very good receiver, not a featured running tailback - there's a reason he averaged 11 carries a game this year...

There's also a reason they are 22-2 (after yesterday) when he gets 10+ touches in a game. The kid is a gamebreaker and the reason they've been careful with him is because they had a lot of RB depth and had injury concerns with him. He still had 1,500 combined yards this year even with the injury, and is a potential home run hitter any time he touches the ball. Do they need to make sure they have a good backup to him in case of injury (and preferably a bigger short yardage type guy), yes, but most teams do (ala Warrick Dunn). Just don't be at all surprised if he's Philly's starting RB for the forseeable future with what he showed them this year.

[hhiipp]

Is Mitchellcalled FredX because he's usually so anonymous?

He calls himself Fredex because he "delivers" like the parcel delivery service FedEx.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

sorry, I said pass interference, but it was roughing the passer. and it was stupid not to show it. I don't even remember if they said who it was on, but I may be wrong on that...

I think you're right, they didn't say who it was on. Hell, I forgot about it until I read your post about the pass interference.

[illinifan999]

Best play of the game: fumble, huge pile. player with ball escapes pile. officials still getting people off the pile looking for the ball. player runs towards midfield with ball. refs still looking in the pile.

[Solecismic]

There was a lot of Gay bashing last night. McNabb picked on him constantly. Gay made some plays, took advantage of poor McNabb throws on others.

I thought the story of the game was how badly McNabb played. Yes, I know he threw for 357. But he needed 51 attempts, and couldn't take enough advantage of a depleted and undertalented Patriot secondary.

Patriots are in great shape capwise. I'm guessing they go out and get a stud CB to replace Law. Word is that the Chiefs really like Law and are planning to go after him with a very large checkbook when the Pats cut him because of the huge cap number.

Crennel deserves a shot. Might as well be the Brownies. Once they settle that quarterback mess and get some consistency, they're not horrible. They have a good core set of players from a leadership/pride perspective.

Brady played very well - I think he cemented his HOF credentials as a big-game quarterback who makes very few mistakes. No interceptions in the playoffs against two of the top defenses. And Indianapolis, who held him to less points than those two.

Greg Lewis just made Freddie Mitchell very much expendable. That guy's going to be good. He and T.O. together are just what McNabb needs to get another shot at this championship next year.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by illinifan999

Best play of the game: fumble, huge pile. player with ball escapes pile. officials still getting people off the pile looking for the ball. player runs towards midfield with ball. refs still looking in the pile.

i'm still not understanding how that was a fumble. To this moment. Okay, Brady hits the ball against the RB...ball falls to the ground...ball is live. Brady falls on the ball. Ball is completly under him. Eagle player falls on Brady, WHILE HIS KNEE IS TOUCHING THE GROUND.

Bingo...play is dead right there!!! But somehow they let a rugby-style scrum develop and the Eagles guys grab the ball away. That's bullcrap. Horrible horrible call. Could very well have changed the game IMO. It really wasn't THAT close a game...if the Pats keep that ball and pound it in for a TD (no reason to suppose they wouldn't) it's what...31-21?

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i'm still not understanding how that was a fumble. To this moment. Okay, Brady hits the ball against the RB...ball falls to the ground...ball is live. Brady falls on the ball. Ball is completly under him. Eagle player falls on Brady, WHILE HIS KNEE IS TOUCHING THE GROUND.

Bingo...play is dead right there!!! But somehow they let a rugby-style scrum develop and the Eagles guys grab the ball away. That's bullcrap. Horrible horrible call. Could very well have changed the game IMO. It really wasn't THAT close a game...if the Pats keep that ball and pound it in for a TD (no reason to suppose they wouldn't) it's what...31-21?

Brady did NOT have possession.

[DaddyTorgo]

how did he not have possession? He fell on top of the ball...meaning the ball was underneath his body completly. His arms were around it, however loosely. Isn't that possession? Or is possession actually emerging from the rugby-scrum with it? Because I think that's a fairly dangerous precedent for the NFL to set...

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i'm still not understanding how that was a fumble. To this moment. Okay, Brady hits the ball against the RB...ball falls to the ground...ball is live. Brady falls on the ball. Ball is completly under him. Eagle player falls on Brady, WHILE HIS KNEE IS TOUCHING THE GROUND.

Bingo...play is dead right there!!! But somehow they let a rugby-style scrum develop and the Eagles guys grab the ball away. That's bullcrap. Horrible horrible call. Could very well have changed the game IMO. It really wasn't THAT close a game...if the Pats keep that ball and pound it in for a TD (no reason to suppose they wouldn't) it's what...31-21?

as DD said, Brady didn't have possession. Yes he fell to the ground, but not on top of the ball, the ball was to his side, almost under his arm, but not quite. That's when and Eagles stole it.

FM

[DaddyTorgo]

could be that the ball wasn't under his arm I guess. I guess I'd want to see it, because I mean if any part of the ball is touching any part of him and then he gets jumped on, wouldn't he be down by contact and the play dead?