Tom Brady: extra point holder

Submitted by MGoGrendel on

Last night’s game featured a problem with New England’s back-up extra point holder.  Ryan Allen (punter) got hurt on the safety and was unavailable in the 4thquarter. (NE went for 2 on their 3rdquarter TD).  With Ryan Mallett, wide receivers, and other ‘hands’ type players on the bench, in steps Tom Brady to hold.  This was the first time he held for an extra point since college.

 

This says a lot about the guy.  Big game, certainly a must win, but a chance to get injured.  All he needed was a knucklehead Colt with a chip on his shoulder, willing to risk a 15 yard penalty, to come crashing into Tom on a “PAT block” attempt.  Tom came out for a second hold after the game was in hand.  Leading by example or what!

 

P.S. – Ryan Mallett is rumored to be on the trading block.

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/26084/20140102/houston-texans-rumors-ryan-mallett-trade-target-bill-obrien-named-head-coach-cleveland-browns-patriots-qb-josh-mcdaniels-hired.htm

LSA Aught One

January 12th, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^

Dierdorf was crucifying the punter for how he handled the play that ended up as a safety. The guy was obviously trying to throw an incomplete pass from the 1-yard line so that the turnover would be spotted back at the 50-ish where the play started. The announcers need to look at all aspects before they act so ass-clowny.

RamPride135

January 12th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^

Yeah, the criticism seemed harsh for the punter and Dierdorf's strategy of falling on it at the 1 or 2 seemed like the worst idea. Throw the incomplete pass and the Colts take over at the line of scrimmage. Kick it through the endzone for the safety and give up 2 points, but force the Colts to go the length of the field after you kick it away. Falling on the ball at the 2 seems like an almost certain touchdown. Or am I missing something?

JamieH

January 12th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^

Yeah, hate to jump on a Michigan guy but his commentary on that play veered into Millen territory.  His idea to "fall on the ball at the 2" was so stupid that even a small child would know that it was the worst possible idea.   I don't know that the punter could have thrown an incomplete pass, as there most likely weren't any eligible recievers anywhere nearby, but he could have at least taken the safety.  Just falling on the ball at the 2 would have been idiotic.  Also, Dierdorf's commentary on the ensuing free-kick about how he couldn't figure out how the punter "dropping the ball to kick it could have hurt so much" when it was obvious that he probably broke his collarbone or something on the previous play was just brain-numbing. 

HartAttack20

January 12th, 2014 at 5:10 PM ^

Clearly Dierdorf was wrong on his reasoning in that situation, but the punter was taking a big risk. Taking the safety in that situation is the best move, but the punter was dumb to just fling the ball out like that. It could've easily turned into a TD for Indianapolis. I don't think it can be assumed the punter was trying to throw an incomplete pass. I think he was just trying to pitch it to the guy next to him so he could try to do something. It worked out about as well as possible for New England, given the terrible snap.

Mr. Yost

January 12th, 2014 at 11:47 PM ^

Chris Spielman is an announcing GOD, but Dierdorf sucks?

WTF is going on in this world? What have you done with my MGoBias? I feel like Will Smith in I Am Legend...all alone and surrounded by zombies. Rational, unbiased zombies.

robpollard

January 12th, 2014 at 4:49 PM ^

In terms of "strategy", Dierdorf was clearly wrong. It is much better to give up 2 pts and then do the free kick and get to defend ~70 yards of field, then it is to give the opponent a great chance for 7 pts by falling on the ball inside your own 5 yard line.

However, Allen was absolutely NOT trying to throw an incomplete pass. He panicked and tried to complete a pass to #27 Wilson, who was about 5 yards to his left. Look at the play -- he clearly looks at #27 right before he tries to get rid of the ball (and gets crushed):

http://nfl.si.com/2014/01/11/new-england-patriots-punter-indianapolis-colts/

It was only dumb luck (for him) that the Colts knocked the ball out before it become a pass and then knocked it through the end zone.

What the punter SHOULD have done was instead of picking it up and trying to throw it, he should have kicked it through the end zone himself. That would have ensured the safety.

champswest

January 12th, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^

that you would normally want your punter to just fall on it. You would definitely not want him to go all Garo Yepremian on you and try to throw a pass. But, once the ball went out of the end zone for a safety, Dan should have acknowledged that it was better to give up 2 points instead of handing the ball over on the 1 yard line for an almost sure to be TD.

rob f

January 12th, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^

but I'm rooting for them all the way this playoff season, and Tom Brady is the reason.  I'd love to see Tom Terrific pick up another SuperBowl Ring as he approaches the end of his great career. 

Has he indicated in any way, shape, or form how many more seasons he intends to play?

LSAClassOf2000

January 12th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^

NFL.com had an article which Brady tries to remember the last time he had ever done that. In his own words:

"I think (the last time I held) was when I played in the Orange Bowl 14 or 15 years ago (with Michigan)," Brady said. "I don't even do it in practice. They said, 'Get in there and do it,' and I said, 'What do I say?' But we figured it out."

Actually, Stephen Gostkowski also mentioned that Brady is indeed called on to do this in practice sometimes, but not every week. 

robmorren2

January 12th, 2014 at 4:29 PM ^

This will be Tom Brady's 8th Conference Championship Game. He has more Conference Championship appearances than 25 of the 32 NFL Franchises have had in their entire existence.

treetown

January 12th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^

To have your starting star QB doing the holding is an interesting choice - why not Mallett the backup QB (which often is done) or another option is to have a WR like Edelman (like we do with Dileo)? Both Mallett (throwing) and Edelman (running or throwing) will give the same concerns about a fake while not risking Brady to injury. I'm less worried about being hurt in the play then by some freakish hit to his throwing hand by the kicker's foot.

Maybe we're overthinking it - and what happened on the side line was:

Coaches:"we need someone to hold on the PATs"

Brady:"I can do it"

Coaches:"Uh, okay"

 

reshp1

January 12th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

I hope the Bronco's close this one out, I'd love to see the Manning vs Brady duel one more time. It's amazing that both these guys are still playing, let alone both still at the height of their abilities.

Danwillhor

January 13th, 2014 at 6:03 AM ^

has been trade bait since the day he was drafted. I thought he'd be gone by now but I also don't think he has become Brady's successor. I think he's traded before the start of next season. The Patriots are geniuses at this. They'll remind the NFL of this guy's size, age and arm. Most of all they'll remind the NFL that Ryan makes Flacco's arm look like Pennington after his 4th shoulder surgery. Teams needing a QB but not wanting a rookie will drool and they'll get an early-mid 2nd rounder at worst. It's what they do.

PasadenaFan

January 13th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^

It's obviously WRONG to fall on it at the 2.

BECUASE, even if your defense holds them, they will get a Field Goal for 3 on 4th down.

 

3 is more than a safety of 2.

 

You save at LEAST one point