It was “least mode” instead of “beast mode” for Seattle with time running out.
Everybody in the University of Phoenix stadium–not to mention 100 million people watching on TV–knew that Marshawn Lynch was going to get the ball. The Seahawks great “beast mode” running back was basically engineered for this situation: Super Bowl championship on the line, one yard from the end zone. Even a time out if somehow Lynch got stopped–the first time. But as everybody knows Darrell Bevel, the Seahawks offensive coordinator, called for Russell Wilson to throw a quick slant instead. Patriots rookie corner Malcolm Butler intercepted and game over.
Why “least mode” instead of “beast mode”? Bevel isn’t ducking the criticism. “I’m calling the plays. I make the calls,” Bevel said. The coach’s conclusion: good read by Wilson, good throw too. “We could have done a better job of staying strong to the ball,” Bevel believes. In other words, catch the ball, Ricardo Lockette! Don’t get knocked off it with the game on the line. So while the rest of the world will forever think Bevel made a really bad call, he still thinks it should have worked. This much is undeniably true: NFL Football is not a place for people who second-guess themselves.
