Super Bowl Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 10:17:46 AM EST
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Or more properly Super Bowl Investment Open Thread. In the main event, I like the East Coast Cheaters (-1) (5 units) (as opposed to the West Coast Cheaters (a word for you Hawks fans - adderall). I also like Tails in the Coin Toss.

Before we get to the fun exotic bets on the flip side, query - does it seem to you people are talking less about Super Bowl ads this year? (Other than the ridiculous tortoise v Hare thing.) I hope so. It was too much. Now on to the fun!

Unless otherwise indicated, bets are .2 units:

Player to score the first TD in the game? Danny Amendola (NE) WR 20/1

Football - How long will it take Idina Menzel to sing the US National Anthem? Over 2 minutes 1 second

First Passing Attempt Result - Tom Brady Incomplete +135

Total Yards 1st Completion - Tom Brady (NE) Under 7½

Which Coach will be shown first on TV after Kickoff? Bill Belichick

Player to score the first TD in the game? Julian Edelman (NE) WR 10/1

Will Idina Menzel forget or omit at least 1 word of the official US National Anthem? Yes +500

Which Coach will be mentioned first by name on TV after Kickoff? Bill Belichick

Will there be a score in the first 7 min 30 seconds of the 1st quarter? No +145

The first score of the game will be? Field Goal or Safety +130

How many times will Katy Perry be mentioned in the 1st Half? Over 2 (1 unit)

(NE @ SEA) - Total Completions - Russell Wilson (SEA) Under 17½

Total Points - Stephen Gostkowski (NE) Over 8

Player to score the first Patriots TD in the game? Shane Vereen (NE) RB 8/1

First Passing Attempt Result - Russell Wilson (SEA) Incomplete +140

What will be higher? Tiger Woods day 1 score at the Masters Pick (+120) Competitor: Julian Edelman Receiving Yards

Total TD Passes - Russell Wilson (SEA) Over 1½

Player to record the 1st Patriots Reception in the game? Danny Amendola (NE) WR 13/2

Total Receiving Yards - Danny Amendola (NE) Over 20½

Player to score the first Seahawks TD in the game? Russell Wilson (SEA) QB 6/1

Total Passing Yards - Tom Brady (NE) Over 260½ (-115)

Total Tackles & Assists - Jamie Collins (NE) Over 8½

Total Passing Attempts in the game - Tom Brady (NE) Over 36½

Will Marshawn Lynch record 125 or more Rushing Yards? Yes +275

Player to record the 1st Interception in the game? Jamie Collins 14/1

Total Yards on 1st Reception - Rob Gronkowski (NE) Under 10½

First Passing Attempt Result - Tom Brady (NE) Incomplete +135

Total TD Passes - Tom Brady (NE) 2 +260

Player to record the 1st Seahawks Reception in the game? Ricardo Lockett (SEA) WR 13/2

Will Brandon LaFell record 100 or more Receiving Yards? Yes +550

Longest Completion - Russell Wilson (SEA)Over 37½

Player to score the first TD in the game? Brandon LaFell (NE) WR 14/1

Super Bowl XLIX MVP - Tom Brady 2/1 (1 unit)

Super Bowl XLIX MVP - Marshawn Lynch 5/1

New England Patriots -6½ (+175) (1 unit)

Longest Reception - Brandon LaFell (NE) Over 17½

How many viewers will the game have? Over 113 Million

Who will have more Receiving Yards in the game? Danny Amendola (NE) Competitor: Marshawn Lynch (SEA)

Will Russell Wilson score a Rushing TD and Seahawks win the game? Yes +400

Will it be mentioned during the game that Pete Carroll was the last head coach of the Patriots? Yes -125

What will the Nielsen Rating of the game be? Over 47½ -120 (1 unit)

Longest Reception - Luke Willson (SEA) Under 15½

Total Receiving Yards - Julian Edelman (NE) Over 67½

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Super Bowl Open Thread | 127 comments (127 topical)

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How about an over under (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 05:01:25 PM EST

on the resulting Measles cases?

Both pre-game singers suck (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by NYShooter on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 05:32:39 PM EST

After so many years, why, oh why, can't these narcissistic dingbats get it through their heads that some songs, like our National Anthem, simply, shouldn't be candidates for their always poorly sung improvisation.

Some songs are National icons, and, since veterans span many generations, just out of respect to them, the songs should be sung as they remember them, and how the song writer composed them.

I fully recognize that opinions may vary. This is mine.

: I think it rather cheapens it... (none / 0) (#79)
by unitron on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 02:09:22 PM EST

...to attach it to an entertainment in the first place.
And that's before it gets "stylized".

Half time show: Lighting designer (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by Peter G on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 07:30:15 PM EST

is the prize-winner. Katy Perry, I don't see what people think is so great about her. (This is the only part of the Super Bowl I plan to watch.)

In what other venue would you ever see (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:13:58 AM EST

Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliot on the same bill?

And that's part of the problem: whoever is putting these shows together is trying to appeal to the maximum number of eyeballs. Or auditioning for a job putting together the next Olympics opening ceremonies - which this production reminded me of - and not in a good way.

My reaction was, "meh." Katy Perry isn't a good live singer - she was either flat or off-key or screeching to hit the high notes - but maybe between the weird gold tiger and the dancing sharks, not that many people noticed. Because, let's face it, halftime is when most people break for the bathroom or the kitchen.

The commercials? Now that you can usually see them online before the big game airs, they've lost some of their cachet. Not to mention that, in general, this year's crop was pretty uninspiring. What does the network care? Ad rates were higher than ever this year. Cha-ching!

We hit the mute button for the singing of America the Beautiful and the national anthem. Why? Because we're tired of performers making these songs about them.

I guess I've just been feeling kind of "off" where the NFL is concerned, a feeling that wasn't helped when, on top of the fact that New England was in the game, I also had to hear Roger Goodell say that this had been a tough year for him, personally. Really, Roger? Wait, let me find my teeny-tiny violin and see if I can play a teeny-tiny sad little number to accompany your pity party. Lordy.

[as an aside, I think NE winning the SB will ensure that the deflate-gate "investigation" comes to the same kind of didn't-we-already-know-that conclusions as the Ray Rice investigation produced. Pretty sure Goodell doesn't want to have to deal with people screaming about a team that was found to have cheated going on the win the sport's biggest game, not to mention that these investigations seem to be primarily about making sure none of the crap sticks to him]

Yes, I'm cranky today.

On to baseball season!


Agree and agree (none / 0) (#8)
by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 07:41:00 PM EST

Though I do find myself humming along to her cute upbeat pop hits, she lacks a kind of showmanship. It isn't supposed to be that obvious to me that you are lip syncing, because your lips aren't syncing. And she seems stiff.


Agree, (none / 0) (#14)
by Jeralyn on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:06:13 PM EST

I just tuned in for half-time as I don't care about the game. I didn't even know who was playing until I turned on the TV to see her performance. She didn't include the song I like the most "Part of Me". I didn't like her costumes that much (as compared to her performances on award shows). But I did like watching her "flying" so high over the crowd and the gold star -- I guess she's not afraid of heights. I also liked "Missy." I turned off the TV as soon as her set was done, so I still don't know anything about the game.


