How has your attitude toward Welker's SB46 non-catch changed since the game?

Let us please keep in mind that Wes Welker, even with all of his remarkable talent, is a human being.

Where is the 'hasn't changed' option? A lot of things went right in that game and some things went wrong. Had one or two of the things that went wrong gone right, the Patriots would be champs right now.

One of the things that went wrong was that catch. It wasn't the best throw, but a lot of receivers could have made the catch -- including the guy that didn't. Welker isn't to blame for the loss, but he sure would have gotten a lot of credit for the win if he had made that catch.

As many times as I have watched the clip, I never think he couldn't have made it. I don't blame him for the loss, but he bears responsibility. Nothing has changed since the night of the game. Still can't believe they didn't win...still can't believe he didn't pull that ball down.

Had Welker made the catch, had there been a parade, and had Patriots Nation spent the off season talking about that amazing catch and the rebirth of a dynasty, Welker would have had a lot more leverage in his contract negotiations. I'm certain of that.

My attitude towards the non-catch has not changed at all.

wizwor said:

Where is the 'hasn't changed' option?

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I agree that there should be one.

Unfortunately, I can't edit the poll, so "hasn't changed" has to be indicated in a post, as you have done.

Blame is a funny thing.

Do I blame Wes Welker for the loss? No, it was a tough play and he just didn't make it. It's a play that HE usually makes but by no means was a 'gimme'.

However, do I feel that we would have won the game if that catch was made. ABSOLUTELY!

Therefore, I'm not sure if that is blame by elimination.

one more note....

Even IF (notice, big if) we all agreed that this was THE PLAY that decided the game, I think most of us can live with the lack of execution of a play of that degree of difficulty. It's easier to take than what the Ravens had to deal with (missed chip shot FG).

Changed? No, he should have caught it. it was a poor throw that he should have caught. Do I blame him solely for the loss? Of course not. Brady made a terrible decision on the safety (still cant believe they actually called that) and severely under threw Gronk. They also didn't capitalize on the Giants putting the ball on the turf a couple times and the one time they did it got called back by a penalty. Then you have Mayo completely whiffing on the TD pass in the first quarter.

That said I'll go to my grave saying that if Gronk is healthy we win that game going away. Same as Brady in 07, that high ankle sprain killed his pocket mobility.

brdmaverick said:

one more note....

Even IF (notice, big if) we all agreed that this was THE PLAY that decided the game, I think most of us can live with the lack of execution of a play of that degree of difficulty. It's easier to take than what the Ravens had to deal with (missed chip shot FG).

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Yeah, this is my take. A catch could well have locked up the game. But there were many plays to be made afterward. Just like when the Raiders and their fans complain about the Tuck call -- lots of opportunities to make a play after that.

I didn't blame him then, and I don't blame him now.

I love Wes Welker, and he is the perfect player and personality for the New England Patriots. I would never blame anyone for losing a game for a physical mistake, provided they were playing at full effort, and I don't think that once in four years has it ever crossed my mind that Wes wasn't going all out. The catch was difficult- he probably should have made it but didn't. There were lots of plays that could have been made but weren't by a lot of players. I'm not 100% convinced we would have won if he had made the catch- we are completely snakebitten against the Giants, and they obviously have the mental edge over us.

Even if Wes leaves the team now, I'll always consider him a truly great New England Patriot. There is nothing not to like about this guy; he handles himself as a true professional and bounces back up every time. The only real tragedy would be if Wes does not win a Super Bowl ring- lord knows he is among the most deserving players in the league, consistently being one of the best players on field while playing for a team that expects to go 14-2 every year. Those expectations are not easy to deal with.

wizwor said:

Where is the 'hasn't changed' option? A lot of things went right in that game and some things went wrong. Had one or two of the things that went wrong gone right, the Patriots would be champs right now.

One of the things that went wrong was that catch. It wasn't the best throw, but a lot of receivers could have made the catch -- including the guy that didn't. Welker isn't to blame for the loss, but he sure would have gotten a lot of credit for the win if he had made that catch.

As many times as I have watched the clip, I never think he couldn't have made it. I don't blame him for the loss, but he bears responsibility. Nothing has changed since the night of the game. Still can't believe they didn't win...still can't believe he didn't pull that ball down.

Had Welker made the catch, had there been a parade, and had Patriots Nation spent the off season talking about that amazing catch and the rebirth of a dynasty, Welker would have had a lot more leverage in his contract negotiations. I'm certain of that.

My attitude towards the non-catch has not changed at all.

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We were up 17-15 at that point. A field goal still makes it 20-15. Welker would have come down at around the 20, so it would not have been a sure 7 points.

There were plenty of plays that could have sealed the game. Not sure if you can pin it on one admittedly difficult non-catch.

Let's remember that earlier in the season the Giants marched down the field and scored in the final 1:30 to beat us on our home field, and there was also a game I seem to recall in Arizona where we led by more than a FG in the final minutes.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

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Let's remember that earlier in the season the Giants marched down the field and scored in the final 1:30 to beat us on our home field, and there was also a game I seem to recall in Arizona where we led by more than a FG in the final minutes.

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Sadly the excruciatingly unstoppable march downfield by the opposing offense late in playoff games has been far too prevalent in recent Pats history, back to the AFCCG in Indy. Thank god for Lee Evans (and Sterling Moore).

I voted "Hasn't Changed"...oops. Anyway, still think he should have caught it.

Go watch the David Patten TD catch in the Rams Superbowl so if a journeyman receiver can make that catch don't tell me a receiver people keep saying is great could not make the catch.

I think that many great WR's have had mishaps and dropped balls over the yrs, and sometimes that happens in the big game unfortunately.

I think it was much more Welker's fault than Brady's, but these things happen and it's time to move on.

There are always plenty of plays left on the field + missed opportunities when you lose the big game, and this is a prime example of that. Losing the SB in consecutive fashion in the last minute of the game hurts, but what can you do?

I'm tired of looking backwards, it's time to focus on the upcoming season.

The runner up got significantly better during the off season, and that's all you can ask. They are a dominant force right now, but that said, anything can happen when you put a bunch of good teams in a tournament. You're going to need some luck, or completely dominant play. In this case the NYG showed both on some level throughout their playoff run, depending upon their matchup.

Haven't watched any film from the game since.

And to be honest I couldn't remember what the "dropped" catch was that every one was so upset about. None had come to mind.

And after watching that clip, I still feel the same. Certainly not impossible, but that would have been an impressive reception. It wasn't the best throw.

And it's a 60 minute team game, one play doesn't decide anything.

My attitude has not changed at all.

1) Why am I looking at just 1 play? If the other, I'm guessing, 70 other snaps were good we would not be focusing on one play.

2) Bad throw. Yes, he's made similar catches to that before. Each one is an good, acrobatic catch. If he made that catch it'd be him catching despite Brady's bad throw turning him around.

BTW, thanks for making me watch that again, @$$H01&.

I don't think even Asante got as much slack from fans in SB 42 on a pass he should have intercepted and ended that game

Who are the 12 people who voted for option 1? Care to come forward and explain your reasoning?

Mosi Moose said:

Wish he caught it, but too many other opptys over the course of the 4thQ to blame him for the loss.

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Exactly! Would have been wonderful...

Mountain_Commando said:

Who are the 12 people who voted for option 1? Care to come forward and explain your reasoning?

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It's a public poll. Please don't encourage the dozen of them them to post more nonsense...