Belichek & Brady get tons of hype for being one of the best combos ever, but, as far as I'm concerned, they still have not won a Super Bowl legitimately.

 

:thumb: I think the Pats would have won if Bele-Cheat new the play calls... :lol:

I know. I am on island on this one apparently. Just like I am on Alex Gonzalez getting completely off the hook for that Cubs collapse as I mentioned above. I have watched that play several more times this morning and I am not changing my mind. That incompletion was on Brady more than Welker. I am really stunned that no one thinks that was a bad pass. Especially when Mr. Accuracy was the one throwing it. And I still say that if Welker catches that ball, everyone is talking about "what a catch!" Welker made. And if Brady throws it where I wanted him to Welker is one good move from scoring a TD.

 

The ball hit him in both hands, and not just his finger tips. That is a catch NFL receivers make, especially him. Was it the best pass ever no, not at all however it was not horrible either. Brady had to throw a back shoulder there, if he throws it anywhere else Welker has not shot. Yes the throw could have been a little lower on the back shoulder to make it a little easier. However Welker usually makes that catch, and hit him squarely in both hands. If he catches it people wouldn't be saying what a catch, because that is a catch Welker makes look routine usually.

I think Brady taking the safety and under throwing Gronk for the INT were bigger blunders by him than the throw. There was a safety on the inside of the throw to Welker so he threw it to his back shoulder. If anything the throw was a tad high. My guess is Welker in a private moment would admit all the blame lies on him for that play. It really is a routine catch for NFL receivers now. Perfect throw? No. Very, very catch-able ball? No doubt.

 

Completely agree with everything you said. One thing it does show if you can put pressure on QB's even guys like Brady can make bad decisions. Which is why protecting the QB is so important in this league. Most QB's can throw if they have time.

 

By the way does this give you a little more hope on Dalton. The one thing these playoffs have shown is that you don't have to out duel these top QB's in high scoring games, if your defense slows them down. I honestly thought this would be a high scoring game myself, and suprised to see that scoring 21 points won the game in this one.

OK everyone. I will watch the Welker play again and check out the safety. I can't pull it up at my office. The safety appeared to me to be well out of range to deliver a hit when the ball hit Welker's hands - several yards away. I may have to change my Avatar to Chicken Little.

I was happy to see the Giants win this one. I really enjoyed watching this game, I know it was not the high scoring game that a lot of people were probably expecting. However it still was a great game and that is all I can ask for in the Super Bowl. It came down until the end, I would hate to see a game that is decided before the 4th quarter even begins.

OK everyone. I will watch the Welker play again and check out the safety. I can't pull it up at my office. The safety appeared to me to be well out of range to deliver a hit when the ball hit Welker's hands - several yards away. I may have to change my Avatar to Chicken Little.

 

Remember the safety was several yards away because when the ball was thrown at Welkers back shoulder, which would take him back a yard or two himself. The throw could have been a little lower on the back shoulder obviously to make it a little easier though, but still very catchable. However if Brady throws it straight to him on the move, then Welker either gets blasted. Or possibly intercepted depending on if the safety went for the ball, because he would have been in position to dive to make a play on the ball.

Remember the safety was several yards away because when the ball was thrown at Welkers back shoulder, which would take him back a yard or two himself. The throw could have been a little lower on the back shoulder obviously to make it a little easier though, but still very catchable. However if Brady throws it straight to him on the move, then Welker either gets blasted. Or possibly intercepted depending on if the safety went for the ball, because he would have been in position to dive to make a play on the ball.

 

I just didn't see the safety anywhere near close enough to make a play on the ball unless Brady throws it inside to where the safety was coming from. If he hits Welker in stride or leads him down the sideline, that safety would have been happy to make a TD saving tackle, let alone deliver a hit.

Not a Giants fan, but if there's one guy I'm happy for it is Tom Coughlin. I like the guy, think he's a great coach and I'm always amazed that he's on the chopping block every time the Giants lose back-to-back games.

 

He'll probably get a pass next year, but as soon as they lose two in a row in 2013, there will be talk about Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden.

 

It's New York and the fans expect a competitive team every year. If they missed the playoffs this year it would have been the 3rd consecutive year, so I can see why some were upset. I was fairly upset as well but I have now learned to never count out Tom Coughlin or Eli Manning. They never quit...

Doesn't happen often.....but I predicted this back when the Giants beat the Jets....wish I was a betting man.

What's great about the NFL is that if Lee Evans holds onto the ball, the guy from San Fran doesn't mess up on the punt then those two wouldn't even be in the Super Bowl. If Brady doesn't throw behind Welker or Welker catches the ball he would catch almost everytime the Pats win the Super Bowl. It litterally comes down to 1 play in a game! Amazing!!

I tip my hat to what Eli has done in the 2nd half this year + the coaching job Coughlin did to keep them together. Hate that Gronk wasn't healthy. The Pats are a different team without him. Losing him is like the Vikings losing AP.

