Win, Lose, Drew by Drew Litton for February 03, 2015

My thought at the time.

Since they’re lined up for the obvious running play, let’s pick on the rookie who has never had an interception in his entire career.

If we review the tapes, I wonder how many times during the season teams had 2-and-goal from the one and passed for a touchdown. Probably a dozen times or so. How many times did a team have 2-and-goal from the one, run, and get stuffed? Probably a dozen times or so. How many times did a team have 2-and-goal from the one, pass, and get picked off? Can’t recall any until the Super Bowl..If the play had worked, it would have been hailed as a brilliant call.

“Hey, Marshawn, did you like the way the Super Bowl ended?”.“Yeah.”

Even if the play had worked, it would still have been the stupidest call in Super Bowl history… given the short yardage, downs available, time outs available, and quality of running back on the field. Carroll has no excuses…

Again, I am not up on all the intricates of the game, but as I read in the sports section today, Carroll did not come to that decision lightly. He and his staff were thinking about time-outs, when, and who should take them. Belichick was thinking the same things. Carroll did not want to leave the Patriots with 50 seconds, time enough for Brady to bring his team to within field-goal range and tie the game. The article stated that there were 108 instances in the NFL during 2014 with the play at the 1-yard line, where a slant pass was made. There was NOT ONE interception. (not every one resulted in a TD, either) Carroll knew who the man-to-man match-ups were; one a rookie. It seemed safe.Like doublejake says, if the play worked, Carroll would be described as brilliant today, as he and his team marched down Main Street in Seattle.As it was, the moment the play started, Butler read the play and got a half-step ahead, and snatched the ball.EITHER WAY, there was to be a great play.