The Myth of “Ambush”

WhoDat!656 · 07-12-2014, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by ScottF

Yes, to tie, and still 3 minutes on the clock.

So the Colts are going to try to Ambush the Saints? If not then I guarantee you the Saints would drive the field and kick a game-winning FG!

SaintsBro · 07-13-2014, 09:06 AM

I remember feeling completely confident and calm at halftime and not even that concerned about the scoreboard. The momentum had already shifted late in the half, and I could "see" that Drew was starting to see stuff and figure things out, like picking a lock, and the offense was moving the ball, and our D was making it tougher for the Colts, just like they had done to teams all year long. It looked like the 2009 Saints!

But Ambush of course sent the popcorn flying, as everyone in the room with me jumped up to watch the scrum!

AliJee · 07-14-2014, 12:08 AM

Yeah we would've had the game with or without ambush, but have to say it was one of the most nervous 2 hours (or at least it felt that way) while the refs were deciding on who to award the recovered ball.

burningmetal · 07-14-2014, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

Name another coach in Superbowl history to pull it off.

Didn't think so.

Best. Play. In. History.

I can't name another coach who did that. But why should that matter? In the end that play didn't win the game. It was a good play and it contributed to the win. But how can anyone not think most of the play that sealed the deal just when it looked like the game was about to be tied up? That's an enormous swing. Much more than any perceived momentum swing the onside kick caused. We were pretty much dominating them from the end of the first quarter.

I mean, everybody has their own opinions but I'm blown away that people could come to any other conclusion. I'm not seeing a grey area that leaves any room for argument. But that's me.

the-commish · 07-14-2014, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by WhoDat!656

I see his point.

According to America, the most memorable play in Saints history is “Ambush,” the onsides kick Sean Payton called to open the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. A February 8, 2010 headline from NJ.com, the New Jersey Star-Ledger website, sums up how “Ambush” is popularly viewed: “Saints’ successful onsides kick shocks Colts, changes momentum of Super Bowl.” This popular view explains why America voted the way it did.

It’s also wrong.

It’s wrong because the Saints had taken over whatever we mean when we talk about momentum well before the onsides kick ever happened. In fact, from the start of the Saints’ first scoring drive, which began with 36 seconds left in the first quarter, through the end of the first half, the Saints outgained the Colts 157 yards to 15. They scored a field goal, had a long drive end on downs at the Colts’ one yard line, and then scored another field goal. Meanwhile, the Colts punted.

The Myth of "Ambush" | B&G

The Colts only ran 6 offensive plays in the second quarter. The Saints had the ball the remainder of the quarter, although they only had 2 FGs (6 points) to show for it.

I still wonder if Payton would have called "Ambush" to start the third quarter had Pierre Thomas scored to tie the game, and it remained tied at the half?

Beastmode · 07-14-2014, 03:22 PM

The odds of getting the recovery and marching it all the way down with Brees were likely a lot higher than trying to fight back into the game. It looked borderline insane on the field but put a pencil to it and I bet it's a fairly rational call.

I understand we were playing better but the stats said we had to take a possession away and I think that was the verdict.

the-commish · 07-14-2014, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Beastmode

The odds of getting the recovery and marching it all the way down with Brees were likely a lot higher than trying to fight back into the game. It looked borderline insane on the field but put a pencil to it and I bet it's a fairly rational call.

I understand we were playing better but the stats said we had to take a possession away and I think that was the verdict.

I have no doubt Payton would have called "Ambush" sometime in the second half. I just wonder whether it would have been on the second half kickoff, with the game tied 10-10 and the Saints having all the momentum.

44Champs · 07-15-2014, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by ScottF

Thank god it's no longer "Hakim dropped the ball'

Or Tom Dempsey's 63-yd FG lol

vpheughan · 07-15-2014, 10:34 AM

I flagged down Doc Brown and went back in timetied up I kicked off normally. The Colts ran it back for a TD then they onside kicked and scored another TD Colts won! It's okay though, we lost but they were hurting the next day!

Srgt. Hulka · 07-15-2014, 08:00 PM

There's not a halftime locker room pep talk in the world that could have pumped the Saints up more than recovering that onside kick.

07-12-2014, 10:30 PM	#21
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,001	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Originally Posted by ScottF Yes, to tie, and still 3 minutes on the clock. So the Colts are going to try to Ambush the Saints? If not then I guarantee you the Saints would drive the field and kick a game-winning FG!