: I very much liked the performance and (none / 0) (#18)
by ZtoA on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:35:17 PM EST

costumes. The lighting was amazing. Everyone expects singers will lip sync, since they are moving so much and it is a show at a superbowl game. Nevertheless some of it was live. It is a show designed for a huge (and I mean huge) stadium and secondarily for the TV cameras. The distance shots made much more sense of the show than the close ups. I also loved "Missy".
That performance and the ads......I never, 20 years ago, thought I would see anything like it. Females were empowered and no one tried to do that or really took much notice. Just accepted it - rather assumed it. Cool.

: My brother texted me during the halftime show: (none / 0) (#25)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 11:56:29 PM EST

"Please, Katy, ENOUGH already! It's 14-14!"
;-D

she's a terrible live singer (none / 0) (#53)
by CST on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:22:09 AM EST

every time I've seen her perform on an awards show or anything like that she just doesn't have the pipes.

Sure, she can make a catchy tune on the radio and the sets are cool - but there are some popstars out there who can still sing as well and yet she got the gig. Oh well. I thought a bit of how good Bruno Mars was last year, and how far off this was from that.

The game on the other hand... still a little in shock. I missed that final pick live because at that point after the catch prior to that I couldn't bear to watch so I was hiding my face. It felt like the giants all over again - until it wasn't. Meanwhile we are getting snowed in again, which I think is just fine since most of the city is hungover.


Since they lack the chops, (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by Mr Natural on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:38:55 AM EST

many singers' voices are massaged with technologies like Autotune, which can cram their wandering voices back into the melody they can't manage, but with sometimes audible artifacts of the processing.

Staging prevails over talent; the Star Maker Machinery behind the popular songs (Joni Mitchell)


If she can't sing "live," is she really (5.00 / 1) (#81)
by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:25:40 PM EST

a singer at all?


She may not be an actual singer, (none / 0) (#83)
by Zorba on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:52:06 PM EST

But she is eminently marketable, and that's all that apparently counts.
Lots of popular "singers" can't sing "live."
They depend upon the studio technologies and the staging, as Mr. Natural indicated.
It's not about musical talent, it's about how many people buy their "music," pay big bucks for their "concerts," etc, etc, and so forth.
Marketability. Not musicality.


: you know (5.00 / 2) (#118)
by CST on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 02:13:11 PM EST

the last awards show I saw - where they had a bunch of pop stars perform - I was actually pleasantly surprised by a number of them I thought were all "show" and they actually could sing. Katy Perry stuck out for not being one of them.
I'm thinking specifically of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and even Miley Cyrus - who have some serious voices live when they choose to use them. Or Bruno Mars who just killed it last year channeling James Brown. Whether you enjoy their music or not - they have actual vocal talent.

One reason I am cranky today is that (none / 0) (#55)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:37:50 AM EST

earlier in the week, it looked like we were maybe going to finally get some decent snow, with a chance for a day off, and once again, Mother Nature played the role of Lucy-with-the-football, and yanked it away...we got slush.

There's always this month - we've gotten some of our biggest snows in the month of February, so we're keeping hope alive!


: it's already gotten a bit old (none / 0) (#63)
by CST on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 11:12:48 AM EST

at least you don't have to shovel.
This one is only a foot/foot and a half but there is not a lot of space to put it.

Amazing. Simply amazing. (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:14:23 PM EST

What in the everlovin' world were Seahawk coaches thinking? How do you NOT hand the ball off to Lynch, with 2nd and goal and the ball inside the 1-yard line? They just showed us, and it cost Seattle the game. People will be second-guessing that call for a long, long time, and deservedly so.

Congratulations to the New England Patriots.

That was a head scratcher (none / 0) (#27)
by McBain on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:51:12 AM EST

I'm not an NFL or Seahawks expert....but unless Lynch has a history of fumbles, that was the worst call of all time.

Even if he get's stopped for a loss of one yard, Seattle gets to wind the clock down even more and still has two more chances to win.


We've had our differences (none / 0) (#28)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:56:40 AM EST

But on this we couldn't possibly agree more!

The worst play call in Super Bowl history. One hates to make historical judgements in the moment but this was simply so bad it is deserved.

The call itself has made what would have been the greatest Suer Bowl ever one of them because I don't like to reward incompetence and that play call was just that.

Pete Carrol got caught over coaching. Sometimes coaches can't resist being too involved and try to win games or make calls in the attempt of their actions being the reason the game is won. This is the perfect example. Just run the ball was the smart thing to do but the coaches had to instead try to both suprise the Patriots but also work on the clock in an attempt to leave less time for the Patriots. Way to much going on when simply gaining a yard with Beadt Mode means you win.

More to follow as I rewatch the tape becsuse it's so fresh I still can't believe what I just saw.

Look forward to your thoughts on this.


: Pete Carroll simply outsmarted himself. (none / 0) (#31)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 02:44:24 AM EST

Marshawn Lynch had been responsible for 36 of the 79 yards the Seahawks had rung up on that final drive. He was in peak game form / full Beast mode at that moment.
That Carroll wouldn't call Lynch's number with less than a yard to go and the championship itself on the line, and would instead go with a lower-percentage pass that had much higher risk of failure, stands as the single most inexplicably boneheaded decision I've ever seen any coach make at any level in any sport.
He had a second straight Super Bowl win sitting right there in the palm of his hand, and then in one single moment the worst case scenario became all too real and it was over. Sometimes, the most obvious play call is the most obvious call for a very good reason.
Aloha.

We've had our differences (none / 0) (#29)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:56:53 AM EST

As I read it... (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by lentinel on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:52:08 AM EST

Pete Carroll goes from venerated genius and font of wisdom to reviled bonehead in 60 seconds.

: Yup, ironic, isn't it? (none / 0) (#69)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:11:53 PM EST

I wonder if Carroll had any inkling at all that when he handed Belichick the keys to the Patriot's stadium many years ago that it would, one day, lead to this?
(Boy, talk about a dumb-azz, redundant question!)

I got yer shadow right here pal! (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 05:28:30 PM EST

this is great

Jimmy the Groundhog bites Sun Prairie mayor

I'm so excited! (5.00 / 2) (#109)
by jbindc on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 10:54:31 AM EST

Harper Lee to publish a second book - a sequel to "To Kill A Mockingbird".

The beloved author will publish her second novel this summer. "Go Set a Watchman" was written more than 50 years ago -- before her Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- but it was never published.
In a statement released this morning, the 88-year-old author explained that when she was just starting off, she wrote "Go Set a Watchman" about a woman nicknamed Scout who returns home to Maycomb to visit her father, Atticus. After reading the manuscript, her editor asked her to re-write the story from the point of view of Scout as a child. "I was a first-time writer," Lee said, "so I did as I was told." The result was "To Kill a Mockingbird," a novel that has sold 40 million copies since it was first published in 1960.
The original story, "Go Set a Watchman," was forgotten.
"I hadn't realized it had survived," Lee said, "so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years."

: Wow! (5.00 / 1) (#114)
by Zorba on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 01:09:16 PM EST

Even if it's not as great as TKAM, I still look forward to reading it.

Brandon Browner (none / 0) (#1)
by BeDazzled on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 10:53:23 AM EST

is now a Patriot. Adderall was a widely used prescription throughout the NFL. Seahawks have done even better after those few players stopped using it.

2012

: Exactly. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 04:08:07 PM EST

Giants safeties Tyler Sash and Will Hill were both suspended by the NFL after testing positive for another banned substance, which they and other players claim that Adderall mimics in drug testing. Further, the NFL has a therapeutic-use exemption for prescription drugs such as Adderall, which is prescribed to treat attention-deficit disorder.
Adderall shouldn't be taken by persons who don't suffer from ADD, obviously. But the sort of false equivalence offered here is especially pronounced in the case of those players whose physicians prescribed that drug legally to them for the treatment of ADD, the very purpose for which it's actually intended.
Here's a toast to H.L. Mencken, who once observed that sports don't build character but instead define it. He had the Patriots' current number well before they even came into being as a franchise.
Go Seahawks.

Wow, that's a lotta bets BTD. (none / 0) (#3)
by fishcamp on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 04:15:25 PM EST

Can't wait to spring some of those on my game guests that will be here momentarily. I'm frantically scribbling a cheat sheet now. Thanx...

Brady nervous in the pocket (none / 0) (#6)
by MKS on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 05:56:05 PM EST

throws pick.

If you feel like a break (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 07:49:48 PM EST

im watching something on TCM called And The Oscar Gies To.....

Interesting. Not the rosy whitewash I expected. It's on till 9.

I would rather be watching Downton Abbey (none / 0) (#10)
by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 08:24:18 PM EST

It is recording though. 4th quarter, and surprised Seattle is leading. Lots of comments about being inflation challenged.


Yup, it looks like (none / 0) (#11)
by NYShooter on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 08:28:23 PM EST

someone "let the air out" of the Pats.


Funny (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 08:31:12 PM EST

i had a weird feeling based on absolutely nothing, not even actual interest, that Seattle was going to pull it off.

Hope I didn't say that early enough to jinx them.


Ha (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 08:50:24 PM EST

sorry Seattle. This is all my fault.


Instead of going Beast Mode (none / 0) (#15)
by Dadler on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:08:17 PM EST

They went least mode when it mattered most. Throwing the ball in that situation, at the half yard line? Collinsworth was right, made no sense. God didn't want Russell Wilson to win two in a row. Simple as that.

Ahem.


See, I was thinking that God (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by nycstray on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:45:00 PM EST

did want them to win (that catch) but human's (coach) effed it up ;)


: That's the history of religion, too, I think (none / 0) (#21)
by Dadler on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:48:31 PM EST

So it really is the most Super of Bowls.

Watching Downton after the game was (none / 0) (#40)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:36:12 AM EST

a great way to calm down and get my gentility back...although it was rather chock-full of plot developments, wasn't it?

Sometimes, though, all that pretentiousness just makes me giggle. That and Violet's dry and pointed sense of humor.


I never thought I would enjoy it (none / 0) (#95)
by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:36:44 PM EST

I am very late to the Downton party. But it has spawned the Downton Abbey workout:). You have to pay now to see past seasons and I didn't watch before it all became pay. But I saw a sum up of previous seasons and a guy died in Mary's bed and her mother and personal servant helped her hide the truth? I have no clue how that all went down. No spoilers please :) I bought season 1 on Amazon but I have to be on the elliptical to watch any of it. My husband seems terrified I'll binge and he'll come home to me all tangled up in it, arrested and dead. Where's the trust?


If you have to be on the elliptical (none / 0) (#97)
by sj on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:40:44 PM EST

to watch it, I predict that you will become very fit. Or, alternatively, all tangled up. :)

I was late to the Downton party, also. Fortunately my son had all the DVDs. He has this season, too. It has even un-aired episodes...

I haven't watched them yet, though.


The new binge watching capabilities (none / 0) (#110)
by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 12:26:46 PM EST

I never saw that coming. But now we can pass on waiting for weekly installments and commercials. All the commercials are why I used to pass on network television. With Netflix though problem really solved though PBS doesn't have that problem. I'm having to pay some extra though to watch Downton, and really want to enjoy it. It's very nice to work out to because it is a mellow emotional ride. Remember when Jeralyn worked out to 24? No way I could do that :)

House of Cards has a new full installment coming to Netflix soon. So there's another potential binge. I love Peaky Blinders on the BBC, as soon as the BBC airs the next season they will turn that season over to Netflix too. So many binges :)


Having recently binge-watched all (none / 0) (#113)
by Anne on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 12:46:29 PM EST

5 seasons of The Wire, I don't know how people managed to wait a week between episodes, and then wait months for a new season to start.

My daughter and I were just lamenting that, once this season of Downton ends, it will be close to a year before we get Season 6...that just seems so wrong!


And I never watched The Wire (none / 0) (#120)
by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 02:50:38 PM EST

Though many who I share similar taste with love it. I suppose I can add that to the list too.

It is a long wait for favorites. It's a long wait for House of Cards. I think last year it became available on Valentines Day.


Did you ever watch the original.... (none / 0) (#125)
by unitron on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 09:09:43 PM EST

...British version of House of Cards?


: I did (none / 0) (#126)
by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 11:27:02 PM EST

And I found the US version more predatory by far :)

The normally unflappable Lady Mary (none / 0) (#104)
by ruffian on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 05:47:25 AM EST

gets a slight twitch about the mouth if you mention Mr. Parmuk in her presence!

I like this season so far - the interactions between Violet and Cousin Isobel have been wonderful. I wonder if Isobel will marry the Lord? I think Mary is just going to stay single.

the thing with Branson and Miss Bunting went on too long for no payoff. Maybe he will follow her to Lancashire. Previously.tv nails it as usual - a must read companion to your Downton viewing!

It was nice to come home after watching the game with friends and unwind with Downton. Like everyone else, I could not believe that final call. But I prefer to think go the amazing catch that preceded it. As my dear Stephen Colbert would say, that was the craziest offing thing I've ever seen.


: If Isobel marries a Lord will Violet shrink? (none / 0) (#112)
by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 12:39:14 PM EST

It was just precious how he explained to her that he loved her.
Watching season 1, the cast had it together on day 1. Can see how they grew together some, but they had it from the start.

: What a story, that was my episode today (none / 0) (#119)
by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 02:45:14 PM EST

No wonder you've been long devoted :)

So, what was that little (none / 0) (#17)
by Zorba on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:18:14 PM EST

tantrum at the end by the Seahawks, starting a fight after Wilson threw an interception?
The game was by then completely lost, and they started a fight.
And I was inclined to root for the Hawks, but the fight made them look like baby-criers.

: I was into the game and also in a room full of (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by ZtoA on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:46:30 PM EST

serious football fans (some HS players too) who were very vocal (by then the decibel level was seismic). Any one of us could have let our 'adult acts' down for that moment and gotten into a scuffle!
Congrats to the Pats and fans. It was a fair game. It was played well by all the athletes.
I was almost moved to tears seeing the game and the halftime show. This was a US crowd of humans who came together to fight, but more importantly to celebrate together. I think that is the essence of sport - the art of sport.
One (just one of many) of my favorite moments was seeing Paul Allen with his mouth open just staring in disbelief. There were many very satisfying moments for fans of all sides.

Absolutely the craziest call (none / 0) (#22)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:55:03 PM EST

I have ever seen.

But then Seattle was there because of some crazy stuff against Dallas and Greenbay and a crazy catch to get the ball on the 5....

Skill and talent is forever.

Luck runs out.

Absolutely the craziest call (none / 0) (#23)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 09:55:04 PM EST

The Seahawk coaching staff outsmarted itself. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 01, 2015 at 11:46:51 PM EST

Personally, I believe that good teams often create their own luck. Seattle WR Jermaine Kearse never gave up on that last catch, which put the at the Patriots' 6 yard line.

But sometimes, what looks to be a painfully obvious call -- in this case, handing the ball off to RB Marshawn Lynch on second and goal from inside the 1 -- is in fact the correct call to make.

Somr pundits are asking whether or not that boneheaded call will haunt the Seattle franchise. I don't believe it will. This Seahawk team is young, and if they proved anything this season, it's that they're nothing if not resilient. I have every confidence that they'll be back.

Aloha.


Ahhh, but can you say NE's win (none / 0) (#26)
by nycstray on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:07:38 AM EST

was their skill and talent over Seattle's? Without that REALLY bad call, pretty sure NE would have lost.


Yes, you can (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:22:29 AM EST

Don't forget that before that terrible, terrible call came the setup for it, the catch that, while great, was about 10% skill and 90% luck. The defense was perfect, the pass broken up, and it literally falls into the receiver's lap while he's flat on his back. Would have been the second time the Pats lost the Super Bowl because of an incredible, improbable couldn't do it again if you tried catch.

But what about the Patriots scoring 14 clutch 4th quarter points against the best defense in football? Brady was frankly outplayed for much of the game, compared to Wilson, threw one horrendous pick, but when it was on the line delivered not once but twice in the 4th, again. With all the shouts, let alone wispers in the leadup to the SB, he delivered yet another Hall of Fame performance. He is what the rest of the country pretends Peyton Manning is.

The defense, though it had its problems, made many great stops themselves. And had to overcome Revis being picked by a ref on one of Seattle's huge touchdowns.

Lastly, it was a terrible call, but if it works we'd be hearing today how brilliant it was. Butler watched Wilson's eyes from the snap and jumped the route. He made a fantastic defensive play to seal the victory. New England earned the win.


Pete Carroll coached with ... (none / 0) (#45)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:32:26 AM EST

... a reckless abandon when he needed to go conservative with Lynch carrying the ball. He did the same thing at the end of the first half when he eschewed the field goal attempt and instead went for the TD. But at least Seattle still had the entire second half to make up the difference, had that particular call not worked out.

This time, in the waning seconds of the contest and with the Seahawks having no margin at all for a major error, he again let it all ride on a terribly unnecessarily and risky roll of the dice. This was about as irresponsible a play call as we'll likely ever see in a championship game during our lifetimes.

As a football coach on that sport's biggest stage of all, Pete Carroll had the penultimate victory in his very grasp. If Lynch punches that ball into the end zone from inside the 1-yard line -- which appeared highly probable, given that it was 2nd and goal with the Seahawks still holding two timeouts -- then Seattle repeats as Super Bowl champions, and all of Tom Brady's considerable 4th quarter heroics would've been completely for naught.

Instead, Carroll wastes one of those timeouts, and then uses that break to commit a serious act of coaching malpractice at THE key moment of the game, with his team on the very doorstep of their opponent's goal line.

That particularly galling loss will forever rest almost entirely upon Pete Carroll's shoulders, and rightly so.

the call was dreadful (none / 0) (#54)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:26:55 AM EST

But everybody is pretty much stating as fact that Lynch punches it in. You know, it's possible he DOESN'T score on the run. As someone states down thread, he was only 1-5 scoring from the 1 this year. And the Pats had some pretty good short-yardage stops earlier in the game. Maybe they stop them on 2nd AND 3rd down, and they still throw. Not likely, but all this "worst call in the history of sports" stuff I've been hearing is ridiculous.


Ridiculous or not (none / 0) (#58)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:51:17 AM EST

that call will still be referred to 20 years from now. Because it was so important and because it failed so spectacularly.


I never said that it was ... (none / 0) (#62)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 11:10:18 AM EST

... "the worst call in the history of sports." Rather, I merely stated my opinion that it was the "most inexplicably boneheaded" and "irresponsible" call we're likely ever see in football in our lifetimes. As a head coach, Pete Carroll committed serious malpractice.

I'll stand by that opinion.


: sorry donald (none / 0) (#70)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:12:02 PM EST

I wasn't referring to you when I mentioned it being called the worst call ever in sports. And I agree with your opinion, it was incredibly stupid. Actually, before the play I turned to someone and said something like be stupid, throw the ball, maybe we can pick it.

Exactly and what about Brady? (none / 0) (#30)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 02:05:53 AM EST

I also wonder how it plays when we now talk about Brady?

With four titles and six appearances he is now on paper the greatest QB of all time. Keep in mind he led come from behind scoring drives in all four of his wins.

Well if not for the Seattle terrible call it would have been Wilson who led the winning drive.

Unfortunately for good or bad that call instead of his amazing come from behind drives will forever be what this Super Bowl is remembered for.


Mmmmm..... (none / 0) (#35)
by jbindc on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 07:45:15 AM EST

I would argue Joe Montana's and Terry Bradshaw's perfect records in Super Bowls - as opposed to Brady's 67% record still make them as good as (or better than) Brady at this point.


Percentage-wise, the best is still ... (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:25:46 AM EST

... Green Bay QB Bart Starr. The Packers appeared in 6 NFL championship games in eight years between 1960 and 1967 with him under center, and won five of them including three in a row (1965-67). He also led them to victory in the first two Super Bowls ever played.


: What parameters define "greatest" (none / 0) (#48)
by christinep on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:55:30 AM EST

I agree about the mark set by Bart Starr.
When it comes to personal favorites for "greatest," I do have to cast a vote for the totality displayed by Joe Montana. The superlative ability to maneuver, move, and downright scramble, as well as use the arm, make him a stand-out for me.
But, last night's game sure was--what's the word for being completely captivated by the roller coaster--"fun."

You play to win the games (none / 0) (#37)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:11:41 AM EST

Are you arguing that losing in your championship game or playoffs and not getting to a Super a Bowl is better for your legacy then winning your conference championship and ultimately losing in the Super Bowl?

Brady has (6) conference championships.

Bradshaw and Montana just (4).

