Whether Seattle's play selection was the right one, it has no relationship to the "Miracle at the Meadowlands."
Back then, it was common practice in the NFL (and college) to hand the ball off to a running back to run out the clock.
On after the Larry Czonka fumble did teams "take a knee" to end the game.
Back then, it was common practice in the NFL (and college) to hand the ball off to a running back to run out the clock.
On after the Larry Czonka fumble did teams "take a knee" to end the game.
There is no excuse. They had three more downs to get into the end zone and they chose a super-risky pic-play pass into traffic right down the middle.
When you get to the dance - you dance with who brought you - in Seattle's case that would be the Beast. With Marshawn in the backfield there was no excuse for that call.....none.
When you get to the dance - you dance with who brought you - in Seattle's case that would be the Beast. With Marshawn in the backfield there was no excuse for that call.....none.
2
The call was correct. Pass, and if it is slapped down, you get at least 2 more chances, either a run or pass, (you still have a time out. If your ran initially, and the Pats stopped them, time could run out(yes you still have a time out unless the run takes all the time.
The interception was caused by a poor throw. Look at the play in very slow motion. Some say the receiver failed to complete his route.
And... the Seahawks still had a chance after the Pat's got the ball and Brady standing in the endzone. But they were called for encroaching. 2 mistakes. One by the offense, one by the defense. All in the last 30 seconds.
The interception was caused by a poor throw. Look at the play in very slow motion. Some say the receiver failed to complete his route.
And... the Seahawks still had a chance after the Pat's got the ball and Brady standing in the endzone. But they were called for encroaching. 2 mistakes. One by the offense, one by the defense. All in the last 30 seconds.
3
Let's say call was correct - pass play. But the choice of pass plays was incorrect. Corner fade, okay. Whatever pass play you choose, it needs to have highest probability of success, and smallest of failure. The one they called was just the opposite. That play was selected with the expectation that it wouldn't use it much time if it failed, rather than select one with the highest probability of success so you wouldn't have to worry about needing valuable clock time to run another. I would like to see both coaches admit it was a bad choice, not just take the heat that it failed. They put Russell Wilson in position not to succeed, but to fail. Headline should have read "Carroll Tackles Lynch - Seahawks Lose" because that what it amounts to. Pete Carrolls buddy Jim Harbaugh made a similar blunder in Andrew Luck's freshman year. On the verge of a comeback win vs Cal in the big game, at home in 2007, with Toby Gerhardt operating in his own Beast Mode, he calls for a goal line passby Luck which was intercepted, game over. There is almost something egotistical that takes over some coaches who may feel that it's too easy to win by handing the ball off to their Beast Mode who will get all the glory for the TD win. Calling for a pass play in that instance gives the coach a chance to share in the glory. Pass is successful, "Great Call" is heard. Hand the ball off and plow through the end zone, piece of cake, no accolades for a great call.
4
Carroll and his supporters can try to rationalize this all they want but it's not going to work. The call was so awful that people think that there had to be something more there. After all, nobody in their right mind would make such a ridiculous call. Therefore, it had to be brilliant. Nice try. They overthought it and blew it. "Playing for third and fourth downs"? Any coach who doesn't play for the down that he currently has should not be coaching. And any coach who thinks that a slant pass will eat up the clock more than a run is delusional. Pete Carroll can lie to himself all he wants but he needs to stop insulting our intelligence.
3
Gee, isn't there a term for this? Oh yeah, "MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK."
Carroll thought the play had a chance. It did. Just didn't turn out the way they drew it up.
(And a lot of us Patriots fans were expecting the worst - for the third CONSECUTIVE time because of a totally improbable catch.)
Omit the two crazy catches that Tyree and Manningham made and its Patriots 6-0 in the SuperBowl over a 14 year span. But that didn't exactly work out that way either.
Carroll thought the play had a chance. It did. Just didn't turn out the way they drew it up.
(And a lot of us Patriots fans were expecting the worst - for the third CONSECUTIVE time because of a totally improbable catch.)
Omit the two crazy catches that Tyree and Manningham made and its Patriots 6-0 in the SuperBowl over a 14 year span. But that didn't exactly work out that way either.
5
Pete Carroll, and one assumes Darren Bevel, are risk takers, thats why the Seahawks ended up in the Super Bowl and that's why they ended up with a game winning opportunity at one yard and three downs to the goal line. Think about the fake field goal in the Conference final,. Think about the game tying touchdown at the end of the first half of the Super Bowl( when a "safe " field goal kick would have netted 3 points). Think about the pass and incredible catch that got them into the red zone at the end of the 4th quarter. So is it any surprise when everybody is expecting a run from the one that Bevel and Carroll elected to try a relatively un-risky short slant pass to capture the trophy? The odds were in their favour! Wilson was very likely to either connect on the pass or to have an incomplete reception. It was highly unlikely that an undrafted defensive rookie would read the play perfectly and that Wilson would be slightly off with the pass. Even then Butler getting his hands on the ball and keeping it was way outside the odds. A miraculous feat of athleticism indeed.
No blame to Seattles offensive coaches. It was not a poor call nor even a particularly risky one. The pass might have been executed differently. Butler may have batted the ball down or dropped it or...??? and we would all be hailing Carroll and Bevel as the coaching geniuses they are. One thing that is not at risk -Seattle will be Super winners again.
No blame to Seattles offensive coaches. It was not a poor call nor even a particularly risky one. The pass might have been executed differently. Butler may have batted the ball down or dropped it or...??? and we would all be hailing Carroll and Bevel as the coaching geniuses they are. One thing that is not at risk -Seattle will be Super winners again.
8
Please fire Bevell! This is not the first time he has made crucial mistakes during games :(
Unfortunately the truth came out in the Superbowl :(.
Unfortunately the truth came out in the Superbowl :(.
Wilson fakes to Lynch heading off left tackle, rolls to his right and... you know the rest.
1
This is why the Super Bowl's the best game in the country. Something like this could happen, millions of dollars for coaches, staffs to take care of everything, great players, owners, and yet one play turned it all upside down. And what if they did score, I seem Brady go downfield with less than a minute to go an score a touchdown to win the game many times. Biggest game of their life, the money, the fame and all the other perks. 43 players on each team (I believe that's right) tons of coaches and someone made the wrong call. My first coach in the 7th grade, score enough to overcome, bad calls, fumbles, cheats so on an so on. This is why it's called the SUPER BOWL.
Stop piling on. There were a lot of factors at play and very little time to sort through them. If the play worked, Carroll would be a genius. Give him credit for having guts to make the call and taking full responsibility for its outcome.
2
We've become a nation of whiners and second guessers. There was nothing wrong with the Seahawks call. There was probably about as good a chance that Lynch would fumble the ball behind the line of scrimmage as that pass being intercepted. Incomplete pass stops the clock and gives them two more shots with a time out. It was an tremendous play by Butler to make the interception. Why can't we just tip our hats to all the players and coaches for a great game? No, no, no, we need scapegoats. Pathetic.
5
In hindsight we all think we have the right answer. If the pass would have been caught QB, receiver & coaching staff would have been heroes. First there was the distaction about deflated footballs…now everyone is criticizing Bevell. It's just a game but the media seems to thrive on negative news so they are hammering Bevell…...leave the guy alone.
2
Award-winning incompetence by both Pete Carroll and Darrell Bevell.
Sometimes being too clever is really being very stupid.
Sometimes being too clever is really being very stupid.
2
All the flak from the armchair critics over the Seahawks decision to pass rather than run on that play is really getting old. If the pass had been completed we would have heard how gutsy it was, how brilliant to pass when the defence expected a run.
The fact is they ran a play that they had practiced and used many times and it had a strong chance of success. In the end it came down to a pass not as well executed as it could have been and a brilliant read and play by Gerald Butler.
And lest we forget, our Seahawks benefited from a fumbled catch during the
the onside kick against the Packers which probably cost the latter the game. Sometimes that's just the way it goes.
We need to remember first and foremost what an outstanding Super Bowl game this was and how each team's players and coaches came together to rise above the rest to get there.
The fact is they ran a play that they had practiced and used many times and it had a strong chance of success. In the end it came down to a pass not as well executed as it could have been and a brilliant read and play by Gerald Butler.
And lest we forget, our Seahawks benefited from a fumbled catch during the
the onside kick against the Packers which probably cost the latter the game. Sometimes that's just the way it goes.
We need to remember first and foremost what an outstanding Super Bowl game this was and how each team's players and coaches came together to rise above the rest to get there.
2
I don't get why, if you need a scapegoat here, it isn't Wilson, not the coaches.
In the entirety of the season across the NFL in very similar circumstances, 34 passes were thrown without a single interception. 47 run plays were executed, with 2 fumbles.
Why would a coach assume that there was a high risk for a turnover if a pass play is run under these circumstances, when in fact such an interception is exceedingly rare?
It's Wilson's execution that was deficient here, not the play call, which was more than reasonable.
It would be nice if Wilson would man up and acknowledge his own responsibility. What other quarterback ever refuses to acknowledge his responsibility in a case like this, when so obviously he made a terrible decision? Did you see the supposedly arrogant Brady refuse to do so with his interceptions?
In the entirety of the season across the NFL in very similar circumstances, 34 passes were thrown without a single interception. 47 run plays were executed, with 2 fumbles.
Why would a coach assume that there was a high risk for a turnover if a pass play is run under these circumstances, when in fact such an interception is exceedingly rare?
It's Wilson's execution that was deficient here, not the play call, which was more than reasonable.
It would be nice if Wilson would man up and acknowledge his own responsibility. What other quarterback ever refuses to acknowledge his responsibility in a case like this, when so obviously he made a terrible decision? Did you see the supposedly arrogant Brady refuse to do so with his interceptions?
2
Woody Hayes summed it up the best:
"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad."
It was a bad call with unnecessary risk. A pass is fine, but not to the inside where there is traffic and a deflection is likely to end up in an interception. Throw it to the outside and give Wilson the option to tuck and run. This lets you stop the clock if there is no opportunity to score. I'm not an offensive coordinator but I've watched a lot of football in my time. Sometimes these guys are just too close to see things clearly in the heat of a game.
"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad."
It was a bad call with unnecessary risk. A pass is fine, but not to the inside where there is traffic and a deflection is likely to end up in an interception. Throw it to the outside and give Wilson the option to tuck and run. This lets you stop the clock if there is no opportunity to score. I'm not an offensive coordinator but I've watched a lot of football in my time. Sometimes these guys are just too close to see things clearly in the heat of a game.
1
No game is won or lost because of a single play. By all accounts, the Seahawks should not have even been in a position to win given the dominance of Brady and his Patriots.
I agree with the decision to throw the ball rather than run, given the situation.
Had Lockette caught the ball and scored, all the fans, writers and pundits would be talking about what a great play call it was.
Both sides can't win and all the coverage on this is focused on the team that lost, which rarely happens.
Finally if it's true that a video game correctly predicted the final score, why is everyone acting so surprised?
I agree with the decision to throw the ball rather than run, given the situation.
Had Lockette caught the ball and scored, all the fans, writers and pundits would be talking about what a great play call it was.
Both sides can't win and all the coverage on this is focused on the team that lost, which rarely happens.
Finally if it's true that a video game correctly predicted the final score, why is everyone acting so surprised?
Everyone is an expert on Monday morning. Me too. The call was unexpected. The pass was telegraphed and inaccurate. Wilson admitted as much. Great game, great theater, and as a Seattle fan great fun. Given the mismatches of many previous years, this Superbowl was a thriller. May they all be as much fun regardless of the victor.
2
Wilson should have given the ball to Lynch and then use up the last time-out if he doesn't score. If he was going to carry out that ill-advised pass play he should have faked a handoff to Lynch first. He virtually told the defense what he was going to do before he did it. The rolling replay shows that Wilson threw the ball off his back foot and directly at Malcolm Butler.
1
I keep thinking about the pass at the end of the first half when so many thought they should kick a field goal with only 6 seconds left. Imagine if it had been intercepted? Or somehow time had run out? What a dumb call!! But it wasn't, it was a touchdown. What a brilliant call!!
It's a game. People play it. Stuff happens.
It's a game. People play it. Stuff happens.
1
it's very easy to criticize Carroll and Bevel but these are the same guys who called for the fake field goal against Green Bay in the NFC championship game and made a very risky call at the end of the first half with 6 seconds remaining which resulted in a touchdown! I would bet that 99% of all of the "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" would have taken the sure three points in both situations! Finally, the call that Pete Carroll and Bevell made was undoubtedly based in large measure by the fact that Lynch had run the ball from the 1 yard line six times this season but had scored only one touchdown.
1
I believe it was Knute Rockne who said, "When you throw the ball 3 things can happen only 1 of them good." It was a perfectly sound judgement to try the pass before the run because an incomplete pass would have stopped the clock giving time for the run. The Pats stepped up and made a great play. It wasn't the coach who slightly miss threw the ball. It wasn't the coach who loitered in the flat. And it wasn't the coach who made the great read and came up with the ball.
Give it up all you "experts!" How many of you have ever had to make a split second call, with no time left, under immense pressure?
As another great, Yogi Berra, said, "That's why we play the game."
Give it up all you "experts!" How many of you have ever had to make a split second call, with no time left, under immense pressure?
As another great, Yogi Berra, said, "That's why we play the game."
