The unforeseen makes it so compelling

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

The unforeseen makes it so compelling
Buzz up!By Mike Prisuta, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, January 25, 2009


Super Bowl XLII was decided on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress with 39 seconds remaining, but it was a previous completion from Manning to David Tyree with just over a minute left that actually won it.

The Manning-to-Tyree connection has come to be known as the "Miracle Catch."

That's a tag that may not do what transpired justice.

"It was unbelievable," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said.

It still is, actually.

"I think that was the greatest catch of all time," Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes said.

The New York Giants likely wouldn't have stunned the undefeated Patriots and shocked the football world without it.

Trailing 14-10, the Giants faced a third-and-5 at their 44-yard line with 1:15 remaining.

Manning accepted a snap in shotgun formation and took a five-step drop, then tried to step up in the pocket amid collapsing pressure.

Patriots defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green got a hand on Manning, but he spun away and stumbled back another four or five steps.

Upon righting himself, Manning let fly a downfield heave just ahead of linebacker Mike Vrabel's charge.

Some 32 yards downfield, Tyree and Patriots safety Rodney Harrison went up for the ball almost at the same time.

Tyree managed to trap it between his right hand and his helmet as Harrison struck a blow with his right arm.

As the two came down, Tyree managed to get his left hand on the ball, which was still pinned between his helmet and his right hand.

As Harrison pulled Tyree to the ground by his right shoulder, Tyree fell back onto Harrison's legs and managed to maintain possession while keeping the ball inches off the ground.

First down at the Giants' 24 with 59 seconds remaining.

And, in a manner of speaking, ballgame.

How were the Patriots to recover from something such as that?

And how was Tyree able to make such a play in the first place?

"On that stage, you just go out and make a play, and you play kind of out of your body," Ward said. "We always talk about it; you never know who it's going to be. It may not be a veteran guy. It could be anybody, a rookie.

"On that stage, you just want to put your hand in the pile and contribute to the team."

Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend called it a "lucky catch."

His point was there wasn't much more Harrison could have done.

"He actually made a good play on it," Townsend said. "The guy (Tyree) just caught it with his head and one hand."

It's doubtful Tyree ever practiced making such a reception.

And it's an absolute certainty such an outcome has never been drawn up on a grease board, either by Tom Coughlin then or by Mike Tomlin or Ken Whisenhunt in the days approaching Super Bowl XLIII.

Despite all the practice, preparation and planning, football games sometimes come down to something that unimaginable.

Super Bowl XLIII might be the next one that does.

"That's just the great game of football," Townsend said. "That's why we have so many people follow it.

"That's why we love it."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_608704.html

[HometownGal]

Despite all the practice, preparation and planning, football games sometimes come down to something that unimaginable.

This is very true and the Randle El pass to Hines in 2005 which sealed the W in XL gives that statement a lot of credence.

Call me crazy, but I believe this seasons's Super Bowl big play duo is going to be Ben to Nate with a BOMB.

[MasterOfPuppets]

"On that stage, you just go out and make a play, and you play kind of out of your body," Ward said. "We always talk about it; you never know who it's going to be. It may not be a veteran guy. It could be anybody, a rookie.

SWEEEEEED ..

[stlrtruck]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Call me crazy, but I believe this seasons's Super Bowl big play duo is going to be Ben to Limas with a BOMB.

Fixed it for ya.

Now that would definitely be unpredicatable.

[markymarc]

Maybe Harrison and Woodley could be Co-MVPs from abusing Warner all game