The goal is to go as far as possible in the playoffs. Not to lose in the previous rounds so you don't have to risk ruining your perfect Super Bowl record.

Also one has to remember he did all this in the free agency era. He has never other than Gronk and Moss had anything approaching the talent and HoFs that Bradshaw and especially Montana played with.

On paper he is almost unquestionably the best if winning is the criteria.

However I wonder if his legacy will always be tainted by "Spygate" and possibly "inflategate" in the coming weeks plus the end of the game and the terrible call made by Seattle.


Awed as we are by his four Super Bowl rings, ... (none / 0) (#49)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:08:15 AM EST

... we tend to forget all about some of Joe Montana's truly forgettable playoff outings as the 49ers' QB, which include a 49-3 shellacking at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants during the 1986 NFC divisional playoffs, when he got knocked out of the game after throwing a pick-six to Giants LB Lawrence Taylor.

But Montana's most embarrassing playoff performance occurred at Candlestick Park the following year against a mediocre Minnesota Vikings team (8-7), when the 49ers had the best record in the NFL (13-2) and looked primed and poised for a very deep run. Instead, he face-planted in front of the home folks, throwing a playoff-record six interceptions as San Francisco got spanked, 36-24.

: Oops. I mis-remembered. (none / 0) (#60)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:59:04 AM EST

The 49ers committed an NFL playoff-record six turnovers in that loss to Minnesota. But Joe Montana only threw one pick, albeit a pick-six to Vikings CB Reggie Rutland in what one of his teammates argues may have been "the single worst pass of his career."
So, while that game still qualifies as a face-plant, it does so in the collective sense for the entire 49er team, whom oddsmakers had installed as 11-point favorites that day.
Otherwise, it was merely a very subpar outing for Montana. He was a paltry 12 of 26 for 109 yards passing, and eventually got pulled in the second half by Coach Bill Walsh in favor of Steve Young. But he was not nearly as shockingly bad as I initially implied. Other 49ers clearly shared the blame for that fiasco.
(Following that loss, Bill Walsh was subsequently sacked as the 49ers' president by an irate then-owner Eddie DeBartolo, even though he remained as the team's head coach. But that fit of pique likely led to Walsh's departure the following year, once his contract was up. Even though the 49ers lived up to expectations that season and had just won their third Super Bowl, Walsh chose to retire and was replaced by longtime assistant George Siefert.)
Aloha.

Shrug (none / 0) (#61)
by jbindc on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:59:51 AM EST

Brady's in the conversation, no doubt, but not yet "the greatest". Seems to me that two of his Super Bowl wins aren't necessarily because of his brilliance, but more because of Adam Vinatteri's leg. I also remember Tom Brady being so touted about an undefeated season, except wait, hw wasnt amazing enough to win the Super Bowl. For example,Brady broke Montana's record for Super Bowl touchdowns, but it took him 2 extra Super Bowl appearances to do it.

And this is really apples to oranges since Brady, as are all quarterbacks in the modern era, are much more protected them guys 20, 30, or 40 years ago were.


Also don't forget (none / 0) (#64)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 11:49:10 AM EST

he's got four or five more tries to get his fifth.

If he does that then it will be hard to argue against him. Of course easier said than done.


: Let's not get carried away, Slado. (none / 0) (#89)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 05:45:34 PM EST

Tom Brady's 37 years old, after all. I see him perhaps playing two more seasons, tops.
I'd really hate to see someone of Brady's stature end his career like Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Brett Favre, hanging on to shreds of past glory and refusing to admit that his best days are likely behind him. Because when an older QB's crash finally occurs in the NFL, it can be quick, brutal and painful to watch.
Given the general tone of my comments about him, it's kind of obvious that Brady's obviously not been my favorite NFL QB. But as with John Elway, I choose to recognize greatness when I see it and give him his just due.
Aloha.

You can shrug all you want. (none / 0) (#65)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 11:50:42 AM EST

Tom Brady's taken his team to six Super Bowls. Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw only had four Super Bowl appearances each.

Brady has further led his team into the NFL playoffs in 12 of his 14 seasons as the Patriots' starting QB, and is 21-8 (.729) in the postseason. In contrast, Montana took his team to the playoffs 11 times, and was 16-7 (.696) overall in postseason play.

While Bart Starr still has the best postseason winning percentage and the most NFL championships, it must be noted that for seven of those eight years during the Green Bay Packers' 1960s-era run to glory, the NFL had no divisional playoffs at all, and only the eastern and western conference winners met in the NFL championship game. Everyone else was done for the year.

Further, the NFL only first split into four divisions for the 1967 season following its expansion to 16 teams, and there was no such thing as earning homefield advantage for the playoffs, which was apparently determined entirely at either random or someone's whim, I've never been quite sure which.

Thus, even though Starr's Packers (9-4-1) had the worst record of the four NFL division winners that season, they were chosen to host both of their playoff games against the Los Angeles Rams (11-1-2) and Dallas Cowboys (11-3). That proved to be a big advantage for them. So, Starr's own postseason numbers also carry a lot of caveats.

And finally, with all due respect, the game they play today is hardly a glorified version of flag football. There is no question that Brady's stats and accomplishments rank him overall as the best postseason QB in NFL history.

Shrug again (none / 0) (#106)
by jbindc on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 07:16:25 AM EST

I said he's in the conversation. But he's not the top yet.

Add to that, many, many people will now have an asterisk next to his name.


Not the top yet (none / 0) (#116)
by CST on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 01:56:29 PM EST

according to your opinion - but that's not a statement of fact or statistics. So many people will reasonably disagree, with numbers to back it up.

Obviously I'm biased. He's been #1 for along time around these parts. But I do find it a bit strange that you seem to hold 18-1 as a negative to his legacy, rather than seeing it as a remarkable accomplishment in it's own right.


: Tom... (5.00 / 1) (#127)
by kdog on Wed Feb 04, 2015 at 09:11:05 AM EST

will never be better than Joe or Johnny. And it's not his fault, the game changed.
Back in the day a defensive player could literally try to murder the QB...now ya can hardly touch 'em without drawing a flag. Plus what defensive backs aren't allowed to do to receivers anymore. Ya can't compare 21st Century QB's to 20th Century, we will never know if Brady and Manning could take the licking's Montana and Unitas had to take and keep on tickin'.
I'm fine with giving Tom 21st century honors, but Joe Montana is the best QB of all time.

Seattle Coach (none / 0) (#32)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:58:08 AM EST

Admits they were trying to run down the clock

ESPN

As Donald and I have said, too smart by half in the final minute.

As bad as the call was (none / 0) (#33)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 05:26:57 AM EST

It only matters because Malcolm Butler makes the play of his life.

Great story about him and the final plays.

His is a story that shows how great a coach Belechick is in the era of free agency and constant roster turnover. He gets guys like this ready to be in the position to make plays and they all buy into his motto of "Do your Job".


True (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by CoralGables on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:01:06 AM EST

This is what Wilson sees as he's releasing the ball

You wouldn't expect what is seen in that still picture to result in what happened next. Great play by Butler.