1
It's the perfect sequel to "Deflate Gate". Here's how:
The Patriots hacked (perhaps with help from former 49er coaches Harbaugh and Roman, both haters of Carroll) into the 49ers Red Zone playbook (everyone knows the 49ers are the worst from inside the opponents 20) and downloaded it.
Then, turning it into wormy malware, they uploaded it and inserted it into the Seahawks game calling software.
The rest, as they say, is history as Seattle snatches defeat out of the jaws of victory. The Patriots escape detection because they knew everyone would be second-guessing the Seahawks coaches. It's the perfect crime -- and a fitting end to the NFL's season!
The Patriots hacked (perhaps with help from former 49er coaches Harbaugh and Roman, both haters of Carroll) into the 49ers Red Zone playbook (everyone knows the 49ers are the worst from inside the opponents 20) and downloaded it.
Then, turning it into wormy malware, they uploaded it and inserted it into the Seahawks game calling software.
The rest, as they say, is history as Seattle snatches defeat out of the jaws of victory. The Patriots escape detection because they knew everyone would be second-guessing the Seahawks coaches. It's the perfect crime -- and a fitting end to the NFL's season!
Wilson is the only person who can be blamed for the interception, period. If New England had called the play and Brady had thrown the pick we'd probably not be talking about this. It was not a horrible call. Hindsight is always 20/20. Let's move on. Baseball soon!
I'm a Seahawks fan. I didn't agree with the call. I would have called some form of play action/run-pass option. But I don't buy the "Let's make Russell Wilson the MVP rather than Marshawn Lynch." What I do expect was in the back of Pete Carroll's mind was that if Lynch scores, there's a decent chance he'll do his crotch grab, leading to a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff and a better chance for Tom Brady to drive for a field goal or even a touchdown. Why worry? Look at Stanford grad Doug Baldwin's penalized rude gesture one quarter earlier that marked the turning point for the Patriots getting back into the game.
In retrospect, you gave away the play lining up in a shotgun formation. That allowed Malcolm Butler to jump at the snap of the ball. It was the worst call ever made at the critical moment of a super bowl.
Why would Seattle coaches be concerned about the time on the clock when the immediate concern was scoring a touchdown? And they had the beast weapon available with a timeout to boot.
Why would Seattle coaches be concerned about the time on the clock when the immediate concern was scoring a touchdown? And they had the beast weapon available with a timeout to boot.
1
It was a dumb call, but I don't know if it is the worst one ever. That is subjective. I can't remember a worst call to decide a Super Bowl. You're at the one yard line, you have a hot running back who the other team can't stop, you give it to that back. That's a no-brainer.
It's too bad because Russell Wilson outplayed Tom Brady this game and would have likely been MVP had they scored. Wilson had a higher QB rating, fewer interceptions and more rushing yards.
Brady and Belicheck still have questions surrounding them. Yes, they can win a big one, but can they clearly win one without Spygate, Deflategate and StupidPlayCallinggate?
It's too bad because Russell Wilson outplayed Tom Brady this game and would have likely been MVP had they scored. Wilson had a higher QB rating, fewer interceptions and more rushing yards.
Brady and Belicheck still have questions surrounding them. Yes, they can win a big one, but can they clearly win one without Spygate, Deflategate and StupidPlayCallinggate?
1
One of the fundamentals that every coach, CEO and leader learns is always to measure and consider the downside of every decision as well as its upside. John von Neumann memorialized the importance of weighing the downside in scientific "Game Theory" with his MiniMax algorithm, the core calculation in Game Theory. MiniMax highlights the importance of minimizing the maximum benefit that could accrue to an opponent from any strategy. For Coach Bevell and the Seahawks on the last Seattle play the maximum benefit that could have accrued to the Patriots was a turnover which is far more likely, of course, on a pass. It is clear from post-game interviews, however, that neither Pete Carroll nor Darrell Bevell really considered that fatal downside at all. And that's not only bad strategy, it's poor coaching and weak leadership. On the upside, however, it's the kind of dramatic mistake that can make a coach better, if he takes the time to really understand, learn and grow from it.
2
That's Carroll for you. A smart but a risk taking coach. He won, just before half time when he opted to go on fourth down - and Lynch was not involved either. Not much is being said about that decision. Bevell may have called the play - because he knew Carroll's DNA. It failed only because of an extraordinary play from an unknown defender. There was also a balance. Lady luck stole the ball from Butler two plays earlier. She had a change of heart. After listening to Butler's ultra-modest comments on what he accomplished, how could anyone wish him harm?
Totally ego-driven Pete Carroll call: share in the glory with a great pass play called. Hand off to Marshawn Lynch, he alone gets all the glory and the MVP.
Derision is the landmark of Football
After this game I didn't feel so bad about some of the boneheaded coaching during the Seattle/Green Bay NFC championship game. I thought Mike McCarthy made some bad coaching decisions during that game but after this, those decisions seem like nothing. And I also heard Green Bay fired their special teams coach. I wonder who will lose their job in Seattle after this game.
They took the option with the highest risk and it blew up in their face. That's not why they get paid the big bucks.
There was a similar play in the first quarter where a likely touchdown for the Patriots was picked off by Seattle. Had that not happened the pick at the end of the game would not have mattered. As it is, they balance.
A Lynch run from the 1 was less than certain. He'd been stuffed in that position many times before. The Pats had stuffed him many times during the game. A stuffed run at that point would have let the clock run down. New England did not call time outs during that series, allowing the clock to run, perhaps forcing Carroll/Bevell to call a pass play at that point.
A Lynch run from the 1 was less than certain. He'd been stuffed in that position many times before. The Pats had stuffed him many times during the game. A stuffed run at that point would have let the clock run down. New England did not call time outs during that series, allowing the clock to run, perhaps forcing Carroll/Bevell to call a pass play at that point.
I have to ask given what I saw in last few minutes of this game. New England scores to go ahead with little time left in game. An amazing catch positions Seattle (keep in mind amazing catch, not clear cut reception of good pass thrown by Qb). Now on goal line, what are choices, win game or lose game. Everything I saw reeked of a deliberate choice to lose the game. There are better falls in professional wrestling and third rate boxing matches. To me this appeared to be a last ditch effort to lose by a person who had run out of options. My feeling went from amazement to fear and regret in what I saw, comforted only by watching Eight Men Out.
One play call should never never cost anyone his livelihood. This is not a life or death situation like Golf.
1
I've been following the NFL since I was a kid in the 1960s, and I can't remember a more idiotic play in a big moment than what I saw from Seattle on Sunday. Give the ball to Lynch or call for a safer pass, such as a roll-out with Wilson where he has the option to run, pass, or throw it away. Don't force the ball into coverage.
It was Pisarcik/Csonka all over again, only this time with much more on the line.
It was Pisarcik/Csonka all over again, only this time with much more on the line.
1
There were plenty of other plays on both sides that were not well executed or called. This one just ended the game. Two excellent teams. A great game. As far as this play is concerned...Haters gonna' Hate. Shake it off.
2
It was a fluke nothing else. I'll guarantee the Patriots were looking for a run.
2
If I was a Hawks fan I would also be saying "o why not just run the ball from the 1 yard line" - but sports is littered with "O why".. it's always said "protect the ball" when up close yet Ernest Bynar fumbles approaching the end zone against the Broncos to for ever be called "the fumble" - this is sports - and a football bounces in unpredictable ways. What I do ask the Hawkes is why throw into the heart of the defensive line where there is a good chance that a deflected pass would still be intercepted - why not throw into the flats if a pass is your call. But I guess now I am doing it - Hawks receiver doesn't make an insane reception bouncing ball off multiple body parts and we aren't even having this discussion. Turn the page. Pitchers & catchers report in weeks.
I have followed sports for 70 years. That was the single most bone-headed play call I have ever seen. There are people writing and saying things trying to make what Seattle did plausible. Get real. They had plenty of time to run Lynch into the line two times. The toughest running back in the league would not have gained 1/2 yard? Would have had a 99% chance of success.
2
At the end of Marshawn Lynch's 1st-down run, there were 60 seconds left on the clock, and the Seahawks had one time out remaining (the Patriots had two). It was reasonable that the Seahawks could run three plays at that point.
The Seahawks let the clock run down to 25 seconds before snapping the ball on 2nd down, likely to reduce the time the Patriots would have after a Seahawk touchdown. To run three plays with 25-30 seconds left, it's probably safe to say that at least one of them would have to be a pass. It seems to me that throwing on 2nd down provided the biggest "surprise", since a run by Lynch was otherwise the most likely choice. How many times do we see teams down at the goal line run three times and then pass on 4th, esp. when on 4th down a pass is now expected?
Browner and Malcolm Butler collaborated on an extremely well-executed and athletic play, one for which good coaching prepared them.
My only quibble with the call is that I would have preferred to see a roll-out on that play, esp. with such an athletic and gifted QB as Russell Wilson. On the other hand, quick slant-in passes seem as if they are pretty difficult to defend.
I think we just had a good call beaten by a superb defensive play. It happens.
Also, while no solace to the Seahawks, as a disinterested spectator I feel as if we all won, esp. we fans/spectators. Both teams, and the game, were great.
The Seahawks let the clock run down to 25 seconds before snapping the ball on 2nd down, likely to reduce the time the Patriots would have after a Seahawk touchdown. To run three plays with 25-30 seconds left, it's probably safe to say that at least one of them would have to be a pass. It seems to me that throwing on 2nd down provided the biggest "surprise", since a run by Lynch was otherwise the most likely choice. How many times do we see teams down at the goal line run three times and then pass on 4th, esp. when on 4th down a pass is now expected?
Browner and Malcolm Butler collaborated on an extremely well-executed and athletic play, one for which good coaching prepared them.
My only quibble with the call is that I would have preferred to see a roll-out on that play, esp. with such an athletic and gifted QB as Russell Wilson. On the other hand, quick slant-in passes seem as if they are pretty difficult to defend.
I think we just had a good call beaten by a superb defensive play. It happens.
Also, while no solace to the Seahawks, as a disinterested spectator I feel as if we all won, esp. we fans/spectators. Both teams, and the game, were great.
4
Too much Monday morning quarterbacking, or coaching. Carroll took a risk at the end of the first half and won the bet with a score. He decided to take a risk at the end of the game, one which would have caught nearly every other opposing coach off guard. If it was successful, we would be reading about what a great tactician Carroll was, rather than goat. It is a game of risks. You don't always win. Move on.
1
Carroll's gamble at the end of the first half was not a high stakes gamble my any means. Teams that get close to the goal line in big games and kicking field goals often end up losing (check Green Bay vs Seattle two weeks ago.) Hand off to Lynch, win the game, no great-tactitian accolades for Carroll, but MVP for Lynch. Ego ruled out, and lost. Loved the shocked dissapointment on Richard Sherman's face at the end. 2-1, Richard, 2-1.
Do the Patriots get an asterisk next to the win because they cheated to get to the game?
1
Slant across the middle makes sense if you're 4 yards out, but not 1 yard out. At 1 yard out, you go to the corners where there's room, or you risk...getting blocked or intercepted due to traffic.
Niners fan here. Now the Seahawks know what it feels like to have a potentially game-winning postseason touchdown intercepted in the end zone!
2
Maybe someone has mentioned this before, but I haven't seen it. Even if Lockette had caught that pass, he was not yet at the goal line and probably would have been tackled before making it into the end zone. Which is one more reason that the play, as it was run (no pun intended), made no sense whatsoever.
2
marshawn lynch's goal line conversion rate this season? 43% That's less than half the time for all youse math-challenged folks out there. if he doesn't get in on the first try, it doesn't look good. and odds of him getting in on the first try, as already stated: less than 50%. so how come everyone is absolutely CERTAIN that he would have scored? well, luckily there's a 100% certain answer to that one: because just like they're being in a position to make that call, IT NEVER HAPPENED. on the other hand, if--as we now know--the WHOLE WORLD is expecting marshawn lynch to get the ball, how smart is it to give it to him?
1
Even a 43% chance on one run makes it 82% chance he'll score on at least one of the three chances he could have had.
When there's that much adrenaline flowing, the offense usually gets its score. Something was wrong with the clock management, too, besides the poor play call.
1
His 4th quarter is often his strongest while everyone else is wearing down.
1
the end really came with Doug Baldwin's victory dance in the end zone resulting in an unsportsman q5 yard penalty. Ball on the 32 instead of the 20. Gave brady a shorter field.
By the way
Brady established his legacy with this game.
Great emotions on the bench as the game was decided.
By the way
Brady established his legacy with this game.
Great emotions on the bench as the game was decided.
1
The most amazing comment I heard a day later is that, in practice, this exact play was executed several times by the scout team and Butler got it wrong the first time and was corrected, and subsequently got it right--during the practice. In other words, as part of the red zone defense the Patriots practiced this exact play was rehearsed. That makes Butler's play less of a miracle and the Patriots coaching staff that much more remarkable. Film study strikes again, and probably Bud Adams had a hand in there.
It also makes the Seattle offensive scheme more predictable than was good for them. Seattle's defense doesn't move around. They stay where they are and dare you to try and beat their size, strength and quickness. That also turned out to be a weakness, because it enabled Brady to dink and dunk to four touchdowns. So, to sum up, the players did the work, but this was somewhat of a coaching victory. The Patriots were the better prepared team, and it showed.
It also makes the Seattle offensive scheme more predictable than was good for them. Seattle's defense doesn't move around. They stay where they are and dare you to try and beat their size, strength and quickness. That also turned out to be a weakness, because it enabled Brady to dink and dunk to four touchdowns. So, to sum up, the players did the work, but this was somewhat of a coaching victory. The Patriots were the better prepared team, and it showed.
