what annoyed me about SuperBowl 46 (1 Viewer)

[houndirish]

[*]Tuck makes 2 sacks in the game, both at pretty critical times, but then steals Arian Foster's move?

The celebration that got me was when some DB tackled the RB after he ran for like 12 yards and gained a first down. It was a solid hit, don't get me wrong. But it was only worth celebrating if you ignore where it was made.It would have only been more ridiculous had the RB jumped up and also celebrated, at which point maybe they get into a fight over which one of them should be celebrating.

Seems like it may have been Ross on BJGE in the first quarter or so, but not sure if I am remembering it right.

Yeah ... it was Ross

 

[JamesTheScot]

Eli told him not to score during the hand-off when he saw the Dline not making a big push. The message just didn't register with Bradshaw till he was at the one inch and what Eli said and the defenders not attempting to tackle him all clicked. It was too late then. It just wasn't a circumstance that Bradshaw was familiar with and he doesn't normally get new instructions from the QB during the hand-off.

Eli maybe should have said something in the huddle. But if he does that then there's the concern that if the Pats defense tries to defend the play, Bradshaw gets stopped for a loss because he's hesitating trying to read if the D is coming or not. It might even increase the risk of fumbling, if he's doing more thinking and not going on instinct. Look what happened to the Ravens kicker when his natural routine got disrupted.

What I found interesting is that Eli makes that call on his own without approval from the sideline. I understand he didn't have time to consult with the sideline during the play. But he still decided to make that call 100% on his own. That kinda speaks to this being his team now and seems much more Peyton-esque of him.Imagine where we'd be today if Bradshaw does stop and go down on Eli's orders when, as we are led to believe, the coaching staff had been considering the issue and decided to score. Can you imagine the storm if the FG attempt gets blocked or the snap fumbled, etc. and the Giants lose because Eli, on his own, tells Bradshaw to kneel.

 

[Black]

Couple more thoughts...

When I think of Welker, I don't think of a body control, full-extension, pirouetting catch over the wrong shoulder. Normally I think of him squatting in a zone taking a ball low and sliding over the first down (or maybe diving for the pylon). He's not the guy you throw a fade to, who'll box out a defender and make a catch like that. I guess I don't agree with the 'he should have had it' because I think that kind of a catch is not really his game. Could he have made it? Yeah. Does he have great hands, yes. But I can't really think of any similar type catches that he makes that would make that one 'routine.'

It would have been SWEET if Bradshaw had stopped and Tebowed. Just saying.

 

[jhib]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.

If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:

This was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYwThis was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

Wilfork seems to be a classy guy

 

[Avery]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYwThis was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

 

[Riflemen]

Go to NFLnetwork website. They have 4 Soundfx clips from the game including the Wilfork discussion with the ref. another interesting thing in the Soundfx clips. Bill telling his D before the final Giants drive that "It's a Cruz and Nicks" game. "Make him throw it to Manningham".

 

[petenice15]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYwThis was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

What's amazing is the significance of that call could have been huge and the official explained that he didn't actually see the hold, but rather assumed it based on the way the players moved.

 

[jhib]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.

If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:

http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYw

This was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

I guess it was on the NFL Network's SoundFX show. One of the posters from bigblueinteractive uploaded the clip.Now it's on the nfl website, part of the longer "Patriots fire back" clip.

"It's like throwing in a forest, dude. Those guys' arms are like..."

 

[jhib]

Go to NFLnetwork website. They have 4 Soundfx clips from the game including the Wilfork discussion with the ref. another interesting thing in the Soundfx clips. Bill telling his D before the final Giants drive that "It's a Cruz and Nicks" game. "Make him throw it to Manningham".

Lots of great quotes in those. Love 'em."Anybody still want to take Eli?"

 

[Avery]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.

If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:

http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYw

This was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

I guess it was on the NFL Network's SoundFX show. One of the posters from bigblueinteractive uploaded the clip.Now it's on the nfl website, part of the longer "Patriots fire back" clip.

"It's like throwing in a forest, dude. Those guys' arms are like..."

Im surprised the NFL would have audio on their own site of admitted a big blown call like that.Maybe that clip would never have seen the light of day if the Pats won...

 

[Yenrub]

I've seen throws like that get called for intentional grounding. In the old days, that would NEVER have been called. But it seems like they are tighter on the grounding calls these days, maybe to make up for all the special treatment afforded QB's, so I'm ok with that.

Welker absolutely should have caught that ball, and yes it probably did cost his team the game. People make mistakes, but those are the facts.

The ball was poorly throw. Welker is one of a few WR that could actually make a consistent play on poorly throw balls, but the fault lies with Brady on that one, not Welker. Brady throws the ball where it needed to go, Welker catches without a problem.. That still doesn't guarantee a different score though..

It could have been thrown better, but the bolded is just silly. Yes he made a nice adjustment, but any WR worth his salt could have made that catch. It hits you in the hands, you catch it.It's unfair to blame one player for a loss, because the game is 60 minutes long. So while I don't think you can blame Welker for the Pats losing, the fact is that if he makes that catch they win.