What's great about the NFL is that if Lee Evans holds onto the ball, the guy from San Fran doesn't mess up on the punt then those two wouldn't even be in the Super Bowl. If Brady doesn't throw behind Welker or Welker catches the ball he would catch almost everytime the Pats win the Super Bowl. It litterally comes down to 1 play in a game! Amazing!!

I tip my hat to what Eli has done in the 2nd half this year + the coaching job Coughlin did to keep them together. Hate that Gronk wasn't healthy. The Pats are a different team without him. Losing him is like the Vikings losing AP.

 

Razor thin. This is the modern day NFL. The teams are very evenly matched, and elite QB's are the difference makers. The playoff team that gets on a roll down the stretch is generally the favorite, IMO.

 

I also must say that I cannot believe people are as critical of Tom Brady as they are. The fact that he had this Patriots team on the cusp of a Super Bowl is evidence enough of how good he is. The Giants were/are better team virtually across the board. Brady doesn't have a single gamebreaker at his disposal offensively. How many QB's have ever excelled to the degree Brady has with a group of skill players like his? The top 3 weapons are a slot receiver and 2 TE's, and in this game, Gronkowski was ineffective with the injury. Cruz, Nicks and Manningham are all bigger "playmakers" that anyone New England has.

Razor thin. This is the modern day NFL. The teams are very evenly matched, and elite QB's are the difference makers. The playoff team that gets on a roll down the stretch is generally the favorite, IMO.

 

I also must say that I cannot believe people are as critical of Tom Brady as they are. The fact that he had this Patriots team on the cusp of a Super Bowl is evidence enough of how good he is. The Giants were/are better team virtually across the board. Brady doesn't have a single gamebreaker at his disposal offensively. How many QB's have ever excelled to the degree Brady has with a group of skill players like his? The top 3 weapons are a slot receiver and 2 TE's, and in this game, Gronkowski was ineffective with the injury. Cruz, Nicks and Manningham are all bigger "playmakers" that anyone New England has.

 

Let's not underestimate the talent of Gronkowski, Hernandez and Welker. Gronkowski set the record for receiving yards by a tight end did he not? And Welker had 122 receptions, one for 99 yards. Cruz and Nicks are outstanding wide receivers and Manningham is good, but he has never had over 1000 yards receiving.

I think that's why Brady is the best that's ever played + I don't like him. He's done it w guys like Branch, Patten etc not Rice, Jones, Taylor. Nicks has top 10 talent but can't stay healthy a full year. Cruz...what a story! That guy came out of nowhere + is a household name. I agree the Giants D front is outstanding! Pierre Paul has the potential to win multiple Def POY awardas. Tuck had about 3 HUGE plays last night! Remember how bad the Giants secondary was early on in the year! Gronk/Hernandez create a real problem for defenses. That's why I think Gronk being hurt was a MAJOR factor last night. That guy had the best year in NFL history! That can't be mentioned enough. He is just amazing! Welker was decent in Miami but Brady has taken him to a new level. The Pats are weak at WR+corner. I think that's another reason Hoodie is one of the best coaches ever even though I don't have much for him. He puts players in places to make plays.

I heard a great piece on Chad Johnson this past week. Basically it sounds like the Pats run a lot of routes where WR's have to read the coverage + adjust on the fly. He couldn't learn it or be consistant enough to be a factor.

As far as critical on Brady. I think he's as good as has ever played. I think he made a few decisions/throws that cost the Pats the game last night. Eli on the other hand did a great job in decision making.

The Manningham catch will go down in NYG history.

I think that's why Brady is the best that's ever played + I don't like him. He's done it w guys like Branch, Patten etc not Rice, Jones, Taylor. Nicks has top 10 talent but can't stay healthy a full year. Cruz...what a story! That guy came out of nowhere + is a household name. I agree the Giants D front is outstanding! Pierre Paul has the potential to win multiple Def POY awardas. Tuck had about 3 HUGE plays last night! Remember how bad the Giants secondary was early on in the year! Gronk/Hernandez create a real problem for defenses. That's why I think Gronk being hurt was a MAJOR factor last night. That guy had the best year in NFL history! That can't be mentioned enough. He is just amazing! Welker was decent in Miami but Brady has taken him to a new level. The Pats are weak at WR+corner. I think that's another reason Hoodie is one of the best coaches ever even though I don't have much for him. He puts players in places to make plays.

I heard a great piece on Chad Johnson this past week. Basically it sounds like the Pats run a lot of routes where WR's have to read the coverage + adjust on the fly. He couldn't learn it or be consistant enough to be a factor.

As far as critical on Brady. I think he's as good as has ever played. I think he made a few decisions/throws that cost the Pats the game last night. Eli on the other hand did a great job in decision making.

 

Yes losing Gronkowski hurt, but it's not like it snuck up on New England. They knew he wouldn't be 100%.

 

And too many people forget the Giants beat the Patriots in New England earlier this year with a healthy Gronkowski and no Hakeem Nicks.