07-13-2014, 09:06 AM	#22
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” I remember feeling completely confident and calm at halftime and not even that concerned about the scoreboard. The momentum had already shifted late in the half, and I could "see" that Drew was starting to see stuff and figure things out, like picking a lock, and the offense was moving the ball, and our D was making it tougher for the Colts, just like they had done to teams all year long. It looked like the 2009 Saints! But Ambush of course sent the popcorn flying, as everyone in the room with me jumped up to watch the scrum!

07-14-2014, 12:08 AM	#23
AliJee 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Southern California Posts: 267	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Yeah we would've had the game with or without ambush, but have to say it was one of the most nervous 2 hours (or at least it felt that way) while the refs were deciding on who to award the recovered ball.

07-14-2014, 06:16 AM	#24
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,906 Blog Entries: 3	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 Name another coach in Superbowl history to pull it off. Didn't think so. Best. Play. In. History. I can't name another coach who did that. But why should that matter? In the end that play didn't win the game. It was a good play and it contributed to the win. But how can anyone not think most of the play that sealed the deal just when it looked like the game was about to be tied up? That's an enormous swing. Much more than any perceived momentum swing the onside kick caused. We were pretty much dominating them from the end of the first quarter. I mean, everybody has their own opinions but I'm blown away that people could come to any other conclusion. I'm not seeing a grey area that leaves any room for argument. But that's me.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

07-14-2014, 02:55 PM	#25
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Originally Posted by WhoDat!656 I see his point. According to America, the most memorable play in Saints history is “Ambush,” the onsides kick Sean Payton called to open the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. A February 8, 2010 headline from NJ.com, the New Jersey Star-Ledger website, sums up how “Ambush” is popularly viewed: “Saints’ successful onsides kick shocks Colts, changes momentum of Super Bowl.” This popular view explains why America voted the way it did. It’s also wrong. It’s wrong because the Saints had taken over whatever we mean when we talk about momentum well before the onsides kick ever happened. In fact, from the start of the Saints’ first scoring drive, which began with 36 seconds left in the first quarter, through the end of the first half, the Saints outgained the Colts 157 yards to 15. They scored a field goal, had a long drive end on downs at the Colts’ one yard line, and then scored another field goal. Meanwhile, the Colts punted. The Myth of "Ambush" \| B&G The Colts only ran 6 offensive plays in the second quarter. The Saints had the ball the remainder of the quarter, although they only had 2 FGs (6 points) to show for it. I still wonder if Payton would have called "Ambush" to start the third quarter had Pierre Thomas scored to tie the game, and it remained tied at the half? Beastmode likes this.

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07-14-2014, 03:22 PM	#26
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” The odds of getting the recovery and marching it all the way down with Brees were likely a lot higher than trying to fight back into the game. It looked borderline insane on the field but put a pencil to it and I bet it's a fairly rational call. I understand we were playing better but the stats said we had to take a possession away and I think that was the verdict.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

07-14-2014, 03:42 PM	#27
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Originally Posted by Beastmode The odds of getting the recovery and marching it all the way down with Brees were likely a lot higher than trying to fight back into the game. It looked borderline insane on the field but put a pencil to it and I bet it's a fairly rational call. I understand we were playing better but the stats said we had to take a possession away and I think that was the verdict. I have no doubt Payton would have called "Ambush" sometime in the second half. I just wonder whether it would have been on the second half kickoff, with the game tied 10-10 and the Saints having all the momentum.

07-15-2014, 02:00 AM	#28
44Champs Site Donor Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,589	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” Originally Posted by ScottF Thank god it's no longer "Hakim dropped the ball' Or Tom Dempsey's 63-yd FG lol
44Champs Site Donor Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,589

07-15-2014, 10:34 AM	#29
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,499	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” I flagged down Doc Brown and went back in timetied up I kicked off normally. The Colts ran it back for a TD then they onside kicked and scored another TD Colts won! It's okay though, we lost but they were hurting the next day!
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,499

07-15-2014, 08:00 PM	#30
Srgt. Hulka 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 4,417	Re: The Myth of “Ambush” There's not a halftime locker room pep talk in the world that could have pumped the Saints up more than recovering that onside kick.

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