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Eli Manning's pass to David Tyree in the final two minutes of Super Bowl XLII, was an instrumental play in the New York Giants 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots. It featured Manning escaping from the grasp of three Patriots defensive players, followed by Tyree making a leaping catch by pressing the ball against his helmet. The play is considered one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.[1]
[edit] Lead up
Tyree had been used primarily on special teams and had caught only four passes during the 2007 regular season.[2] But with 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, Tyree caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Manning that gave the Giants a 10-7 lead. Minutes later, the Patriots scored a touchdown, giving them a 14-10 lead with 2:42 left on the clock. The Giants got the ball back on the kickoff and soon faced a 3rd-and-5 from their own 44 with 1:15 remaining. Tyree was supposed to run a post pattern, in which he would run on a dead sprint downfield, and then split off in the direction of the goalpost. The actual name of the play in the Giants playbook was "Phantom".[3]
Manning faced intense pressure at the line of scrimmage, and barely managed to spin away eluding three defenders — Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green, and Adalius Thomas — who had a grasp on his jersey. Due to the pressure, Tyree didn't run his intended route, instead coming back towards the line to give Manning an option down the field. Manning retreated from the pressure and threw downfield to Tyree, who leaped in the air, caught the ball, and secured possession of the high pass by pressing the ball against the top of his helmet with his right hand as the Patriots' Rodney Harrison pulled him down. The play, considered one of the greatest in Super Bowl history,[4][5] netted the Giants 32 yards; four plays and 36 seconds later, Plaxico Burress scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Giants, who won the game 17-14.
The Miracle Catch on the Cover of Sports Illustrated
Like other famous plays in the NFL, this play has been deemed worthy of a "name". However, a consensus has yet to be reached on what the name should be[6]. A debate over the best name for the play has raged in the New York newspapers and sports talk shows.[7][8][9] These are some of the names:
- "Double Miracle"[10]
- "Catch 42"[11]
- "The Play" [12]
- "The Great Escape" [13]
- "Slip and Grip"[14]
- "Hail Manning"[15]
- "The Helmet Catch"[16]
- "The Sling"[17] (inspired by Aikman's description below)
- "Flee to Tyree"[18]
- "Shawshank Reception"[19]
[edit] Quotations
| “ |
Eli Manning out of the shotgun... He takes it... facing pressure... He's in trouble... He's spun around... He's able to get away... looks to throw... He does, downfield...And a leaping catch is made downfield at the 25! David Tyree comes up with it! |
” |
-
Marv Albert calling Eli Manning's completion to David Tyree.
| “ |
Pressure from Thomas off the edge. Eli manning....stays on his feet. Airs it out down the field. It is...caught by Tyree. |
” |
-
Joe Buck in a monotone inflection when calling play on FOX
| “ |
Oh my God...Eli Manning -- I don't know how he got out of there; I thought he was on the ground, and then he got out of the pile and just slings it. |
” |
| “ |
Manning takes the snap. Back to throw. Under pressure, avoids the rush, and he's gonna...fight out of it, still fights out of it, now throws it deep down field, wide open Tyree who....makes the catch! At the twenty two yard line! What a play by Manning! He eluded three sacks! He runs up to Mike Carey and calls a time out! And what a catch by Tyree, with 58 seconds to go! |
” |
-
Bob Papa calling the play on the Giants radio broadcast
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The greatest play in Super Bowl history: The great escape led to the catch that left New England mouths agape.", Austin American-Statesman, February 5, 2008.
- ^ "David Tyree Statistics," Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 15 Feb. 2007..
- ^ "The play call is Phantom," explained Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "He (Tyree) runs a post and turns it inside.", ESPN.com, February 4, 2008.
- ^ Giants shock Patriots in Super Bowl, Salon.com, February 4, 2008. "one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history"
- ^ Ugly duckling Super Bowl turns on Swann-like catch, CBSSportsline.com, February 3, 2008. "one of the most incredible plays in NFL history...the kind of catch we've never seen in the Super Bowl" The play came late in the fourth quarter Sunday night to set up Plaxico Burress' game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go., Dallas Morning News, February 4, 2008.
- ^ northjersey.com - Montclair Times Community
- ^ Bloomberg.com: North American
- ^ David Tyree's fame is catching - Multi-Sport Events, New York City, Super Bowl - Newsday.com
- ^ Tyree seeks Super name for ‘Giant Catch’ shirts - BostonHerald.com
- ^ Super Bowl XLII giants patriots 'double miracle' NFL Films", February 7, 2008.
- ^ New York Daily News
- ^ The Play is one we'll never forget, Albany Times Union, February 4, 2008
- ^ Vic Zigel of the New York Daily News
- ^ J.A. Adande on ESPN's Around the Horn
- ^ Bill Plaschke on ESPN's Around the Horn
- ^ Popularized by Bill Simmons on ESPN.com/page2 (now a trademarked phrase)
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=274758
- ^ http://archive.profootballtalk.com/2-1-08through2-10-08.htm
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