The most clutch play of Tom Brady’s Super Bowl career is the one nobody noticed

[Boomer B]

The most clutch play of Tom Brady’s Super Bowl career is the one nobody noticed

A forgotten play, but the first SB win may not happen without it.

 

[bormio]

When I saw the title, I knew it was this play. JR Redmond's 2 catches on this drive were huge, especially getting OOB on the 2nd catch.

 

[Uncle Rico]

2001 St. Louis Rams Roster | The Football Database

Funny I actually remember jaworski on his show - whatever it was called back then, back before it became all about showy glitz and volume - highlighted that play.

Thing is I remember it being Leonard Little, and that might be right. According to this roster, Winstrom was 98, bottom right in the video. Little was 91, which might be the number of the guy reaching for Brady.

Edit: and I think belichick has said that if that first play didn't work, they would have just run out the clock.

 

[bormio]

Redmond was not the first look. Has anyone ever said what Brady's first read was on that play?

 

[Kontradiction]

I respectfully disagree. This was the finest Super Bowl play of Brady's career (and the most pivotal of his 4th ring)...



@Ian can I please make this my sig again?

 

[bormio]

I respectfully disagree. This was the finest Super Bowl play of Brady's career (and the most pivotal of his 4th ring)...



@Ian can I please make this my sig again?

But this play will never been forgotten, and really is more about JE11.

 

[Kdo5]

I respectfully disagree. This was the finest Super Bowl play of Brady's career (and the most pivotal of his 4th ring)...



@Ian can I please make this my sig again?

Which was only made better by the fact that Collinsworth was spewing crap about making Brady look into his eyes and deny that he deflated footballs. Perfect timing.

 

[Kontradiction]

But this play will never been forgotten, and really is more about JE11.

JE had a lot to do with it too. He took some punishment for that one. But, given the momentum, down and distance, and what was at stake, this was the most clutch throw of Brady's career.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Not a bad article or case made, but I don't know if I agree. But whatever. I just wanted to say that from this point forward I am automatically dismissing any article or person who says any variation of "one of the - if not the greatest..." or "arguably the greatest..." or "top three..." Anyone who refuses to say Brady is THEE greatest QB of all time is simply a f*cling hater. You're either with us or against us at this point. There's no more in between. It's not Montana. It's certainly not Manning. And it's not Elway or Favre either. It's one man and one man only. He wears uggs and the #12. He bears the TB12 logo. And he's going for #5 in a little over one week.

 

[luuked]

But this play will never been forgotten, and really is more about JE11.

I think you are underrating the footwork of Brady to climb the pocket and simultaneously place the ball a bit. But if we punt there it's almost game over.

 

[ChessToCheckers]

Wow! With SO MANY clutch plays throughout his career, I think his greatest clutch play is his NEXT clutch play.

 

[nabwong]

Not a bad article or case made, but I don't know if I agree. But whatever. I just wanted to say that from this point forward I am automatically dismissing any article or person who says any variation of "one of the - if not the greatest..." or "arguably the greatest..." or "top three..." Anyone who refuses to say Brady is THEE greatest QB of all time is simply a f*cling hater. You're either with us or against us at this point. There's no more in between. It's not Montana. It's certainly not Manning. And it's not Elway or Favre either. It's one man and one man only. He wears uggs and the #12. He bears the TB12 logo. And he's going for #5 in a little over one week.

Never really heard it this way before.

Brady, THEE Goat.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I respectfully disagree. This was the finest Super Bowl play of Brady's career (and the most pivotal of his 4th ring)...



@Ian can I please make this my sig again?

Great play. And, one of the most important to the Pats. But, it was third down and, as someone else observed, Jules makes a great catch (if it had happened on fourth down with five minutes left and down 10, I might agree with you). There were still 11 minutes left in the game and a lot of things could have happened. But, without the Redmond play, we don't know what would have happened if they were facing second and 17 with less than a minute to go when they got back to the huddle. That play gave them momentum and hope.

 

[SussexPatFan]

We're lucky to be able to argue over which play in which Super Bowl win is the greatest. And in 10 days time, I'll bet there'll be something else to add to the debate.

 

[bormio]

I think you are underrating the footwork of Brady to climb the pocket and simultaneously place the ball a bit. But if we punt there it's almost game over.

It was a terrific play by Brady. JE holding on to that ball after getting trucked was unbelievable.

 

[Kontradiction]

Great play. And, one of the most important to the Pats. But, it was third down and, as someone else observed, Jules makes a great catch (if it had happened on fourth down with five minutes left and down 10, I might agree with you). There were still 11 minutes left in the game and a lot of things could have happened. But, without the Redmond play, we don't know what would have happened if they were facing second and 17 with less than a minute to go when they got back to the huddle. That play gave them momentum and hope.

If they don't make that play, they punt the ball and give it back to the Seahawks who had all the momentum at that point. Momentum is a very real thing in sports as any professional athlete will tell you. That play, on top of moving the chains and eventually leading to a score, essentially snatched the momentum back from the Seahawks. It was easily the most important play of that game. I think the Redmond play comes in at a close second. Just my opinion.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Never really heard it this way before.

Brady, THEE Goat.

I was feeling pretty emotional about it, Nab. Lol

 

[PatsFanSince74]

If they don't make that play, they punt the ball and give it back to the Seahawks who had all the momentum at that point. Momentum is a very real thing in sports as any professional athlete will tell you. That play, on top of moving the chains and eventually leading to a score, essentially snatched the momentum back from the Seahawks. It was easily the most important play of that game. I think the Redmond play comes in at a close second. Just my opinion.

I do know what "momentum" is...
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this particular set of choices, but I'm sure we can agree that it's great that we have a selection of such great plays to debate which is the most important...

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I think you are underrating the footwork of Brady to climb the pocket and simultaneously place the ball a bit. But if we punt there it's almost game over.

Agree on the footwork...in fact, when you look at both plays, it's amazing that 13 years later he is just as spry in the pocket.

We part ways on your conclusion. You do hedge yourself a bit by putting "almost" before "game over," but 10:50, with all three time outs, is an eternity in a game where 30 seconds can be a lifetime...I mean in the example offered, we are talking about a drive that took 70 seconds (plus seven for the kick itself) with no time outs.

 

[Pats1989]

It was 3rd down when J.E. made that catch. It's possible they go for it on 4th down if it doesn't work out.

That Rams near strip play definitely was huge. I realized how big it was. If Brady has to fall on the ball, we go to O.T. Worse was the thought of the Rams taking over.

Not sure if this is talked about enough: Josh Miller punt in SB 39 to pin the Eagles at the 1 with less than a minute remaining. I knew it was game over.