: Tough break (none / 0) (#43)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:02:59 AM EST

I rewatched that play about 10 times this morning and it was simply amazing the break Martin got on the ball.
He wasn't even the starter for the game but he knew after hours of study with the coaching staff what he had to do on this play was beat the receiver to the ball.

Malcolm Butler (none / 0) (#44)
by Chuck0 on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:16:07 AM EST

should have been named MVP. NOT Brady. Not Brady by a long shot.


not by a long shot? (none / 0) (#50)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:12:56 AM EST

4 TDs to 4 different receivers, 2 4th quarter TDs against the best D in football, largest 4th quarter comeback in SB history.


All irrelevant. (none / 0) (#108)
by Chuck0 on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 07:24:19 AM EST

Had Butler not caught the interception. Without Butler's catch, NE loses.


: Conversely, without Brady's 4th Q efforts, ... (none / 0) (#111)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 12:28:58 PM EST

... that interception merely prevents the score from becoming 31-14, Seahawks.
Your argument about Brady not being the MVP is what's actually irrelevant here.

Brady (none / 0) (#38)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:22:13 AM EST

That Brady was simply amazing in the fourth quarter.

He did not have an incompletion in the fourth quarter and led his team to to come back scoring drives against what was supposed to be the best defense in the NFL.

Also remember that after Seattle went up 24-14 Sherman started talking smack during the game to the camera about Darrell Revis? At the time I thought that was not a very good idea and the old athlete in me said Karma was going to catch up with them.

In general I would say Seattle displayed very pot to terrible sportsmanship last night and the ending fight was just a cherry on top. Makes it real hard to feel sorry for them this morning.

This is what greatness (none / 0) (#68)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:05:45 PM EST

looks like.

When the Patriots fell behind by two touchdowns, against, irrefutably the toughest "D" in the NFL, most teams would, at least temporarily, sink into a period of depression and gloom. I know I did. I shut off the sound, and left the room not wanting to see the carnage that was sure to unfold. When I came back to the TV, fully expecting to be behind by four touchdowns, and having to endure seeing that smarmy Seahawk cornerback (don't even want to say his name) put on his patented, punk smack-talk for the cameras.

Imagine my surprise, and feeling of guilt, when the cameras showed Brady, not with his head down, looking full of gloom & doom, but a guy who knew it was all on his shoulders now, knew his team mates would be looking to him for inspiration, and then, rising to the occasion. And, then I remembered Brady leading his team to victory against the Ravens, having fallen behind by two touchdowns, twice, and my sense of guilt only deepened. Instead of gloom, I saw Brady, on fire. Reaching down to that place where only the great ones know exists, he knew what he had to do. Fist-punching the air, face & teeth clenched, his body language showing his team mates what he does best......lead.

Yeah, say what you will about Brady, but, when the chips are down, and defeat is imminent, call Tom Brady, somehow he always answers.


Pardon me while I...urp...vomit. (none / 0) (#71)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:16:18 PM EST

Not saying he isn't good at what he does - he is - but he's not god, for crying out loud. He's not a team of one, either.

Let's do try to remember, shall we, that but for an ill-timed throw from Wilson - which was an ill-conceived decision by Carroll - Tom Brady'd likely be moping off to the locker room with visions of all the other losses his greatness couldn't salvage dancing through his pretty head.

::rolling eyes::

This:

Reaching down to that place where only the great ones know exists, he knew what he had to do. Fist-punching the air, face & teeth clenched, his body language showing his team mates what he does best......lead.

needs to be your entry in the next Bulwer-Lytton contest.


LOL ! (none / 0) (#75)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:40:15 PM EST

I did sound like a star-struck, 12 year old girl swooning over Donnie Osmond, didn't I?

But, hey, gimme a break. My neck still hurts from being snapped back like it did in those last couple of seconds.

But, just a little friendly advise for y'all Beli, Brady, Patsy Haters. (You know who are)

And, some more friendly advise:

Always remember, the secret when vomiting is......

don't swallow.

And, just for you, Anne...."Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" :)


I think Donnie Osmond is a grandfather... (none / 0) (#78)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:35:40 PM EST

but, yeah...something like that.

[but, hey - at least I know who Donnie Osmond is, right?]


And then there's poor Marie, ... (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 05:16:50 PM EST

... whose life has sometimes teetered into the realm of prime time soaps.

I never really cared for either Donny or Marie as entertainers, but the once-relentless tabloid coverage of her various personal struggles and tragedies really earned her a soft spot in my heart.

It cannot have been easy for her to see such personal aspects of her life and her family splayed across the front pages for everyone to gawk at. And yet, she learns and grows from her experiences and soldiers on, and that says something to me about her personal fortitude.

: I did like (none / 0) (#91)
by Zorba on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:05:50 PM EST

Marie Osmond's taking Cruise to the woodshed ten years ago, when Cruise criticized Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants for her postpartum depression.
Marie had gone through this, herself, and said

"What he said is very harsh for women who live it or have lived through it," says Osmond. "He should not sit in judgment."

Link.
Good for Marie. I always admired her for taking on Tom Cruise.

Let's face it, Anne (none / 0) (#85)
by Zorba on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:54:34 PM EST

You're old. Not as old as I am, but still.......;-)


Hey, how 'bout you two Babes (none / 0) (#93)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:19:16 PM EST

n'me get t'gether, n'paint this dullsville town RED, Baby!!

Of course, one of you chickies is gonna have to drive; my walker's in the shop gett'n it's wheels aligned.

And... and...money's no object, not when ole shooter's raren to rock, yesseree; What a Night!........... Dollies, Dollars, n'me.

Now, that's a date! Look Out Chick-Fil-A, some Spring Chicken's coming your way, and, better put on some xtra help tonite too, Shooter got's hooked up with a couple a Sizzlers that look like they ain't et since Ole Jimma got caught doin the big no, no. And, talk `bout coupons, ooooo-weeee, we gots coupons, Momma, yes we do! Loaded wit coupons, and not no cheesy, cheapy, `pons neither. Why, I got's some dat gives you 2..two...Dat's..... TWO baked spuds wit every "back `n neck" special.

Bet you girls a little scared now, aincha?

But, don't you worry none, shooter's got evr'thing under control. Don't worry `bout nuthin,

Don't wor...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.


: Shooter, (none / 0) (#121)
by Zorba on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 04:19:59 PM EST

I sincerely hope that you are feeling much, much better today.
Namaste, my brother.
;-)

you know what's funny (none / 0) (#72)
by CST on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:19:24 PM EST

For years Tom Brady was so clutch. He always came through when it got rough, came from behind, in the big moments (especially against Peyton)

But during the 18-1 season - and since then - I noticed that the Patriots when they start winning ahead too much - had trouble winning from behind in the clutch. Hence the 1 in 18-1, and the other SB loss to the giants, and a few other crushing playoff losses.

This year - since the "disaster" start - they were winning ugly. From behind, in the last second, when they shouldn't have, etc... And that's the only thing that gave me hope going into that 4th quarter. It felt like the old Tom was back. But even after that I couldn't watch that interception play. I thought it was the giants all over again and that was my guilty moment of despair.


