Hakeem Nicks proves a point...

by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 11:21 AM MDT Comment 13 comments

I am new to MHR, but wanted to post something I found interesting this past Sunday. During the Giants loss to the Cardinals there was a play that brought back some very fond memories, Eli Manning threw a pass across the middle which was swatted away by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie… Then fell into the hands of Hakeem Nicks, who took it the rest of way for a quick 62 yard TD. Sound familiar? This by its self is nothing new; passes are batted and caught consistently in the NFL (Yes it seems to be more common that it’s the defense on the receiving end) But what I found most interesting about this is that the play inspired such phrases as “Rally to the ball and good things ALWAYS happen” and “how’s that for hussle?” No mention of an “Immaculate Deflection”.

As I started to dwell on this more I began to wonder, what defines an “Immaculate Deflection”? Also how should we as fans differentiate pure luck from good hussle? The plays were very similar, 62 yards compared to 87, middle of the field as opposed to the sideline. However, both receivers showed awareness by going to the ball, and both ended up in the right place by doing so. Maybe it’s because Stokleys catch won the game? But on that note, shouldn’t Keyaron Foxs’ 4th quarter interception and return for a TD against the Vikings be considered an Immaculate Deflection as well? That play was responsible for the Steelers win against an undefeated team, and Chester Taylor tipped the ball directly to him. Very interesting… Perhaps it is a matter of time? Do we wait until the final minutes of a game then begin calling any good play a miracle? So would that make the Bengals 90 yard TD drive against a defense that had dominated them all day miraculous?

Okay I know this is all old news, and I’m sorry for beating a dead horse, but everywhere I go I keep hearing that the Broncos didn’t deserve to win that game, the offense was bad, couldn’t move the ball and so on… Fact of the matter is both offenses played poorly, and given the Bengals offensive play, the 90 yard TD drive seems to be just as unlikely as a tipped ball being caught…… I believe Keyaron Fox and Hakeem Nicks proved that sometimes tipped balls get caught, and a lot of times when they do good (or bad, depending on perspective of course) things happen.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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What about the Darren Sharper pick six last week?

That catch proved to be the difference in the game, when the saints won. That ball was tipped about five times before he caught it and ran it back. You don’t see any talk about the saints win being lucky. All I have heard was that the win showed the grit and heart of the saints.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 28, 2009 11:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I knew there was one I was leaving out, It happens alot… Thanks

by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 11:41 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It's cool. That's what the edit button is for.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 28, 2009 11:49 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would rather win lucky than lose.

Luck is what you made by hard work and being in the right position as Stokley was. This year more than any has taught me that what the MSM says means little to the team if it is well coached, the good and the bad. This is a team that knows how to win and holding the Bengals scoreless for 59 min had nothing to do with luck. Enjoy the win, not the hype.

by aldren on Oct 28, 2009 11:47 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thats really what Im saying

I dont believe the Stokley play was only luck. It was a good receiver doing what good receivers do. Sure it was lucky that the ball was tipped up. But good receivers go to the play, maybe he was only on his way there to block if Marshall came down with it, maybe he thought he would make a tackle if it was picked. I dont care why, but he did what he should. Lucky and prepared often go hand in hand

by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 12:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It happens every week just ask Bret Farve.

The msm was mad because they had to rewrite their last paragraph of their game ending story. That’s all

by bfree2bronc on Oct 28, 2009 1:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nicks is a great example. He said after the game that he saw where the ball was going and went to go block for his teammate when he caught the pass. Because of that he happened to be in the right place at the right time and the ball was tipped to him. Much like the Stokely catch, it was a product of hustle and smarts. More than just luck IMO.

Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960

by Darin H on Oct 28, 2009 2:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Miraculous

moments in sports are those that completely upend the scoreboard and occur in the final seconds. Like the Raiders scoring 15 points (or whatever) in 40-odd seconds after the network cut to Annie in the early days of the league. Or the immaculate deflection. Or the immaculate reception. Or The Drive. Or Vinateri’s kick in the snow against Oakland in OT. He’s kicked in the snow many times, and made many of those kicks. Are any of those considered part of Pats lore? No.

Like it or not the deflection was an incredible end-game play that changed the scope of the game. The only beef I have with the MSM is that it let them chalk the win up to luck and completely let them ignore the fact that the Broncos ran the show until that late-game TD.

Because Montana has no professional sports, I gotta support the land of my birth.

Socrates was once executed for 'trolling'.
^Needs explaining: don't call someone asking uncomfortable, slightly antagonistic questions trolls. In all odds they probably just want to learn. It's real easy to differentiate a 'Socratic' post from a trolling one (unless you're a resident of WCG).
^Needs further explaining: I have yet to post anything on WCG, don't worry, I'm not trying to rationalize anything I've done. I've just lurked over there and man, they are the model of post-peloponnesian war Athens.

by Drizzt396 on Oct 28, 2009 4:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem with it being an incredible game ending play....

Only with the perception that because it was miraculous it some how makes the win antything less then a LEGIT win. I know how unbelievable the catch was, all I was saying is while it was totally crazy, It wasnt all that uncommon, Happens alot really… Just not in the fashion that it did then. Considering how the Broncos defense played I still believe that Palmers drive to score in the final minute was about as unbelievable as anything. Except what happened right after it.

by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 6:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

good call broncoferg

"never in my life have i been hit like that" - DJ victim

by chikndnnr on Oct 28, 2009 7:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 7:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it has more to do with the timing.

Plays that occur in the final seconds of any sport tend to get more publicity than equally important plays during the heart of the game.

by Coverboy on Oct 29, 2009 2:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed with Coverboy

I think it had to do with the fact that the Broncos play ended and won the game…plus they were being put down by the media and not given credit for anything good, so it was fluky. :P

Frankly, I think if the Broncos end up doing great things for years to come, winning a championship or two, the Immaculate Deflection could be that “spark” play for the Broncos like the Tuck Rule was for the Patriots and The Catch was to the 49ers. Hey, we can hope. :)

by noleafclover on Oct 29, 2009 6:11 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs