Belated Observations about SB 51 -- In General Edition

Ed Hillel

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You know what's amazing? Superbowl 49 had the most amazing ending in the history of the Superbowl, it favored the team most dear to me, and it was two and a half years ago. Yet, it almost seems like a nothingburger now.

#Blessed
 

InstaFace

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It took many of us years to be able to watch 2007 again
I never have, and doubt I ever will, other than having the occasional drive-by-attack clip of the helmet catch inflicted on me. I think I once loaded up the third-and-10 play of the final Patriots' drive, just to confirm how close it was. Never again. I also haven't sat down and watched 2003 ALCS Game 7.
 

54thMA

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I never have, and doubt I ever will, other than having the occasional drive-by-attack clip of the helmet catch inflicted on me. I think I once loaded up the third-and-10 play of the final Patriots' drive, just to confirm how close it was. Never again. I also haven't sat down and watched 2003 ALCS Game 7.
Yup, me too; aside from seeing it live, I haven't watched replays, highlights or anything related to it other than drive bys and I either change the channel or look away, that game and everything related to it is my personal kryptonite, they could win 10 more Super Bowls and that will never change in my mind.

The 2011 Super Bowl loss was one thing, over and done with, whatever, just like the 1997 loss to the Packers.

But 2007; nope, never.
 

LMontro

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I never have, and doubt I ever will, other than having the occasional drive-by-attack clip of the helmet catch inflicted on me. I think I once loaded up the third-and-10 play of the final Patriots' drive, just to confirm how close it was. Never again. I also haven't sat down and watched 2003 ALCS Game 7.
I have never seen the Boone HR land. Changed the channel when it happened and do the same every time that clip gets shown.
 

TheoShmeo

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It took many of us years to be able to watch 2007 again
I STILL turn the channel, delete automatic recordings on my DVR and look away at highlights of the catch. For me, there is nothing positive to be gained.

CP, I don't see a lot of upside in inflicting that on yourself. MAYBE if/when the Falcons win a SB. As a related point, some Sox fans go back and watch the 19-8 game from 2004 and are able to laugh. Not this one. And that's an easier sell because the Sox did win that very series, something that is inherently impossible in a one and done format. I guess the one time where I could see it being more palatable later would be if the Falcons beat the Pats in a SB down the road.

And we know that's not going to happen. (evil emoitcon)
 

InstaFace

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Motherfucker.
Yeah, sorry to bring it up guys. Was just trying to throw CP some empathy, since he's been such a good sport all along.

Something tells me that for SNF on Oct 22nd, he will be strapped down with a xanax IV drip and all the face paint he can muster.
 
CP, I don't see a lot of upside in inflicting that on yourself. MAYBE if/when the Falcons win a SB. As a related point, some Sox fans go back and watch the 19-8 game from 2004 and are able to laugh. Not this one. And that's an easier sell because the Sox did win that very series, something that is inherently impossible in a one and done format. I guess the one time where I could see it being more palatable later would be if the Falcons beat the Pats in a SB down the road.

And we know that's not going to happen. (evil emoitcon)
Thing is, the Falcons have had so few positive moments in their history, simply being 28-3 up in the third quarter of a Super Bowl is still the most awesome thing they've ever accomplished. So I don't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. I've already watched the game again up until the halfway mark of the third quarter, and this conversation prompted me to find and watch the Julio's sideline catch late in the fourth quarter...which was nice, until I watched the two plays after it.

FWIW, I do potentially see a way forward: as it happens, there's a good chance I may get to do some NFL television commentary this fall out of a studio based in the UK, and I might do my own commentary on SB51 as a practice tape (having already used Audacity to remove Buck and Aikman from the broadcast). I called the first quarter-and-a-half of the NFC Championship Game to that same end last night, and I reckon I could handle watching the Super Bowl as part of a commentary exercise in a way that I couldn't yet handle watching it as a fan. We'll see.
 