It’s a FACT? Not sure how you can say it’s a FACT

 

[IrishTwinkie]

That whole series of videos totally ruled. I loved the interplay between the ref/players/coaches. I can see myself sitting down and watching a pile of these things.

I so want to have Gil Santos eat his words. He is way to big of a homer.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.

Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.

Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.

In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

 

[zed2283]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.

If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:

http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYw

This was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

What's amazing is the significance of that call could have been huge and the official explained that he didn't actually see the hold, but rather assumed it based on the way the players moved.

What, are they using NBA officials to referee NFL games now?

 

[zed2283]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

Man is this a stretch.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

Man is this a stretch.

Please, do me a favor. Watch the play again. Look at how Welker is positioned when the ball goes through his hands...and assume he catches it. Now, tell me how the ball is going to be protected as he hits the ground without moving. The way refs are ruling those plays, it doesn't look physically possible for him to contain it in a way that it would be ruled a catch.I don't care about either team. I'm looking at that one play, and how the receiver had to move to catch the ball. Maybe that's an indictment of the refs, or the rules or how nitpicky they're getting with what gets called a catch. But I don't see any way he comes down with it in a way it wouldn't move.Watch it again.

 

[Ghost Rider]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.

If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:

http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYw

This was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

I guess it was on the NFL Network's SoundFX show. One of the posters from bigblueinteractive uploaded the clip.Now it's on the nfl website, part of the longer "Patriots fire back" clip.

"It's like throwing in a forest, dude. Those guys' arms are like..."

Im surprised the NFL would have audio on their own site of admitted a big blown call like that.Maybe that clip would never have seen the light of day if the Pats won...

I can almost guarantee it. And I mentioned what a bogus call it seemed to be in the game thread at the time, but was told to not start the crying about officiating. Funny how it turned out now, eh?

 

[mr roboto]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.

Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.

Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.

In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

Man is this a stretch.

Please, do me a favor. Watch the play again. Look at how Welker is positioned when the ball goes through his hands...and assume he catches it. Now, tell me how the ball is going to be protected as he hits the ground without moving. The way refs are ruling those plays, it doesn't look physically possible for him to contain it in a way that it would be ruled a catch.I don't care about either team. I'm looking at that one play, and how the receiver had to move to catch the ball. Maybe that's an indictment of the refs, or the rules or how nitpicky they're getting with what gets called a catch. But I don't see any way he comes down with it in a way it wouldn't move.

Watch it again.

I don't think so.He is twisting to the ground. Guys pull it into their stomach and twist so as to not land on the ball all the time.

See here.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.

Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.

Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.

In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

Man is this a stretch.

Please, do me a favor. Watch the play again. Look at how Welker is positioned when the ball goes through his hands...and assume he catches it. Now, tell me how the ball is going to be protected as he hits the ground without moving. The way refs are ruling those plays, it doesn't look physically possible for him to contain it in a way that it would be ruled a catch.I don't care about either team. I'm looking at that one play, and how the receiver had to move to catch the ball. Maybe that's an indictment of the refs, or the rules or how nitpicky they're getting with what gets called a catch. But I don't see any way he comes down with it in a way it wouldn't move.

Watch it again.

I don't think so.He is twisting to the ground. Guys pull it into their stomach and twist so as to not land on the ball all the time.

See here.

Sure-- but not when they're already a few feet in the air, already in motion and twisting their body. No way I can prove it, of course. But when I watch it, I don't see how he could have done anything but land with the ball near the ground IF he had caught it, and I don't see how he could have kept it from moving in that situation.I don't have a stake in either team, but I admit I do feel for the guy. I think he was noble and took the blame...and the team didn't do much to take it off him. It was a drop because it went through his hands. I'm just not in any way confident "hanging on" would have resulted in a ruled catch.

 

[Popinski]

It always annoys me when the post game talk focuses on a few key plays that then somehow become the only real important plays in the game. Change them (Welker drop, safety call, etc) and you likely change the outcome. But of course, the outcome determines which plays/calls are considered the "important" ones in the first place.If the Pats had won, we'd be hearing a lot more about this:http://youtu.be/HxKx9758iYwThis was after the Boothe holding call on a 3rd and 1 on the NE 46 where Jacobs had a 10 yard run. Instead of 1st down on the NE 36 (and with a 9-3 lead) with about 4 minutes to go in the half, it was 3rd and 10 and after a incomplete pass where pass interference could have very easily been called, they have to punt. It might have been 12-3 or 16-3 going into halftime without this call for all we know, but yeah, the Giants were "lucky" all game according to some. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool how Wilfork answered the ref so honestly.

I remember screaming about that call during the game.Pretty cool video. Where did that come from with the audio?

What's amazing is the significance of that call could have been huge and the official explained that he didn't actually see the hold, but rather assumed it based on the way the players moved.

This really annoys me about refs, and it's obvious they often do this. If they are going to throw the penalty, make sure you saw what you are calling. Don't assume it because of an indirect body motion which may or may not be a result of a hold or whatever.

