Late in Super Bowl XLVI, with the Patriots leading by three points and driving, quarterback Tom Brady threw a third-down pass to receiver Wes Welker. The ball wasn’t delivered between the numbers, forcing Welker to jump and lunge and contort in an effort to come down with the ball.
He failed to do so, opening the door for the Giants to once again drive down the field late and steal a ring from New England.
Most characterized it as a drop. Some (like me) put at least part of the blame on Brady for not delivering an easily catchable ball. Making the media rounds in Boston on Tuesday, Welker reiterated his post-game message that the blame rests with him.
“For sure,” Welker told Tom Curran of CSN New England. “If it hits your hands, you’re supposed to catch it.”
Should a player with Welker’s skills have made the catch? Probably. But that doesn’t absolve Brady from being off target with the throw. Even if hardly anyone sees it that way.