Super Bowl XLIX Thread

[GratefulCs]

Regarding the fluke catch, still can't believe that Harmon jumped over Kearse rather than on him to break up the pass.

I think he was thinking that ball was going incomplete and didn't want to get a late hit.  He pulled up a tad then jumped over Kearse.  I don't think he had any clue until either the point he was already in the air or when he turned around on the sideline.

That's what I was thinking as well. He didn't want to risk a late hit. Which is probably the right move most of the time.


Everyone in the room went nuts over that last night. I'm glad someone else feels the same way


TP

[Eja117]

The Pats are the youngest team to ever win a Super Bowl.

Add that to the legacy of Bill Belichick

I assume that's player average age?

Yes. But even if they are the youngest winning team ever, the Pats aren't going anywhere without the 38 year old quarterback

That QB would be the first to tell you that's what everyone thought when Bledsoe went down

[Eja117]

The Pats are the youngest team to ever win a Super Bowl.

Add that to the legacy of Bill Belichick

One TP is now added to the legacy of nickagneta

[jambr380]

What are the odds that Malcolm Butler is even on the Pats next season?  Less than 20%?

Not as good as the odds he will get a serious upgrade in playing time next season, if not start.

Pat fans loved this guy in pre-season.  So glad he got to make that play...

I seriously doubt that his chances of making the team are any better or worse because Butler made that play. Belichick could care less. Butler did his job. If he wants to continue to have a job in New England he's going to have to convince Belichick he deserves one and that means practicing well this off season and playing well next pre season

I agree, but Bulter single-handedly won that game for the Patriots and will go down forever as a hero in Patriots-lore. The interception wasn't even a product of good team defense that led to Wilson throwing an errant pass - Butler, because of his preparation, saw what was going to happen and beat the receiver to the spot.

Now obviously using the words, 'single-handedly', may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Patriots would 99% again be losers if Butler doesn't step up. That reason alone should give him a free pass on next year's team.

[GetLucky]

What are the odds that Malcolm Butler is even on the Pats next season?  Less than 20%?

Not as good as the odds he will get a serious upgrade in playing time next season, if not start.

Pat fans loved this guy in pre-season.  So glad he got to make that play...

I seriously doubt that his chances of making the team are any better or worse because Butler made that play. Belichick could care less. Butler did his job. If he wants to continue to have a job in New England he's going to have to convince Belichick he deserves one and that means practicing well this off season and playing well next pre season

For what it's worth, Butler was one of the 11 guys on the field during the most important defensive series of the season.

[Fafnir]

Is the youngest team ever factoid snap weighted? Haven't seen a specific citation on that aspect of it.

If its just the full roster, that's a lot less meaningful than the guys who play the most.

[libermaniac]

The Pats are the youngest team to ever win a Super Bowl.

Add that to the legacy of Bill Belichick.

Well, that won't last when the deflategate verdict strips them of all their draft picks this year ;-)

[GetLucky]

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.

I think you have it spot on, and that's the reason Bill didn't call the TO. They only had one left, and they were going to let Seattle score. That would give them 30-some seconds to get in FG position and call a timeout to send the game to OT. If Belichick calls the timout there, Seattle inevitably scores, and the Pats are at the mercy of the sidelines and wind sprints on their last drive. The timeout would have given them more options on the hypothetical ensuing drive.   

I actually think that's why Seattle called for the pass. They wanted to get a shot, and if they failed, they get the ball back on 3nd and inches with a clock frozen at 30. It saves them the paranoia of worrying about the clock ticking down and acts almost as an "in your face, Bill" moment that counteracts the "let them score" strategy (similar to the 2012 Bowl where the Giants receiver tried not to fall into the endzone). What I mean is they would have taken the score but an incompletion would have arguably been better. I think it was Carol's idea all along to run the clock all the way down. An incompletion into a run takes more time off and exhausts the Pat's timeouts. But what they didn't seem to account for was the worst case scenario, and that bit them in the butt.

Basically, they tried to outsmart Belichick. Big mistake.

[Neurotic Guy]

What are the odds that Malcolm Butler is even on the Pats next season?  Less than 20%?

