On Butler's interception - what was Hightower doing?

I can't find a good gif of it but as this progresses you see Hightower actually grab and move Butler's arm. Even though I know it all works out ok, every time I watch I wince at the thought of Hightower making Butler fumble and what our lives would be like today.

Maybe when Butler caught it the ball was not all the way out of the endzone so he could have stayed in it for a touchback? It's really hard to say. Anyone got any good angles on it?

He was trying to keep him in the endzone for the touchback. I believe Butler said that he wasn't sure and wanted to get as far out as he could. Still there is a little bobble there that made me a tiny bit nervous that they wouldn't consider it a catch.

if i had to guess he was trying to keep him in the endzone/knock him to the ground to prevent him from losing the ball.

aka securing the victory

I thought he was simply making sure Butler went to the ground also.

I think he was trying to make sure Butler didn't fumble the ball as he fell to the ground!

he was trying to make sure butler would land on lockette.

I think he was trying to molest Butler and grab his pecker.

He was doing his job.

Raymond said:

I thought he was simply making sure Butler went to the ground also.

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This can be done without grabbing the forearm of the ball-carrying arm.

It's not a big deal I was mostly just wondering if anyone else saw it too.

Find any Patriot or Patriot fan reaction video of butler's interception. I think the question, "what are they doing?" applies to every one.

The answer: they're freaking out... and Hightower had the closest seat of anyone in the world.

He's trying his best to secure possession.

chasa said:

if i had to guess he was trying to keep him in the endzone/knock him to the ground to prevent him from losing the ball.

aka securing the victory

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Yeah, it looked to me that Butler was off-balance coming out of the end zone and Hightower gently pushed him down to end the play and make sure the ball was secured. Butler actually had at least one foot at about the 1 yard line when he made the catch, then the collision knocked him back into the end zone and he stumbled forward.

Even when Butler got himself in great position, even making the catch from that point was pretty amazing especially when you consider 'the hit' between he and Lockett.

Given that he could have easily have dropped the ball, could you imagine how we would all feel with having that 'opportunity' run through our minds ALL off season (and beyond)? We'd all be thinking 'imagine how awesome that would have been if he did catch?"

but guess what, HE DID!!!!! I still can't get over how amazing that was and that THAT really happened.

Odds had to swing back our way after those last two SB losses. There were telltale signs as this season progressed that the stars were aligning. The gauntlet was good for our guys. Glad it wasn't a cupcake regular season followed by a smash in the face playoff loss. I still want to beat Rogers. Wonder how that would have played out. Hope our battle hardened veterans get the Pack next Super Bowl after we blow out the Colts and Broncos in the playoffs.

Tunescribe said:

Yeah, it looked to me that Butler was off-balance coming out of the end zone and Hightower gently pushed him down to end the play and make sure the ball was secured. Butler actually had at least one foot at about the 1 yard line when he made the catch, then the collision knocked him back into the end zone and he stumbled forward.

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All that matters is where the ball is when he catches it. And it's hard to say if any of the ball is within the white line. If it is it's a touchback. At worst if he gets tackled in the endzone they would rule forward progress at the half yard line or rule the touchback after review. I think Butler did the right thing in trying to gain as many yards as he could since they just needed a few to be able to kneel. Unfortunately he didn't get enough, plus the celebration penalty. Still freaking awesome!

Although I'm more curious about something else. Chandler Jones is tasked with covering Marshawn Lynch. I'm afraid he was getting open in the endzone but I'm not sure since Jones has a lot of length and height. Anyone got any opinions on that?

Wheelman said:

All that matters is where the ball is when he catches it. And it's hard to say if any of the ball is within the white line. If it is it's a touchback. At worst if he gets tackled in the endzone they would rule forward progress at the half yard line or rule the touchback after review. I think Butler did the right thing in trying to gain as many yards as he could since they just needed a few to be able to kneel. Unfortunately he didn't get enough, plus the celebration penalty. Still freaking awesome!

Although I'm more curious about something else. Chandler Jones is tasked with covering Marshawn Lynch. I'm afraid he was getting open in the endzone but I'm not sure since Jones has a lot of length and height. Anyone got any opinions on that?

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I saw that. Lynch would have been open in half a second.

I keep looking at Collins in the endzone after the pick. Everyone is losing their minds, and he looks like he's enjoying a stroll through a quiet park. I laugh everytime I see it.

To be honest with you guys, I thought Butler was in the process of dropping the ball, I'm wondering if Hightower was trying to help secure the ball. After the pick, its almost like Butler is bobbling the ball and trying to switch hands, as he goes to the ground, it almost looks like his own leg starts to knock the ball out. I almost felt like he was losing the ball, which would have been an incomplete pass, Hightower jumps on him and the ball never comes out. I think the pile and camera angle blocks any view of a possible drop, and honestly I thank God that it did. I almost expected a challenge, but the camera angle and pile up would have made the call on the field stand, because honestly, its almost impossible to see if Butler comes to the ground with or without possession of the ball. Amazing catch by Butler regardless, considering the simultaneous violent collision with Lockette.

"fly into my arms malcom"

JFK said:

I saw that. Lynch would have been open in half a second.

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Lynch was blanketed on the play and didn't get "open" until after the interception had already been made.