How did Asante know to break on the ball to intercept Palmer/Johnson?

[Phokus]

On the play, Asante had Johnson blanketed and he broke to the left and intercepted Palmer... was that the scheme or did Asante know Palmer was going to throw to the left based on film study? I don't think he could've seen Palmer's eyes the way he was facing...

 

[FlyingElvis75]

Obviously he audiotaped Palmer's offensive call on that play.

Nah, I think Asante actually broke inside after the ball was released. CJ was too busy running his streak and fell down trying to change direction, I believe.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I think it was experieince, scheme and film study. If you look he had saftey help which would have picked up Johnson (not sure if he would have been covered) if he broke to the outside. Also being at the goaline you might as well break in front of the WR as being behind him in the endzone is useless.
That was a HUGE play which basically slated the game for the Pats. Asante is earning his 7 million, and it looks like he is going to "get paid" afterall.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

They were using walkie talkies.

 

[Major **********]

Why, that is a silly question.
We cheated of course. First of all we video taped him. Then we bugged one the D-linemen to get snapcounts and audibles. Then we had Neo, Morpheus and Trinity go into the Matrix and mess with their radio frequencies. Then we hired a psychic to read his mind. But then she quit because she said it was empty and dim in there and she was afraid of small confined empty spaces. When all that failed BB had to dial the Devil again and make another deal with him.

 

[Boston Boxer]

On the play, Asante had Johnson blanketed and he broke to the left and intercepted Palmer... was that the scheme or did Asante know Palmer was going to throw to the left based on film study? I don't think he could've seen Palmer's eyes the way he was facing...

it is a scheme they have run for a while. Remember when either Law or Rodney picked off Manning in a playoff game at NE. One of them cut infront of the WR break and the other had over the top coverage. Same thing happened when Asante broke in front of the WR, we had coverage over the top on that play as well.

 

[Tunescribe]

Asante knew what route Chad runs in that down-and-distance situation. Chad saw something in the coverage and broke off the route, Palmer threw the ball where Chad was originally supposed to go and Asante had a free shot at the ball. There was miscommunication between Chad and Palmer on the play re., their respective reads on the coverage.

 

[reflexblue]

On the play, Asante had Johnson blanketed and he broke to the left and intercepted Palmer... was that the scheme or did Asante know Palmer was going to throw to the left based on film study? I don't think he could've seen Palmer's eyes the way he was facing...

Whatever it was I'm starting to think that last year was no fluke,and maybe AS is worth the money. But I'm still going to wait a little longer to say Pay Asante.

 

[FlyingElvis75]

Just watched the video, and yes, it looks like the ball was in the air for quite a while before Asante turned inside. It looked like Johnson reacted to it, as well, but he fell down - not that it would have mattered, since Samuel had a better angle to it (he was about a step behind and inside of Johnson the whole way).

 

[FirstAndGoal]

In reality, it was a great defensive plan. If you watch the replay, they had it covered so it was a calculated risk. The safety had Chad if he broke outside. They must have recognized the play and worked it out in advance. I think the secondary is working better together than I've seen them since Ty Law days and it's only week 4. They are working like a single unit out there and seem to know exactly what the other one is doing and when they're going to do it.

 

[NYPatsFan]

Belichick used mental vibrations to force Palmer to throw the ball to Samuel. Belichick, ahead of the curve as always.

Phokus, the only one who can answer that question is Asante Samuel and as far as I know, no one has asked him. I've seen Ty Law do that on more than one occassion so I suspect it's something that is taught. Of course, it also requires recognition, experience and skill to pull it off.

Let me know if you find out.

 

[Mogamedogz]

You guys are reading WAYYY too much into it. Asante broke on the Pass after Palmer had already launched it. CJ wasn’t in a position to adjust quickly enough and change directions. Samuel (who was stalking tentatively because of the safety help) had a much easier time reacting to the throw.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I didn't say he broke before the throw but he did break right when the ball was coming out of his hand. He knew he was going to jump that route. It was designed if you watch the replay. All you have to do is watch the safety over the top. They were working together on that one.

 

[brusaxpeyton]

If we have learned nothing from the last couple of weeks it's that nothing good can happen on the football field without the aid of a video camera. There is absolutely no way that the Patriots can make a play, score a touchdown or gain positive yards without videotaping the other teams signals first. So there is your answer.


I hope you are picking up on my sarcasm.

 

[Na_polian]

They are working like a single unit out there and seem to know exactly what the other one is doing and when they're going to do it.

Maybe we are videotaping our own defensive signals?

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Maybe we are videotaping our own defensive signals?

Nope, I'm sure it's not preparation either. It has to be those mysterious audio frequencies. I think I saw an antena coming out of Asante's helmet.

 

[cstjohn17]

Obviously he audiotaped Palmer's offensive call on that play.

I am going to go with in helmet audio to Samuel plus a remote control ball...

Several people have nailed it he recognized the pattern and jumped the route, he waived to the Safety (Wilson) just before he made his move.

IMO Samuel is moving around well and is fast to react and understand the play. His value is magnified because of his thorough preparation and understanding of the system. Wilson seems a little late to react but I expect this to improve once Harrison returns.

The overall defensive communication has been outstanding, the LBs talking to each other, secondary instructing each other, etc. They are getting more used to playing as a unit and should only get better and better.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Originally Posted by FirstAndGoal
They are working like a single unit out there and seem to know exactly what the other one is doing and when they're going to do it.

How about when they all yelled "SCREEN" (at the same time)? It was so loud that it drowned out the crowd noise. I love it when they do that. :rocker:

 

[FirstAndGoal]

How about when they all yelled "SCREEN" (at the same time)? It was so loud that it drowned out the crowd noise. I love it when they do that. :rocker:

Yeah, I think that was the coaches yelling into the helmet mikes though. lol

But seriously, I don't think even other players in the league appreciate how well schooled these guys are. The coaching really shows up when some of these guys try to go to other teams and have the same kind of success without the coaching.

 

[godef]

On the play, Asante had Johnson blanketed and he broke to the left and intercepted Palmer... was that the scheme or did Asante know Palmer was going to throw to the left based on film study? I don't think he could've seen Palmer's eyes the way he was facing...

They gave you the answer on TV... he was "cheating" in that direction. :bricks:

I've always bragged how I can always tell my left from my right in only two tries... about half the time it takes two tries.

In other words, it was a 50-50 proposition. If Asante had guessed wrong, you wouldn't be asking that question. So it could have been film study, or it could have been just dumb luck. I tend to think the former, but somehow I doubt we'll ever know for sure.