Quote:What if Marshawn Lynch did get the ball and got tackled for a loss? The Patriots had four linemen and four linebackers, obviously expecting Russell Wilson to give the ball to Lynch, so that could have happened if the coaches called a run play. Darrelle Revis said he was shocked a pass was called on second down.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...as-shocked

 

Yes, I know chances of getting in are almost 100% from only one yard out, but there are no guarantees in football. Lynch also could have fumbled on the exchange. People are not thinking enough when they say, "If Lynch gets the ball he scores." If Lynch gets the ball he probably scores.

 

Also, why is everything about Lynch? It seems like nobody thinks about the fact Wilson can run too. What about that thing called a quarterback sneak, which is often used in this situation? What about a bootleg or draw? Any kind of run play would be good enough whether the runner wears #3 or #24. In fact the absolute safest play would have been a quarterback keeper, not giving it to Lynch.

 

We had this exact same conversation at the SB party I was at. The unanimous consensus among us 40-something football fans of varying degrees of football acumen was: Run it and live with the consequences.

 

Let's say for the sake of argument that they ran Lynch and he got stuffed or put the football on the ground. I'd be OK with that. That is a matter of poor execution instead of a boneheaded playcall. Marshawn Lynch averages 2.53 yards after contact as I remember reading recently. They needed 1 yard. I'd take my chances relying on my strong suit (running the football). Simply put, you put the football in the hands one of your best offensive playmakers and let the chips fall where they may. In this instance, that was either Wilson or Lynch...and that takes nothing away from Baldwin, Kearse, Willson or David Tyree Chris Matthews. Hell, as has been cited previously, a Matthews fade would've been a good call, even if it didn't work.


But a slant? Really?

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