2
Seriuosly, both Green Bay and Dallas were better than the Hawks so you can all quit your whining about the call since they made it further than they should have before karma caught up.
2
There has been a great deal of commingling of the unusual and highly variable outcome of the play, with the call itself. Had it worked, it wouldn't even be looked at as a mistake by most. Many would even say “great call.”
The outcome greatly biases us, but there is too much variation on any one play for the outcome to be determinative, or even very informative:2 or 3 out of 5 times it might have worked, and the other 2 or 3 it goes incomplete and they burn 3-4 seconds, and w their one remaining timeout can choose to do two runs comfortably, or still mix it up with a roll option, etc.
Belichick, of all things, actually made the really bad decision bit.ly/1BP4HMY
Carroll's call just worked out very poorly. Near 49/50 times the play goes incomplete or it is a TD. And it's very rarely, a pick, particularly with Wilson throwing.(26 picks over 3 full regular seasons - 48 games.)
It was just a great defensive play, and good Patriot prep might have played a role. Butler even got burned on it during the week, which is why he kind of remembered it well. And Seattle, perhaps foolishly lined up 3 WRs instead of two at the line, which tipped Butler off, and he decided to try and jump it. Nice call.
Again, the real awful strategy decision was actually made by one of the best - if not the best - coach of the modern era - BIll Bellichick:
https://nflfootballstrategy.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/bill-belichick-make...
The outcome greatly biases us, but there is too much variation on any one play for the outcome to be determinative, or even very informative:2 or 3 out of 5 times it might have worked, and the other 2 or 3 it goes incomplete and they burn 3-4 seconds, and w their one remaining timeout can choose to do two runs comfortably, or still mix it up with a roll option, etc.
Belichick, of all things, actually made the really bad decision bit.ly/1BP4HMY
Carroll's call just worked out very poorly. Near 49/50 times the play goes incomplete or it is a TD. And it's very rarely, a pick, particularly with Wilson throwing.(26 picks over 3 full regular seasons - 48 games.)
It was just a great defensive play, and good Patriot prep might have played a role. Butler even got burned on it during the week, which is why he kind of remembered it well. And Seattle, perhaps foolishly lined up 3 WRs instead of two at the line, which tipped Butler off, and he decided to try and jump it. Nice call.
Again, the real awful strategy decision was actually made by one of the best - if not the best - coach of the modern era - BIll Bellichick:
https://nflfootballstrategy.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/bill-belichick-make...
1
With the Super Bowl victory one yard away, the Seahawk coaching staff blinked. It truly was the worst coaching decision I have ever seen at the most important moment.
3
In an interview on ESPN with Pete Carroll on Sunday prior to the game, I was interested in his comment "it is all about trust." He went on to elaborate on this focus and how it had come to be pivotal to the team and to him and I would presume his staff.
Perhaps there is a flaw with misplaced trust.
IMO, it was a poor call. whoever made it and however he decided it.
On the plus side, Coach Carroll manned up and took responsibility and that is leadership I respect even more than the bad call.
There is much analysis to be done by the organization and rebuilding both staff and most of all trust.
Perhaps there is a flaw with misplaced trust.
IMO, it was a poor call. whoever made it and however he decided it.
On the plus side, Coach Carroll manned up and took responsibility and that is leadership I respect even more than the bad call.
There is much analysis to be done by the organization and rebuilding both staff and most of all trust.
3
I am disgusted with all of the Monday morning quarterbacks and offense coordinators. The play makes sense. If a run had been called, they don't score and the clock runs out or they loose yards, these same people would be screaming about a bad call when a pass would have still allowed another play. If the pass was completed, these same people would brag about scoring by doing the unexpected.
Sound familiar.
It was a great game. Let's all count our blessings.
Sound familiar.
It was a great game. Let's all count our blessings.
16
The play makes NO sense. The Seahawks were the number one team in the NFL in short yardage situations this season and the Patriots were dead last in defending in those situations. Marshawn Lynch is probably the best back in the world in short yardage. They also had a timeout in their pocket. To call a pass in that situation is to go against the odds for no reason at all. To call a pass over the middle was just sheer stupidity.
1
They had a time out left. How was the clock going to run out?
Give Lynch lots of man-up credit. When asked whether he thought he should have gotten the ball on second down, he defended the call "its a team game, that's the way we play".
Good response Lynch. No second guessing. Its team game and Butler made a great read and a great play. End of story.
Good response Lynch. No second guessing. Its team game and Butler made a great read and a great play. End of story.
41
A good analysis, as far as it goes, CityTrucker, but no -- by no means is it the end of the story. We all know that. The play Bevell called will be remembered for many years to come and will return with every future unsuccessful sure-fire game-winning touchdown that goes awry.
Let's call any time a coach calls a bone-headed play at the end of a game that snatches defeat from the jaws of victory a "Bevell." As in, he pulled a Bevell and cost his team the championship.
This is the new target of media obsession: "decision-gate." Leave Pete Carroll and his coaching staff alone. Anything can happen in football and it often does. You never assume your best in league qb will throw a pick.
If anything, this superbowl has taught me that we place too much emphasis on winning this one game, and not enough emphasis on just getting there. Both teams proved they were the best of their class, and two fluke plays decided the game.
Sincerely,
A Patriots fan
If anything, this superbowl has taught me that we place too much emphasis on winning this one game, and not enough emphasis on just getting there. Both teams proved they were the best of their class, and two fluke plays decided the game.
Sincerely,
A Patriots fan
44
Fluke plays also decided the Cowboys loss to the Packers, and the Packers loss to the Seahawks.
1
There is no way the Seahawks should have been in the SuperBowl. The Packers' coaches let them in by irrational play calling just as Bevell and Carroll did Sunday.
1
Packers coaches pulled their own "Bevell."
Karma, Roger Goodell. That the Pats could game plan and play so well with the NFL phony distractions says a lot about BB and Brady
20
No, the cheating team was rewarded - that isn't karma.
7
AK: I guess you are just going to form your belief as to whether the Patriots did anything wrong on alleged leaks by unnamed sources instead of waiting for the facts to be investigated and considered by an investigator.
Your choice I suppose....
Your choice I suppose....
2
Exactly. The lesson of this Super Bowl is that cheating pays. And it doesn't hurt if your owner is close friends with the NFL commissioner so the league refuses to deal with Deflategate until after the game and likely goes light on you.
Marshawn Lynch has fumbled the football in his career. He's fumbled 26 times. Isn't it possible he may have fumbled the ball if he tried to carry it into the end-zone? Isn't it at least possible? Him running with the ball is not a guarantee of success. Because of Carroll's call we'll never know, will we?
10
As this article states ! Bevell, speaking into a headset connected to Carroll and Wilson, called for a pass. It was what Carroll wanted, too. It was a joint call both had confided as to what they wanted. Team play and an incredible defensive read. Not that their deflated balls meant anything but, it was very poor and an unfair advantage in Pats previous game and that bothers me about the whole organization now and always will cloud my judgments of them henceforth.
Marshawn had five tries from the one yard line this year and made it once. Great back, but a stacked line is hard to succeed against.
1
But if Lynch had fumbled, Carroll would not have been criticized for calling such a horrible play as he did. No one would have said "Why didn't you pass it." No one.
1
Bevell didn't make the call--Carroll did, so Bevell and all the rest are not responsible. Maybe all those fans of the Patriots, like me, were hoping for some miracle to win got our wish through some kind of divine intervention--huh, maybe, somehow?
6
intervention was Green Bay juju
1
Lets get real here. I watched the play many times, and from Wilson's point of view, it looked like a sure TD, otherwise he wouldn't have thrown it. What really happened is that Malcolm Butler made an amazing defensive play. Let's give him the credit. No one deserves blame. Let's also not forget that the game might not have been close had not Tom Brady made a couple of bad throws.
52
If the call was ok and Butler was so good than why didn't he win MVP. Let's face it, he won the game. The reason he didn't win MVP is because the whole world knows that was the dumbest play call in history. I don't believe that Carroll made that dumb call. I believe based on the look on his face immediately after the pick that Russell Wilson made the call at the line of scrimmage. To keep their team from exploring Carroll took the blame.
6
Butler made a great play in intercepting the ball, broke up couple of passes and nearly broke up the miracle pass that Kearse caught on his back after juggling it. Brady had 4 touchdown passes and led 2 4th quarter drives that, had they not happened, would have made the interception meaningless.
That's why Brady won MVP. The interception is why Brady gave the truck he won to Butler.
If you look at the whole game and the 125 plays run from the line of scrimmage, you can go through and find any number of plays that, had they been called differently (on either side of the ball) would have changed the outcome of this game. Focusing on one is just silly.
That's why Brady won MVP. The interception is why Brady gave the truck he won to Butler.
If you look at the whole game and the 125 plays run from the line of scrimmage, you can go through and find any number of plays that, had they been called differently (on either side of the ball) would have changed the outcome of this game. Focusing on one is just silly.
2
So Carroll's miracle redemption of Seattle is washed out by a freak play?
If you bother to read a great book, the one Carroll credits with allowing him to be successful, the one written by John Wooden, it says, "... if you do all you could to prepare and you did all you could in the game -- in short, if you did your best, then you are a winner."
Thanks Seahawks -- maybe you made it look so easy these last three years that any fan on a couch thinks they know better...
If you bother to read a great book, the one Carroll credits with allowing him to be successful, the one written by John Wooden, it says, "... if you do all you could to prepare and you did all you could in the game -- in short, if you did your best, then you are a winner."
Thanks Seahawks -- maybe you made it look so easy these last three years that any fan on a couch thinks they know better...
15
I am the same as you- I expected Wilson to get it in the end zone- as he has so many times in the past 3 years. All you can say is the kid defensive back came up with a great play- end of story and those Pats are quite a team if they can beat Seattle.
1
Bad call but the blame rests on the guy who threw the football.
9
If the ball had been caught and a touchdown followed no one would
be writing about this "controversy".
Very odd play in that the Seattle Receiver was stopped dead in his run
and the New England Defender position just right.
You could run that play 20 times and never get that result again.
When two teams are evenly matched like they were in the Super Bowl
it is often happenstances that decide the game - and remember that is
all it is - a game.
Seattle is a young team - they have lots of chances left.
be writing about this "controversy".
Very odd play in that the Seattle Receiver was stopped dead in his run
and the New England Defender position just right.
You could run that play 20 times and never get that result again.
When two teams are evenly matched like they were in the Super Bowl
it is often happenstances that decide the game - and remember that is
all it is - a game.
Seattle is a young team - they have lots of chances left.
11
If you get a chance to check out the replay, take a look at who beat his man to the left and was (a) open to catch the pass and (b) in a position for Wilson to overthrow him and avoid an interception. Yep, you got it - it was Lynch, the same guy who caught the 31 yard pass earlier in the series.
Now, which was the better call? Throw to the congested middle or throw to the open man with no one in the way of intercepting an errant throw?
Now, which was the better call? Throw to the congested middle or throw to the open man with no one in the way of intercepting an errant throw?
10
Wilson was locked onto Lockette right from the snap - that's how Butler knew what was coming.
12
It was a quick slant. there are no reads anywhere else.
1
From the Packer game on, the Seahawks were kept alive with one lucky bounce after another.
21
The lucky break in the Packers game was dumb play calling.
Dumb call cost Seahawks back to back championships...
With one of the best RBs in the NFL
and a very mobile QB
why risk a pass into traffic?!
With one of the best RBs in the NFL
and a very mobile QB
why risk a pass into traffic?!
9
It said in the article that there was a mismatch and that is why pc called for the pass. The probability of that pass being intercepted was less than 2%. The call was not that dumb if you look at all the data.
6
Pete Carroll once again proved that being a loser is in his DNA
4
ah....he did win the superbowl last year and got to one this year; most coaches would want to be a loser like him.
2
This is an all time stupid comment, and an all time stupid recommend.
How many coaches have pro and college rings. I can only think of Jimmy Johnson, Carroll and Switzer.
How many coaches have pro and college rings. I can only think of Jimmy Johnson, Carroll and Switzer.
I say thank Pete Carroll and his Seahawks for making the Super Bowl INTERESTING, win or lose. This game really could have gone either way. Both teams played with everything they had. I wish a successful off-season of recovery to the Seahawks, and particularly their defense, who sacrificed an enormous amount in this postseason.
13
For those who read the NYT article earlier today in what this looked like to Wilson, it wasn't congested in the middle. The article had good visuals that showed how it looked f from all angles.
Nonetheless, same thing could have been accomplished by run, timeout, pass, run. After all Lynch did in the SB getting them to that point, in both the run game and passing game, Lynch deserved the shot to be the game MVP.
Plus, for all the stories surrounding Lynch this year, it was an opportunity to show Lynch the respect he needs and deserves. Given the questions about Lynch walking, it was short sighted with regards to the Seahawks' future
Nonetheless, same thing could have been accomplished by run, timeout, pass, run. After all Lynch did in the SB getting them to that point, in both the run game and passing game, Lynch deserved the shot to be the game MVP.
Plus, for all the stories surrounding Lynch this year, it was an opportunity to show Lynch the respect he needs and deserves. Given the questions about Lynch walking, it was short sighted with regards to the Seahawks' future
2
In Japan, Bevell would have resigned by now.
