« Reply #293 on: February 02, 2015, 12:33:22 PM »
Watching the replay of the Butler INT, I think Belichick was going to let SEA score there if they ran the ball.
Watch Hightower right before the snap on the play. He backpedals in the endzone. Why would an inside LB do that on the goal line?
Hightower said they saw the Hawks lining up for a pass play, so I guess he was pulling up in coverage? If Belichick was to let them score, why not take a timeout to preserve clock?
You don't drop into pass coverage before the snap. You might see corners back off their man but its awfully unusual to see a middle linebacker backing off the line of scrimmage at the goal line. He's backpedaling while looking at the sideline. I really think someone was yelling from the sideline to let SEA score there. We may never know the answer to that.
Not calling timeout is still baffling to me. No idea what was running through Belichick's head there.
For what its worth Butler said that the patriots practiced this exact play against the scout team and he got beat on it, and BB told him he had to be more aggressive. Perhaps the pats recognized the play and reacted.
Its just tough to think they were going to let them score without calling a timeout there, that's the only reason why im thinking this way. As you said, its baffling.
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