IMO, Brady's pass to Stallworth= memorable play

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I know many will think I'm nuts to say this, but Brady's third quarter TD pass to Stallworth was one of my favorite passes of his career. Brady started out 1/7 to start the second half, with the Texans playing man coverage. The Texans, it appeared, had finally figured out the Pats and were doing everything to take away the short-mid passing game, especially over the middle of the field. Brady attempted to hit Stallworth a couple of times, and Lloyd a couple of times, in order to "take the top off" the defense.

The backstory, of course, it that Stallworth hasn't played an NFL game in a year and joined the team on Monday- he hasn't played with Brady in a game since 2007.

On 3rd and 10, almost everyone in the world was expecting a typical Patriots play, which is to play it safe, particularly with the lead. A screen to Hernandez; maybe a slant to Welker; or even a dumpoff to Woodhead. The concerning part, of course, is that come playoff time, teams realize this is the Patriots' strategy, and if there is a single knock on Brady, it's that he rarely gambles.

And if there is one thing that Brett Favre did better than Brady, it was that type of pass. A real f-you pass, the type of play that says "how dare you disrespect my arm."

Beautiful play, especially in the context of the game and in the greater context of the Patriots' offensive chinks. And of course, the rest of the game, the field opened up and the Patriots ran the ball down the Texans' throats.

 

[JFK]

Once Stallworth caught that pass I knew he'll break a tackle. Reminded me of 07

 

[Rusty Coupe]

That he caught it with one arm(his other was being held) and his chin made it outstanding.
Ultimate Texans » Painful loss leaves Texans with a lot to digest

 

[signbabybrady]

Definitely a great moment.

In the stands a few of us had talked about him being back and we were keeping an eye on him to see if/when they would try to work him in.

They did try a deep one to him a drive or two before this and he was more open but Brady threw it over one shoulder and he was looking over the other and they just missed it.

So we were really anxious for it at this point and then boom. Oddly enough they kind mixed up shoulders again but this time Stallworth veered instead of swithing shoulders and caught it with one arm. :rocker:

As expected with any TD we all went nuts but there was an added little atta boy Stallworth to the tone of the going nuts.

 

[37Harrison]

That play reminded me of the Pats/Dallas game in '07 when the two faced off as undefeated's in Dallas. The Cowboys were in the game the entire time until the Pats broke their back with that play. This wasn't exactly the same deal as the Pats were in control the whole time this game but to me it was reminiscent of that paly in Dallas.

 

[patchick]

That he caught it with one arm(his other was being held) and his chin made it outstanding.
Ultimate Texans » Painful loss leaves Texans with a lot to digest

Yep, that was no gimme throw or broken coverage -- it was pinpoint, and right in stride:

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

... one thing that Brett Favre did better than Brady, was throwing an interception on that type of pass, just because he wanted to throw it whether the opportunity was there or not. A real f-you pass, the type of play that says "how dare you disrespect my arm."

I added the bolded part, for accuracy.

What separates Brady from every other QB is the decision-making ability to not throw a low percentage f-you pass and to make the high percentage f-you pass, or the pass that just moves the chains.

 

[kennyb]

I was impressed that it was a one handed catch. Later on the sidelines, he looked like he'd pulled a hamstring a little bit. Maybe from being on the sidelines for 4 months.

 

[Chopblock CB]

I thought that catch and Welker's Dandy of a catch down the north side of the field were both memorable.

 

[aztecafut]

I was disappointed when he got cut before the season started and then again when he worked out for us a few weeks a go and left without a contract. I know a lot of people here say he's washed up but I always felt that he had just enough left in the tank to make opposing defenses respect his speed just enough to open up the field for us once is a while.

I was happy when we signed him last week, although it sucks that it was because of the loss of Edelman, and I was hoping that he would get a chance to prove himself on the field. Last night before the game I was telling my brother about that and that he might not have a big impact in the game. But that I had a very good feeling that he was going to make one big long play(thinking back to that 2007 Cowboys game as some body else mentioned) that would give BB enough confidence in him to keep him around a little longer this time. Of course, as soon as that play happened I went crazy with excitement in my living room and my brother just looked at me as if saying "Yeah ok ok.. You called it."

I'm hoping that play was only the beginning though and that he can contribute to our already potent offense going forward and going into the playoffs. If he can add that other small dimension to our Offense, with Gronk coming back healthy(hopefully) for the playoffs, and if things keep falling into place with our young emerging Defense, maybe this year we finally win that 4th Super Bowl that has been eluding us since 2006.

 

[RayClay]

I'm a glass half full guy anyway but, though Branch and Gaffney might be more dependable, I think Stallworth's skills fill a gap here much better. Obviously, he can go long, we're missing that.

He can also muscle away from a tackle for YAC on a short throw. A few plays a game can make a difference.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

one handed...that was stallworth of the old...glad to have him back

 

[northernpatriot]

I had posted this elsewhere, but perhaps more fitting here....

My favorite play of the night.... Texans (pro-bowl) left tackle comes across the line (with momentum) for a wham block on big Vince. VW stands him up, Texans rb (think it was Tate?) runs to where VW shouldnt be anymore, and Vince, with a (pro bowl) left tackle on his right arm, uses his left to take the ball carrier down. Awesome.

Reminds me of how I play fight with my little nephews.

 

[PatsFanNM]

Given how much attention was paid to the other pass interference calls, I was surprised no one mentioned the obvious DPI on this play. The reason it was a one-handed catch was that the defender had been hanging on to Stallworth's other arm for several strides, and didn't actually ever let go (until Stallworth ditched him).

Amazing play. Real determination, and skill, too. Great pass as well.

For what it's worth (not much, since only the referee on the field -- not all the ones in the announcers' booth -- makes any difference), I thought the DPI call on Welker's might-have-been catch down the left sideline was correct. The ball might have been overthrown, but when you knock the receiver off his route intentionally long before the ball arrives it's pretty hard to know whether the ball was catchable or not.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Awesome catch and weave run. Nice to see Brady lay it in there like that and Stallworth finishing. Makes other team's DC think even more with Lloyd & DS a long threat besides rest of arsenal.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Well That Didn't Long.......... Geez!

Donte' Stallworth of New England Patriots put on IR for ankle injury - ESPN Boston

 

[51Hits]

I sound like a broken record at this point but these ******ing injuries just don't stop. It's becoming every game a guy goes down for 4 weeks or IR.
Jones, Vollmer/Conolly/Edelman/Stallworth and that's just recently

 

[Dodie]

I don't know about yall but it reminded me of the play he made against Dallas way back in 07

 

[PittPatriot]

one handed...that was stallworth of the old...glad to have him back

I was too…then the IR came. I love the guys confidence. He may not have #1 talent anymore, but he seems to have the mindset.
I wish him a great recovery and if Santa can't get me a deepthreat in the draft…then I want Stallworth back next season!