Deon Butler: The Catch

by Culter on Sep 8, 2010 4:23 PM PDT

The Seahawks managed just five wins in 2009. Their average margin of victory for their first four wins was a gaudy 22.7 points. Simply put, the 2009 Seahawks either blew their opponents out, or they lost. There was no in-between.

As a result, we are left with very few memorable plays from the 2009 season. Our 41-0 drubbing of the Jaguars was thoroughly entertaining, but what do we really remember from that game? Nick Reed scooping up a fumble and taking it 79 yards to the house was more funny than it was spectacular. Blowouts are great, but nothing beats a clutch play late in the game.

In week 13, against the hated San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks offense finally came up big in the final minutes of a game. But in typical Seahawks fashion, they almost gave the game away before Matt Hasselbeck and Deon Butler could work their magic. Hasselbeck marched the Seahawks offense down to the San Francisco 40 with four straight completions (three to T.J. Houshmanzadeh) with 1:19 left, but the offense went backwards after Patrick Willis blew up a Julius Jones screen pass, and Chris Spencer was whistled for a false start. Faced with an almost impossible 3rd and 19 situation, Hasselbeck managed to let loose a circa 2005 40 yard pass right on the numbers to Deion Branch at the 12 yard line only to watch Branch drop it.

Instead of being set up for the game winning field goal, the Seahawks had to punt. But all was not lost. The Seahawks forced a quick three and out, and Nate Burleson came through with a clutch 21 yard punt return to the Seattle 48 with 21 seconds left. Two plays later, Seattle went three wide on the left side and lined up Deon Butler all by his lonesome on the right. The 49ers cheated safety help away from Butler and over to the left, leaving Butler one on one with Keith Smith. The Seahawks managed to pick up the 49ers blitz, and Hasselbeck lofted up a perfect 32 yard rainbow to Butler along the sideline.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d814c2faf/Butler-sets-up-game-winner

Game. Set. Match. No playoffs for you, 49ers.

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best moment

from last year by far! i remember watching it over and over and just loving the feeling that we beat the fortywhiners like that and ruined their chances at the playoffs :D

by 12thseattlefan on Sep 8, 2010 4:54 PM PDT reply actions

Love to know what Singletary was going off about.

Pretty stuff. But for some reason I don’t REMEMBER this. Did I block out all of last year?

by djafrot on Sep 8, 2010 5:15 PM PDT reply actions

He claims Butler pushed off on that catch.

From SFGate.com
“Singletary also said after the game that Seattle wide receiver Deon Butler pushed off cornerback Keith Smith on his game-turning 32-yard reception with 12 seconds left. Replays don’t back up Singletary on this one, unless the push-off occurred earlier in the route.”

by Culter on Sep 8, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

No way.

Anyhow, if you’re a corner and so-tiny-that-you-should-be-playing-slot-on-the-1990-Houston-Oilers Deon Butler pushes you off succesfully, you’re in trouble.

by djafrot on Sep 8, 2010 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I loved that play. Out of my chair for sure.

Also, Butler impressed me with his ability to extend for and catch the ball over the course of this preseason. I think he’s going to be a better player than many think.

Red Bryant: surprise us!

by Misfit74 on Sep 8, 2010 5:27 PM PDT reply actions