Van Everyman

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CP, if it makes you feel any better, I view the Grady Boner/Boone HR as part of the 2004 narrative. I know some Sox fans feel like 2003 deprived them of another title. And it def. hurt a ton when it happened. But the fact that they came up short in such a painful way absolutely made the 2004 comeback that much sweeter for me (one might even say, "Unequivocally the sweetest" ).
 

InstaFace

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as it happens, there's a good chance I may get to do some NFL television commentary this fall out of a studio based in the UK...
I know you've mentioned that gig before in passing, but this is so fucking cool we may need you to do an ongoing thread on the subject if it's a recurring gig for you. If I had a choice between Buck/Aikman or "listen to a knowledgeable SoSHer call a game, who might drop in some SoSH inside jokes into a live broadcast", I would damn well pay for the latter. Even if you occasionally refer to our coach as Darth Belichick or something.
 

Al Zarilla

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CP, if it makes you feel any better, I view the Grady Boner/Boone HR as part of the 2004 narrative. I know some Sox fans feel like 2003 deprived them of another title. And it def. hurt a ton when it happened. But the fact that they came up short in such a painful way absolutely made the 2004 comeback that much sweeter for me (one might even say, "Unequivocally the sweetest" ).
But some of us, especially those of us on the older side, got the sinking feeling that we may never see a Sox World Series title in our lifetime. Fortunately, that was erased in one year and a few days.
 
I know you've mentioned that gig before in passing, but this is so fucking cool we may need you to do an ongoing thread on the subject if it's a recurring gig for you. If I had a choice between Buck/Aikman or "listen to a knowledgeable SoSHer call a game, who might drop in some SoSH inside jokes into a live broadcast", I would damn well pay for the latter. Even if you occasionally refer to our coach as Darth Belichick or something.
I'd like to prove to myself that I'm any good at a particular sport before I recommend my services to anyone, but this might be possible if you have software that lets you change your IP address location...I'll let you know the details when I have them. I'm not sure about inside jokes, but you can be fairly certain I'll reference Football Outsiders and DVOA in my NFL commentaries, which I think might be a nice change of pace from CBS and Fox. (I'm told by my recently acquired agent that some NBA and even MLB might be on the docket...we'll see.)
But some of us, especially those of us on the older side, got the sinking feeling that we may never see a Sox World Series title in our lifetime. Fortunately, that was erased in one year and a few days.
Yeah, unfortunately this is where I am at the moment. If the Falcons win SB52, I will look back on SB51 and laugh heartily. But this could prove to be Atlanta's 1986/Buckner equivalent rather than its 2003/Boone, which...doesn't bear contemplating, frankly.
 

bankshot1

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CP, if it makes you feel any better, I view the Grady Boner/Boone HR as part of the 2004 narrative. I know some Sox fans feel like 2003 deprived them of another title. And it def. hurt a ton when it happened. But the fact that they came up short in such a painful way absolutely made the 2004 comeback that much sweeter for me (one might even say, "Unequivocally the sweetest" ).
Exactly.

The nut-punch that was 2003 was absolutely a big part of the "hallelujah we've reached the promised land" life renewing miracle that was 2004.

I literally could not fall asleep after game 7 '03 ALCS. No other sporting event ever had that effect on me (the game that shall not be named wasn't even close).
 

54thMA

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Exactly.

The nut-punch that was 2003 was absolutely a big part of the "hallelujah we've reached the promised land" life renewing miracle that was 2004.

I literally could not fall asleep after game 7 '03 ALCS. No other sporting event ever had that effect on me (the game that shall not be named wasn't even close).
I had no problem falling asleep after that game; shut off the TV, went to bed, that was that.

I lived through 67, 72, 74, 75, 78 and 86, so 03 was nothing more than same shit, different day, another epic fail by the Red Sox, which by that point I had come to expect from them.

The only difference between it and the previous ones was the method.

