Super Bowl XLIX

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by jeff061

That said, Butler made a hell of a play on it. He didn't luck into that int, he had to make it happen. The horrible call is overshadowing that, understandably.

I was talking to my boss about this this morning. That was NOT an easy pick. If he had just knocked the ball away, the Seahawks probably still win. He had to muscle in, get position, hold onto the ball in traffic, make a football move , and then go to the ground.

[Dutch]

It was a very aggressive play and he did everything right. Now, if that was a pump fake and a deeper pattern he might've been screwed, but it wasn't. Great play.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I was talking to my boss about this this morning. That was NOT an easy pick. If he had just knocked the ball away, the Seahawks probably still win. He had to muscle in, get position, hold onto the ball in traffic, make a football move , and then go to the ground.

All very true but you have to add that he was following Wilson's eyes too. Good QBs become great by doing quick looks instead of locking in and to use eyes as deception.

Originally Posted by Dutch

The team wins the games. Manning is the better overall QB, but the rings make the legends...and its 3 to 1.

Wins make the QB apparently and Brady has it over Manning in both regular and post season (but I do put Manning in top 3).

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Logan

I've made the same dumb throw in countless Madden/NCAA games.

I was thinking that too... hey "Quick Slants", my favorite!

[Travis]

Looking back at it this morning, I have much less issue of the theory behind what they did now.

According to stats seen posted on twitter:

That was the 110th pass from the 1 in the NFL this season and the 1st interception.

Lynch had 5 attempts from the 1 this year and scored 1 touchdown (2 stuff and 2 for loss as well).

Pete/Bevell saw what they thought was a mismatch and already figured they'd have to throw it on 2nd or 3rd down due to time/time outs remaining (burning that TO a few plays prior factors in huge as well).

So they try to get the element of surprise to a degree by throwing on 2nd down. I certainly don't fault them for coaching to win rather than coaching to avoid a pick.

That said, worst play type to call. Seattle is not a good slant route team. You could have run a longer developing play without issue so long as Wilson doesn't take a sack. They're not exactly a strong fade team either so likely a roll out with a few options would have been a call I'd have much rather seen.

In the end, anything but an interception there and they run the next play and likely again on 4th down (1 of the 2 likely being Wilson instead of Lynch I'd guess).

It killed me more to see Bennett go offsides on the Pats play though. Would have been pretty sweet to see a safety there to potentially set up a long FG attempt for the win to end regulation.

[Buccaneer]

It is now sinking in that against one of the best defenses all time (with some injuries), Brady was still able to throw 37/50, 300+ and lead them back from a two score deficit in the 4th quarter. That's saying a lot.

[ColtCrazy]

While I can see the justification for the play call on 2nd down, it's the type of play and formation that makes it a dumb call. The formation did not spread the field. That meant the Pats were stacked in tight and more likely to clog any slant to the middle. I agree, Butler made a heckuva play on the ball, but even without his great play there's a great chance for a deflection or something to happen in such tight quarters. Fade Route? Hate them, but a better call there. RB in the flat. TE block and release. There's several better calls than the one that they made.

And yes, Brady is one of the greatest QBs of all time. (FWIW I've decided proclaiming a true greatest is useless) He wasn't brilliant the whole game, but he was great when he needed to be.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

It is now sinking in that against one of the best defenses all time (with some injuries), Brady was still able to throw 37/50, 300+ and lead them back from a two score deficit in the 4th quarter. That's saying a lot.

Yep, as much as I've been slamming him this year. That was the type of bowl winning performance he used to put up, even with that awful INT. Consistent and clutch. It's exactly what was needed.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Travis

Lynch had 5 attempts from the 1 this year and scored 1 touchdown (2 stuff and 2 for loss as well).

Obviously small sample size comment aside...

He's Marshawn Fucking Lynch. Your entire offense is built around him being a physical, bruising runner. Not to mention by Carroll's own admission, they were planning on running it with him on the next two plays anyway.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Logan

Obviously small sample size comment aside...

