Originally posted by thl408:
In the telecast, the camera view starts off wide so we can see the two safeties (Bethea/Reid) in a 2 deep safety look. Ward was playing with a slight cushion on Welker in the slot.
The camera starts to zoom in and the safeties could no longer be seen. Once the ball was snapped, Ward back peddled to maintain the cushion (outside leverage) as Reid came downhill to play robber (zone in the middle of the field). With Ward knowing he has help (Reid) to the inside, any inside breaking route is for Reid to pickup. I've seen the 49ers play this coverage often and mainly on premier targets such as JGraham and in this case, Welker.
Peyton did a great job fitting that ball in there. Reid came close to knocking that pass down. Had Welker gone vertical or broke to the outside, at that point, Welker becomes Ward's man assignment and Ward is in great position to defend any vertical/outside route.
I saw the same thing.
It looked a bit like Reid was hesitant for some reason. I think he hesitated for a second (didn't want to lay out his own man?) and then when the pass was complete he was beating himself up.
If Reid had acted decisively he might have deflected or even intercepted the ball.