Not sure how you can even come close to comparing that to 07; 03 was a loss in the ALCS, 07 was historic, they would have been THE only team in NFL history to go 19-0, but they lost to a mouth breathing hayseed with a horseshoe up his ass during that game winning drive.
 

RG33

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I had no problem falling asleep after that game; shut off the TV, went to bed, that was that.

I lived through 67, 72, 74, 75, 78 and 86, so 03 was nothing more than same shit, different day, another epic fail by the Red Sox, which by that point I had come to expect from them.

The only difference between it and the previous ones was the method.

Not sure how you can even come close to comparing that to 07; 03 was a loss in the ALCS, 07 was historic, they would have been THE only team in NFL history to go 19-0, but they lost to a mouth breathing hayseed with a horseshoe up his ass during that game winning drive.
I'm with Bankshot. 2003 was so much more painful for me than 2007 Patriots. It had more to do with the fact it was again the Yankees, and again we were the losers in epic fashion, etc. I sat in the bar by myself afterwards for like an hour and didn't say a word. I was at the 2007 game and it sucked, but the feeling was different because we were supposed to win and we had tasted victory before.
 

bankshot1

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I had no problem falling asleep after that game; shut off the TV, went to bed, that was that.

I lived through 67, 72, 74, 75, 78 and 86, so 03 was nothing more than same shit, different day, another epic fail by the Red Sox, which by that point I had come to expect from them.

The only difference between it and the previous ones was the method.

Not sure how you can even come close to comparing that to 07; 03 was a loss in the ALCS, 07 was historic, they would have been THE only team in NFL history to go 19-0, but they lost to a mouth breathing hayseed with a horseshoe up his ass during that game winning drive.
Because to me the '03 ALCS loss was more devastating than the SB 42 loss. The Grady/Boone nut punch was to me far more severe than the disappointment of Helmet catch.

And I also had seen the SB wins in '01, 03 and '04, so taking a tough loss wasn't so intolerable. Shit happens.

And I too had lived through '67 on (I was in Fenway for Game 7 '67 WS, and also for the Bucky Dent game) .

And perhaps because I lived through '67 etal and my hopes in '03 were so suddenly and needlessly crushed, that sleep that night was difficult.

YMMV
 

54thMA

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Because to me the '03 ALCS loss was more devastating than the SB 42 loss. The Grady/Boone nut punch was to me far more severe than the disappointment of Helmet catch.

And I also had seen the SB wins in '01, 03 and '04, so taking a tough loss wasn't so intolerable. Shit happens.

And I too had lived through '67 on (I was in Fenway for Game 7 '67 WS, and also for the Bucky Dent game) .

And perhaps because I lived through '67 etal and my hopes in '03 were so suddenly and needlessly crushed, that sleep that night was difficult.

YMMV
I guess it's all about perspective.

To me, nothing will ever top 86 as far as Red Sox losses.

Two outs, two strikes, no one on base, up by two runs and then the shit hit the fan.

One of my customers is a Mets fan and his view on that is the better team won; is he shitting me or what?

It never should have gotten to a game 6 anyway, the Red Sox won the first two games at Shea and came home up 2-0; if Seaver hadn't been injured and left off the post season roster, he pitches in game 4 and they win, then Hurst closes it out in game 5 at home. I'll go to my grave thinking that, no one can convince me otherwise.

86 for the Red Sox fan in me is to 07 for the Patriots fan in me.

03 was just another failure in a long line of failures.

And my Uncles rant to me on the phone after that loss was epic, too bad he passed away in December of that year as he never got to see 04.

That hurts me far more than the 03 loss.
 

Al Zarilla

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In '86 I was so pissed I went out and ran about 4 miles mostly in the dark (no street lights in my town; they like to think of the town as rural). The next day, I washed and waxed both cars, still crazy. A friend originally from CT came over to pick up her kids and she crushed a soda can. And then the wait through a rainout, as if anyone figured the Sox had a chance.