3
Start from the Bears man! Hawks had no problems and it showed. Next year you will see them at the top of the game again. Why fire Bevell? Hawks hadn't been better offensively than in the last two or three years? When the public that watch the NFL will stop behaving like they are in a (Roman) circus and playing the thumb up-thumb down game?
2
You might be right in the way you describe fan behavior, but I still say off with his head if he really made that dumb call. However, I don't believe he or Carroll made that call. Wilson made that call for selfish reasons.
Considering Bevell was part of the reason Seattle won the SB last year and got to the SB this year why on earth would Seattle want to get rid of him? For one play? For who? Should they get rid of Wilson as well since he threw a bad pass?
1
Good news is, nobody is gonna get fired here. Paul Allen likes to have a cerebral staff and he ain't going to break the Coke machine as some other owners would certainly do in their tantrums. Barring injuries, the Seahawks will be back.
3
The primary factor was the remarkable human force that is capable of being summoned when one is driven by the need for redemption. Malcolm Butler only moments previously had muffed the defense of the pass to Jermaine Kearse allowing Seattle to within scoring range from the five yard line. Butler felt the burden of the blame for the seemingly inevitable Patriots' loss.
Like the mother who mysteriouly summons the strength to lift a wrecked automobile off of her injured child, Butler somehow compelled senses and physical attributes that were beyond what he had ever experienced driven by an uncanny sense of purpose and destiny enabling him to correct the dilemma which he felt he had created.
Like the mother who mysteriouly summons the strength to lift a wrecked automobile off of her injured child, Butler somehow compelled senses and physical attributes that were beyond what he had ever experienced driven by an uncanny sense of purpose and destiny enabling him to correct the dilemma which he felt he had created.
17
He got lucky, and jumped a route - there is redemption in that. It was a shame to lose like that.
Got lucky??
Intercepting a tipped pass is lucky.
Butler learned from a mistake he made in practice, then applied intelligence, timing, athleticism and great hands to make a play for the ages.
Intercepting a tipped pass is lucky.
Butler learned from a mistake he made in practice, then applied intelligence, timing, athleticism and great hands to make a play for the ages.
2
Butler didn't muff the play, at all! He was right there, his arm outstretched, his hand even with Kearse's hand and deflected the ball. Look at the NYT photography. Kearse is a lot taller than Butler- that was the only problem
1
Funny how these guys can make smashingly horrific calls, and still retain jobs that pay hundreds of thousands (millions)? Think of all the millions of people you let down.....bummer. Think about that all off-season.
2
Think about the SB they won last year, got to the SB this year, and will prob go to more SB's in the future. Get the msg?
1
How's this for an alternate take? If they give the ball to Marshawn Lynch and he scores on the second or third down, he's the hero and probable MVP. The reporters then ask, "what are you going to do next?" and instead of saying, "I'm going to Disneyland", Lynch says, "I'm just saying something to you so I don't get fined".....yeah, not a good scenario for Seattle and the NFL! ;-)
4
Play to your strengths. The Seahawks strengths are Lynch running, and Wilson on the move.
Neither happened.
Neither happened.
8
A little simplistic. Remember Joe Montana to John Taylor. Had Taylor dropped that pass, all you would have heard would have been "how can you not pass it to Jerry Rice, the best WR of all-time ?" But he didn't, so nobody blames Walsh for not going to Rice, instead it's known as an all-time great change-up.
It's interesting that neither coach considered the one possibility that would instantly ramify into multiple possibilities, without jeopardizing the infraction of the cardinal rule against turnovers: i.e., the Russell Wilson pass-play option.
6
Prob because 1) they wanted element of surprise and a quick play. Pass play might have burned too much time.
No matter how anyone tries to spin it, Pete Carroll will forever be known as having made (or approved) positively the stupidest call in Super Bowl history. And rightfully so should he be so ignominiously remembered. Indeed, that could have been the worst call in all of NFL history. Ten year old kids who know football were appalled. That said, I do have one rationale for what he did: Once a Jet coach, always a Jet coach.
11
I agree, how can an idiot like PC get to two superbowls and win one in the last two years; what a loser (insert sarcasm here).
2
Belichick was also a Jet coach, as was Bill Parcells. What is your point ?
I hope the Bills, Seahawks, and Patriots battle for next ten Super Bowls.
I hope the Bills, Seahawks, and Patriots battle for next ten Super Bowls.
You can call for a pass there if your quarterback lines up behind center and fakes a hand-off to Lynch into the line. That would draw defenders and possibly cause a receiver to be wide open, for a safe pass opportunity. You don't telegraph the play by lining up in shotgun formation, at the one yard line, and then drill the ball into the middle of the field, where all the defense is grouped. Buffoonery.
16
Seattle had a fine, fine season but there was a complete breakdown, complete loss of poise from coach to quarterback that led to that awful pass.
2
If there is any consolation, my team didn't make it to the SB this year, but I watched because of Seattle's innovating play. Watching NFL these days feels kinda boring, until Seattle came along. They just need a little brain adjustment and will come back next year, bearing injuries.
4
of course lynch would have scored. he had 3 more tires. of course he
would have. because, you know... this has all happened before? well, no. becaue that's what teams do in the nfl these days? well, uh, no... so, you mean to tell that NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY HAD GIVEN IT TO LYNCH???? But, but, but... how can that BE???!!! this is NOT a stupid case of hindsight being 20/20! NO!!!! this is, um, whatayacall... FORESIGHT being, um... it was just COMMON SENSE! i mean CUH-MON! i mean... we all know...! we all KNOW!!!!
would have. because, you know... this has all happened before? well, no. becaue that's what teams do in the nfl these days? well, uh, no... so, you mean to tell that NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY HAD GIVEN IT TO LYNCH???? But, but, but... how can that BE???!!! this is NOT a stupid case of hindsight being 20/20! NO!!!! this is, um, whatayacall... FORESIGHT being, um... it was just COMMON SENSE! i mean CUH-MON! i mean... we all know...! we all KNOW!!!!
2
Can anyone tell me why he ran that play? Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
1
Because Lynch is 1-for-5 when trying to run it in from a yard out? Dose of bitter reality for Hawks fans: he's nothing special, when the defense is ready for him.
4
Then have wilson roll out in an option mode. The Pats could not prevent him from turning the corner all game - but if they did this time, then have a receiver in the end zone.
1
An utterly clueless evaluation. Ask the other backs in the league how good Lynch is. Ask the former great backs who are now analysts. They'll tell you.
3
Worst decision making ever in any sport. Lynch would have scored in three tries. If he had scored in the first try, apparently Carroll did have any confidence in his defence to withstand New England offence for 20 sec.
4
It was second down, 2 more after that. It was not a "cute" pass but a simple play action. Both teams played brilliantly, learn to enjoy what is.
6
It wasn't play action. Russell was in the gun. They showed pass all the way. Play action is something altogether different.
7
A lot of this dismay at the Seahawks play call reads like sour grapes and a way to distract from the excellent play of the Patriots defender. The Hawks made a reasonable decision to try something unexpected and they got outplayed. It was poetic justice in some ways. Akin to something Sherman would have done if the roles were reversed.
12
No doubt about the poor call. Butler, however, had to make a great read and a great play to intercept the ball, otherwise we're not having this conversation.
10
Everybody was ready to tackle Lynch. So a pass was called. No one thought about an interception. And no one minded a rookie like Butler. The play was priceless. The play was a perfect combination of luck, skill, and grit. And the memory is forever. And the quest for even more excitement in the next Superbowl is already being felt deep in the spirit of footballers.
25
Do you get that the play call was so out of line that it's been called "stupid" and "the worst decision ever" by coaches, players and anyone else in the know? You can heap praise on the interception all you want but the fact is that the ball never should have been put in the air. The game was close to over and even the Pats have admitted to that. If we're in a chess game and I have you trapped but allow you out through an obviously stupid move should we celebrate your victory or look at the complete lapse in judgement that caused it?
6
What "should" have happened was a Hail Mary heave by Wilson with the clock running out.
Considering the freakish good luck that put Seattle close to the goal line in the first place, NE fans have zero difficulty celebrating the reversal of fortune two plays later.
Considering the freakish good luck that put Seattle close to the goal line in the first place, NE fans have zero difficulty celebrating the reversal of fortune two plays later.
1
Or: The play was a perfect combination of arrogance, ineptitude, and stupidity.
1
Green Bay revenge...
5
Pete Carroll should be fired.
7
Easily - the STUPIDEST call in the history of the NFL. If you look at the situation at hand, you STILL had a timeout AND two plays in the bank after a BEAST run.
...and GOD FORBID Wilson should throw the ball out of bounds. Noooooo !!! He HAS TO try and squash it in there. AAAAARGH !!
...and GOD FORBID Wilson should throw the ball out of bounds. Noooooo !!! He HAS TO try and squash it in there. AAAAARGH !!
8
From a yard out, the "Beast" has a 20% success rate. The fans seem oblivious to this, but Carroll knows it. His nightmare scenario had Lynch crashing into Wilfork a foot short of the goal line, and he did not want to go there.
1
I thought this a very good article describing a very complex situation in the last 30 seconds. Interesting stats that might have been footnotes - that was the first pass from the 1 yard line to result in an interception in 109 attempts this season and Marshawn Lynch is 1 for 5 on TDs running from the 1 yard line (thank you ESPN!). I personally think the pass was the right call given the time. And Belichick was the evil genius in not calling a time out in the last minute.
14
right into the middle where there was the greatest concentration of defenders? if a pass, then a pass to the corner of the end-zone
6
ak: There was one (1) defender who was anywhere close to the ball: Butler.
1
Look the guy made a mistake. Everyone knows it including him. How many of us can claim we never made a mistake? As an intern I told the Director of Medicine (complicated story) I had never made a mistake involving life or limb. He waved me out of the room saying " you're very young". Medical doctor, offensive coordinator, coach, quarterback, President of the United States - we all have in common that we make mistakes.
9
Maybe so, but surely you know that mistakes made by surgeons and presidents are insignificant in comparison to those made by a coach trying to win an NFL game...
5
To that brilliant list of less significant decisions you can add Napoleon at Waterloo, Gen. Anthony "NUTS" McAuliffe at Bastogne, "pills or knife" in medicine, and so on.
As you correctly point out, nothing in life compares in importance to that life-changing decision in the NFL: "pass or run?"
As you correctly point out, nothing in life compares in importance to that life-changing decision in the NFL: "pass or run?"
1
WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL -- PERIOD!
4
Most over-reacted-to call in the history of football. Period.
2
worst call i have ever seen in a football game and obviously someone needs to get f-i-r-e-d immediately for this blunder...no one will ever take this clown seriously again....
3
that is a rather harsh judgement for someone who oversaw a superb offensive unit for year, minus one game
7
Mr. Wilson's execution of the 'Hawks final play was a bow to sideline authority, which may have likely come from "a call from Las Vegas", overriding the offensive coordinator or coach's personal option.
Why else would he have thrown into double coverage? Like the famed Woody Hays allegedly said: "Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Subsequently, this was simply a slap in the face of Mr. Lynch.
Had Mr. Wilson benefited from a couple more seasons as QB, he would have likely made a Manning-like audible, changed the set, and the play would have been a slant to the wide side featuring Mr. Lynch. But - No. For he bowed to sideline authority.
After all the line was 'Hawks -1 and the money was apparently flowing in support of their expected victory. Yet, we'll never know how the bets were all actually placed...
Why else would he have thrown into double coverage? Like the famed Woody Hays allegedly said: "Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Subsequently, this was simply a slap in the face of Mr. Lynch.
Had Mr. Wilson benefited from a couple more seasons as QB, he would have likely made a Manning-like audible, changed the set, and the play would have been a slant to the wide side featuring Mr. Lynch. But - No. For he bowed to sideline authority.
After all the line was 'Hawks -1 and the money was apparently flowing in support of their expected victory. Yet, we'll never know how the bets were all actually placed...
1
It wasn't Woody Hayes who said that. Or it wasn't he who said it first.
Darrell Royal, the longtime Texas Longhorn coach, was the originator of that aphorism, which, by the way, has lost some of its efficacy in the post Bill Walsh era where a short pass is a glorified lateral. Brady for one, who doesn't have a strong arm, has made quite a career defying Mr. Royal's edict.
Morning Joe Scarborough got that wrong too.
Darrell Royal, the longtime Texas Longhorn coach, was the originator of that aphorism, which, by the way, has lost some of its efficacy in the post Bill Walsh era where a short pass is a glorified lateral. Brady for one, who doesn't have a strong arm, has made quite a career defying Mr. Royal's edict.
Morning Joe Scarborough got that wrong too.
2
I suggest those who are trying to defend Martin take a fresh look at the video. He threw the ball directly at two Patriots, including Butler. They were already in position before the ball was released. The intended receiver Lockette was off slightly to the side. Some form of pass play may have made sense under the circumstances, however lobbing the ball directly at a duo of Patriots on the goal line was a case of terrible judgment and execution by the quarterback. Seahawks fans, and those non-Seahawks fans who devoted the evening to rooting for them in this match up, have a right to be bitterly disappointed.
9
They were setting a pick for Lockette and the rookie recognized that because they practiced it 'a lot'
4
If the pass would have been completed everything would be fine…..but a great defensive play caused an interception. Then they had the Partriots backed up into the End Zone and who knows what could have happened but then a Lineman goes off side (Stupid) and gives the Patriots some room to just ground the ball. The coach gave a rational explanation (He is the Coach), the QB didn't question the call- it just wasn't completed. Kind of a Perfect Storm at the very end of the game. But they played a great game.
