NFL 2014-2015 Season Discussion
- Thread starter tomalak301
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I didn't get the Missy Elliott thing at all. Totally broke up the flow of the halftime show, didn't feel like it fit. And hasn't been relevant in forever. Just a jarring couple of minutes, when even Lenny Kravitz only got half a song. And then after her doing a couple songs that didn't seem super appropriate, we went back to Katy Perry again to end things.
Just seemed off to me...
Just seemed off to me...
Honestly, a three-yard slant is an incredibly safe call as long as the quarterback doesn't melt down -- but Wilson made a terrible read and an even worse throw. If Brady, Rodgers, Romo, or Luck is your quarterback, inside slant is the call because those guys will read it and gun it or won’t. But Wilson doesn’t have the skill set to call an inside slant there. It’s just not a play you use with that talent base.
Going by feel, terrible call. By the numbers, someone broke it down and the last few times someone ran in that situation, it went for 0 or negative yards (plus kills their last timeout and burns more time in general). Pretty decent success rate throwing the quick-drop slant there. A little more away from the defense, and it probably works. really need to hit him in the gut and let his body protect the angle to the ball. Seen that same play work with Welker, Edleman, or Gronk a hundred times. Placement and receiver skill are key.
Part I don't get is Belichick not calling a timeout after the first run by Lynch. They let time run down, but if they were more or less conceding the score, they would have needed the time for the FG attempt after. Just felt like things were slipping away there. Maybe he didn't want to give Seattle time to think about things and design a better play, they looked a little disoriented or something? Felt odd, but maybe he saw a mistake that he just wanted to let happen, or liked the personnel matchups he had going. Dunno, he's admittedly much better at knowing football than I am
Part I don't get is Belichick not calling a timeout after the first run by Lynch. They let time run down, but if they were more or less conceding the score, they would have needed the time for the FG attempt after. Just felt like things were slipping away there. Maybe he didn't want to give Seattle time to think about things and design a better play, they looked a little disoriented or something? Felt odd, but maybe he saw a mistake that he just wanted to let happen, or liked the personnel matchups he had going. Dunno, he's admittedly much better at knowing football than I am
Ah, good. it's NOT just me.
Seattle is still planning a party. 
And Captain America will visit Children's Hospital while Star Lord will visit Chris's Haven!
And Captain America will visit Children's Hospital while Star Lord will visit Chris's Haven!
Sorry, I don't like the slant call one bit; not inside. A pass play in that situation should go outside. Or Wilson can run outside. Or you can give it to Beast Mode and if he gets stuffed, think about passing on the next down. I thought that was one of the worst calls they could have made, one that invited disaster because there has been a recent history of tipped balls being picked and Wilson throwing in front of guys. It all happened there.
I also was perplexed that B.B. let the clock run. Why? I guess he figured they were going to score and wanted an extra timeout in his pocket instead of extra time. It was conceivable that in the time remaining the Pats could have gotten in range for a long game-tying FG, but with literally no margin for error.
I also was perplexed that B.B. let the clock run. Why? I guess he figured they were going to score and wanted an extra timeout in his pocket instead of extra time. It was conceivable that in the time remaining the Pats could have gotten in range for a long game-tying FG, but with literally no margin for error.
Seattle is still planning a party.
And Captain America will visit Children's Hospital while Star Lord will visit Chris's Haven!
Won't comment on the first bit, but I like the second comment. Nice gesture from both of them, they'll both be going to both places. Free good PR, nice move from both of them.
they're going by the numbers on that one, and at least the numbers back them up. Executed properly, it's a pretty good percentage play. Put on his left shoulder instead of leading his right shoulder, and no one else can make a play on it, so he scores.
20 seconds left, 1 timeout (I think). Not a ton of plays left in the game, even if you stop the clock. They had enough for a run, quick timeout if it gets stuffed, and then pretty much next play is IT, run or pass. Maybe one pass and then a run if it doesn't pan out, but depends on how long it takes to run the play. No extra time here. Also seen conspiracy theories that they wanted Wilson to be the hero instead of Lynch there. Either way, just a bad throw. Emotionally, feel like they would have scored on the run, but Pats were playing run and knew it was coming, so could have easily been stuffed or a loss too.
Not sure the logic here, hope someone asks him what the thought process was. Figured they run lynch in, and then you have 15-20 seconds max to return it and get to FG range. could have made that about 45 seconds by taking the timeout.
