Ben Watson tackle of Champ Bailey, 2005 playoffs at Denver

[New England Pride]

Does anyone recall a study being done by either Yale or Harvard on this play? My Google search isn't finding it, but I believe this film was studied by a college and it was determined the play was a touchback and not down on the 1 yard line. Does anyone recall who didn't this study?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I thought it was an MIT guy

 

[Pats1989]

Unfortunately it was an amazing play that gets lost because A) It wasn't a touchback like should've been called and B) Denver won. That said, I don't think they win the SB that season with a win.over Denver. It was a very flawed team.

 

[jmt57]

Watson talks about the play on NFLN:

Benjamin Watson breaks down legendary tackle against Champ Bailey: 'No way' it wasn't touchback


On top of the extra distance he had to run, Watson was slowed down by a screen by one of the officials at midfield that slowed him down a bit, that prevented him from getting there a split second sooner.

 

[Wheelman]

Watson talks about the play on NFLN:

Benjamin Watson breaks down legendary tackle against Champ Bailey: 'No way' it wasn't touchback


On top of the extra distance he had to run, Watson was slowed down by a screen by one of the officials at midfield that slowed him down a bit, that prevented him from getting there a split second sooner.

Loved the youtube video with the Donkeys players even asking who tackled him. And then they were like #84. The tight end?!!??!?!

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Amazing play to run him down..gave it 120% to get there

 

[Biffins]

Fun fact: In the pictures adorning the Patriots complex (hallways etc), the only picture from a loss is of this play. Since BB always prizes the win above all individual accomplishments, he didn't want any pictures of any players or plays from a loss but made an exception for this one.

 

[NashuaPats]

I don't remeber exactly, but there were definitely some Ivy Leaguers who proved it was a touch back. Watching it on replay it obviously was. That said, I don't blame the refs because you can't expect them to develop Ivy League level diagrams on the spot and none of the video clearly showed it. You could envision it in your mind, but that wasn't enough to overturn a very difficult call on the field. This bothered me for a long time, but two more Super Bowl wins have aleved me of that.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

No need for any study. It was clearly a touchback in both live action and in the replays.

The problem was that the ref that day was Jeff Tripplette, the only ref more incompetent than Jerome Boger. And the only ref to blind a player, too.

 

[Kdo5]

Ben Watson just totally won me over as a player with this, as well as when he shed like four tackles for a long ass TD in the playoffs.

 

[Pats1989]

I don't remeber exactly, but there were definitely some Ivy Leaguers who proved it was a touch back. Watching it on replay it obviously was. That said, I don't blame the refs because you can't expect them to develop Ivy League level diagrams on the spot and none of the video clearly showed it. You could envision it in your mind, but that wasn't enough to overturn a very difficult call on the field. This bothered me for a long time, but two more Super Bowl wins have aleved me of that.

That call gets overturned if the game is in New England. I have no doubts about it. It was a hometown call. First ever huge mistake by Brady in the playoffs.

 

[JoeB]

That call gets overturned if the game is in New England. I have no doubts about it. It was a hometown call. First ever huge mistake by Brady in the playoffs.

I remember thinking it was touchback too. Amazing hustle by watson.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Always liked & rooted for the guy, even post Pats.

 

[Biffins]

Always liked & rooted for the guy, even post Pats.

Yeah I liked him too. And I get it that not all 1st rd draft picks will be Pro Bowlers, but he always seemed to not live up to his potential. He had an ok career.

I just realized he's still active...........

 

[captain stone]

Unfortunately it was an amazing play that gets lost because A) It wasn't a touchback like should've been called and B) Denver won. That said, I don't think they win the SB that season with a win.over Denver. It was a very flawed team.

Even if the ruling had been a touchback, the Pats offense and the criminally incompetent zebras would've found a way to lose that game.

 

[captain stone]

Yeah I liked him too. And I get it that not all 1st rd draft picks will be Pro Bowlers, but he always seemed to not live up to his potential. He had an ok career...

Yep, Karlos Dansby (who's also still active) should've been the pick at 32. If Watson wasn't available at 63, Chris Cooley was.

 

[CheekyDave]

Back when the League and the refs made it impossible to win a game in Denver. Remember watching this play and thinking no way in a BILLION years they call that correctly a touchback. and AMAZED that Watson is still in the league was he 18 years old that year?

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Amazing play to run him down..gave it 120% to get there

and bailey was only 80% at the end