4
Even if Wilson threw a better pass, when you throw into that much congestion (all 22 players within 5-6 yards of each other) the chances of a tipped ball pin balling around is also very real.
A terrible, terrible play. Mainly because it continues the legend of Tom Brady, who, like Peyton Manning, has lots of soft numbers, is protected by the refs, and probably cheats in ways we can't imagine.
Oh well, I guess Patriot-haters will have to wait for the Giants to beat them again.
A terrible, terrible play. Mainly because it continues the legend of Tom Brady, who, like Peyton Manning, has lots of soft numbers, is protected by the refs, and probably cheats in ways we can't imagine.
Oh well, I guess Patriot-haters will have to wait for the Giants to beat them again.
13
Somehow "soft stats" Brady has won 160 games (3rd all time) in the NFL regular season for a .773 winning percentage, best in the history of the league. Manning has disappointed by winning only one championship, yet has managed to win 179 games, second all time.
If either one played for your team, you would be thrilled.
If either one played for your team, you would be thrilled.
6
"and probably cheats in ways we can't imagine."
This, America, is the very definition of a Mom's Basement Troll.
This, America, is the very definition of a Mom's Basement Troll.
8
Funny how those "soft stats" keep piling up, year after year.
15
It's testimony to the brilliance of Carrol and Bevell that they envisioned only two possible consequences to the pass play: completion or incompletion.
Hmmm.... isn't there one they missed?
Hmmm.... isn't there one they missed?
26
Interceptions a yard past the line of scrimmage are exceedingly rare. But they can happen, as Carroll was brutally reminded.
2
In addition to an incompletion or an interception, every pass play also includes the possibility of a quarterback sack, strip fumble, and fumble by the receiver. It doesn't mean those things happen a lot - but they happen and cannot be left out of "what are our best options" decision making.
2
Had Butler not snatched the ball out of Lockette's hands, everybody who's now ranting "Worst Call Ever!" would be praising Carroll and Bevell's genius.
It was a reasonable call, and would have worked perfectly had Wilson not telegraphed the play to Butler. Lockette, not seeing Butler, may have slacked off by half a step; if so that was a second fatal error. Bottom line: blame the execution, not the play calling.
My only gripe with the play is that, had it worked, it would have left more time on the clock than a series of running plays would have. You don't want to give Brady too many chances to fling the ball where nobody but Gronkowski can reach it.
It was a reasonable call, and would have worked perfectly had Wilson not telegraphed the play to Butler. Lockette, not seeing Butler, may have slacked off by half a step; if so that was a second fatal error. Bottom line: blame the execution, not the play calling.
My only gripe with the play is that, had it worked, it would have left more time on the clock than a series of running plays would have. You don't want to give Brady too many chances to fling the ball where nobody but Gronkowski can reach it.
3
No. Even if Lockett made the catch, it STILL would have been a stupid call.
If you are going to run that play, why not at least FAKE it to Lynch.
No, they have Wilson line up in shotgut and they throw without any misdirection.
How about a deep corner route to Matthews.
Or a fake to Lynch and a bootleg.
This was just an awful play to call when the field of play is that congested.
Throwing right into the bowels of the PATS defense.
If you are going to run that play, why not at least FAKE it to Lynch.
No, they have Wilson line up in shotgut and they throw without any misdirection.
How about a deep corner route to Matthews.
Or a fake to Lynch and a bootleg.
This was just an awful play to call when the field of play is that congested.
Throwing right into the bowels of the PATS defense.
14
Run-pass-run is a decent plan with say 30 seconds left. The execution was questionable, but the intercept was great. Throw over his head and you have next down ML or pass, still good odds. Note all second guessers-- try doing that same situation.
2
The play was dumb not just because they threw it but where they threw it: Down the middle in a crowd.
Despite the NYTimes' attempt to contextualize a dumb play with the backstory of the play caller, the Offensive Coordinator's call waisted the hard work of so many people and lost them a championship that they deserved to win.
That the players can ever trust this man's judgement again is highly questionable. He should be let go, perhaps to watch more film with his dad. But, he should not be let loose on an NFL sideline ever again.
Despite the NYTimes' attempt to contextualize a dumb play with the backstory of the play caller, the Offensive Coordinator's call waisted the hard work of so many people and lost them a championship that they deserved to win.
That the players can ever trust this man's judgement again is highly questionable. He should be let go, perhaps to watch more film with his dad. But, he should not be let loose on an NFL sideline ever again.
8
For everyone who laughed sarcastically every time Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch bumbled and mumbled his way through media interviews, let the laughing continue. Because now, as a result of his team's dimwitted meltdown yesterday in Super Bowl 49, no sound, not even the slightest whimper, could possibly pass through those clenched teeth.
5
Good comment, but, surprisingly I understand Lynch responded to the first question he was asked and maturely said about the call, "it's a team sport."
1
The Seahawks got cute with 6 seconds left in the first half, and it paid off with a TD instead of a FG. That play was genius because it worked.
They got cute at the end of the game, and it may have cost them the SB. I say "may" because as crazy as the ending was, NE may have scored with the 20 seconds left. At any rate, the call was stupid because it backfired.
Karma is a vixen.
They got cute at the end of the game, and it may have cost them the SB. I say "may" because as crazy as the ending was, NE may have scored with the 20 seconds left. At any rate, the call was stupid because it backfired.
Karma is a vixen.
12
One must differentiate between a good/bad decision and a good/bad outcome. The decision to go for the TD rather than the FG at the end of the first half was a bad decision with a good outcome; the decision at the end of the game was a bad decision with an expected bad outcome - both bad decisions.
3
It was a horrible call and a horrible pass. No reason to get cute when you have the most dominant short yardage back in the game. I don't want to hear Bevell or Carroll spin this thing anymore. You got arrogant and figured whatever you called would work because you are all that. Now your ego has cost you a championship. If Wilson had put the ball lower probably a different result, but why risk it in the first place?
24
Perhaps someone now has some "freezer cash" on its way from Vegas?
1
Hello my fellow residents of this God Challenged Universe. We split off last night from a happier, parallel universe in which the Seahawks' Marshawn lynch rumbled last night for the game winning TD with three Patriot defenders on his back. MVP Lynch is being offered six figures to say something on morning TV in that Universe, Pete Carroll is being hailed as antidote to the villainous, dishonest N.E. Patriots' Bill Belichick, and Richard Sherman is the happiest man in the world awaiting the birth of his first child as Superbowl 49 champion.
7
Like most, I would have run Lynch, but if you are going to pass, why not bootleg Wilson. The pass is then a much safer one and he also has the option to run. The middle is just too cluttered on the goal line. Terrible decision!
10
Madness !! Sheer MADNESS !! The roll-out was the call IF you wanted o pass. Then - just toss it out of the end zone if it doesn't work.
...but a SLANT across the middle on the ONE YARD LINE !!
...I know what must have been going through the coach's mind.... WIND !!! AND LOTS OF IT !!
...but a SLANT across the middle on the ONE YARD LINE !!
...I know what must have been going through the coach's mind.... WIND !!! AND LOTS OF IT !!
Everyone talks of the play call. If they ran the ball Lynch could have fumbled. Anything can happen. More than the play call, give tribute to a stellar defensive play by Butler. The Seahawks didn't lose the game with a bad play call; the Patriots won it with excellent defense on the 1 yard line.
33
Yes, maybe Lynch would have fumbled.
But nobody would be questioning the call.
Do you know why?
Because it would have been the right call.
I do completely agree that the Pats deserved to win regardless.
They were the better team.
But nobody would be questioning the call.
Do you know why?
Because it would have been the right call.
I do completely agree that the Pats deserved to win regardless.
They were the better team.
6
@ Confounded, Lockette catches the ball and the call is genius. Hindsight is 20/20.
1
no, i doubt the game showed the 'hawks as
the better team
in that last minute, it was Seattle's game to lose --
they had out - offensed the Pats, imho
Seattle's vaunted defense ? in the 4th quarter ?
the better team
in that last minute, it was Seattle's game to lose --
they had out - offensed the Pats, imho
Seattle's vaunted defense ? in the 4th quarter ?
1
Had the Lions been in the same situation as the Seahawks, they would have made the same dumb call, but then they would repeat it over and over, as in Groundhog Day.
2
My hometown team won the Supe Bowl and I am very happy. But let's cut the Seahawks and Coach Carroll some slack. The so-called bad play could have gone in any direction. Sure, statistically a passing play might not have been the best choice. Statistically, it probably would have come to naught. On the 2nd or 3rd downs, the Seahawks would have corrected themselves. The variable was not that the Seahawks made a bad play, but that the Patriots made a good play in intercepting the ball. Let's give credit where credit is due.
I supported to the Seahawks last season because my team, the Patriots were out. The Seahawks are still a great team and Pete Carroll is still a great coach. Maybe the Patriots and them will have a Super Bowl replay. Until then, live and learn.
I supported to the Seahawks last season because my team, the Patriots were out. The Seahawks are still a great team and Pete Carroll is still a great coach. Maybe the Patriots and them will have a Super Bowl replay. Until then, live and learn.
4
More often, when that type of pass play works, it is a low throw in the gap at the receiver's knees, so there is a very low probability of an interception.
1
I guess the people who make a living writing about sports or need to fill airtime on talk radio need some controversy to keep the football season alive for a little while longer. For me, it was a great play by the NE defender. Glad I remembered to turn the tv on with five minutes to go in the game.
3
Lest we not overlook Mr. Butler's post-game claim of Devine Intervention prior to his making the interception.
1
And how ironic given whose pass he intercepted.
It's not like the Pats didn't stop Lynch during the game. He got stuffed a couple of times. It was the right call just poor execution and great Pats defense. After the ridiculous catch Kearse made, it was about time the Pats got one back!
6
You should have watched the 4th quarter, you would have enjoyed it
1
As a Packer fan still lamenting the outcome of the NFC game 2 weeks ago I absolutely loved the outcome. Of course the players determine the game on the field but the coaches put it all in motion.
Coach McCarthy played not to lose when Green Bay seemingly had the game in hand. Pete Carroll made a call that his team will be thinking about all off-season much like my Packers.
Coach McCarthy played not to lose when Green Bay seemingly had the game in hand. Pete Carroll made a call that his team will be thinking about all off-season much like my Packers.
8
Only results count, and the results turned bad for Darrell Bevell and the Seahawks. Had the results been different, a matter of one inch perhaps, nobody today would be talking about any bad call.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
3
Note that the Seahawks were only positioned for this play to matter because Brady got intercepted on the goal line in the first quarter and because Carroll made a gutsy unconventional call that resulted in a touchdown at the end of the first half. Beaten in the Cowboys game, Carroll won it with an onside kick. Sometimes the gutsy calls don't work out, but you've got to go with what you are, just ask the Dallas Cowboys, who stopped being who they were in the fourth quarter of their playoff game with Seattle.
3
I'm sorry but that's a brainless play call even if Lockette gets the reception. It's an utterly inexcusable call. You can pass it, sure. Throwing it over the middle--the riskiest possible play with the least reward--it's just inexplicable.
Watching Bevell try to throw Lockette under the bus during the post-game was even worse.
Watching Bevell try to throw Lockette under the bus during the post-game was even worse.
27
I agree. Bevell said that Lockette didn't go "strong enough to the ball". What a cowardly thing to say. Additionally, lockette didn't go strong because he couldn't see Butler behind him. And, that's the exact reason why Butler DID go strong..he could see both the ball and Lockette.
17
I just cannot agree that this is even a bad call. Most of those who see it as wrong-headed are just looking at it that way because it failed. However, most offensive plays fail to some extent, unless they score touchdowns. It was a beautiful slant play from the one yard line, with two defensive backs isolated and even blocked out by Kearse. It was just a great job of anticipation and execution by Butler. This is what happens in elite football games. Carroll's thinking not to run at that point is supported by every examination of the odds, both overall and in terms of the players involved.
How is that a terrible call?
How is that a terrible call?
7
Because most running plays, even for a bad rushing team, will get a yard. Because Seattle is a very, very good rushing team. Because they have two very good rushers, Lynch and Wilson. Because you're throwing the ball into a congested area with no time to truly read the defense, whereas fades, back-of-the-endzone, and corner routes are far safer. Because a team should go with its strength when it needs it most.
1
agreed. For the same reason, though, if they had run a play action to Lynch, nearly all of the Patriots' defenders would have immediately reacted - because - as all this has shown - EVERYONE in the stadium thought the Hawks would hand off to Lynch. So play action and then either a pass - if someone was wide open - or a scramble by Wilson likely would have been unstoppable.
Hi,
You make some good points, but there are a variety of considerations that show it is a complex matter, with legitimate areas for disagreement. That is why it is a play that did not work, but not a bad call. For example, the issue of "throwing the ball into a congested area" is too simple. Actually, if you look at the photos there are only those two defensive backs anywhere near the play. A third db is so far away, he is hardly in the widest picture. It was not congested, and the two patriots were shielded by Kearse. Michael
You make some good points, but there are a variety of considerations that show it is a complex matter, with legitimate areas for disagreement. That is why it is a play that did not work, but not a bad call. For example, the issue of "throwing the ball into a congested area" is too simple. Actually, if you look at the photos there are only those two defensive backs anywhere near the play. A third db is so far away, he is hardly in the widest picture. It was not congested, and the two patriots were shielded by Kearse. Michael
Fire them all !!! Seems the Vegas bookies got in the act . Another investigation for the incompetent NFL Commisioner .
3
Yeah, it was a bad call. (I respect Petpe Carroll for stepping up to accept responsibility.) But, someone's got to explain why the vaunted 'Hawks defense gave up two TDs in the fourth quarter, and why their offense became predictable, pedestrian, and unproductive in the final frame. Maybe some credit goes to the Pats, who didn't wilt, as did Green Bay, and who put crushing hits, rather than futile arm tackles, on Lynch that may have taken a bit of the starch out of him. But, maybe the real lesson is that the worst thing an NFL team can have in a big game, or maybe any game, is a two score lead in the fourth quarter.
8
Could the Pats possibly have stopped three quarterback sneaks by Wilson? I doubt it. Sneaks almost never lose yardage and since the offense knows the snap count, their surge should have carried the line of scrimmage forward the necessary yardage. The Seahawks had the game in hand and chose an incomprehensible way to screw it up.
6
Should have called a roll-out. One yard out it never fails.
1
I don't think the Seahawk pass play was so stupid. With big old Vince Wilfork shoring up the center of the line, Marshawn Lynch was not a sure thing. And Wilson had a free-agent rookie to exploit. And he had been doing this kind of easy flip over the goal line for TD's all year. And Seattle expected the Patriots--along with everyone else in the stadium--to be anticipating a brute-force running play.
No, I think this was considerably less stupid than Belichick's 4th and two call from the Pats 40 which lost a previous Super Bowl to the Giants.
No, I think this was considerably less stupid than Belichick's 4th and two call from the Pats 40 which lost a previous Super Bowl to the Giants.
7
Belechick lost two super bowls because his defense couldn't stop the Giants' last drives after Brady had done his job (plus Welker dropped a game clincher.) Nothing compares with the play that Carroll appears to have approved. Some say that he wanted to cement Wilson as the "new boss" with victories over Manning and Brady by passing. As they say in the sandbox "Tough nuggies" Pete. Maybe some of that USC karma came back to bite ya.
3
Except Lynch was getting nearly five yards a carry?
1
The call made sense. It was 2nd down with about 26 seconds left. Seattle had one timeout. Lynch had been stood up twice on short yardage runs up the middle. Common sense required a run to the outside. The down side was that a run would require a timeout, would use more clock and might lose 3 or 4 yards. Worst case scenario is 3rd and 4, 18 seconds left, no timeouts. Third down would pretty much have to be a pass for clock reasons, and the Pats would know that. Go with the pass as they did and worst case scenario, absent an interception or unlikely sack, is full choice for 3rd and 4th downs because of the timeout remaining. The pass call improved the 3rd down options. Wilson had not been intercepted so close to the goal all year. And his 7 interceptions for the year made that risk minimal. So why aren't the coaches defending themselves? If they did, it's all on Wilson for making a bad decision to pass in traffic on the most important play of the game.. Good coaches fall on their swords instead.
16
There was over a minute left after Lynch carried the ball down to the 1 on first down. The time running down to 26 was due to poor clock management. Quit trying to play devil's advocate, it was a stupid call.
6
@ Mark, letting the clock run down is good clock management. The Seahawks did not want to score and leave Brady with time. They let it run down on purpose.
3
But Carroll said they called the pass on 2nd because they were worried about time running out if they ran the ball on 2nd. You can't have it both ways. He choked under the pressure.
They wouldn't have had time to do three running plays with only one time-out, so it was a free play. I don't think it was an epic bad call at least, and hindsight is 20-20. It cost somebody I know $48,000, but he'll be ok. I think the Seahawks will be ok too. Next year, we'll be awesome again.
3
“The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.” "The Mouse", Robert Burns
5
Someone at the Globe said it took Carroll 15 years to finally bring a trophy to New England.
43
In essence, it was "Lynch tackled by Carroll". And a reverse Bucky Dent for New England.
2
It's been widely assumed that Lynch will not be resigned after this season for money reasons. I think the coaches took the ball out of his hands in part because they wanted to negate what will be a very unpopular decision in Seattle and on the team. They ended up doing the opposite.
5
I don't have a problem with throwing the ball, given that the Pats brought in their goal line, short yardage defense. But the Hawks needed to bring in their own goal line package, put Wilson under center and then fake the hand off to Marshawn Lynch. A well executed fake hand off with a bootleg by Wilson should have given Wilson the option to either run into the end zone or throw a pass to a receiver/tight end with a much higher completion potential (and much less risky).
27
The Pats had five DBs on the field! They knew the play before Seattle even ran it.
4
Darell Reavis disputed that the Pats were implementing their goal line package on that play. Go back and listen to the press conference and take a look at the teams' formations.
No matter how Pete Carrol might spin this one, he and his OC committed a big mistake.
Epic.
Like many coaches, even at that level, they have no idea of the probabilities of their actions. Huge downside to passing in that situation. (Not a large probability of an interception, but if it does occur, huge damage.)
And, huge, huge upside to giving the ball to Lynch or, as you suggest, having Russell bootleg.
If this occurred on the second play of the game or half, not such a big deal. But, it was for the Super Bowl win for gosh sakes.
No matter how Pete Carrol might spin this one, he and his OC committed a big mistake.
Epic.
Like many coaches, even at that level, they have no idea of the probabilities of their actions. Huge downside to passing in that situation. (Not a large probability of an interception, but if it does occur, huge damage.)
And, huge, huge upside to giving the ball to Lynch or, as you suggest, having Russell bootleg.
If this occurred on the second play of the game or half, not such a big deal. But, it was for the Super Bowl win for gosh sakes.
11
Uh oh. Sounds like a spy-gate conspiracy to me. Or is it just that Belechik is smarter than all the others.
3
Let us not forget to credit the young man that made the interception. The Pats defense was schooled in the plays the Seahawks run in that situation, Malcolm Butler read the offense and made the right move at the right time.
59
On this at least, Seahawks and 49ers fans can commiserate. Two years ago, SF had 1st and goal with a SB win in their sights, but couldn't close the deal. The Niners threw three times from the Ravens' 5-yard line but all were incomplete, and the coaches were roundly second-guessed for not having tried to run with Kaepernick or Gore.
P.S. I'm sure Browns fans think their teams should have tried to pass from the 1 instead of giving the ball to Earnest Byner. The truth is no one will ever know what would have happened if the Seahawks had run the ball.
P.S. I'm sure Browns fans think their teams should have tried to pass from the 1 instead of giving the ball to Earnest Byner. The truth is no one will ever know what would have happened if the Seahawks had run the ball.
5
49ers lost that SB because of a QB who was too inexperienced to perform muliple reads and was too locked onto his favorite receiver. He still is.
7
Don't be ridiculous, 3 runs for Lynch to get 1 1/2 yards? We do know the result.
Worst play call in football history, in the real world he would have been fired already!
Worst play call in football history, in the real world he would have been fired already!
6
In the "real world" this upper management fiasco would be given a golden parachute, millions in stock options, and a warm letter of recommendation.
4
Of course it's easy to say it was a horrible call after it didn't work out. I don't think it was crazy. Part of the reason they felt comfortable taking a shot with a 2nd down pass was that they had Lynch for two more downs with a run-heavy package if they wanted it. So, it wasn't crazy. But for all the obvious reasons, it wasn't too bright either. It's hard to see them stopping Lynch one time, let alone three. No reason to risk anything else there.
2
Had Lynch scored the winning touchdown and the Seahawks won, then Beast Mode would have been in line to win the MVP. Imagine that.
5
Had Beast Mode been given the football and scored the winning TD (extremely likely) he would have been the MVP. Can't wait to hear what he's not going to say to the press today.
2
This call was so dumb it was worthy of something the Jets would do.. I think Pete Carroll had something left inside from his year coaching the Jets, and it came out. Once you have the Jets mentality, apparently you're cursed with it forever..
3
Monday morning quarterbacks unite. The call made no sense.
3
I read an article about this guy Butler, who was one of the frequent "unknowns" Belichick adds to the roster because he just sees something in a player, no matter what his resume.
The Pats called him "scrappy" from the start because he was always around the ball. So much so, he could be "blamed" if one wanted to assign blame for that catch from heaven that bobbled into a Seahawk hands. But I also learned that Butler had been coached about this very type of play, and Browner got out the way too to let Butler sneak in for the grab.
Call or no call, I think that one of the great things about football is you just never know who will make a huge impact. Sometimes it's a guy like Butler who comes out of nowhere. Sometimes it's an offensive coordinator who makes a call based on all the wrong reasons but mainly in hindsight.
And sometimes it's based on something a coach sees in a player early in the season that few other can see. In the end, you have to be open to all eventualities, even the good fortune to be on the defensive side of a poor offensive call.
The Pats called him "scrappy" from the start because he was always around the ball. So much so, he could be "blamed" if one wanted to assign blame for that catch from heaven that bobbled into a Seahawk hands. But I also learned that Butler had been coached about this very type of play, and Browner got out the way too to let Butler sneak in for the grab.
Call or no call, I think that one of the great things about football is you just never know who will make a huge impact. Sometimes it's a guy like Butler who comes out of nowhere. Sometimes it's an offensive coordinator who makes a call based on all the wrong reasons but mainly in hindsight.
And sometimes it's based on something a coach sees in a player early in the season that few other can see. In the end, you have to be open to all eventualities, even the good fortune to be on the defensive side of a poor offensive call.
11
Nothing wrong with passing in that situation but if you have an option QB not making the fake to Lynch and rolling out with an option to pass or run vs. a drop back bang bang play into traffic seemed nuts.
What will not be remembered is Butler made an amazing play on the lucky catch that set up Seattle for the game winner. Butler defended that pass perfectly and knocked it away.
Undrafted rookie on the field in that spot stepping up and making two great plays on the final drive in the SB. Butler was in beast mode down the stretch.
What will not be remembered is Butler made an amazing play on the lucky catch that set up Seattle for the game winner. Butler defended that pass perfectly and knocked it away.
Undrafted rookie on the field in that spot stepping up and making two great plays on the final drive in the SB. Butler was in beast mode down the stretch.
10
It was the best ever. When Kearse got the ball (how I do not know) we were sure it was over/Wilson to Lynch/= GAME. When Butler jumped in front of Lockette and pulled it in...our party erupted in joy! it was a great game!
6
Don't even attempt to blame anybody. It's football and football's got to have some interesting and perhaps preposterous plays to make it worth watching year after year. If Wilson had connected with his guy on that pass Bevell would now be getting a parade of his own in Seattle. It sure made it one of the most memorable game endings in Super Bowl history and isn't that what it's all about anyway?
10
Most people in the world know sports are fixed by the criminals. Why would this football game be any different? In fact, there would be more demand to rig the game given the vast amount of money at stake. And why does the video game Madden 15, at least I am told have the exact score and story.
3
One point overlooked: Butler caught the ball in the end zone-see NYT picture-but lunged out leaving ball in play at 1 yd. line. If he took a knee, it is a touchback and ball is at he 20 yard line. Big boner besides "The Throw" was off-sides penalty by Seattle with Pats trapped on goal line. No penalty-Seattle gets 2 points, now it is 28-26, and the Seahawks get ball on kickoff with about 20 seconds. Enough time to kick FG and win 31-28. We'll never know because of the off-sides penalty-for which there was no excuse. It was an unforced error.
30
It would have been easy to deal with this. Take the knee, keep going back as much as possible, use up Seattle's timeouts. Then run the ball out of the end zone, leaving them at most 10 seconds, no timeouts, at least 70 yards away or so. You can hardly blame a guy for wanting to move forward. That is the instinct of any player with the ball. As long as he didn't fumble the ball back to the Seahawks, everything's fine.
3
Ploatman:
Assume you mean 29-28.
Assume you mean 29-28.
1
29-28...
1
Stealing this from a stats maven at another site. His gist - running and passing have been roughly equally risky and successful in that situation:
"In fact, this season it was more dangerous to run the football from the 1-yard line than it was to throw it. Before Sunday, NFL teams had thrown the ball 108 times on the opposing team’s 1-yard line this season. Those passes had produced 66 touchdowns (a success rate of 61.1 percent, down to 59.5 percent when you throw in three sacks) and zero interceptions. The 223 running plays had generated 129 touchdowns (a 57.8 percent success rate) and two turnovers on fumbles.
Stretch that out to five years and the numbers make runs slightly superior; they scored 54.1 percent of the time and resulted in turnovers 1.5 percent of the time, while passes got the ball into the end zone 50.1 percent of the time and resulted in turnovers 1.9 percent of the time. "
He goes on to note that the Seahawks have one of the better power running games (no surprise) and the Patriots one of the lesser short-yardage defenses. OTOH, the Pats had already stopped Seattle on an earlier 3rd and 1 and a 3rd and 2.
All that said, I say it was a terrible call. if it works, great. But if the Seahawks lose because Lynch can't gain a yard or Wilson can't roll out and scramble for a yard, then the second-guessers will have nothing to say. Live or die with your best players running their best plays.
"In fact, this season it was more dangerous to run the football from the 1-yard line than it was to throw it. Before Sunday, NFL teams had thrown the ball 108 times on the opposing team’s 1-yard line this season. Those passes had produced 66 touchdowns (a success rate of 61.1 percent, down to 59.5 percent when you throw in three sacks) and zero interceptions. The 223 running plays had generated 129 touchdowns (a 57.8 percent success rate) and two turnovers on fumbles.