: If that had been my team (none / 0) (#77)
by nycstray on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 01:05:53 PM EST

I think I would have turned away at that point also. Or gone for a fresh drink :P It's not like the 'hawks don't have a history of, ahem, interesting finishes.

Re watched this morning (none / 0) (#42)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 08:57:04 AM EST

Kearse makes one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history to put Seattle at the 5 yard line. It's too bad that it will now be overshadowed by the ending of the game.

The hero of the Super Bowl Martin is the player that is beat on the play even though he plays the pass perfectly tipping it but it falls into Kearses hands. Importantly though he then has the presence of mind to push Kearse out of bounds otherwise it might have been game over then.

1:06 is left on the clock and with all of the commotion Seattle does not get lined up for a play in time and has to use their second time out of the second half. They burned another time out earlier in the drive because they weren't ready to run a play. I don't think this really played much of a role but it should be noted that they wasted two timeouts on the drive.

Now with the ball at the 5 yard line Seattle lines up in their standard I formation and the Patriots are in a 3-4 defense. Lynch gets the handoff, the fullback makes an incredible block opening a crease and Lynch runs the ball to the one yard line and almost gets in. Can't tell who it was but a patriot on the ground make the game saving grab of his feet allowing the outside corner to bring Lynch to the ground.

At this point there are 53 seconds left on the clock. The patriots have the choice of do we use timeouts to try and preserve time now or do they just let them score? Belicheck decides that his defense will win or lose him the game and if Seattle scores with any time left he'll still have two timeouts for Brady.

New England subs in their goal line package. Here's where Seattle loses the game IMHO.

For some unknown reason instead of keeping in the same I formation or subbing in a goal line running package they subbed in a three wide receiver package with their standard shotgun option running set up with Wilson and Lynch in the backfield. The coaches could see what the patriots were subbing because. In addition to this horrible play call they let 25 seconds run off the clock because they were worried about leaving time for Tom Brady. So there is no reason in my mind they should have had a match a problem when they finally decided to snap the ball.

All the talk that Carol had after the game about now it was too hard to run against their jumbo package is because Seattle chose to set up that way at the 1 yard line. The patriots were ready for anything. Seattle had limited their options in reality and apparently definitely in their minds.

They should've kept the same lineup as before, possibly with an extra TE and with the one timeout and 53 seconds they could have taken three cracks at winning the Super Bowl with the best short yardage back in football.

But they didn't. And now they have to live with giving away the Super Bowl because they outcoached themselves.

One problem with (none / 0) (#46)
by CoralGables on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:41:47 AM EST

the best short yardage back in football.

If my stats are right, Lynch carried the ball from the 1 yard five times this season. He only scored once.

Of course, I'd still give it to Lynch. Another Seahawk blunder was wasting timeouts to avoid delay of game penalties in the final drive. They were in a mini meltdown early in that drive and lost two potentially valuable timeouts because of it.


: I was thinking Wilson was going to keep it (none / 0) (#105)
by ruffian on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 05:53:36 AM EST

Can't imagine why they dod not try a run first. But I guess that is why I don't make multimillions coaching pro football.

I have no problem (none / 0) (#47)
by Reconstructionist on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 09:45:32 AM EST

with Seattle letting the clock run. The Pats would only have needed a FG to tie if Seattle scored.

Throwing the ball on second down (not to mention a very risky pass in traffic) was mind boggling. Even if Butler hadn't made a GREAT play there could have been a deflection allowing a pick. That might have been the very last play in the playbook to call there. I disagree with people saying people would be calling Carroll gutsy and brilliant if it worked. Most would be calling him foolhardy but lucky.

Seattle still had a time out and three downs to score from inside the 1. 99% of coaches would have run Lynch on 2nd down. If he doesn't score, immediately call your timeout. On 3rd down have Wilson run a bootleg with a pass option. If he can't either run it in or throw a safe pass, throw it in the ground and there would still be time for 4th down.


: It just annoys me that they are (none / 0) (#67)
by Slado on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:04:16 PM EST

Blaming the personnel because they were directly responsible for the personnel problems not the patriots.

quibbling, I guess (none / 0) (#57)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:41:25 AM EST

But I honestly don't think it was a great catch; it was a great moment. He was able to hold onto a ball that was deflected directly into his lap as he was on his back. He did a good job corralling and securing it, but it was mainly good fortune. I saw a player a few weeks ago do something very similar, but also trap it against his legs and not allow it to touch the ground. And the catch by the Giants receiver in the SB, fighting off Rodney Harrison, trapping the ball behind his head, and maintaining control while not letting the ball touch the ground, was one of the best catches I've ever seen.


I think what elevates it to at least a (none / 0) (#59)
by Anne on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:55:30 AM EST

level of greatness is the presence of mind and focus he had that allowed him not to give up on it - which he easily could have done. And he didn't just not give up on it, he actually got to his feet and tried to continue the play.

If he doesn't make that catch, he's the one seeing it over and over again in his sleep (like Lee Evans dropping what would have been a game-winning TD pass in the 2011 AFC Championship game between the Ravens and the Patriots, and Billy Cundiff missing a game-tying FG in that same game), instead of Pete Carroll lying awake at night, seeing Butler intercept Wilson with 20 seconds on the clock.


: He did have great presence of mind (none / 0) (#73)
by ExcitableBoy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:22:11 PM EST

As did Butler to get back up and tackle him. I don't think they receiver would have bee haunted; it wasn't a catch he SHOULD have made, it was a great try, and great D. Also, still plenty of time left if he didn't come up with the catch.
On a side note, nobody seems to remember that in the SB against the Giants, prior to the 99% sack, hail Mary and great catch across the middle, Eli Manning threw a game-ending interception right at Assante Samuel, who dropped it.

Might have ever dreamed of being a (none / 0) (#82)
by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:27:25 PM EST

sportswriter?


If the purpose of advertising (none / 0) (#52)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 10:18:22 AM EST

is to break through the clutter and be remembered this commercial definitely worked

I'm a little puzzled by the angst. It's a great ad IMO.

Groundhog Day marathon (none / 0) (#66)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 11:57:03 AM EST

on AMC

: I see what they did therte (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:26:55 PM EST

I dunno if anyone saw this (none / 0) (#76)
by CST on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 12:43:21 PM EST

But deflategate has been solved.

"It wasn't Brady "unless he deflated those footballs with his piercing blue eyes.""

Let's ask Bridget Moynihan (none / 0) (#107)
by jbindc on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 07:18:12 AM EST

: she's a local girl (none / 0) (#117)
by CST on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 01:57:29 PM EST

I'd like to think whatever her feelings about TB - she wouldn't do that to the rest of us!

Interesting defensplanation... (none / 0) (#80)
by unitron on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 02:26:45 PM EST

...of Carroll's decision here.

From our "Can't Blame Wheaties" file: (none / 0) (#84)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 04:53:43 PM EST

While we were all hyperfocused on Super Bowl XLAX, People magazine was reportedly confirming the scuttlebutt and gossip that former Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner has recently come out to family and friends as transgendered.