He's Marshawn Fucking Lynch. Your entire offense is built around him being a physical, bruising runner. Not to mention by Carroll's own admission, they were planning on running it with him on the next two plays anyway.

Oh, for sure, and I'd expect if they hadn't burned the other TO that he'd have gotten 2 cracks at it with Wilson likely getting 1 as well if need be. I just hate the pass play called more than a pass being called on 2nd down there.

But those numbers (and I've seen elsewhere that Lynch is something like 5 of 13 in those situations the last 3 years) show why they were planning on it possibly going to 4th down rather than being sure that the first crack would have worked. Having only 1 TO at that point dictated that at least one play would be through the air.

[Suicane75]

I get if you want to throw there. But Chris Matthews on a corner fade seems like a much better risk/reward play.

That said, great game. Just like I think the Packers will be haunted for a long time, so will Seattle. Down 10 and looking like they had been figured out, the Patriots put together one of the most impressive quarters in Super Bowl history against a great defense. Not that he had anything to prove, but Brady surely killed a few ghosts with that performance.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

So, does everyone go insane about this last play call if Collinsworth doesn't call it the dumbest play call he's ever seen?

Umm, yes? I said the exact same thing, and I was in a crowded bar and couldn't hear a word Collinsworth said.

[Logan]

I didn't notice this until I saw it in Barnwell's column this morning. Incredible play.

3. Dont’a Hightower saves the Super Bowl and nobody notices. You’ll remember that play Butler made for the rest of your life if you’re a football fan. What you probably already don’t remember, though, is what happened on the previous play. You already know that Lynch ran the ball for four yards to set up that second-and-goal situation on the 1-yard line. Do you know why he didn’t get into the end zone? Watch what no. 54 does here:

That’s an incredible play by Hightower in a spot where the margin for error is basically nil. First, he fights off a block from one of the best left tackles in football, Russell Okung. That gives him a tiny window in which to tackle Lynch, arguably the most difficult man in football to bring down, and Lynch is running away from a basically standstill Hightower at full speed. Hightower somehow manages to dive at Lynch’s knees and trip him up, with Akeem Ayers diving on a falling Lynch as the Seahawks star goes down.

If Hightower doesn’t get off Okung’s block, it’s a touchdown. If Hightower doesn’t get enough of a swat at Lynch’s knees, he either runs in for a touchdown or Ayers’s tackle drags him into the end zone. Sure, the Seahawks made the wrong call to throw the football on the next play. Seattle fans are going to spend the rest of their lives stewing over that call. As easy as it is to say the Seahawks lost this game because of their own mistakes, the Patriots had to make some incredible plays to win. Hightower’s Super Bowl–saving tackle was one of the plays that will unfairly get lost in the shuffle.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Super Bowl halftime show planning meeting:

"OK, so, Katy, you're going to ride in on a big ass lion. Then you're going to dance with some dudes who look like the Oakland Raiders performing Alice in Wonderland. It's going to be kinda loud, so it might awaken Lenny Kravitz from his slumber, and you'll have to sing with him for two and a half minutes until he falls asleep again. Then Missy Elliott for some reason. We have some shark and beach ball costumes lying around. Somebody should wear those so we get our money's worth. Then we're going to blast you into orbit. And could you be naked while doing this? Wait, THAT'S the part you object to?"

I came back to the thread this morning to see what people had to say about the half time show and I found this. Ya gotta love Pumpy.

FWIW: Someone at our house made the Oakland Raiders reference when Missy Elliott's dancers came out. No one knew who she was...when I read the "Missy" and said hey wasn't there a Missy somebody a few years back...Oh Missy Elliott(from across the room...Then Hey isn't that her song?....followed by "Why is Missy Elliott at the Super Bowl?".

Double FWIW: I've got to say that was the least disappointing Half time show in Years. At points, the beginning and the end, I was genuinely entertained.