I'm rooting for Atlanta from now on, especially as long as they have Matty, except against the Pats of course.
 

54thMA

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In '86 I was so pissed I went out and ran about 4 miles mostly in the dark (no street lights in my town; they like to think of the town as rural). The next day, I washed and waxed both cars, still crazy. A friend originally from CT came over to pick up her kids and she crushed a soda can. And then the wait through a rainout, as if anyone figured the Sox had a chance.

I'm rooting for Atlanta from now on, especially as long as they have Matty, except against the Pats of course.
I left my friends apartment in Roslindale after game 6 in 86 and as I drove home, I came up to the Halfway Café in Dedham and a guy walked out of the bar and towards me on Washington street. I hit the brakes and he walked up to my car and screamed "The fucking Red Sox just blew game 6; next time, run me the fuck over!!!"...................and then game 7; wow, up 3-0 early, just waiting for the other shoe to drop and boy did it ever.
 

Hendu for Kutch

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Man, Brady is one cool SOB. Down by 16 points with 6 minutes left in the Super Bowl, and he takes 15 seconds at the line, making sure he's reading the defense properly and getting his guys in the right play. No rushing it, no panic, no F's given about the clock. Then he throws a beebee for an easy TD.
 

streeter88

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Love watching Brady spread the love in OT.

White. Amendola. Hogan. White again. Edelman. "Fake to Hogan, flip it to White, looking for blocks, getting blocks, out of bounds at the 15." Bennett, DPI. Bennett again, just to spread the love. Then White to seal it.

Like he was thanking each one personally for their efforts and contributions throughout the year.
 

TheoShmeo

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Love watching Brady spread the love in OT.

White. Amendola. Hogan. White again. Edelman. "Fake to Hogan, flip it to White, looking for blocks, getting blocks, out of bounds at the 15." Bennett, DPI. Bennett again, just to spread the love. Then White to seal it.

Like he was thanking each one personally for their efforts and contributions throughout the year.
I like the narrative but respectfully disagree. I think he was doing what he always does: Going to the player with the greatest chance of converting on each particular play given the play call, how open they were, etc.

What was different and special about this team is that each guy you mentioned is a player that Tom trusted. There was not one guy out there who he would shy away from in a big spot.

Separately, I don't know why, but it still oddly annoys me that Martellus does not come down with the pass when they called PI. I know that it WAS PI and that it would have been extraordinarily difficult to grab that ball. But it would have been a glorious ending. NOT THAT I AM ACTUALLY COMPLAINING.
 

Norm Siebern

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I left my friends apartment in Roslindale after game 6 in 86 and as I drove home, I came up to the Halfway Café in Dedham and a guy walked out of the bar and towards me on Washington street. I hit the brakes and he walked up to my car and screamed "The fucking Red Sox just blew game 6; next time, run me the fuck over!!!"...................and then game 7; wow, up 3-0 early, just waiting for the other shoe to drop and boy did it ever.
I had just moved and began working at a new job in a new city (where I continue to live and work to this day); hence the new group of friends I was watching the game with had no idea of the depths of my affliction. I too have lived through '67, '72 (damnit why did Aparicio fall down!), '74, '75, and of course '78 (where I sat in the LF grandstand to watch it all live).

So as the game all unraveled and I retreated into an alcoholic shell, my new friends grew concerned. As Knight crossed home I proceeded to destroy a pillow, then stumbled out into the darkness. I still don't know how I made it home. I do know when I got back to my new apartment I drank half a fifth of Scotch and passed out in the bathroom, hitting my head against the sink in the process and cracking my skull. That Monday the doctor suggested I re-evaluate my drinking habits.

2004 was salvation.
 

54thMA

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I had just moved and began working at a new job in a new city (where I continue to live and work to this day); hence the new group of friends I was watching the game with had no idea of the depths of my affliction. I too have lived through '67, '72 (damnit why did Aparicio fall down!), '74, '75, and of course '78 (where I sat in the LF grandstand to watch it all live).

