Am I missing (sure I am) but Amendola’s throw kind of looks like a forward pass. It was such a beautiful throw that it sucks that Lewis coughed the ball up. Would have been such a memorable play like the Edelman throw.
The Nation's Tears: Volume II
- Thread starter jmcc5400
- Start date
- Status
Amendola was credited with a pass completion on the play, and finished with a 118.7 passer rating, besting both Brady and Bortles.
I think it was forward, but that's not a problem. The first pass was clearly backwards, so the second one can be forwards.
I wonder how many tricks they were saving for the SB they had to pull out to beat the Jags. Not that I'm worried; but just curious whether a couple of the ones we saw were truly break glass in case of emergency types or were always part of the game plan.
Reminds me of the double pass and Vereen being ineligible during the AFC title game against the Ravens. As I recall, the double pass was practiced all season, and almost used earlier against the Chiefs. Not sure on the ineligible receiver.
I’m still deciding how i feel about that play, but either way I was glad to see that Belichick put him back in and Lewis got that critical 1st down to seal the game.
Also, who else expects to see that run in this week’s Belichick Breakdown? Just a clinic in blocking and good vision from a RB.
The ineligible receiver formations were put in that week I think (they called them “Baltimore” and “Raven” and Belichick talks about how they warned the officiating crew that they might run them) but yes, you’re right, the double pass has been part of their playbook for over a decade.
They ran it with David Patten in Indy in 2001, and then they called it in that Chiefs MNF game in 2014 but Amendola waived it off (Chad O’Shea showed that footage in the “Do Your Job” special — it’s an amazing moment).
Seemed to me that a couple of the gadget plays were mild desperation/attempts to turn momentum. Plus may have given the jags something to think about as they were starting to get more pressure and stopping the run. Anything to give them a little pause. I’d bet B.B. doesn’t like to use them too often because the number of things that can go wrong on those plays is increased.
True, but I can't remember any of them having a catastrophic outcome, which I think speaks to the team's discipline. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I don't recall any huge losses or turnovers, unlike, say, that Colts punt or other flea flickers and gadget plays other teams run.
There’s an element of “desperation” to the gadget/trick plays — you don’t run a double pass up 2 scores — but Belichick is always looking for an unexpected advantage. Having Vinateri throw a TD to Troy Brown in St. Louis, the direct snaps to Kevin Faulk and now James White at the goal line, etc. I think he feels that they’re situational plays that should be used in the right situation, which sometimes means “down a lot” and sometimes means “the defense isn’t expecting this.”
Still, you’re right that, after David Givens threw an interception in 2003, Belichick says he told the staff that as long as Tom Brady was their QB he should be the only one throwing passes, and it took him a decade to be willing to try that again.
Also, no one should be surprised by Amendola’s good arm. Remember this play?
Edit: Here’s a good example of a “non-desperation” trick play: with 3 seconds left in the 4th quarter in the Super Bowl last year and the game tied the Pats tried to catch the Falcons napping with a fake kneel down and snap to Lewis. It didn’t work, and sadly he hurt himself on the play, but it’s another example.
Last edited:
Scroll down a bit to Show Open for today. Pure gold. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/audio/joe-benigno-and-evan-roberts/
I don’t quite understand what the rule is on the fumble. The ball was def knocked out initially but then Lewis trapped it against his leg. The ball didn’t come out until he hit the ground and rolled over. On replay the laces didn’t move at all as he was falling. Is the rule that once the ball is knocked loose you have to bring the ball to the ground? Because the ground can’t cause the fumble.. but if a defender knocks it out how can you reestablish possession?
Just heard a new one: Reggie Wayne on NFLN said it was easier for the Pats to come back and win when Gronk got hurt. Jax had planned so much for him that they got messed up when all of a sudden Tom Brady could throw to whomever he wanted. The other guy, Dan Hellie, said well, they could have planned for Danny Amendola. Did Wayne have multiple concussions as a player?
The Pats ran a ton of misdirection plays in the first quarter. It's interesting to think about the relationship between those and the two trick plays they later ran. I tend to think they just believed the Jags would overpursue, and thus that these types of plays would work, with the trick plays being of the same style and also partially out of desparation.
Reggie "Patriots practices are too tough, I'm going to retire" Wayne might still be bitter?
Oh yeah, that one about Wayne. I’d forgotten about it. Maybe NFL Network having to clean house lowered their average IQ. Nah, Marshall Faulk went. Cold, I know.
Also reminds me of the three two-point conversion plays they ran in the Super Bowl last year (the third was the game-winning TD play to White).
