Fencer
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2006
- Messages
- 14,293
- Reaction score
- 3,986
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.
After looking at the pics in http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/threads/great-pick-pics.1117459/, I agree that Hightower was most likely just trying to be around the ball, perhaps even catching it off a bobble to finish the INT if needed.