I guess if you use the timeout, you're ensuring they get a couple shots at the end zone, so are conceding it for sure, but felt like we were close to that anyway, until we weren't. At least 45 sec is enough to work the field a little. Hey, Brady's gone down the field in a minute or so for a superbowl winning FG once or twice, as I recall. But still 20 seconds is a tough one...
Another thing to discuss: thought the refs had a good game. Was pleasantly surprised how quiet they were, stayed out of the way, no real big bad calls or missed calls. they botched the call on the Pats' kicker early (should have been 15 yards and 1st down, can't hit the kicker's plant leg), and unless another angle shows that he tripped on his own, Butler probably got away with tripping a WR in the 3rd I think. (he reached for him, can't tell if his hand got him or he tripped over Butler's helmet). Those are really the only calls I can think of that weren't pretty automatic, and would have had any bearing on the game.
I don't want to say they swallowed their whistles, as I hate the connotation, and it implies that they let them get away with penalties just to play it out. Rather, I think they decided to let things play out as long as nothing went over the line and it stayed pretty even. A little hand-fighting and push-offs on both sides, but never bad enough to force a call, most just big game competitiveness. Not every single play was holding or illegal block in the back or whatever. Dunno if the game was as clean as they called it, but in general I don't think I really saw anything bad that didn't get a call either, so enjoyed the refs taking a back seat for the most part and letting the game happen naturally.
Anyone have a different opinion on that one? Wondering if the win colored my perception somewhat, but just never really remember getting worked up over calls or non-calls in this one. Felt pretty even/balanced, and light-handed without letting them just do whatever they wanted.
I don't want to say they swallowed their whistles, as I hate the connotation, and it implies that they let them get away with penalties just to play it out. Rather, I think they decided to let things play out as long as nothing went over the line and it stayed pretty even. A little hand-fighting and push-offs on both sides, but never bad enough to force a call, most just big game competitiveness. Not every single play was holding or illegal block in the back or whatever. Dunno if the game was as clean as they called it, but in general I don't think I really saw anything bad that didn't get a call either, so enjoyed the refs taking a back seat for the most part and letting the game happen naturally.
Anyone have a different opinion on that one? Wondering if the win colored my perception somewhat, but just never really remember getting worked up over calls or non-calls in this one. Felt pretty even/balanced, and light-handed without letting them just do whatever they wanted.
After giving it some thought, I can see the logic behind the call. That kind of gutsy call was one of the reasons the Hawks were defending champs. It has been the team's "style", Carroll's style since at least the USC days. If the slant had worked, everyone would be saying that it was yet another gutsy call that the Hawks somehow made work. If the play at the end of the first half, the 4th down pass hadn't worked, Carroll would be taking heat for that one too. That was a very gutsy call as well, and if they'd settled for the field goal, the Hawks would have been down by 8 in the 4th quarter instead of just 4.
Agree with Timby that the slant is a safe play. Most of the time it is either caught or at best (for the defense) batted down. Debatable that Wilson misread the corner, however, I'll concede that with only 3 years under his belt, it could very well have been an "experience" issue for Wilson.
The slant is rarely intercepted because it is rarley "covered" closely enough by the DB. This time though, the corner made a BRILLIANT play, one for which he is not getting enough credit. He anticipated the play and met the receiver and the ball right at the point of attack at just the right moment, otherwise it's maybe a P.I. (regardless of the pick). The corner's eyes must have gotten as big as saucers when he saw that he had just as good a shot at the ball as the receiver did. Pn slants, this doesn't happen often.
Further, if you're going to call a pass on the 1 against the Pats D, best call it on a down that they aren't expecting it. Everyone in and out of the stadium was epecting Beast Mode on that play. Personally, I thought the call should have been play action to Lynch, pull up and throw (or run), I mean if you're determined to pass on that down.
Terrible way to lose, but the Hawks went down doing what they've been successful at, defying the odds and making it work.
Congrats to the Pats. Would have driven them and their fams crazy to lose a SB on that insane catch with the receiver lying on his back. You guys aren't "souless" afterall.