So as the game all unraveled and I retreated into an alcoholic shell, my new friends grew concerned. As Knight crossed home I proceeded to destroy a pillow, then stumbled out into the darkness. I still don't know how I made it home. I do know when I got back to my new apartment I drank half a fifth of Scotch and passed out in the bathroom, hitting my head against the sink in the process and cracking my skull. That Monday the doctor suggested I re-evaluate my drinking habits.

2004 was salvation.
Thanks for that; I'm laughing after reading it, not about you cracking your coconut against the sink, but, well, you get the picture.

I thought you were going to tell us the doctor suggested that you re-evaluate the baseball team you choose to root for.

A lot of people forget about 72; they finished 1/2 game out of first because the season did not start on time due to a strike and when the work stoppage was over, the geniuses that run baseball did not reschedule every game that teams missed during the strike so naturally the Red Sox finished 1/2 game out.........................so typical, so Red Soxian..........................or is it Red Soxish.................
 

TheoShmeo

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Thanks for that; I'm laughing after reading it, not about you cracking your coconut against the sink, but, well, you get the picture.

I thought you were going to tell us the doctor suggested that you re-evaluate the baseball team you choose to root for.

A lot of people forget about 72; they finished 1/2 game out of first because the season did not start on time due to a strike and when the work stoppage was over, the geniuses that run baseball did not reschedule every game that teams missed during the strike so naturally the Red Sox finished 1/2 game out.........................so typical, so Red Soxian..........................or is it Red Soxish.................
Don't forget Luis Aparcio's part in that.

From Wiki:

Following the 1972 Major League Baseball strike, and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn's ruling that no games cancelled due to the April strike would be made up, the Red Sox wound up with 155 games on their 1972 schedule. They finished a half-game behind the AL East champion Detroit Tigers, who played 156 and won one more game than Boston. In the second-to-last game of the season, shortstop Luis Aparicio fell down rounding third, possibly costing the Sox a chance at victory[citation needed] in a game that could have made the difference. Thus, the Sox finished one-half game out with an 85–70 record.
That whole episode was the first time I realized, at the tender age of nine, that pro sports could be ridiculously unfair and random. Ben Dreith confirmed that for me four years later, that MFer. Gordon Hayward, don't add to the narrative please! Now I'm too old to take it!
 

streeter88

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Separately, I don't know why, but it still oddly annoys me that Martellus does not come down with the pass when they called PI. I know that it WAS PI and that it would have been extraordinarily difficult to grab that ball. But it would have been a glorious ending. NOT THAT I AM ACTUALLY COMPLAINING.
I bet Marty wishes he caught that too - would have increased his payday...

I thought that as well. A catch there puts Brady up to 482 yards and 3TDs, and the game ends with the Falcons defense utterly destroyed.

Putting the shoe on the other foot, the way it did end is that much more tragic for Falcons fans, with the glimmer of hope provided by the near interception on the next play, before White's run slammed the door.
 

TheoShmeo

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I bet Marty wishes he caught that too - would have increased his payday...

I thought that as well. A catch there puts Brady up to 482 yards and 3TDs, and the game ends with the Falcons defense utterly destroyed.

Putting the shoe on the other foot, the way it did end is that much more tragic for Falcons fans, with the glimmer of hope provided by the near interception on the next play, before White's run slammed the door.
I still throw up a little in my mouth each time I see Beasley not make that play. Thank all the you believe in that Beasley was on the wrong foot.
 

54thMA

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Don't forget Luis Aparcio's part in that.

From Wiki:



That whole episode was the first time I realized, at the tender age of nine, that pro sports could be ridiculously unfair and random. Ben Dreith confirmed that for me four years later, that MFer. Gordon Hayward, don't add to the narrative please! Now I'm too old to take it!
What was Kuhn thinking in not rescheduling all the games that were missed during the strike, that's just idiotic on so many levels I lost count.