(Sigh!) What some people will apparently do to finally break free from Planet Kardashian's gravity field.

But that tasteless joke aside, if this story is indeed true -- it is People magazine, after all -- then I applaud Jenner, and say good for her. Personally, I think it takes a helluva lot of courage -- even in this age of growing sexual / gender enlightenment -- for transgendered people to be publicly true to their own selves, especially in the face of the obvious ridicule and possibly worse that's yet to be flung in Jenner's direction.

I really truly wish Jenner all the best in the days and months ahead, as she completes the transition, because my instinct tells me that public reaction will not necessarily be all that nice and easy.

But perhaps, once she decides to share all aspects of her experience, we'll better comprehend the struggle of persons who fel themselves trapped inside another gender, struggling against nature to be someone that he or she can otherwise never really be.

Aloha.

I agree (none / 0) (#87)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 05:24:18 PM EST

good for her. Otoh it may just be an attempt to get on some internet list other than cosmetic surgery disasters.

For some reason I got funneled into this yesterday. If you want to see some seriously nightmarish images Google images for "cosmetic surgery disasters". Jenner is on every list. It really amazes me that some consider these results preferable to wrinkles. Whatever.

But on the subject of your comment best of luck to Bruce.


I knew (none / 0) (#90)
by sj on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:02:44 PM EST

Bruce Jenner was extremely brave to be even as public as she has been up to now. But the comments at your link underscore how very brave.

Not only are they hateful, but the worst of them are posted over and over again.


Actually it seemed most of the (none / 0) (#92)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:15:52 PM EST

worst comments were from one person. And they were called out for it. As they should have been for saying the completely idiotic nonsense they were saying. Let's start with all transgendered people are gay. Seriously?
It's sort of the ultimate catch 22 isn't I think? I have known two men who became women and both were still sexually attracted to women.
Or that they are all child abusers. I think the good news is no one take that person or their ilk seriously anymore. There was a time but not anymore.
The person went on to smear "that junkie child abuser Matthew Sheperd". Shrug.


The person you are referring to was the worst (none / 0) (#94)
by sj on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:36:02 PM EST

but not the only one. And it doesn't matter to me one way or the other whether anyone takes him seriously or not. His bigoted, repetitive comments dominate the discussion.

And that is an example of why I still say it is very brave of Bruce to go public in any measure at all.


I would add (5.00 / 1) (#99)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:52:25 PM EST

that IMO of the entire LGBT rainbow those folks are without a doubt the most courageous. I have always thought so. It helps to have actually known a real person as they go through that. When I was at Disney one of our team was a guy in the process of becomming a woman. I got to know him (he was still a him for most of the time I knew him) pretty well. What he had to go through was an absolute nightmare. And that is while working for an extremely progressive company that was doing pretty much all they could to support him.

There is an an amazing movie based on real events.. Normal. Jessica Lang, Tom Wilkinson about a midwestern farmer who went through this. It's an incredible story. They were kicked out of their church an pretty much shunned by everyone they knew. That's courage.


Another story (none / 0) (#100)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 07:04:14 PM EST

for several years when I lived in Manhattan I lived with a woman (room mate) who worked in the office of a doctor who performed the surgery. I met several and got to know a couple pretty well through Karen. Amazing inspiring people.


: Our former landlady's former husband ... (5.00 / 3) (#102)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 03:27:39 AM EST

... was for the better part of 30 years the only physician / surgeon in the entire State of Hawaii who performed what he preferred to call "gender realignment surgery." Despite their marital difficulties and differences, she still speaks of him with obvious pride and reverence whenever she tells people that. She had first met him when he hired her as his office nurse, and even after their divorce, she continued to work for him and support his mission until a minor stroke compelled her own retirement.
She just really respected and admired his stubborn determination to treat and help transgendered and openly gay / lesbian patients, despite vociferous criticism he received from both medical colleagues and the general public for doing so. But eventually, he earned at least their grudging respect as a pioneer in what was the then-little known and even less understood field of transgender medicine, which he had freely incorporated into his primary practice as an internist and surgeon.
To have met him as we finally did toward the end of his life, you'd have never guessed that this elderly, studiously polite and very humble Chinese man could have ever been a lightning rod for controversy in his day. Yet such was his prominence (and notoriety) in the islands that when he passed away a few years ago at age 84, his obituary made the front section of our local daily. While he was no firebrand, he spoke his mind freely whenever his opinions were solicited.
We attended his traditional Buddhist wake at our former landlady's beachfront home and I swear, it was like a walking testimonial of so many patients whom he had treated and helped over the decades. They were just so very grateful for what he had done for them, that his own children were rather taken aback and really touched by the spontaneous outpouring of genuine affection from Honolulu's LGBT community.
We all learned that evening just how courageous and dedicated their father really was, as one of the very few straight persons who not only spoke out politely but firmly during the 1960s, '70s and '80s in defense of LGBT persons and their rights, but did so at a time when such issues definitely weren't at all popular with a mostly hostile public. That took real guts.
Aloha.

Of course it is (none / 0) (#96)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:40:10 PM EST

i never meant to suggest it wasn't. I just think that of all the things Jenner might be worried about that idiot is not high on the list.


: That's probably true (none / 0) (#98)
by sj on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 06:42:06 PM EST

Doesn't necessarily make it less hurtful though.

What can we say? (none / 0) (#103)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 03:51:36 AM EST

H8ers gonna H8, 'cause that's what H8ers do. What terribly depressing and emotionally crippled lives these people must lead, that they'd want to spend a significant portion of their waking hours projecting this sort of mindlessly ignorant image of themselves to the rest of us. But, as my favorite Persian proverb says, "Dogs bark, the caravan passes."


Just saw a headline that D Sawyer (none / 0) (#101)
by nycstray on Mon Feb 02, 2015 at 07:16:54 PM EST

expected to secure first interview . . .


As amazing as this is (none / 0) (#115)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 01:31:29 PM EST

i probably should not actually link to it. So I will just say if you want to be amazed Google this-

"Randy Quaid Rupert Murdoch Uproxx.com"

And watch the video. It is profoundly NSFW. To say the least. Why is it always fun to see celebrities go completely off the rails? With a long white beard?

Gee, thanks a lot, Howdy (none / 0) (#122)
by Zorba on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 04:24:40 PM EST

Now I need to go bleach my eyes.
Yea, he's completely off the rails, and so, apparently, is his wife for participating in this travesty.
I wonder what Dennis Quaid thinks about his brother? If that was my brother, I would certainly be trying to get him some much-needed psychological help.
Geez.


: Sorry (none / 0) (#123)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 05:18:56 PM EST

i watched it three times. I should seek help, I know.

They may be cheaters (none / 0) (#124)
by Jack203 on Tue Feb 03, 2015 at 07:46:56 PM EST

But its doubtful from "deflategate".

The evidence against the Pats is surprisingly weak considering the hoopla and press coverage.
Add to that the unnamed and anonymous sources...is even more suspicious.