Posted on 02/02/2015 4:04:53 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
There were plenty of explanations offered, first by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, then by offensive coordinator Darren Bevell and quarterback Russell Wilson, but at the end of Super Bowl XLIX, with everyone left breathless, the question still hanging out there along with the confetti falling on the victorious Patriots:
How in the world does Marshawn Lynch, as fearsome a runner as there is, not get the ball on second down from the New England 1-yard line in the final seconds?
“We had it,’’ Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin said. “I don’t know how you don’t give it to the best back in the league on not even the 1-yard line? We were on the half-yard line and we throw a slant. I don’t know what the offense had going on, what they saw. I just don’t understand.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
WINNER! Lynch had just had a terrible game, by his standards. His best play had been a sideline catch. the Pats had stuffed him all day, and there was no reason to think their goal-line defense wouldn't do it again. However, as pass plays go, the one Carroll chose was far too risky.
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The real question is why the Patriots’ undrafted safety didn’t understand that when you intercept in the ‘zone, you don’t attempt to run out!
Rocket Surgery anyone?
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In this years Oklahoma vs Oklahoma St game, toward the end of the game with OU ahead, they punted the ball out of bounds on the OSU 15 with less than a minute to play. OSU ran into the kicker. Even though the penalty didn't result in a first down Stoops took the penalty and kicked again. The OSU kid ran it back for a touchdown and they won the game. This Seattle call ranks right up there with the Stoops play call.
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>> “If Seattle would have run on first down, and they didn’t score, they would either have only one more play they could run (because the clock doesn’t stop), or pass the ball in a situation where it was expected and they were trapped in a run-favored personnel grouping.” <<
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You are absolutely correct!
The flaw in the scenario is that the Seattle receiver was so caught up in his personal glory that he forgot the main objective, of protecting the ball from interception, at such a critical moment.
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Seattle didn’t know that Malcolm Butler had a vision.
It was kind of a Karmic justice. The Seahawks were only there because of brain-dead plays by Green Bay, who were only there because of a blown call against the Cowboys, who were only there because of an officiating non-call against the Lions.
Wilson only bears a small part of the blame for that error. But Carroll tried to get a little too cute and you don’t do that in the SB, especially not with the Pats D.
I thought they had used them all up.
My bad
Browns fans know all about such... Red Right 88...
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Blurred vision!
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A better-designed pass play or not, I still say, in that pressure-packed moment, with all the marbles on the line, they should have played to their strengths and that was to run the ball up the middle for the one yard and the win. They tried to be too clever by half.
A headline for a link on the Drudge Report, called the play the worst call in the history of football. Only time will tell but for now, I think I would have to agree.
Seattle had a Mack Truck in the backfield and run a play to a Prius.
I was rooting for Seattle only because they were playing the Patriots.
Anybody but Pats.
Have to admit, Pats outplayed Seattle.
One of my female in laws can be very insightful, when things like this happen. She like me, is a firm believer in Cui Bono, or “who benefits” in weird stuff like this dumb call.
Her theory re the big benefitors: The big gambling bettors against the Sea Hawks.
Who knows and if we will ever know who made the call and why.
I had no dog in this super bowl. My 49er Dog had been put to sleep last year, and I had no bets on the game.
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The breakdown of the play was the choice of receivers, not the choice of a pass.
A failed run would have cost way more than an incomplete pass. The receiver was just too dazzled by the possibility of catching the game winning pass, and failed to put first things first.
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The play call was sound; the choice of receivers was not.
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If Seattle scores on that play, then it’s Bellichick under fire for not leaving enough time on the clock, as it was, by not taking those timeouts it forced Seattle to adjust their strategy and ultimately to throw that pass.
The graphic arts department complained they couldn’t come up with a good logo for the L. That big empty space in the upper right is apparently a killer. Once you have LI though all is well.
This is getting way too far into tall weeds of football tactics and strategy for my pay grade. I played the game in my youth but don't follow the nuances of the game anymore. I'll let the more knowledgeable out there thrash this controversy out among themselves. I'll watch from the stands.
Given the way he bounced around the refs might (MIGHT) have decided he caught the ball in the field of play and went back into the end zone. If he kneels then that’s a safety. It’s really hard to tell on the replays where he caught the ball, but he definitely went backwards voluntarily some time near or after the catch. Getting out of the end zone was the right move then, don’t take a chance on a “further review”.
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