Bowie Kuhn, who also shitcanned the deal the Sox made with the A's in 1976 that brought them Joe Rudi and Rollie Fingers.

Imagine if they had the two of them in 1978.

The Red Sox and the Patriots were a constant source of unrealized potential in the 1970's, 1976 and 1978 for the Patriots and 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1978 for the Red Sox.
 

H78

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I watched a lot of the first half from LI again yesterday and man...the Patriots are going to be so much more dangerous this year with the new and improved running game.

Blount is a force, but he had to bust in LI at all. I think the time was right to move on. They're going to be hilariously dangerous on offense if Brady doesn't regress at all.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Don't you guys have this game saved on your DVR? Or do you have it saved but are re-watching just because it is on NFLN?

I put this game on probably at least once a week after a whiskey or two, I can't imagine having to wait until it is replayed on NFLN.
 

BaseballJones

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Don't you guys have this game saved on your DVR? Or do you have it saved but are re-watching just because it is on NFLN?

I put this game on probably at least once a week after a whiskey or two, I can't imagine having to wait until it is replayed on NFLN.
NFL game rewind (now called something else I think) is worth every penny and then some.
 

Mr. Littlejeans

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Jul 18, 2005
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It was a trick play that Fox didn't pick up on. Rams ran it successfully a couple years ago. Edelman drifted to his left like the ball was going there, drawing all the punt coverage. Chung actually goes to the ball, hopefully to find a wide open field with nobody paying attention to him until it's too late.

It didn't work because a coverage guy stayed with Chung.
Late to the party. Thanks for this explanation - I'm familiar with the trick punt return that the Rams ran vs. the Seahawks (2014), but I've never seen this trick play discussed vis-a-vis the Chung catch in SB 51. Is this something you observed, or was this discussed by someone from the Pats?
 

bigq

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Late to the party. Thanks for this explanation - I'm familiar with the trick punt return that the Rams ran vs. the Seahawks (2014), but I've never seen this trick play discussed vis-a-vis the Chung catch in SB 51. Is this something you observed, or was this discussed by someone from the Pats?
At the start of the 4th quarter Atlanta punts the ball. Patrick Chung is covering the gunner on the right side of the field and as he runs down the sideline he makes an over the shoulder catch at the Pats' 13 yard line while running out of bounds.

It struck me as something that I don't recall seeing before. Maybe Chung was coached to make that play?
 

streeter88

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I still throw up a little in my mouth each time I see Beasley not make that play. Thank all the you believe in that Beasley was on the wrong foot.
Still amazed how many plays were literally toss ups that could have gone either way. Speaks to how evenly matched the two teams were in the end. Late in the fourth quarter, when the Falcons defense was supposedly "gassed" the linemen were still pressuring Brady (first play of the game tying drive Jarrett almost got his 4th sack), the CBs were still making plays (Edelman's miraculous catch was against 3 Falcons); and in OT at least 3 completions were a whisker from being defended successfully (Hogan, White, Edelman).

So yeah, absolutely thankful!
 

Hendu for Kutch

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Late to the party. Thanks for this explanation - I'm familiar with the trick punt return that the Rams ran vs. the Seahawks (2014), but I've never seen this trick play discussed vis-a-vis the Chung catch in SB 51. Is this something you observed, or was this discussed by someone from the Pats?
Just my own observation, but in my mind the only one that made sense. Edelman heads to the opposite side of the field and if Chung caught the ball that way without it being a called play I'd think he'd get cut mid-game.

When it happened it struck me as such a wtf punt catch that I wanted to go back and look at it later because it didn't make any sense at first view. Probably why Fox didn't pick up on it right away. Kudos to the Falcons gunner who either sniffed it out or had the dumb luck to be watching Chung instead of Edelman.
 