Stretch that out to five years and the numbers make runs slightly superior; they scored 54.1 percent of the time and resulted in turnovers 1.5 percent of the time, while passes got the ball into the end zone 50.1 percent of the time and resulted in turnovers 1.9 percent of the time. "
He goes on to note that the Seahawks have one of the better power running games (no surprise) and the Patriots one of the lesser short-yardage defenses. OTOH, the Pats had already stopped Seattle on an earlier 3rd and 1 and a 3rd and 2.
All that said, I say it was a terrible call. if it works, great. But if the Seahawks lose because Lynch can't gain a yard or Wilson can't roll out and scramble for a yard, then the second-guessers will have nothing to say. Live or die with your best players running their best plays.
20
The issue is not pass v. run but high-risk v. low-risk play. A throw in that spot needs to be to the outside of the hashes and high or toward the back of the end zone, not through a compressed area where even a slight deflection is more probable than a clean passage to a receiver. Also, that play itself is designed for a receiver with more physical volume such as a Dez Bryant-type or a tight end who can post up in that spot or out-muscle the smaller defensive back to snag the ball. Both NE corners (Butler and Browner) positioned themselves for inside coverage. A low-risk/high-reward play with options would have sent Kearse inside for a step and then outside to the corner. Wilson could loft the ball to Kearse (a bad pass is simply incomplete) or run it himself off the roll, as Browner would have his back against the play. In short, Seattle's tactical decision led to the wrong throw to the wrong receiver in the wrong place at the wrong time.
93
But look at the NYT graphic recreation of the situation.
The fact is that the play was destined to work, but Butler simply made a once in a lifetime incredible steal. The real story here is Butler's play, not Seattle's miscue.
The fact is that the play was destined to work, but Butler simply made a once in a lifetime incredible steal. The real story here is Butler's play, not Seattle's miscue.
7
Rich,
Bingo! You should have been on the sidelines in AZ yesterday! The Patriots' in pass defending their own end zone, were clearly overmatching of the Seahawks' passing offense. And yes, the Seahawks offense, given the tactical situation on the field (2nd and goal on the Pats' one-yard line), was given the wrong pass play to attempt; to the wrong receiver; to the wrong place on the field; and at the wrong down (time).
Bingo! You should have been on the sidelines in AZ yesterday! The Patriots' in pass defending their own end zone, were clearly overmatching of the Seahawks' passing offense. And yes, the Seahawks offense, given the tactical situation on the field (2nd and goal on the Pats' one-yard line), was given the wrong pass play to attempt; to the wrong receiver; to the wrong place on the field; and at the wrong down (time).
1
precisely.
With both Lynch, a bull of a running back, and Wilson, who is a great running QB, in the backfield, to throw a pass in that scenario is beyond idiocy.
8
May never get said, but I think the coaches wanted Wilson to get MVP - Lynch scores, Lynch MVP, Wilson throws it in, Wilson gets MVP...Wilson, they hope, will be long time Seahawk QB, Lynch about to be too expensive to keep...
19
Doesn't make sense, since the Seahawks offered Lynch a new extended contract for almost 2X his current salary..BEFORE the game.
The play was good in form.
Far better to give credit to Butler who found a way to come in and do the smart, quick, unexpected thing, just after being part of one of the games most significant plays that did not go his way. This is less about a poorly called play than it is a story about amazing defense, and a rookie who took a chance.
Brady was MVP, and as such will be remembered, but it will be Butler they talk about ten years from now - as it should be.
Far better to give credit to Butler who found a way to come in and do the smart, quick, unexpected thing, just after being part of one of the games most significant plays that did not go his way. This is less about a poorly called play than it is a story about amazing defense, and a rookie who took a chance.
Brady was MVP, and as such will be remembered, but it will be Butler they talk about ten years from now - as it should be.
75
Sorry, this was the worst play call ever, whether it worked or not.
3
What Butler did was what Belichick told him--and the rest of the team--to do: Do Your Job! In this case doing his job just happened to include film study, which resulted in his recognizing the play and knowing what to do about it.
4
If Brady had been on target and not missed Edelman for a second TD earlier, Edelman should have been the MVP. He played an awesome game, and his hustle knocked out the DB who made one of the pics vs Brady.
1
Seems like Seattle got caught unprepared for what the Pats put on the field. Why not take the time out right then and get it right on 2nd down and be prepared to run a quick 3rd down if needed? Clearly Lockette wasn't in fight mode for the ball - it was like he thought he was wide open and just had to wait for the ball to get there. That is how balls get intercepted and games get lost. Seattle will get more chances - good coaching, great defence, outstanding QB and running back. One or two additions to the receiving corps and a little luck on injuries - remember, their defense was down one guy for most of the game and another for most of the 4th quarter - against Brady, that is fatal.
But most of all, give credit to two people: 1) Pete Carroll, who stood up like a man and said it was his mistake and 2) Butler for making a tough, heads up play, a great play.
But most of all, give credit to two people: 1) Pete Carroll, who stood up like a man and said it was his mistake and 2) Butler for making a tough, heads up play, a great play.
13
Great play by Butler snatching victory from the Seahawks.
Can't help but wonder had Lynch been given the ball that his game winning score would have made his contract discussions with the Seahawks even more difficult.
Can't help but wonder had Lynch been given the ball that his game winning score would have made his contract discussions with the Seahawks even more difficult.
2
the Green Bay multi miracle comeback, the Kearse miracle catch. luck turns.
17
The more I look at, the more I have to blame the pass. It shouldn't have been thrown, and it was a foot or so off target.
You can say it's dumb to call a pass there, but once it's called, it's up to the QB to not throw it if the play isn't there.
You can say it's dumb to call a pass there, but once it's called, it's up to the QB to not throw it if the play isn't there.
4
.OK, so you want to call a pass play since the defense is lined up tight in their`goalline defense. Why do throw UP THE MIDDLE?
Throw to the corner where only your guy can get it! Sheesh, everybody knows that.
That spreads the defense and Lynch walks in.
Another Times writer says the play needs a nickname to enter the panoply of bonehead sports calls.
I nominate "The Butler Did It."
Throw to the corner where only your guy can get it! Sheesh, everybody knows that.
That spreads the defense and Lynch walks in.
Another Times writer says the play needs a nickname to enter the panoply of bonehead sports calls.
I nominate "The Butler Did It."
44
"Why do throw UP THE MIDDLE?"
Spot on. The defense is bunched in the center of the formation. You are throwing into too much traffic. Too many bad things are possible. If you want to throw, fake handoff and roll Wilson out. He can either run it in, throw to the back corner, or throw it into the stands. It was just a stupid call in that situation.
Spot on. The defense is bunched in the center of the formation. You are throwing into too much traffic. Too many bad things are possible. If you want to throw, fake handoff and roll Wilson out. He can either run it in, throw to the back corner, or throw it into the stands. It was just a stupid call in that situation.
5
I agree. Additionally, the pass itself was not on target. I love R. Wilson, but a pass in that situation should be thrown low, so that only the receiver has a chance at it. But, people make mistakes and Wilson and carroll should be forgiven. Not so with OC Bevell...his receiver is blameless.
1
The overlooked factor was Seattle calling 2 timeouts earlier to avoid delay of game. That meant a failed run on 2nd and goal burns their last timeout. Then on 3rd down, they'd have to pass into a defense that knows its coming. So the 2nd down pass preserves their 3rd down run option, and Bevell calls a "safe" pass that can't be picked if a little lower. With 2 timeouts, he could have called a 2nd down run and preserved options for 3rd down. And with 3 he could have used 1 to match personnel to the Pats run defense, and still have the run option on every down. So whoever forced the earlier timeouts -- probably Wilson -- made a 2nd down run much more risky.
37
They lost the 2nd time out after Kearse circus catch two plays either. They apparently didn't get to the line in time because they didn't realize it was a catch right away. I feel the 2nd down call was the smart call, because they wouldn't be forced into a pass on 3rd down, all three plays could be called out of the whole playbook so to speak.
What was interesting was Belichick not calling a time out before the play in question. He would have had a chance to try and respond on offense if they scored on 2nd down with about 45 seconds left, but he choose to put the Seahawks in a situation with an obvious pass on 3rd down (if the seahawk's played it like every Monday morning quarterback thinks they should have). I think play and response between the two coach's is lost if you just look at the outcome as proof.
What I did like about the play was the switch defense the Pat's used. Often times that pick play works because the defenders chase their man, but Bulter saw Kearse engage the other corner, and broke immediately to the spot the ball was going. Great piece of football, great game. I wish they could play a rematch next week.
What was interesting was Belichick not calling a time out before the play in question. He would have had a chance to try and respond on offense if they scored on 2nd down with about 45 seconds left, but he choose to put the Seahawks in a situation with an obvious pass on 3rd down (if the seahawk's played it like every Monday morning quarterback thinks they should have). I think play and response between the two coach's is lost if you just look at the outcome as proof.
What I did like about the play was the switch defense the Pat's used. Often times that pick play works because the defenders chase their man, but Bulter saw Kearse engage the other corner, and broke immediately to the spot the ball was going. Great piece of football, great game. I wish they could play a rematch next week.
1
One of those calls that you're a genius if ya get it, an idiot if you don't. I can remember the Bengals being vilified and lambasted for sending Pete Wilson straight up the middle 4 times in a row on the goal line and losing the ball on downs and the Super Bowl to the 49ers ( Ironically, another "dynasty moment"). This was the "obvious, smart call" to make last night.
Grow up everybody. If you knew what you were talking about, you'd have been coaching last night. Just enjoy a great game and congratulate the Pats.
Grow up everybody. If you knew what you were talking about, you'd have been coaching last night. Just enjoy a great game and congratulate the Pats.
22
You are factually incorrect. Pete Wilson ran on first down from the 3-yard line, and was stopped for no gain on 2nd down. Anderson threw to Charles Alexander on the right who was immediately tackled for no gain. Johnson ran again on 4th down for no gain.
I agree with your main point -- all the second-guessing is pointless. The defender made an amazing play on the ball.
The call was not "wrong". It just didn't work out Seattle's way.
I agree with your main point -- all the second-guessing is pointless. The defender made an amazing play on the ball.
The call was not "wrong". It just didn't work out Seattle's way.
5
No one villified the Bengals for that call and it wasn't 4 plays up the middle anyway, since Dan Bunz stopped Charles Alexander on a swing pass. They all praised Bunz for the stop. And it wasn't at the very end of the game, it was in the third quarter, with the NIners well ahead but bending, with a TD at that point possibly a major momentum shift for the Bengals. Be accurate and maybe you'll have some credibility.
It's a shame that a great, see-saw game had to end with a huge mistake. Malcolm Butler should have been the game's M.V.P. because not only did he make the interception, he also touched Jermaine Kearse while he was on the ground after his miracle catch two plays earlier, preventing him from turning it into a touchdown catch as well. Yes, the play was OK'd by Caroll and Wilson, and poorly executed by Wilson. But it will make everybody forget Kearse's catch, one of the best or luckiest ever, was the result of one of the worst judgements and poorly timed decisions in the history of football.
3
I completely agree about Butler tackling Kearse! Often on such crazy plays the defenders look away and before they realize what is going on the offensive player is in the endzone. Kudos to Butler for continuing to follow the play.
why I can't watch football anymore, reason #2:
the game is run by the coaches, not the players. Plays are called by a coaching staff that seems to have more members then the actual team. Its like watching a slow motion claymation movie where the ball moves and then everything stops and the director figures out what to do next. oh, plus a few commercials and inane commentary tossed in
BTW, reason number 1 - three hours (or super bowl 5 hours) to watch about 15 minutes of actual sport
so, now I watch soccer, 90 minutes of action - and its a players' game, not the Refs, and not the coaches once the game starts
the game is run by the coaches, not the players. Plays are called by a coaching staff that seems to have more members then the actual team. Its like watching a slow motion claymation movie where the ball moves and then everything stops and the director figures out what to do next. oh, plus a few commercials and inane commentary tossed in
BTW, reason number 1 - three hours (or super bowl 5 hours) to watch about 15 minutes of actual sport
so, now I watch soccer, 90 minutes of action - and its a players' game, not the Refs, and not the coaches once the game starts
14
Couldn't agree more.
1
I'd watch soccer ('football') if I didn't have such a hard time staying awake. They should bottle it as a sleep aid.
4
Boohoo. Same old arguments have been in play forever. Seems like you ended up watching anyway!
3
I don't hear a single person "criticizing" the Seahawks' decision to go for a touchdown with six seconds remaining in the first half, instead of trying for a field goal. "Everyone knows" that a short field-goal attempt (and its 3 points) would be considered almost automatic from just a few yards out. And rolling the dice and trying to score a touchdown was anything but; a risky calculation at best. What happened? Seattle beat the odds, scored a touchdown, and went into the locker room with the score tied, instead of trailing by 4 points. SOOOOOOOO- what's the beef with a similar call at the end of the game? Everyone is expecting a run; let's go with a quick pass, drawn up to keep defenders away from the ball. But it didn't work, so all of a sudden the brilliant Seattle coaches morphed into idiots? Of course, if Butler didn't jump the route (and hold on to the ball, Seattle goes ahead with about 20 seconds left in the game. Who would criticize the call now? Results-oriented "analysis" is completely illogical, and almost always wrong.