I think these were definitely “break glass in case of emergency” plays that they will have to re-stock for the Super Bowl – but in fairness, it *was* an emergency.
It's automatic now. Whenever the Patriots have success, people look for anything to knock them down. Fox News, not ESPN or NFLN, with Martha McCallum, tonight had a thing about the discrepancy in penalties in yesterday's game and the referee patting Tom on the chest after the game. No mention of the penalties themselves, like the delay of game, which was there for all to see on TV or at Gillette I'm sure. The big pass interference calls on the Cooks plays were very obvious. Maybe the Pats are by far the most disciplined team, probably ever, and don't commit as many stupid penalties but don't consider that. Martha is even a Pats fan and was at the game, but of course she doesn't select the news topics to cover.
Of all the clueless, pathetic, anti-Patriots narratives over the years...this "ref congratulating Tom Brady" one probably is the most insane.
It's hard to imagine being so owned that you feel motivated to open your mouth and start explaining that theory.
It's hard to imagine being so owned that you feel motivated to open your mouth and start explaining that theory.
So another rule change for the competition committee next year is to make the refs call an equal amount of penalties on both teams. Only seems fair.
I made the same argument in the game thread when Gronk went out. It was very clear that Jax was very focused on stopping Gronk and were double teaming him. Brady couldn't find him in the first and then was trying to force it to him in double coverage in the second. It's not as crazy as it sounds. We consistently see other teams struggle adjusting in game and it was pretty apparent that the Patriots had a lot more options in the second half.
Apparently he usually greets both QBs before the game but didn't get to Brady. He did greet Bortles though.
Maybe, but that Nick Wright guy is a trainwreck. Anytime I've seen him it's been horrific.
Yeah, that guy simply does not belong on tv in a show like this. First time I’ve ever watched a segment and, yeah, that was weak.
Have we discussed the "Kraft took a shot at BB" thing yet? Based on his answer after being asked about everyone coming back next season?
He said something like "Absolutely--as long as everyone gets their ego in check...."
Some folks are saying that's a shot at BB, whereas to me it seems MUCH more likely that it's a typical Kraft mangling and he was trotting out the cliche about "it's about team, not individuals".
He said something like "Absolutely--as long as everyone gets their ego in check...."
Some folks are saying that's a shot at BB, whereas to me it seems MUCH more likely that it's a typical Kraft mangling and he was trotting out the cliche about "it's about team, not individuals".
I thought there was something to it until I watched the video segment. Seemingly far less veiled hearing it vs reading it. Maybe that's just me.
It's almost like he's talking about one of the reasons they've been able to keep it going for so long, not necessarily as something that needs to change.
Edit: added video link
It’s so rediculous. That guy talks about how rare it is to get so few penalties, and then goes on to say that the patriots have done it multiple times. It’s like, how many stats like that are there? Penalties, comebacks, 50+ pass games, etc. etc.
It's just a waste of time.
All of this nonsense depends on the premise that the officials give a crap who wins. If you're dealing with someone who believes that, there's nothing you can say or show them. It's like a conspiracy theory. Once you leave reason behind, any fact can be made to fit the belief.
As unbelievable of a performance as that was, I’m pretty sure Carter is forever banned from the club based on his own Brunnell-esque meltdown during Deflategate.
Nick coulda used a fall guy.
ehh
as a non pats fan i am plob a littie jealous not at the pats at other nfl teams by being so briandead at times like jax has 3 TO and 55 Sec left and they kneel when they couild got a fg
to beat NE u have to outsmart them by playing the sitchion
to me the only thing u can get NE on is shouild had fran jimmy and let brady go after 18 by doing that u wouild had gave BB 6 more legit super bowl shots after the 2018 season now at best its over after 19 or 20
and now u couild be state at being the mid 1980's pitt steelers after brady leaves
as a non pats fan i am plob a littie jealous not at the pats at other nfl teams by being so briandead at times like jax has 3 TO and 55 Sec left and they kneel when they couild got a fg
to beat NE u have to outsmart them by playing the sitchion
to me the only thing u can get NE on is shouild had fran jimmy and let brady go after 18 by doing that u wouild had gave BB 6 more legit super bowl shots after the 2018 season now at best its over after 19 or 20
and now u couild be state at being the mid 1980's pitt steelers after brady leaves
I was going to say he reminds me of the hitchhiker from Something About Mary and was expecting him to start talking about how 7 is the magic number, but I think you're right, Tom Green is much closer. Maybe somewhere in between.
Holy shit, that was mic-drop central. I haven't always thought much of Cris Carter, but he just torched Nick Wright there. Well worth the 9 minutes, thanks for posting it.
Last edited:
- Status