Not as good as the odds he will get a serious upgrade in playing time next season, if not start.

Pat fans loved this guy in pre-season.  So glad he got to make that play...

I seriously doubt that his chances of making the team are any better or worse because Butler made that play. Belichick could care less. Butler did his job. If he wants to continue to have a job in New England he's going to have to convince Belichick he deserves one and that means practicing well this off season and playing well next pre season

I agree, but Bulter single-handedly won that game for the Patriots and will go down forever as a hero in Patriots-lore. The interception wasn't even a product of good team defense that led to Wilson throwing an errant pass - Butler, because of his preparation, saw what was going to happen and beat the receiver to the spot.

Now obviously using the words, 'single-handedly', may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Patriots would 99% again be losers if Butler doesn't step up. That reason alone should give him a free pass on next year's team.

Yes, Butler is an instant legend.   ALWAYS remembered for that play -- and he spoke so sincerely and humbly afterward -- the anti-Sherman.   

But there is no way that play gives him any free pass for next season.  David Tyree's last catch as an NFL player was the helmet catch.

[Donoghus]

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.

I think you have it spot on, and that's the reason Bill didn't call the TO. They only had one left, and they were going to let Seattle score. That would give them 30-some seconds to get in FG position and call a timeout to send the game to OT. If Belichick calls the timout there, Seattle inevitably scores, and the Pats are at the mercy of the sidelines and wind sprints on their last drive. The timeout would have given them more options on the hypothetical ensuing drive.   

I actually think that's why Seattle called for the pass. They wanted to get a shot, and if they failed, they get the ball back on 3nd and inches with a clock frozen at 30. It saves them the paranoia of worrying about the clock ticking down and acts almost as an "in your face, Bill" moment that counteracts the "let them score" strategy (similar to the 2012 Bowl where the Giants receiver tried not to fall into the endzone). What I mean is they would have taken the score but an incompletion would have arguably been better. I think it was Carol's idea all along to run the clock all the way down. An incompletion into a run takes more time off and exhausts the Pat's timeouts. But what they didn't seem to account for was the worst case scenario, and that bit them in the butt.

Basically, they tried to outsmart Belichick. Big mistake.

Pats had two timeouts left.  That's what makes it so insane!!  They could've called a timeout with 50 something seconds left then let Lynch run it in on the next play.  That would still leave them with one timeout and roughly 45 seconds to get into FG range.   Instead Belichick lets it run down to roughly 26 seconds when the ball is snapped on the Butler INT play.   

Say Seattle scores there.  Pats get the ball back but they have to 40-45 yards in 20 seconds or so.  Yes, they have the 2 timeouts but that's almost no time to pick up that amount of yardage against that defense.  Pats had been dink & ducking against that secondary all game but they weren't gashing SEA for large yardage plans. 

Just an unbelievable finish. 

[GetLucky]

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.

I think you have it spot on, and that's the reason Bill didn't call the TO. They only had one left, and they were going to let Seattle score. That would give them 30-some seconds to get in FG position and call a timeout to send the game to OT. If Belichick calls the timout there, Seattle inevitably scores, and the Pats are at the mercy of the sidelines and wind sprints on their last drive. The timeout would have given them more options on the hypothetical ensuing drive.   

I actually think that's why Seattle called for the pass. They wanted to get a shot, and if they failed, they get the ball back on 3nd and inches with a clock frozen at 30. It saves them the paranoia of worrying about the clock ticking down and acts almost as an "in your face, Bill" moment that counteracts the "let them score" strategy (similar to the 2012 Bowl where the Giants receiver tried not to fall into the endzone). What I mean is they would have taken the score but an incompletion would have arguably been better. I think it was Carol's idea all along to run the clock all the way down. An incompletion into a run takes more time off and exhausts the Pat's timeouts. But what they didn't seem to account for was the worst case scenario, and that bit them in the butt.

Basically, they tried to outsmart Belichick. Big mistake.

