So in addition to being an obsessive and still ecstatic Pats fan, I work out every morning and still haven't quit using SB videos as my background. I'm sure that others, like me, have noticed or paid more attention to additional details or aspects of that game as time has gone on.
Some of the things I've noticed or that have noticed much more of late include:
1. Just how much time Tom had to operate on the OT scoring drive. He has a totally clean pocket on every throw.
2. As a related point, just how pinpoint the passes to Amendola, Hogan and Edelman were. Each one was thrown into a tiny window. The strikes to Hogan and Edelman, in particular, could have easily been picked off if they were even slightly off the mark.
3. Just how tough James White's winning TD run was. And how close it was to not being a TD. I'm guessing that White would not have scored under the exact same game conditions if so much was not on the line and that adrenaline and sheer desire played a huge role there.
4. The parallels to SB 49 are so many. The pass to Amendola on the last scoring drive when he was crossing the field right to left was so reminiscent of the pass to Gronk going in the same direction on the last Pats scoring drive of SB 49. That the team they came back on just kind of wore out down the stretch is another commonality. That Brady relied on a RB who was probably not expected to be as involved as a pass catcher is another. Sure, in Vereen's case, it was less of a surprise, but still, his totals for that game were unexpected. And then there's the opposing HC as confused cheerleader element. Last, of course, that the losing team arguably should have run the ball at a key time and did not. That last point is something I knew the night of the game, of course, but the sum total of the similarities did not dawn on me until later.
5. The Pats really should have been called for offensive PI on the Amendola two point conversion. And speaking of parallels to SB 49, that brings to mind the offensive PI on the swing pass to Vereen on the last scoring drive that was negated by an Amendola block down field before Vereen secured the ball.
6. The Pats are lucky that Ryan and Sanu were not called for offsetting face masks on the play that Long drew the holding call.
7. There's literally never a moment when the Pats appear to be losing it or overly frustrated on the sidelines.
8. Kraft has the exact same clenched jaw, steely eyed look at Goodell that he had on the podium in SB 49. A back to back screen shot or video would be fun.
9. Zolak makes the point that the throw to Julio Jones was awful. Not the throw itself but the decision to force it in to that small window. I'm not sure I agree, and it's impossible to criticize the QB's execution, but I have to admit that he was probably forcing it there a bit.
10. That Edelman drops the ball and re-catches it slays me every time. OK, amazing catch, amazing concentration, thank you Jules, but what was that little flip about?
11. I still root for Bennett to catch the ball in OT. He caught a similar ball when he was being interfered with for a TD in the regular season. As much as the White play was gorgeous, a Bennett catch there would have been epic. And would have avoided the potential Historic Brain Fart on the next play. And no, this is not an actual complaint. Read a little whimsy into this one please.
12. Thank whoever you thank that Beasley was on the wrong foot.
13. Some calls were missed but that was a pretty cleanly called game.
14. As a related point, that they called PI on the Bennett pass was clearly the right call and yet I still remain grateful that it was made. I could see them swallowing their whistles there -- "let em play!" -- and that being one of those signature, Ben Dreith like moments.
15. The 3rd and 10 throw to Hogan on the final scoring drive in regulation was in the air for a long time.
16. Mitchell was so good. But each time he slams down the ball after catching it and Aikman comments that he might not have been touched, I want to throttle him.
***
I'm sure there are more things that have occurred to me that I cannot now recall.
What aspects of that game have crystallized or come into greater focus as you've worn out your DVRs or You Tubes?
Some of the things I've noticed or that have noticed much more of late include:
1. Just how much time Tom had to operate on the OT scoring drive. He has a totally clean pocket on every throw.
2. As a related point, just how pinpoint the passes to Amendola, Hogan and Edelman were. Each one was thrown into a tiny window. The strikes to Hogan and Edelman, in particular, could have easily been picked off if they were even slightly off the mark.
3. Just how tough James White's winning TD run was. And how close it was to not being a TD. I'm guessing that White would not have scored under the exact same game conditions if so much was not on the line and that adrenaline and sheer desire played a huge role there.
4. The parallels to SB 49 are so many. The pass to Amendola on the last scoring drive when he was crossing the field right to left was so reminiscent of the pass to Gronk going in the same direction on the last Pats scoring drive of SB 49. That the team they came back on just kind of wore out down the stretch is another commonality. That Brady relied on a RB who was probably not expected to be as involved as a pass catcher is another. Sure, in Vereen's case, it was less of a surprise, but still, his totals for that game were unexpected. And then there's the opposing HC as confused cheerleader element. Last, of course, that the losing team arguably should have run the ball at a key time and did not. That last point is something I knew the night of the game, of course, but the sum total of the similarities did not dawn on me until later.
5. The Pats really should have been called for offensive PI on the Amendola two point conversion. And speaking of parallels to SB 49, that brings to mind the offensive PI on the swing pass to Vereen on the last scoring drive that was negated by an Amendola block down field before Vereen secured the ball.
6. The Pats are lucky that Ryan and Sanu were not called for offsetting face masks on the play that Long drew the holding call.
7. There's literally never a moment when the Pats appear to be losing it or overly frustrated on the sidelines.
8. Kraft has the exact same clenched jaw, steely eyed look at Goodell that he had on the podium in SB 49. A back to back screen shot or video would be fun.
9. Zolak makes the point that the throw to Julio Jones was awful. Not the throw itself but the decision to force it in to that small window. I'm not sure I agree, and it's impossible to criticize the QB's execution, but I have to admit that he was probably forcing it there a bit.
10. That Edelman drops the ball and re-catches it slays me every time. OK, amazing catch, amazing concentration, thank you Jules, but what was that little flip about?
11. I still root for Bennett to catch the ball in OT. He caught a similar ball when he was being interfered with for a TD in the regular season. As much as the White play was gorgeous, a Bennett catch there would have been epic. And would have avoided the potential Historic Brain Fart on the next play. And no, this is not an actual complaint. Read a little whimsy into this one please.
12. Thank whoever you thank that Beasley was on the wrong foot.
13. Some calls were missed but that was a pretty cleanly called game.
14. As a related point, that they called PI on the Bennett pass was clearly the right call and yet I still remain grateful that it was made. I could see them swallowing their whistles there -- "let em play!" -- and that being one of those signature, Ben Dreith like moments.
15. The 3rd and 10 throw to Hogan on the final scoring drive in regulation was in the air for a long time.
16. Mitchell was so good. But each time he slams down the ball after catching it and Aikman comments that he might not have been touched, I want to throttle him.
***
I'm sure there are more things that have occurred to me that I cannot now recall.
What aspects of that game have crystallized or come into greater focus as you've worn out your DVRs or You Tubes?