[Kodos]

This reminds me of a tragic loss I suffered to Bigsmooth in the Rose Bowl in our RFL NCAA 2009 online dynasty. Too bad the links to the videos are dead.

Originally Posted by Kodos

We pick up action in the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl between Indiana and Washington. This is Indiana's first trip to the Rose Bowl in my lifetime--and in game time, I'm 42.

Trailing 21-14 with 4 minutes left, Indiana calls an option run near the goaline.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 09 Video

Justin Sampson just gets off the pitch before being tackled, and backup RB Trea Burgess takes it in (Zach Longshore was knocked out of the game in the first half.)

With Two minutes left, Blake Weber threads the needle to James Maynard to put Washington back on top 28-21.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 09 Video

With less than half a minute left, Indiana has moved into Washington territory, but now faces 4th and long.

EA Sports: NCAA Football 09 Video

Chad Razzono answers the call in the back corner of the endzone with a diving catch! A couple of good defensive plays later, we're heading to overtime!

In the first overtime, Indiana wins the toss and chooses to go on defense. A turnover puts IU in great position, and a first down run moves us well within field goal range. Here is the final play of the Rose Bowl:

EA Sports: NCAA Football 09 Video

Trying to catch the defense off guard, Sampson looks to pass on second down, but never gets the ball off. Instead, he tries to roll away from pressure, gets hit, loses the ball, and ROLB Kurt Brown scoops it up and rumbles 69 yards the other way.

We were already in field goal range. All we had to do was run it up the middle a few times. But I outsmarted myself.

Great game, Bigsmooth. Guess you got me back for our last game...


Oh, and clipping should have been called on that last play. Did you see that guy hit my QB in the back?

Originally Posted by Bigsmooth

Haha...very nice re-cap. That catch by Razzano was really a really sweet animation as he dives for the ball in the corner. Well done. I was really pissed after I threw that pick in OT. Then, for whatever reason, you decided to pass the ball and the rest is history. Unreal. A great way to wrap up what has been a fun League. Thanks for your Commish work Kodos, much appreciated. Looking forward to Madden!

Originally Posted by Kodos

I was trying to catch you off-guard, suspecting you would be trying to stuff the runs up the middle. Didn't work out so well...

[JonInMiddleGA]

So help me, from the brief bit of that part I saw, I thought Missy Elliot was a dude.

I was in the kitchen dealing with the microwave, sue me.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

So help me, from the brief bit of that part I saw, I thought Missy Elliot was a dude.

I was in the kitchen dealing with the microwave, sue me.

You weren't alone. It took me a few seconds to place the gender.

[Fidatelo]

I assumed the ball was going to Lynch, but I don't mind a pass play there for exactly that reason (everyone assumed it was going to Lynch). Also there is the whole time-clock management stuff that people have said. So a pass isn't a bad idea. But the one they chose was a HORRIBLE idea. You have to go with either a pass out to someone in the flat or else a corner route, and Wilson should be only throwing it if there is no one but the receiver and a single defender anywhere near. If he sees any danger at all he should be tossing it away. To throw a short slant into the middle of the field when the defense has everyone in the middle of the field is asking for trouble, and they got it.

[Chief Rum]

The Seahawks antics/playcalling at the end, BTW, totally removes from the conversation Belichek's awful decision to not use a time out after Lynch's first run, and also not just letting him score to give Brady as much time as possible. Sure, in hind sight, it was the right move because the Pats got the INT and stopped the drive, but no one could have seen that one coming.

If the Seahawks scored on that play or didn't lose the ball and scored later, everyone today would be questioning Belichek for why he let so much time run off that could have been used by his HOF QB to get the Pats into FG range.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

The Seahawks antics/playcalling at the end, BTW, totally removes from the conversation Belichek's awful decision to not use a time out after Lynch's first run, and also not just letting him score to give Brady as much time as possible. Sure, in hind sight, it was the right move because the Pats got the INT and stopped the drive, but no one could have seen that one coming.