By not calling the timeout there, Belichick forced to Seahawks to scramble and come up with a play, rather than putting control of the game in their hands. If New England had called a timeout, I don't doubt Seattle would have run the ball there, and then called a timeout of their own if Lynch got stopped again. Since there was no timeout, the Seahawks called a play that would have either resulted in a score or would have stopped the clock anyway. Belichick kept control of the game in his team's hands and put his trust in his defense to make the play. I'm almost 100% certain any other coach in that situation would have called a timeout in that situation. Belichick once again proves to be the best in the business.
I love picturing the smiles on all the faces of those kids in those places.Seattle is still planning a party.
And Captain America will visit Children's Hospital while Star Lord will visit Chris's Haven!
Won't comment on the first bit, but I like the second comment. Nice gesture from both of them, they'll both be going to both places. Free good PR, nice move from both of them.
As for us still planning a party here, I say why not? I know it might seem a little silly, but for so many years, Seattle had a hard time smiling. I have seen this area in mourning too many times lately. It's nice to see a region come happily together, even if it's not the celebration we hoped for.
ETA: Too many protests and too many funerals... we need something happy.
I appreciate what you guys are saying about the slant, but it's just not smart, IMO. I've noticed that when Wilson misses he throws in front of his receivers a lot, and man, with the Pats basically two rows deep in the middle, that was dumb to me. I personally would not have called that. Had it worked I would have winced and said, "Wow, they played with fire on that one." They did play with fire, and got burned.
The pick was a good read, but Wilson put it right on the defender.
I agree with you here. Yeah, they missed the tripping and the one on the kicker could have gone either way. The contact looked incidental to me, but there was contact, and I think they should exercise discretion when handing out fifteen yards.
In all, I like the refs to stay out of it; there really is enough ticky-tacky calls during the season, like "chuck it deep and hope to get P.I." Nah. I like in the playoffs when they exercise discretion. Blatant infractions should be called, and they stuck to that. I think the refs did fine in this S.B.
The pick was a good read, but Wilson put it right on the defender.
I agree with you here. Yeah, they missed the tripping and the one on the kicker could have gone either way. The contact looked incidental to me, but there was contact, and I think they should exercise discretion when handing out fifteen yards.
In all, I like the refs to stay out of it; there really is enough ticky-tacky calls during the season, like "chuck it deep and hope to get P.I." Nah. I like in the playoffs when they exercise discretion. Blatant infractions should be called, and they stuck to that. I think the refs did fine in this S.B.
The Seahawks had a blatantly missed OPI on the game-ending interception -- the outside receiver was blocking with arms extended, which is the textbook definition of "engagement" (and in fact the Patriots were called for almost the exact same thing earlier in the game). If Wilson isn’t late / high / inside and that’s a touchdown with no flag, that play is super-duper controversial.
Definitely a pick by the tight-end, I believe, on the NE safety. It was a violation but the refs let those go all the time.
It looked to me like the receiver didn't break hard on his cut and run hard which gave the defender as good a shot at the ball as he had. Also, Butler was more aggressive. He hit the receiver with his left shoulder as he was catching the ball. The receiver went flying, probably thinking he'd get a flag.
If Butler hadn't made his play, it would have been a perfect ball for the receiver to catch. If anything, Wilson may have misjudged how quickly Butler would get to that spot.
BTW, Butler's catch is a drill DB's go through all the time. I don't know if prissy wide receivers ever practise that.
Right, which is why I said earlier that if you have a guy with a cannon like Brady or Luck or Rodgers, the inside slant is pretty much an ideal play call. But the Seahawks basically don’t have a three-step over the middle passing game because it’s hard, borderline impossible, to have that kind of a pass blocking scheme for a guy with a release as low as Wilson's.
Basically, Bevell got cute and forgot for a moment that he didn't have Brett Favre under center. Again, it's a perfect play call if you have an elite quarterback and wideouts who are not generally regarded to be mediocre at best. But when you have Russell Wilson taking the snap, trying to play games against the greatest strategist of the past 30 years is not a particularly wise idea.
I don't really watch much football outside of the occasional Super Bowl or college game, but most of my co-workers agreed with this suggestion today. It was a pretty good game overall, as it seemed like Seattle was in the driver's seat for much of the first half but the Patriots had still tied things up by halftime. For a while it seemed like it could go either way even though the Hawks still had the points going into the last quarter.
I will agree with giving the refs props just because their job is one where people only pay attention when they screw up.
The halftime show's visuals were awesome. If you mute the TV and play some better music, great show.
The halftime show's visuals were awesome. If you mute the TV and play some better music, great show.
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