 

[Black]

I find it annoying that people are really blaming Welker for that play. He twisted his body around to get his hands on the ball. It was awkward and difficult, but there's something I think people are missing.

Let's say he keeps his hands on the ball and doesn't "drop" it. With posession rules as they're interpreted today, what are the odds the ball doesn't move at all on the ground? I'd say almost zero. His body was contorted, and he'd definitely land with the ball coming into contact with the ground at some point. He was outstretched and I think it's almost certain that there would be some movement once he landed and tried to roll over to cradle the ball/straighten himself out/keep going.

Brady threw the ball in a way that, with the receiver twisting his body around, there's almost no way that ball could be ruled a catch-- even if he caught it and went to the ground. Welker was in NO position to protect the ball on the way down. He did everything he could just to try and catch it.

In my opinion, if he had caught it there's no way it would have been ruled a catch with full control and posession, and that's on Brady.

Man is this a stretch.

Please, do me a favor. Watch the play again. Look at how Welker is positioned when the ball goes through his hands...and assume he catches it. Now, tell me how the ball is going to be protected as he hits the ground without moving. The way refs are ruling those plays, it doesn't look physically possible for him to contain it in a way that it would be ruled a catch.I don't care about either team. I'm looking at that one play, and how the receiver had to move to catch the ball. Maybe that's an indictment of the refs, or the rules or how nitpicky they're getting with what gets called a catch. But I don't see any way he comes down with it in a way it wouldn't move.

Watch it again.

I said somewhere here in the SP that the pass to Welker was not a 'typical' Welker pass play. My thought was 'leaping, outstretched, pirouetting catch down the field' was 'not his game.' (Not sure what post I put it in...). Anyways, I just read the "Amazing Stat: Brady to Welker" post here, which quotes: "Of Wes Welker’s 554 career receptions, just 11 have been thrown for 20 yards or more."

So it got me thinking and searching for more data. I found this article from Greg Bedard of the Boston Post:

http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-07/sports/31034828_1_vertical-routes-quarterback-tom-brady-patriots

Difficulty: Brady put a little air under it to give Welker a chance to adjust to the ball. But it’s an incredibly difficult catch to make, going from a full sprint to turning around the other way while trying to make a catch. Even if Welker caught the ball, it’s not even definite that he would have kept possession once he hit the turf hard — which he was going to do because the throw put him so off balance.

Vertical does not suit Welker: On those 195 routes Welker was targeted on, do you know how many were of the vertical variety on the route tree — a fade, post, corner and a slant-and-go? Twenty eight total. Or 14.3 percent. Only 17 were a version of that fade route (8.7 percent). Those vertical routes are not Welker’s game, which is why the Patriots seldom throw those to him. Welker’s bread-and-butter — 85.7 percent worth — is on the lower end of the route tree: the flat, slant, comeback, curl, out, dig and various quick passes.

Vertical receivers have long arms and big hands. Those help when you have to make those circus catches. Welker has neither. The Patriots, better than any team, put their players in the best position to succeed. They know what they have or don’t have. They know Welker is better catching the ball to his body and absorbing contact or running to the boundary.

Welker is not an acrobatic catcher: Most of the time. He made terrific diving catch to the 1-yard line against the Jets, but he laid out for that ball. Welker was thrown 10 passes before the Super Bowl when he had to leave his feet to make the catch and he caught eight of them. On seven of the passes (six receptions), Welker jumped straight up from a standstill to attempt the catch. Of the other three that were much more difficult, Welker had one against the Eagles that could have been considered a drop (he would have landed on his feet if he did catch it).

Against the Steelers, Welker made a tough leaping catch towards the sideline for a minimal, but important 2-yard gain to pick up a first down. Against the Raiders, Welker made perhaps his best catch of the season — the one that probably makes Welker believe he should have caught the ball in the Super Bowl. On third-and-6 late the third quarter, Welker ran a corner route towards the sideline from the right slot. Brady threw a beautiful pass over the trailing cornerback and Welker’s inside shoulder. Welker had to leave his feet and take a brutal shot to the back from the safety. But Welker held on. That was a sensational catch. But it didn’t have to be made running full speed and twisting back over the other shoulder, like Welker was asked to do in the Super Bowl.

Backshoulder is rare: Brady only threw four back-shoulder throws downfield to Welker all season. Not one was thrown high. They all hit Welker in the stomach, or high in the chest. And receivers don’t expect backshoulder throwns when they’re in space. Back-shoulder is used when the defender is playing tight coverage underneath. The receiver knows the ball is coming, the defender does not.

The Packers, with Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings, missed on a very similar play early in their NFC divisional loss to the Giants. The quarterback has to make the right decision. There were a handful of plays that were similar to the Giants play during the season. Almost every time, Brady was fine with exposing Welker to contact and throwing towards a charging safety. We’ll detail those tomorrow.

In closing, it would be foolish to paint Welker as some sort of goat. Brady could have zipped the pass in toward the safety and over Welker’s inside shoulder in stride and connected on perhaps a touchdown.