Sunday, February 1, 2015

On that final Seattle offensive play.

No one calls a pass play on 2nd and goal from the 1 yard line, when you've got Marshawn Lynch and a time out. I get it: Because no one would make that call, making the call could catch the defense off guard. And, if your rushing offense is lacking, then I can see this play being called. But Lynch had 102 yards in the game, and the entire country was waiting for Beast Mode to hit a touchdown. If they had gone with Beast Mode and he'd scored a touchdown, the country would have felt a massive 2.0 quake from Scottsdale.

Upon replay, you can see what Wilson was seeing -- a potentially wide open outside receiver on the inside slant. But Butler jumped on the route and Wilson didn't see it.

What's worse: even though the play was designed for Lockette on a pick play, Lynch was wide open on a fade throw to the opposite side of the field.

But why would you call an inside slant at the 1? You're banking on the hopes that the linebacker / safety vacates the area. Rather, you'd want to call an outside slant with a pick play at the 1, not an inside slant.

Or better yet, why not go with the read-option run? Or the bootleg rollout with Lynch in front? Why the pick play on an inside slant?

I'd call for the firing of Darrell Bevell for that one really bad call, but the body of work means that Bevell gets it right, 99% of the time. We're just all really disappointed that the only reason why the Patriots won, was a horrible call.



Add: I'm seeing on social media some people blaming Carroll. Other than the fact that he didn't change the call, they're wrong. Darrell Bevell is the OC with the play calling sheet, and Pete's involvement would have been to direct Bevell to call a pass play. It was Bevell's responsibility to find an appropriate pass play on the 1-yard line with the personnel on the field.

It's not entirely Bevell's fault, however. If that play had been executed properly -- had Lockette not slowed his route or if Wilson had thrown the ball low -- Butler would have never been in the position to catch the ball.

And no, it was not a throw into a crowded backfield, contrary to what some people online are insisting. They were basically playing cover-1 with Dont'a Hightower as safety, with everyone else up on the line. As Carroll noted, they came out with 3 receivers and the Patriots were goal line run defense.

Only 1 guy in the backfield

Hightower follows Lynch

Wilson staring at Lockette and Butler jumps the route

May I suggest getting a real speedster on offense, at a bargain late round pick...someone like George Farmer? He's an awful lot like Harvin, but at a bargain price and might even become your new #1 receiver.

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