You must not have played much football then. I played safety all throughout high school and, believe me, when a football is coming right at you with no WR in sight, your INSTINCT is to intercept it. Just like when you're in a fist fight. People watching can tell you everything you should be doing, but the bottom line is that you're going to do what instinct tells you to do.
If I were a Chargers fan, I wouldn't be pissed at MacCree (sp?). Hindsight is 100% and it's easy to sit back from the comfort of your couch and say "Oh yeah, I would have done that". Believe me, NOBODY in that same situation would have batted that pass down. Not even you.
Yeah, I would. ANy football player who plays smart football would. it is instinct to catch a ball. But situational football requires thinking.
I played football in high school, and catching a ball in that situation would get whoever did it benched.
Have you been to Patriots spring training? Ever see the return team practice onside kicks?
As soon as the guy grabs the ball, he drops to the ground. That is because once he does that, there is no chance of a turnover.
Macree actually committed two sins. After he caught the ball, if he was a smart football player who understood situational football, he would have dropped to the ground. Chargers win.
And don't tell me that anyone would run with the ball. Not true. At tne end of the game, I've seen Patriots catch the ball and drop. Samual once ran to the sidelines when no one was within 20 yards. Why? Because as soon as he did, Brady came out, took a knee, and we won the game. Rodney Harrison after intercepting McNabb at teh end of the superbowl immediately dropped to the turf and gave himself up. Why? Because he is a better football player than Macree and knew than once he fit the ground, the game was over. They wer smart enough to know what to do. Macree wasn't. Had Harrison tried to run with the ball, and had it stripped, and the Eagles then won the game, Harrison would have been criticized by everyone in New England. Rightfully so. But evidently most NE fans are smarter than Charger fans. Most.
Anyone can be wrong, Kontradiction. Macree was and you are. But the real sin in when someone tells you what is right, and you are not only to dumb to see it, you insult the person who knows.
Oh, and you are wrong about fistfights, also. Just because someone punches you does not mean instinct takes over. Players are taught not to retaliate when hit on the football field and basketball court. Why? Because it is smart ball playing. let the other guy get the foul.
Don't give me that crap that it was okay what macree did. It cost the Chargers the game, and was a mistake that high school players are taught not to make. Some high school players. You were just a lousy safety if you would catch that ball and run with it.