If the Seahawks scored on that play or didn't lose the ball and scored later, everyone today would be questioning Belichek for why he let so much time run off that could have been used by his HOF QB to get the Pats into FG range.

I was sitting there saying take a timeout. But I wonder if Belicheck wasn't gambling that the Seahawks would get flustered with the clock running and only one timeout?

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

The Seahawks antics/playcalling at the end, BTW, totally removes from the conversation Belichek's awful decision to not use a time out after Lynch's first run, and also not just letting him score to give Brady as much time as possible. Sure, in hind sight, it was the right move because the Pats got the INT and stopped the drive, but no one could have seen that one coming.

If the Seahawks scored on that play or didn't lose the ball and scored later, everyone today would be questioning Belichek for why he let so much time run off that could have been used by his HOF QB to get the Pats into FG range.

Very true, I was yelling at the TV as the time counted off the clock, trying to explain to my wife that I didn't understand why NE wasn't taking a timeout. I still don't get it, really, unless Belichik was thinking that by keeping the time running it didn't allow Seattle to settle down and hoping that chaos was an advantage for the defense in that situation. Did any reporters ask him why he didn't? If so, does anyone know what he responded with?

[Logan]

He should have called the timeout but there's no way I let them score. If a FG to win is an option, then I would do it. But TDs at the goal line are never automatic, and that's not even just thinking of last night...how about Niners-Ravens a couple years ago?

Part of me thinks Seattle expected the Pats to take the timeout there, and that started the chain of WTF that we saw last night. I think they got so worried about the clock and leaving too much time for Brady that they forgot they actually needed to win the game first. I mean, you have three chances to win the Super Bowl and to ever describe one of the three as a "wasted play" seems batshit insane to me.

eta: Excuse the exaggeration...I don't think they actually "forgot". But I think they had a script in mind of how they thought those plays were going to go from 1st down and on, and when they didn't get the timeout they expected, they didn't make an adjustment.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Logan

Part of me thinks Seattle expected the Pats to take the timeout there, and that started the chain of WTF that we saw last night. I think they got so worried about the clock and leaving too much time for Brady that they forgot they actually needed to win the game first. I mean, you have three chances to win the Super Bowl and to ever describe one of the three as a "wasted play" seems batshit insane to me.

I totally agree with this

[molson]

I was definitely rooting for Lynch to score there from the 5 to give Brady some time, and then looking for the timeout after that didn't happen, but as the clock got closer to zero, I started to have some hope. Because it seemed the Seahawks were REALLY intent to score with no time left, which might have reduced the number of plays they could run, and increased the chance of something going wrong for them on the whatever the last play was. The best non-turnover scenario was that they stuff Lynch back at the 2 or 3, and then there's only 14 or 15 left seconds by the time the Seahawks call a timeout. And then things wouldn't look quite so hopeless.

[Draft Dodger]

yeah, it surprised me too but I think it definitely put a lot of pressure on the Seahawks and I agree that was a big factor.

[Vince, Pt. II]

At the time I was questioning their lack of a timeout, but the more I think about it, the more I like the non-call. They are the ones who have to accomplish something in a limited amount of time. Put the onus and the burden on them, not your own team.

[Chief Rum]

I hear ya, Vince, but you could turn that around and say "I want the ball in my team's hands to win this game".

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

At the time I was questioning their lack of a timeout, but the more I think about it, the more I like the non-call. They are the ones who have to accomplish something in a limited amount of time. Put the onus and the burden on them, not your own team.

It's not really a limited amount of time though. A minute-plus with a timeout at the goal line is an eternity. If there was no such thing as a turnover on downs, they could have run 10 plays.

[flere-imsaho]

I don't know if anyone caught it, but Butler said he jumped the route because he recognized the play from study and knew immediately what they were going to do. So, not just instinct, but preparation. Really impressive, especially for a rookie.

And agreed on the Hightower tackle. Can't believe Lynch didn't get in on that play.