Pats had two timeouts left.  That's what makes it so insane!!  They could've called a timeout with 50 something seconds left then let Lynch run it in on the next play.  That would still leave them with one timeout and roughly 45 seconds to get into FG range.   Instead Belichick lets it run down to roughly 26 seconds when the ball is snapped on the Butler INT play.   

Say Seattle scores there.  Pats get the ball back but they have to 40-45 yards in 20 seconds or so.  Yes, they have the 2 timeouts but that's almost no time to pick up that amount of yardage against that defense.  Pats had been dink & ducking against that secondary all game but they weren't gashing SEA for large yardage plans. 

Just an unbelievable finish.

I didn't think they had two timeouts. TP for that bit. It makes what I thought was irrational, emotional screaming at the TV to call timeout from last night seem a little more logical. And yes, amazing finish to a classic of a game.   

[Neurotic Guy]

Watching the two amazing plays at the end. 

The Kearse catch was simply astounding.  For that to happen in that circumstance is just not believable.  I think it exceeded the improbability of the Tyree catch -- which was perhaps the most improbable catch ever, given when and how it occurred.  But this catch defies logic. 

While both players are suspended and fully extended in air, Butler makes a brilliant play on the ball, using one arm to actually knock the ball away from Kearse's hands.  The ball then pops into the air and remarkably follows  Kearse's path to the ground a full 5 yards from the initial contact with the ball. Then the ball bounces off his left knee, and then knocks offhis right knee and his right hand almost simultaneously --  the reflexive movement of his right hand popping the ball into the air. Then Kearse knocks it again with his right hand (this time with some measure of purpose) while lying down and roling, the ball then suspends perfectly to allow him to secure it with both hands.   

Someone said earlier that this catch won't happen 99% of the time.  I think 1 out of 100 isn't even close to how unlikely that catch was.   You couldn't receate this play in 10,000 tries. And it happens eerily on the final drive of the Superbowl against the team that gave up the Tyree catch in the same scenario.   Un-freaking-believable.


All I'll say about the Butler inteception is that is was incredible that he held onto the ball.  This is a DB, not a receiver, and the ball was rifled in there from about 8 yards away.  Butler and the intended receiver colided hard as the ball hits Butler's shoulder area where he then traps the ball.  Absolutely amazing that he holds on.   

What a game.

[GratefulCs]

What are the odds that Malcolm Butler is even on the Pats next season?  Less than 20%?

Not as good as the odds he will get a serious upgrade in playing time next season, if not start.

Pat fans loved this guy in pre-season.  So glad he got to make that play...

I seriously doubt that his chances of making the team are any better or worse because Butler made that play. Belichick could care less. Butler did his job. If he wants to continue to have a job in New England he's going to have to convince Belichick he deserves one and that means practicing well this off season and playing well next pre season

For what it's worth, Butler was one of the 11 guys on the field during the most important defensive series of the season.

Yes! Exactly! TP


Sure, he won't get a free pass, but it speaks VOLUMES about the trust coach had in him to put him out there on the most important play of the season (maybe in franchise history (maybe in football history) (maybe in sports history)) ok, that last part was a little out there, ha

[Redz]

What are the odds that Malcolm Butler is even on the Pats next season?  Less than 20%?

Not as good as the odds he will get a serious upgrade in playing time next season, if not start.

Pat fans loved this guy in pre-season.  So glad he got to make that play...

I seriously doubt that his chances of making the team are any better or worse because Butler made that play. Belichick could care less. Butler did his job. If he wants to continue to have a job in New England he's going to have to convince Belichick he deserves one and that means practicing well this off season and playing well next pre season

For what it's worth, Butler was one of the 11 guys on the field during the most important defensive series of the season.

Yes! Exactly! TP


Sure, he won't get a free pass, but it speaks VOLUMES about the trust coach had in him to put him out there on the most important play of the season (maybe in franchise history (maybe in football history) (maybe in sports history)) ok, that last part was a little out there, ha

When I saw the Butler pick live I missed that he'd made the interception, but I still jumped up excitedly because the TD saving hit he'd made on the receiver!

[JSD]

Some awesome reactions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smwmgZViC0g&x-yt-ts=1422579428&x-yt-cl=85114404#t=81