84
At the end of the first half with 6 seconds left, the call was for wilson to throw the ball away within 5 seconds if he didn't see an opportunity. Thus there would still be time remaining for a field goal. That calculation is alot less risky than the high-risk call they ended up with at the end.
6
The "beef" is that most people can't look beyond the final play of a football game. The one play becomes the game, rather than looking at the previous 59:40 as a composite.
In terms of strategy, you're obviously a smart guy. Given the way the defense set-up, the intended receiver is deemed to be open to the inside (the next nearest guy was the safety in the back of the middle of the end zone -- completely out of the play).
The play just didn't work, largely because you had a defensive back that played it exceptionally well. He says he "saw it coming" and given the way he played it, I can't find fault in his statement.
"Worst call ever" is really just a mindless battle cry from people who don't really understand the game.
In terms of strategy, you're obviously a smart guy. Given the way the defense set-up, the intended receiver is deemed to be open to the inside (the next nearest guy was the safety in the back of the middle of the end zone -- completely out of the play).
The play just didn't work, largely because you had a defensive back that played it exceptionally well. He says he "saw it coming" and given the way he played it, I can't find fault in his statement.
"Worst call ever" is really just a mindless battle cry from people who don't really understand the game.
3
I think the beef is that the call in question came at the end of the game rather than the end of the half.
1
Pretty myopic viewpoint on the coaches' part to believe there were only two outcomes; "touchdown or incompletion." Duh. And yet, not to consider that "improbable" third option, was catastrophic failure. That's the difference between a responsible leader or not; and letting the team down. There was no need for the high-risk call.
9
Isn't this storyline—Seahawks dumb call—another knee-jerk reaction from the same talking heads and ex-jocks who prematurely opted for similarly easy Deflategate assumptions? Fan the flames of a negative story rather than focus on a wonderfully played defensive maneuver, a brilliant and instinctive move by Butler? Watch the video and NYT graphic breakdown. A quick slant pass wasn't inherantly risky. And as the play developed there was no one in the picture to defend against it. But Butler read the play from some distance away, saw Wilson's eyes tracking one receiver, and forced his way into the play with perfect timing, avoiding a pass interference call, whatever. And held onto the ball. Give the defense, and coaching, credit. And the unanswered points from the Pats in eight minutes.
39
Very well said. Why can't people like you ever get on sports talk shows?
3
These two numbskull coaches cannot wiggle out of this insipid play call because it proved wrong in actual time, was thoughtless in retrospect and a million afterthoughts. Both should be sent to freshman players camp for remedial training and then a course in physics, judgement, managing arrogance and pickup sticks. They need to crawl into a hole for a week or two or until the "looser ink" rubs off their foreheads. The more they try to rationalize the call the more you know that they learned nothing from last night. I would simply say that we're dumb, dumb as stumps.
3
Maybe the 'Hawks don't give the ball to Lynch because they don't want him to score the winning touchdown? He did have his chance on the prior play...but maybe his media day diva act leads the team to prefer someone else scoring?
4
Which is really too bad because it cost the Seahawks the Super Bowl.
1
'Work the clock' with less then half minute to play? They had the League's best short yard running back on field & #1 Defense to protect the 'lead'.
A pass play from 1 yard line into middle of field. Yipes ... Wilson had better chance to run it in. Totally arrogant call!
Carroll got out coached by the master Play Caller!
A pass play from 1 yard line into middle of field. Yipes ... Wilson had better chance to run it in. Totally arrogant call!
Carroll got out coached by the master Play Caller!
7
Reminds me of SB XLVI when with 57 seconds left the Pats allowed Ahmad Bradshaw to score untouched so they had time for a Hail Mary...they maybe do the same thing if Lynch runs it!!
1
My first reaction, as many others, was "worst call ever."
After listening to opinions of those who know more about football than just one of my neurons (e.g., Chris Carter), I can't criticize Seattle too much. As at least one other commenter on this page noted, if Seattle scored there, Carroll and the OC would be hailed as geniuses. Give credit to Butler, who made a spectacular defensive play under significant pressure.
After listening to opinions of those who know more about football than just one of my neurons (e.g., Chris Carter), I can't criticize Seattle too much. As at least one other commenter on this page noted, if Seattle scored there, Carroll and the OC would be hailed as geniuses. Give credit to Butler, who made a spectacular defensive play under significant pressure.
15
The difference between your initial thought was that you were able to add a little perspective after the fact.
Most people simply aren't capable.
Most people simply aren't capable.
The Seahawks should've easily won the Super Bowl game with a simple hand-off to Lynch or an end around with a fake to Lynch. The game could've been won on the Seahawk's earlier possession in the 4th quarter and within the 10 yard line. In this case Wilson should have run the ball in instead of handing off to Lynch. Since the Patriots entire defense was keying on Lynch the quarterback could have faked to Lynch and run in untouched by the defense.
Pete Carroll and his offensive coordinator should be investigated and possibly fired for costing Seattle this most critical game after a long hard fought season.
Pete Carroll and his offensive coordinator should be investigated and possibly fired for costing Seattle this most critical game after a long hard fought season.
4
Wilson could have run it in himself with the Pats defense expecting Lunch to carry the ball. 20/20 hindsight.
The OC maybe, but Pete Carroll built that team and got them there. Firing him would be idiotic. At a minimum, he won't make that mistake again and it's quite possible there will be an "again" with this same group.
2
Naw, you can't fire Pete Carroll, but...
he could be severely sanctioned by the Seahawks management for calling a pass play by being assigned to work on a smelt fishing boat in the off-season. I hear you can never remove the odor of smelt from your body.
he could be severely sanctioned by the Seahawks management for calling a pass play by being assigned to work on a smelt fishing boat in the off-season. I hear you can never remove the odor of smelt from your body.
1
I can understand the logic behind the call that was made. Wasting that other time out earlier in the drive put the Seahawks in a jam, and with a failed run attempt, they would essentially be playing chicken with the Pats to see who wanted to stop the clock first. If the Pats didn't call time out, then Seattle would have to, and for obvious reasons, they'd be expected to pass on third down.
So maybe there were credible clock management reasons for calling a pass. Or maybe they thought the Pats would be so primed to stuff the run that a pass would be unexpected (never mind that their likelihood of getting the better of the Seattle O-line, repeatedly, seemed questionable).
But it still doesn't really explain away the unnecessary riskiness of running a designed play over the middle. The Super Bowl is on the line, and you're throwing over the middle with a play that doesn't involve any real agency for the QB? If *anything* goes wrong in that situation, the ball isn't just hitting the ground. It's the most crowded field situation possible; if they had to pass, why not an out route or a lob to the back of the end zone?
It was a poor call from multiple standpoints, and will likely be regarded as historically bad. Decades from now, expect this game to continue to be presented by NFL Films, and referred to by sportscasters when coaches fail to trust in their team's strengths during clutch situations.
So maybe there were credible clock management reasons for calling a pass. Or maybe they thought the Pats would be so primed to stuff the run that a pass would be unexpected (never mind that their likelihood of getting the better of the Seattle O-line, repeatedly, seemed questionable).
But it still doesn't really explain away the unnecessary riskiness of running a designed play over the middle. The Super Bowl is on the line, and you're throwing over the middle with a play that doesn't involve any real agency for the QB? If *anything* goes wrong in that situation, the ball isn't just hitting the ground. It's the most crowded field situation possible; if they had to pass, why not an out route or a lob to the back of the end zone?
It was a poor call from multiple standpoints, and will likely be regarded as historically bad. Decades from now, expect this game to continue to be presented by NFL Films, and referred to by sportscasters when coaches fail to trust in their team's strengths during clutch situations.
10
Since you can't understand it, I'll explain it to you.
The defense was playing a goal-line defense, keying on the play to be a run. With so many defensive players on the line, and no linebackers in the middle, the trailing receiver "stacked" to the right is considered "uncovered" to the inside, since the safety was near the back of the end zone, and won't be of help.
Watch the play again. Note that the call is not thrown in "the most crowded field situation possible."
It was not an incorrect play call, unless you consider an incorrect play call to be one that results in an undesired outcome. In that case, most plays are the incorrect play call.
The defender beat the intended receiver to the ball; it was an outstanding play on his part.
The defense was playing a goal-line defense, keying on the play to be a run. With so many defensive players on the line, and no linebackers in the middle, the trailing receiver "stacked" to the right is considered "uncovered" to the inside, since the safety was near the back of the end zone, and won't be of help.
Watch the play again. Note that the call is not thrown in "the most crowded field situation possible."
It was not an incorrect play call, unless you consider an incorrect play call to be one that results in an undesired outcome. In that case, most plays are the incorrect play call.
The defender beat the intended receiver to the ball; it was an outstanding play on his part.
5
It's nice of you to try and talk down to me, but I think I understand the situation just fine. And for that matter, you'll likely find it lonely defending the play calling here. Would you also like to 'explain it' to the large group of current and former NFL players, coaches, and professional analysts who agree this decision was ill-conceived?
That ball was thrown right over the D line, *to a spot* more than it was a player. And it was a spot that was still in the vicinity of more than one Patriots defender. If that ball gets tipped or bounces up in any way, it's a total cluster regardless. And it doesn't much change the fact that it wasn't the safest passing play they could have run, even if you want to argue semantics about precisely how risky you think this call was on its own merits.
I'm not taking anything away from Malcolm Butler, who made a great play and likely the greatest play of his career. From his athletic dash to get into position to his reading of Wilson's intent prior to snap, he nailed it. But the Seahawks' choices provided some help.
That ball was thrown right over the D line, *to a spot* more than it was a player. And it was a spot that was still in the vicinity of more than one Patriots defender. If that ball gets tipped or bounces up in any way, it's a total cluster regardless. And it doesn't much change the fact that it wasn't the safest passing play they could have run, even if you want to argue semantics about precisely how risky you think this call was on its own merits.
I'm not taking anything away from Malcolm Butler, who made a great play and likely the greatest play of his career. From his athletic dash to get into position to his reading of Wilson's intent prior to snap, he nailed it. But the Seahawks' choices provided some help.
5
Agree with Finny here - the play was broken up only by a stellar defensive move by Butler. Nobody else was anywhere near the ball, exactly as the play was supposed to evolve, but Butler - who had read it in Wilson's eyes - reacted much more quickly than would otherwise have been possible. Look at the replay: you'll see him moving into position even before Wilson releases the ball.
2
No interception, and it's a brilliant call. Everyone is an expert in hindsight. Credit where credit is due: it may be the greatest interception of all time.
55
Ultimately score would have been the same. First half should have ended 14-7 Pats. if not for the safe defensive decision in the last 40 seconds of 2nd. period. The Hawks paid back the gift by decision to throw the ridiculous pass attempt with Lynch so hot and difficult to stop.
2
It was right to pass--get three chances instead of two. but never, never, in the middle. The play should have had Wilson roll out, throw to a clearly open receiver, run it in himself, or throw it away. There was one timeout left, so there was no problem with Lynch running twice. That was the play I called in my head before the actual play, it was so obvious!
4
Flabbergasted, dumbfounded, gobsmacked,.
Did not having the beast be the days hero factor in?
Did not having the beast be the days hero factor in?
3
If they'd scored, all the critics would have cheered the great call. Give Butler credit for making an outstanding play.
104
Exactly. Obviously not the right call but Butler rallied magnificently after the Kearse catch and beat the receiver to the spot. He recognized the play from the formation shocking Wilson. That takes preparation and guts! I know the world is going to say Seattle lost this game but I think the Patriots' discipline under pressure won it. Recognize what a heady thing Butler did under immense pressure.
42
Butler deserves full credit. After having played great defense on Kearse only to have a fluke happen, he came back and read and jumped a quick slant like an all pro. Tons of poise.
4
Mark -- absolutely. He played Kearse beautifully two plays previous to his interception, and really gathered himself enough to realize it was a live ball when Kearse got up.
Sort of saved the day for New England twice...
Sort of saved the day for New England twice...
1
This is a call that will go down in history as one of the worst. Lynch in the backfield is the obvious choice here, and I would have run the ball, but if I was going to choose a pass I would have at least called something off play action with the ball being faked to Lynch and Wilson taking the bootleg. You have two dynamic runners in that backfield who can A ,prevent LBs from dropping into coverage or freeze defenders for even a tenth of a second and B, with Wilson on the boot can force defenders into making choices of coming off their man to make a play on the QB who posses a threat. So the choice to throw the ball is not the worst, the choice of the passing play is what baffles this old coach's mind.
46
I agree. Throwing into a crowd on the inside at the goal line was a really risky choice. A play-action pick or crossing pattern to the outside would have been a much less risky play.
4
Great analysis. I too was not so surprised by the call of a pass play (although I was admittedly surprised) but what they called--a <5 yard throw right over the middle. There are just so many ways that play can go wrong. But my bigger issue is that the play did not leverage the Seahawks personnel and points of advantage i.e. Lynch's power running and Wilson's scrambling ability and capacity to throw on the run. I'd say that the chances of completing a pass over the middle are 50% with a 10%-15% chance of an interception. With Lynch running up the gut there is a 95% chance he gets in (in 2 plays!) with maybe an outside 5% chance of a fumble. So it was an unnecessary gamble. But Pete Carroll is a gambler. When he does that chicanery and it works he looks like a genius. But when it doesn't....
4
That's my new catchphrase when someone is over thinking or about to do something stupid.