REALLY LATE POST-GAME THOUGHTS ON THE SUPER BOWL

Whether we measure the elapsed time since the Patriots' Super Bowl victory in days or snowstorms, it still has taken me a while to post my thoughts.  Although significant time has passed since the Lombardi Trophy came back to New England, my thoughts on the game haven't changed.  Before reading them, you might check out my pre-game thoughts to get an idea of what I was thinking heading into the game.   

BRADY BRAIN FART-  While it didn't end up changing the outcome, the interception in the end zone was awful, simply awful.  You just can't do that.  Throw it away, take a penalty, take a sack, anything but turn it over.  Anything but a turnover and the Patriots should have had 3 points with that possession.  With an extra 3 points then, the Patriots would have had a 7 point lead at the end of the game.  

BLOUNT- In the possession leading up to Brady's red zone interception, Blount had 6 carries for 23 yards.  While he may not have had impressive numbers at the end of the game, his presence on the field was a factor.

END OF HALF- Seattle's last possession was painful to watch.  First of all, we got greedy chasing after Russell Wilson and let him gain 17 yards.  Then the dreaded 23 yard reception combined with a 15 yard penalty to put them in the red zone.  Pete Carol called a ballsy play going for the touchdown and this time it paid off.  Heading into the half tied 14-14 when it could have easily been 17-7, was frustrating to say the least.

SECOND HALF CRAPPY START-  The defense unfortunately started where they left off in the half, giving up huge plays.  Luckily, they snapped out of it in time and managed to hold the Seahawks to a field goal.  Brady then suffered from brain fart #2 of the day giving the Seahawks some great field position.  Another big scramble by Wilson because we tried to get a sack and suddenly the Patriots are down by ten in a game they had been dominating. 

DOUBLE THREE AND OUT- Back to back three and outs and the game seemed to be going by rather quickly. 

JULIAN EDELMAN- Was the MVP in my opinion.  He made catches all game long especially down the stretch and on third downs.  Moreover, people outside of New England finally saw how tough he is.  Maybe with his new found fame he will actually pick up some 15 yard penalties for us next season.   

DANNY AMENDOLA- Completely showed up for the Superbowl and playoffs. 

LAST TWO DRIVES- After getting sacked, Tom Brady stepped up and did his job with some help from Shane Vereen and Brandon LaFell.   

CRAZY CATCH BY KEARSE- Like everyone else, I about died when Jermaine Kearse ended up with the ball.  My first thoughts were that it had to have hit the ground.  After the first replay it was obvious that the ball somehow never touched the turf.  My second thought was that maybe, just maybe he had a body part out of bounds since it was on the sideline.  Once again, the replay would not be my friend as the play was clearly in bounds.  As was probably the most common thing said after the catch, I kept muttering, "Are you F***ing kidding me?  You've got to be kidding me?"  Surely the football gods wouldn't do that to us again.  Knowing that the play was indeed a catch, I was filled with frustration and relief.  Frustration that Malcolm Butler made a great read on the ball and timed his play perfectly, yet the catch was inevitably made.  Frustration that Duron Harmon used great sportsmanship by hurdling over an opponent and yet was being punished by that same player ending up with a circus catch.  Relief that Butler didn't give up on the play and tackled Kearse.    

THE PICK BY BUTLER-  Talk about doing your job.  As you've all heard by now, Butler didn't make the play in that same situation in practice leading up to the game and heard about it from Belichick.  Perfect reaction, timing and hands by Butler on that play.  Still unbelievable.  With the interception coming right on the goal line and his initial momentum taking him out of the endzone, it's a good thing his teammates helped him down the ball outside of the endzone preventing a safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS- While there weren't any flashy special teams plays in the game, Stephen Gostkowski consistently booting the ball through the endzone was an important part of the game.  Ryan Allen also did a good job when called upon.  Had the Patriots not won, the incorrect call on roughing the kicker would have been another place to look at a play not going the Patriots' way.  But of course the Patriots get all the calls. 

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