[nol]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

I don't know if anyone caught it, but Butler said he jumped the route because he recognized the play from study and knew immediately what they were going to do. So, not just instinct, but preparation. Really impressive, especially for a rookie.

And agreed on the Hightower tackle. Can't believe Lynch didn't get in on that play.

I caught it and remarked that you can definitely tell he's a rookie because he's actually giving relevant strategic insight instead of throwing out some cliche about working hard or thanking God or whatever.

[tucker rocky]

[kingfc22]

I agree with what Logan said above. The 1st down play ends with 1:02 left on the clock. The INT happened with 20 seconds left. There was plenty of time to give Lynch 3 more cracks at it from the half yard line.

This season, Lynch was stopped for no yards or a loss on 7% of his carries (*stat heard this morning). If I'm Seattle, I have to roll the dice 3 times on what has been a 93% success rate this year.

[molson]

I've been staring at those sharks for quite a while trying to figure out if they were supposed to be doing the same dance, and if one of them was ahead of the other. The left one seems to be having some trouble

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by molson

I've been starting at those sharks for quite a while trying to figure out if they were supposed to be doing the same dance, and if one of them was ahead of the other. The left one seems to be having some trouble

The left shark is all the rage on twitter right now.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

The left shark is all the rage on twitter right now.

I love left shark, that guy rules.

[tucker rocky]

SB2015.png

[SteveMax58]

This entire Superbowl is just a way to setup NE/NYG III next year.

[flounder]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I love left shark, that guy rules.

Right shark all the way. You're a backup dancer. Don't overshadow the star.

[molson]

Kind of a surprising stat, the Patriots beat last year's Seahawks record for youngest team to ever win a super bowl, with an average age of 25.2.

[miami_fan]

Couple of things that I think have gone unnoticed or I have not heard an explanation for.

1. After the juggling catch by Kearse, was I the only one who expected a call from instant replay to confirm it was a catch? It seemed like the Seahawks were not sure if it was a catch or not and that caused them to get to the line late and forced the second timeout. It seems like that gets reviewed more often than not in the NFL.

2. Full credit to Butler for not being shell shocked at the end of that play. If he does not get up and push Kearse out of bounds, who knows what happens then.

[SirFozzie]

The best reactions to THAT PLAY.

Best Fan Reactions to Patriots’ game-winning interception vs Seahawks! (Super Bowl XLIX) - YouTube

[Logan]

Looks like Warren Sapp was doing some shopping early this morning...

[Buccaneer]

Catching up on recent posts and very interesting thoughts (except when talking about halftime).

flere, I agree with you on the intelligence of Butler knowing the formation from studying. That's refreshing to see. I also agree that Hightower's tackle was underrated. Nice to see a defender actually do a textbook tackle instead of bumping or stripping.

[Buccaneer]

I also read where the blames are falling but I don't see much about Kearse not picking out Butler as he was supposed to.

[AENeuman]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Catching up on recent posts and very interesting thoughts (except when talking about halftime).

flere, I agree with you on the intelligence of Butler knowing the formation from studying. That's refreshing to see. I also agree that Hightower's tackle was underrated. Nice to see a defender actually do a textbook tackle instead of bumping or stripping.

I agree, Right Shark all the way

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I also read where the blames are falling but I don't see much about Kearse not picking out Butler as he was supposed to.

Kearse was supposed to use Browner to set the pick.

Kearse isn't small at 6'1" and 209, but Browner is reported at 6'4" and 220. That's a hell of a task.

[Logan]

I also hate these legal picks and rub routes so part of me is kinda happy that it got blown to shit on that play.

[FrogMan]

Seahawks Fan Destroys His Television After Malcolm Butler's Interception In Super Bowl XLIX | Daily Snark

FM

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by FrogMan

Seahawks Fan Destroys His Television After Malcolm Butler's Interception In Super Bowl XLIX | Daily Snark

FM

PASSION!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by flounder

Right shark all the way. You're a backup dancer. Don't overshadow the star.

The star being the left shark?