Seau's play

[signbabybrady]

It came deep in the red zone. The play could have been a designed QB draw but I am pretty sure Seau was just in the backfield to get the RB before the ball was handed to him and Gerard had no choice but to keep it himself.

Pretty impressive play. Certainly Junior's best this season.

There was a week or two there where I wasn't sure if Junior didn't come back for one to many. But lately he has been playing more and making some tackles and now he has had his best play of the season I think he is starting to pick up his play and get himself ready for his last chance at a superbowl. I can see him making a few plays in the playoffs based on his instincts like he did on the above mentioned play or like he did on that pass break up VS the Chargers 2 years ago.

 

[JSn]

Even though Garrard escaped with the ball, that play was mighty impressive.

Is it legal to tackle the recipient of a fake hand-off hard, then? Because obviously, you can't just tackle anyone who doesn't have the ball. I was worried it would be a penalty somehow.

It came deep in the red zone. The play could have been a designed QB draw but I am pretty sure Seau was just in the backfield to get the RB before the ball was handed to him and Gerard had no choice but to keep it himself.

Pretty impressive play. Certainly Junior's best this season.

There was a week or two there where I wasn't sure if Junior didn't come back for one to many. But lately he has been playing more and making some tackles and now he has had his best play of the season I think he is starting to pick up his play and get himself ready for his last chance at a superbowl. I can see him making a few plays in the playoffs based on his instincts like he did on the above mentioned play or like he did on that pass break up VS the Chargers 2 years ago.

 

[MVPKiller]

Even though Garrard escaped with the ball, that play was mighty impressive.

Is it legal to tackle the recipient of a fake hand-off hard, then? Because obviously, you can't just tackle anyone who doesn't have the ball. I was worried it would be a penalty somehow.

I thought the same thing, because Junior almost killed that RB. I was waiting for the yellow to come flying in after that hit.

 

[Sicilian]

I thought the same thing, because Junior almost killed that RB. I was waiting for the yellow to come flying in after that hit.

He was on the RB so quickly after the fake handoff I don't think there was any way he could have stopped himself.

 

[Laurence Maroney's Dreads]

Even though Garrard escaped with the ball, that play was mighty impressive.

Is it legal to tackle the recipient of a fake hand-off hard, then? Because obviously, you can't just tackle anyone who doesn't have the ball. I was worried it would be a penalty somehow.

Yeah, it is. My (I admit, not scientific and purely outsider) understanding is that since play action and fake handoffs are designed to throw off the defense as to who has the ball, the defense can't be penalized for trying to take the fake ball handler out of the play. Of course I think this is subject to "reasonable time" provisions...

Like, for example, Seau's tackle yesterday was well within a reasonable time. He was flying to the runner well before it was clear who had the ball, and the runner was still going through the motions as if he still had the ball. However, if he were to jump out into the flat and wait for a screen pass, for example, we're definitely talking pass interference or defensive holding city if Seau were to blow him up at that point.

 

[xmarkd400x]

In high school, the 'waggle' play is a typical play that is run. It works by faking a hand-off to the RB, then the RB goes through the hole and runs to the flat to catch a pass. Against teams that ran waggle, we were told to tackle the running back as he ran through the hole.

I'm pretty sure that as long as there is some semblance of the ball being carried by somebody, you can tackle them. Otherwise that kind of deception would be a large part of NFL strategy.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yeah, it is. My (I admit, not scientific and purely outsider) understanding is that since play action and fake handoffs are designed to throw off the defense as to who has the ball, the defense can't be penalized for trying to take the fake ball handler out of the play. Of course I think this is subject to "reasonable time" provisions...

Like, for example, Seau's tackle yesterday was well within a reasonable time. He was flying to the runner well before it was clear who had the ball, and the runner was still going through the motions as if he still had the ball. However, if he were to jump out into the flat and wait for a screen pass, for example, we're definitely talking pass interference or defensive holding city if Seau were to blow him up at that point.

Just to add the other side to your breakdown of the legality. I am sure we all remember the Willie Mac's holding call that nullified Tebucky Jones TD fumble return in SB36 well that play was a fake handoff to Faulk however the fake was clearly over and he was heading to the flat when Willie Tackled him. I would say the call was made correctly too as he was faked out by the handoff and out of position but I think he knew it was a fake and tackled him to save his ass and not because he thought Faulk had the ball. He would have been wide open had Willie not.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

this is starting to feel like a team where everybody has a role...even if just for a couple of plays a game

 

[Sicilian]

this is starting to feel like a team where everybody has a role...even if just for a couple of plays a game

Agreed. And before he was signed, Seau said he could give us 6 good games... no coincidence that there are 2 regular season games left, and potentially 4 playoff games.

 

[justinb]

Agreed. And before he was signed, Seau said he could give us 6 good games... no coincidence that there are 2 regular season games left, and potentially 4 playoff games.

well, i dont know about you guys...but i was completely fooled on that play...i thought Seau made the tackle!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Seau will definitely play a role IMO. Hopefully he's a factor in the red zone again like in '07 when he came up big against SD inside the 5. That stop on 3rd and 1 saved the lead at that moment. In playoff games 1 or 2 clutch plays like that can make a world of a difference.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Just to add the other side to your breakdown of the legality. I am sure we all remember the Willie Mac's holding call that nullified Tebucky Jones TD fumble return in SB36 well that play was a fake handoff to Faulk however the fake was clearly over and he was heading to the flat when Willie Tackled him. I would say the call was made correctly too as he was faked out by the handoff and out of position but I think he knew it was a fake and tackled him to save his ass and not because he thought Faulk had the ball. He would have been wide open had Willie not.

The best part was when Willie Mac complained to the ref that he'd been doing it all game. I saw the replay and the official clearly made the right call. We were lucky we didn't get a lot more penalty's on Willie if he truly had been doing it all game long.

 

[Sporin]

It was a great play, Seau did his job. As long as the runner is still pretending to have the ball and pretending to run a running play he is fair game.

As noted above, once the runner stops pretending and swings out for a pass things change, but as it was yesterday, it was clean as clean gets.

I think Seau was brought in for THIS run, the last couple of games, then fresh and ready to lead and produce int eh playoffs.

 

[signbabybrady]

The best part was when Willie Mac complained to the ref that he'd been doing it all game. I saw the replay and the official clearly made the right call. We were lucky we didn't get a lot more penalty's on Willie if he truly had been doing it all game long.

Don't worry he was doing it legally all game. You can still hit the back coming out of the backfield once you know it is a fake you just can't tackle him anymore. Its like a bump on a reciever at the line of scrimmage you have the 5 yard cushion where you can contact (back then it was more like 7+ yards). Willie and Vrabel made sure to chip on Faulk all game and it was a key aspect of the defensive gameplan. But that one play I alluded to he clearly tackled him after it seemed pretty clear he wasn't the ball carrier.

 

[jsull87]

well, i dont know about you guys...but i was completely fooled on that play...i thought Seau made the tackle!

yeah same. very impressive play tho

 

[Patjew]

well, i dont know about you guys...but i was completely fooled on that play...i thought Seau made the tackle!

Me too. I was like, why are they tackling the QB, the play is over.

 

[Calciumee]

well, i dont know about you guys...but i was completely fooled on that play...i thought Seau made the tackle!

I was like 'YEAHHHH... oh... wait!!!'

 

[captain stone]

The more snaps that Junior takes from the weak-tackling Gary Guyton, the happier I'll be; and the more successful the defense will be, I believe.

 

[satz]

Seau is a true SILB at the LOS LB. sadly guyton and mayo are not. Its not a knock i would move mayo to the SILB and just get a big slow bruiser to play on the line.