Welker’s play was actually legal because the contact came at the same time the ball arrived.
The zebras were calling the game a bit loose, anyway. That always bothers me, the notion they have that a game shouldn’t be decided by a ref’s call - because that means it’s okay to have it decided by the *lack *of one. The fact that it’s deep into the playoffs should *not *mean that the rules are suspended.
But you do have to play the game the way it’s being officiated.
Well hold onto that highlight, because I can’t recall Belichick ever making a public complaint about an opposing player’s actions before. This one stands out, which leads me to believe that Welker may have said something to BB as they walked off the field. Belichick even prohibits his players from making public remarks about other teams – no need to provide motivation. Ironically, 3 years ago, he punished Welker for using a bunch of “foot” puns in an interview about Rex Ryan (after the foot fetish films were discovered.)
BB may be a hard-assed competitor, but he usually doesn’t let it show in public.
Media is one thing. Mature, level headed players and coaches are another. I won’t worry about it myself.
Talk is often annoying, but it should have little real game effect at this level. In high school, sure, he would get in some guy’s head. But, how many extra yards and TDs did Randy Moss ever get by rubbing his ass on the goal posts?
ymmv, as usual
Okay, can somebody explain “pick play” to me?
Two receivers in the same vicinity run routes wherein one receiver gets in the way of the cornerback who’s supposed to be covering the other receiver. The term “pick” is the same usage as in basketball, where you set a pick for the player with the ball by blocking his defender.
I HATE the “pick” rule! Stay with your assignment! If the guy eludes you, good for him!
Thanks 
A little bit more on pick plays, and the fine line between legal and illegal picks. As the article (which was written last week) notes, both the Broncos and the Patriots use the play frequently.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/15/new-england-patriots-denver-broncos-afc-championship-game-pick-plays/
Re: The Sherman interview
I’ve watched a lot of football and MMA, etc. and I can’t recall ever hearing something like that. I’ve watched countless UFC fights where guys trash-talked before, beat the crap out of each other, and then hugged and showed respect for each other after the fight. Have any of you seen anything like that before? (Pro wrestling doesn’t count)
And from the same site that Kenobi linked to I found this: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/20/richard-sherman-interview-michael-crabtree/
Cassius Clay vs Liston, 1964
Muhammad Ali vs Liston, 1965
Muhammad Ali vs Patterson, 1965
Muhammad Ali vs Foreman, 1974
Muhammad Ali vs Frazier, 1973, '75
I think I see a pattern here… OK, OTHER than Ali…
Quick comment to anyone pointing the finger at Kaep and saying he cost the 49ers the game.
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Yes, a better QB could have won that game. That’s true of every game. A better WR or a better RB could have been the difference between winning and losing too.
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Kaep made some mistakes, but he also was the only offense the 49ers had. Cam Newton might have been the only other QB (and I even doubt that) who could have converted some of those first downs with his legs. He ran for 130 yards with a 12 yard average, several times on 3rd and long. The strip sack was a killer and that’s on Kaep, but on balance he did more positive than negative. How much success did Drew Brees have against that defense?
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The last INT wasn’t on Kaep. The situation called for him to make a play and he almost did. If you watch that play, Sherman was flat out beat. Kaep made a excellent throw that would have been a game winning TD if not for a great/lucky play by Sherman. Sherman made a amazing effort to recover from being out of position but that his hand got between the ball and target was half-luck and half skill. I’d say the bigger issue is that Crabtree didn’t high point the ball, he got caught up in shoving off Sherman when he should have been out leaping him. That play was executed and read well by Kaep, that as the right place to go with the ball in that situation. Brandon Marshall, Megatron, Demarius Thomas, Fitzy, those guys make that catch. Crabtree simply isn’t in that class yet and on that play he needed to be.
"I turned the ball over three times. I cost us this game,”
Take your argument up with Kaepernick himself.
Yeah, Kap was the reason they had a shot at the end to begin with, and also the reason they didn’t win. The final throw wasn’t particularly egregious; it would have worked against almost any corner not named Richard Sherman. It was the other pick, and especially the two from-behind strip sacks that were bigger mistakes.
It was good to hear him blame himself. The 49ers window is still open, and he’ll have to learn from his mistakes if they want to get back to the Super Bowl.
I liked that the old “ownerships” resurfaced this year. Something about that is pleasing to me, especially so because Peyton switched teams among the trio and kept it going:
Broncos own the Patriots
Patriots own the Colts
(Colts own the Broncos)
That last matchup didn’t happen this year (in the playoffs) but no doubt Peyton would have broken it.
I have not ever listened to anything like that, hence my outrage. That shit talking should be left on the field and in the locker room. Embarrassing Erin Andrews on the sideline was just low class, whether you’re jacked up or not. Show some fucking class in victory, just like you would in defeat. You are a highly paid professional.
Ms. Andrews can handle it. It wasn’t that bad.
Yes, I know she can. It wasn’t about embarrassing HER…it was how he embarrassed HIMSELF, regardless of his retractions today (which were obvious). It WAS that bad. I have never heard a player talk up himself and talk down to an opposing player that way, deserved or not.
I guess I am too old school. Flip the football back to the ref and act like you’ve been there when you score and all that jazz. I felt his tirade was highly offensive. YMMV.