Brand Name

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Maybe Chung was coached to make that play?
This is the case and was a pre-scripted play. While I don't recall the source, I remember seeing the Pats blackboard post-victory with various items scribbled on it, including keys for the team, various roles for players, etc. Under returners, I noticed a #23, below more traditional #80 and #11, which seemingly nobody else had pointed out about the picture.

Rewatched highlights this morning. Oh man, what a way to start the day off! But this stuck out to me, forgot about this. Pats are at the 9, 3 and 10, down 28-20. Brady is surveying the field on a strong side go route to Hogan, although White is in the corner of Brady's eye, running a delayed wheel, or more likely a drag. At this point, Brady is at or inside the one. White is immediately pressured, unopposed on a Liz corner blitz by Brian Poole, changes his route, barely, saving Brady from an untimely safety that would have essentially been game-ending. Instead, a strike to 15-yard strike to Hogan is completed on a nearly free release, first down, although interestingly open as much given Poole's assignment/lack of jam at the line, although obviously by play design rather than blown coverage.
 

InstaFace

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When it happened it struck me as such a wtf punt catch that I wanted to go back and look at it later because it didn't make any sense at first view. Probably why Fox didn't pick up on it right away. Kudos to the Falcons gunner who either sniffed it out or had the dumb luck to be watching Chung instead of Edelman.
Yeah, if it was a copy of the Jeff Fisher special against the Seahawks - and I think it probably was - then the deception part of the play is that Chung needs to be marking the gunner and let the gunner "beat" him to start crossing the field towards Edelman, and then at some point sneak over to where it's actually going and catch it while everyone else acts like it's over at Edelman. The gunner needs to believe that he's got Chung in the rear-view mirror before Chung then heads over and get the ball in the spot it's actually going. Here's video of it (ad-blockers on!), head to 1:55:45 on your dial.

http://fullmatchtv.com/super-bowl-replay-new-england-patriots-vs-atlanta-falcons

Two bad things happened: (1) the punt was worse than normal for an attempt of this sort, right on the sideline and a little less than average hang time, and (2) from the kick, Chung starts looking over his shoulder trying to find the ball... and gunner Justin Hardy, who initially had "beat" Chung by a mile towards the inside, sees this. Another half second of Chung maintaining the ruse and he might have gotten away with it, because Hardy was making a beeline for Edelman. But because Hardy sees Chung looking for the ball, he switches targets, heads to him, and blows up the play. Chung facing backwards at the catch didn't help, but he wouldn't have had time for a feint step or anything to get away even if he caught it facing downfield.

It definitely underscores how deep into the bag of tricks Belichick was willing to go by the 4th quarter. The onside kick had failed, this now failed, I bet a fake punt was in our future too.
 
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Mr. Littlejeans

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
42
Two bad things happened: (1) the punt was better than normal, right on the sideline and a little less than average hang time, and (2) from the kick, Chung starts looking over his shoulder trying to find the ball... and gunner Justin Hardy, who initially had "beat" Chung by a mile towards the inside, sees this. Another half second of Chung maintaining the ruse and he might have gotten away with it, because he was making a beeline for Edelman. But because Hardy sees Chung looking for the ball, he switches targets, heads to him, and blows up the play. Chung facing backwards at the catch didn't help, but he wouldn't have had time for a feint step or anything to get away.
Thanks, Hendu and Instaface. Awesome observations. It's amazing to look at that punt and see Edelman run the "wrong" way right after the ball is kicked, and Chung start behaving as a receiver a bit too early instead of blocking. Kudos to Justin Hardy for picking up on this.
 

streeter88

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 2, 2006
1,807
Melbourne, Australia
Hey, has anybody read anything about why only Matt Ryan came out for Atlanta for the OT coin toss? Why didn't the other two captains Jack Crawford (95) and Justin Hardy (14) come out like they had at the start of the game? Pats had all three of their guys - Slater, McCourty and Hightower -- out there. Looked a bit awkward.