Nearly Superbowl time !

[Andylaser]

I have a Supper-Bowl. ;D

 

[2112]

Nice supperbowl, looks a lot like mine did ::008::

 

[Salmon Sam]

Worst call ever. What can you do?
All you Seahawks haters: Sherman talks too much and Lynch doesn't talk enough. Get over it. They are great players and interesting personalities. ::021::

 

[Jarvy]

Actually going by the pregame build up most seem to be Patriots haters. Can't begin to tell you all how good I feel today as a Pats fan!
Do you see the trailer for Ted2 with Tom Brady, very funny

 

[Scoobynut]

Can't begin to tell you all how good I feel today as a Pats fan!

I'm with you there, Jarvy! Slightly hungover, but in a good mood today nevertheless. I went completely apeshit crazy when Butler picked off that pass. My cat hid for the rest of the night, didn't see her again until this morning! I suppose she's never seen a crazy person before...

 

[fredz43]

I went completely apeshit crazy when Butler picked off that pass. My cat hid for the rest of the night, didn't see her again until this morning! I suppose she's never seen a crazy person before...

Now, that's funny. ;D

 

[arjayes]

The pass call is getting hammered way too hard IMO. Given the time left (< 30 seconds with clock still running), the timeout situation (they only had one left), and the fact the EVERYBODY (including New England) assumed Lynch would be ramming it up the middle, the quick slant was not a terrible call at all. If Lynch had run and failed to get in then Seattle is forced to take their last time out and then their options become very limited. And Lynch could have fumbled. There are no 100% safe plays in football. Nobody is mentioning that Wilson led Lockette too much. If thrown in the right spot there's no way Butler could have picked it off.

Poor pass by Wilson and great play by Butler. Carroll has nothing to apologize for.

 

[Salmon Sam]

I beg to differ, Arjayes. Passing is always more risky than running. Seattle's strength has been the run. You have a big, power bruiser like Lynch and a mobile, elusive quarterback like Wilson with 3 chances and 1/2 a yard? Are you kidding me?

Pats are cheaters. If the balls were deflated, Brady knew. Do I sound bitter? Maybe. All in fun, anyway. :'(

 

[Scoobynut]

The pass call is getting hammered way too hard IMO. Given the time left (< 30 seconds with clock still running), the timeout situation (they only had one left), and the fact the EVERYBODY (including New England) assumed Lynch would be ramming it up the middle, the quick slant was not a terrible call at all. If Lynch had run and failed to get in then Seattle is forced to take their last time out and then their options become very limited. And Lynch could have fumbled. There are no 100% safe plays in football. Nobody is mentioning that Wilson led Lockette too much. If thrown in the right spot there's no way Butler could have picked it off.

Poor pass by Wilson and great play by Butler. Carroll has nothing to apologize for.

I agree that they're hammering Carroll too hard. He made a risky call at the end of the first half that resulted in a touchdown (6 seconds left), so you just make your calls and take your chances -- that risk was deemed brilliant, because it happened to work. Normally on a play like the one that ended the game, the receiver either catches it, he's a hero, his team wins -- or he drops it and they run the ball next play. I admire coaches who are gamblers like that. Bellicheck has had his own gambles blow up before (Pats vs. Colts, went for it on 4th down on his own side of the field, didn't make it, Colts went on to win). I hated that it didn't work but still admired the balls it took to call the play.

In any event, am very happy things worked out as they did, but I do have some grudging respect for the Seahawks and their style of play.

 

[arjayes]

I agree that they're hammering Carroll too hard. He made a risky call at the end of the first half that resulted in a touchdown (6 seconds left), so you just make your calls and take your chances -- that risk was deemed brilliant, because it happened to work. Normally on a play like the one that ended the game, the receiver either catches it, he's a hero, his team wins -- or he drops it and they run the ball next play. I admire coaches who are gamblers like that. Bellicheck has had his own gambles blow up before (Pats vs. Colts, went for it on 4th down on his own side of the field, didn't make it, Colts went on to win). I hated that it didn't work but still admired the balls it took to call the play.

In any event, am very happy things worked out as they did, but I do have some grudging respect for the Seahawks and their style of play.

I agree totally. Overall the NFL is an incredibly/boringly conservative league. It amazes me how willingly teams give the ball back (punt), even when just slightly out of field goal range on the opponent's side of the field.

Here's how the game SHOULD be played!!!

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-should-never-punt-2013-11

Heard about this guy several years ago and wondered when I would start to see other coaches at any level try his approach. Hasn't happened yet as far as I can tell. Head coaches, at least at the big-time college and pro level, are forced to be cautious due to all the loud and endless second-guessing that goes on in both the media and the fan base (case in point yesterday). Most sports would be a lot more exciting without the constraints of "conventional wisdom"!!

 

[tomatocity]

The pass call is getting hammered way too hard IMO. Given the time left (< 30 seconds with clock still running), the timeout situation (they only had one left), and the fact the EVERYBODY (including New England) assumed Lynch would be ramming it up the middle, the quick slant was not a terrible call at all. If Lynch had run and failed to get in then Seattle is forced to take their last time out and then their options become very limited. And Lynch could have fumbled. There are no 100% safe plays in football. Nobody is mentioning that Wilson led Lockette too much. If thrown in the right spot there's no way Butler could have picked it off.

Poor pass by Wilson and great play by Butler. Carroll has nothing to apologize for.

+1

 

[offcamber]

They play conservatively because of the monumental amount of money that is tied up in each game. Regular season is only 16 games that's not a lot to play around with and coaches generally don't gamble with it. I am sure you can make a good argument for doing the opposite and maybe some teams that a re borderline should....if they stink what else do you have to lose.

The big winner was the NFL because games like that create bigger viewership and BIGGER $$$$$$$$$

Whether you love or hate the Pats you have to respect Tom Brady as one of if not the all time greatest quarterbacks....