Yep another thread about the interception. It will last a lifetime, fellas.
But yeah, I rewatched the game tonight. First time I've seen it again. Of course I replayed the interception tons of times...
It may be obvious to some of you but this definitely wasn't one persons fault. I've seen people put the blame solely on Pete, Bevell or Wilson. Simply put, they all stunk it up. All 3 of them collectivley basically gave NE the game. I'm going to say 33.333333% Wilson's fault, 33.33333% Bevell's fault, and 33.333333% Pete's fault. Here's why.
I actually don't think the play call package was THAT bad of an idea. I don't mind being on the 5 yard line and calling a run, pass, run, run package to get the touchdown. I think scratching that idea to an all run package would have been wiser, though, because after the 1st down, you get down to the 1 yard line. You have a beast of a running back and the best mobile QB in the game. You had a time out. It was not a wise decision to throw the ball in that particular situation. If it was 4th down and do or die, I would have absolutely no problem with a pass play.
33.333333% Bevell's fault for the actual play call. I honestly cannot remember the last time we threw a slant to Lockette. Why Lockette? He's not our quick and speedy guy for a quick 1 yard gain. Why a slant? You risk the ball being tipped up in the air and the last thing in the world you want is an interception. Why not have Wilson roll out and find an open man? Why not throw it in the back of the endzone to "should have been MVP" Chris Matthews? Use up the endzone space, Bevell. You cannot blow that situation. Cannot.
Lastly, 33.33333% goes to Wilson. I think he tasted victory 1 yard too soon. I think he got a little happy. I am not buying the conspiracy that Pete called a pass play because he wanted Russ to prove he's an "elite" QB and can win a Super Bowl from the pocket, or that Pete wanted Russ to get MVP. That would have only been Russ' 13th completion. I think Matthews would have gotten MVP. But the bottom line is, it was a bad throw. Lockette's palms were up. A little high, a little too far out in front. Butler made a great play but Russ threw it to Butler more than he did to Lockette. Russ had the ability to change the play call or call timeout and re-think things. The delivery wasn't as fast as it needed to be either. In that situation, EVERYTHING has to be QUICK, WITTY, and DAMN NEAR PERFECT to pull off. I'm going to exagerrate but Wilson and Lockette look like they're in slow mo compared to everyone else.
Again, I'm talking about just the final play here. Getting shut out in the 4th quarter 14-0 wasn't good, I know.
It actually helps to really analyze the play because now we know we have room for improvement. I think this team absolutely can get to a 3rd straight Super Bowl.
But yeah, I rewatched the game tonight. First time I've seen it again. Of course I replayed the interception tons of times...
It may be obvious to some of you but this definitely wasn't one persons fault. I've seen people put the blame solely on Pete, Bevell or Wilson. Simply put, they all stunk it up. All 3 of them collectivley basically gave NE the game. I'm going to say 33.333333% Wilson's fault, 33.33333% Bevell's fault, and 33.333333% Pete's fault. Here's why.
I actually don't think the play call package was THAT bad of an idea. I don't mind being on the 5 yard line and calling a run, pass, run, run package to get the touchdown. I think scratching that idea to an all run package would have been wiser, though, because after the 1st down, you get down to the 1 yard line. You have a beast of a running back and the best mobile QB in the game. You had a time out. It was not a wise decision to throw the ball in that particular situation. If it was 4th down and do or die, I would have absolutely no problem with a pass play.
33.333333% Bevell's fault for the actual play call. I honestly cannot remember the last time we threw a slant to Lockette. Why Lockette? He's not our quick and speedy guy for a quick 1 yard gain. Why a slant? You risk the ball being tipped up in the air and the last thing in the world you want is an interception. Why not have Wilson roll out and find an open man? Why not throw it in the back of the endzone to "should have been MVP" Chris Matthews? Use up the endzone space, Bevell. You cannot blow that situation. Cannot.
Lastly, 33.33333% goes to Wilson. I think he tasted victory 1 yard too soon. I think he got a little happy. I am not buying the conspiracy that Pete called a pass play because he wanted Russ to prove he's an "elite" QB and can win a Super Bowl from the pocket, or that Pete wanted Russ to get MVP. That would have only been Russ' 13th completion. I think Matthews would have gotten MVP. But the bottom line is, it was a bad throw. Lockette's palms were up. A little high, a little too far out in front. Butler made a great play but Russ threw it to Butler more than he did to Lockette. Russ had the ability to change the play call or call timeout and re-think things. The delivery wasn't as fast as it needed to be either. In that situation, EVERYTHING has to be QUICK, WITTY, and DAMN NEAR PERFECT to pull off. I'm going to exagerrate but Wilson and Lockette look like they're in slow mo compared to everyone else.
Again, I'm talking about just the final play here. Getting shut out in the 4th quarter 14-0 wasn't good, I know.
It actually helps to really analyze the play because now we know we have room for improvement. I think this team absolutely can get to a 3rd straight Super Bowl.