"The Catch" was a play that started a dynasty; it sent our team to its very first Super Bowl. Owens' catch was an absolutely amazing play, but it was during the wildcard game. I remember being very excited that we finally beat the Packers, but I just dont like referring to it as "The Catch II". I think Dwight Clark deserves to have the only play known as "The Catch" because of the outcome of the play: A DYNASTY!!!!
P.S. I blame Brett Favre for everything that has gone wrong this season. It is all Favre's fault!!!!
[ Edited by PatrickWillisHOF on Nov 20, 2009 at 1:34 AM ]
I disagree. What I love about that play is that it shows the human side of T.O. before he became a complete a-hole. It shows how much he wanted to succeed for us. And Starkey's call is great too, "the ball had to be perfect, it was!" I was 2 when Dwight Clark made "The Catch" and was too young in '94 to really appreciate what was happening. These were the good days of 49er football in my lifetime. It wasn't just about T.O., it was finally beating the packers. I don't mean any offense to anybody who disagrees with me because they are entitled to their opinion but for me this was the defining moment of the 49ers once I became a more committed fan.
Ever since I've lived through the worst collapse perhaps any professional franchise has ever had and now have to be content with 9-7 to maybe get into the playoffs (still better than 7-9 though ). Those were the glory days for me.
Originally posted by jaghetersofie: I disagree. What I love about that play is that it shows the human side of T.O. before he became a complete a-hole. It shows how much he wanted to succeed for us. And Starkey's call is great too, "the ball had to be perfect, it was!" I was 2 when Dwight Clark made "The Catch" and was too young in '94 to really appreciate what was happening. These were the good days of 49er football in my lifetime. It wasn't just about T.O., it was finally beating the packers. I don't mean any offense to anybody who disagrees with me because they are entitled to their opinion but for me this was the defining moment of the 49ers once I became a more committed fan.
[ Edited by PatrickWillisHOF on Nov 20, 2009 at 2:35 AM ]
Originally posted by jaghetersofie: I disagree. What I love about that play is that it shows the human side of T.O. before he became a complete a-hole. It shows how much he wanted to succeed for us. And Starkey's call is great too, "the ball had to be perfect, it was!" I was 2 when Dwight Clark made "The Catch" and was too young in '94 to really appreciate what was happening. These were the good days of 49er football in my lifetime. It wasn't just about T.O., it was finally beating the packers. I don't mean any offense to anybody who disagrees with me because they are entitled to their opinion but for me this was the defining moment of the 49ers once I became a more committed fan.
Ever since I've lived through the worst collapse perhaps any professional franchise has ever had and now have to be content with 9-7 to maybe get into the playoffs (still better than 7-9 though ). Those were the glory days for me.
It showed how much he wanted to succeed for us? I disagree my fellow 9er fan. I think it was always about him, not the team. He has been like that his whole career. After the Eagles lost the Super Bowl, the first thing he mentioned was "I told you I would heal from my broken ankle and play". It was about him
I think the reason why the play against the Packers is called the Catch II is b/c of circumstances around the rivalry and less about taking anything away from Dwight Clark. When "The Catch" happened, the cowboys were a thorn in the Niners' collective ass. They had met several times in the years preceding that NFC championship game and the cowboys had gotten the better of the Niners. The Catch was more about redemption. Later it would symbolize the start of the 80s/90s dynasty. The Catch II is called that because of the Packers/Niners history going into that game. '95 Defending champs, packers go into the stick and beat us, '96 in GB packers beat us, '97 NFC Championship at the stick GB beat us. '98 we finally got one back. I do understand the intimation as Owens' personality has unfolded to be what it is and as such he should not be mentioned in the same breath as Dwight Clark who is enshirned in 49ers lore. Personally, Ive always liked calling the play against the packers "The Redemption Rocket". In my opinion, that play was more about Steve Young's accuracy, as the ball was placed on Ownes between 3 packer defenders. Owens to that point had not done anything but drop first down after TD in that game. For the Catch, Dwight Clark made a tremendous play. Walsh, Montana and Clark have all indicated that the ball was meant to be thrown away, Clark made a terrific adjustment, went up and got it. The Catch was a tremendous catch and a little of Montana magic sprinkled in. For me, the play and win against the packers is attributed more to Steve Young and his legacy (hence Redemption Rocket) than anything about TO.
TO was a different player when he made that catch against Green Bay. It wasn't until later that he began his transformation into the guy we see today. I for one am a TO fan mostly because of what he does (or did) on the field. He dropped a lot of passes that day, but he made the one that counted. Green Bay had knocked us out of the playoff's a couple of years in a row and it was sickening. So for the Niners to beat them finally was huge.
So for me, he deserves all the accolades for making "The Catch) II.......
You got that right! I was there. Owens dropped about four easy passes throughout the game. If he caught a couple of those, we might not have needed that comeback drive. His catch should have been called "the redemption". On a side note, this is where his ego finally erupted. "The catch" which I so fondly remember, started an era.
They call it "The Catch II" because calling it "The Time When The 49ers Actually Had An Offensive Line Capable Of Protecting The QB Long Enough To Give Him Time To Make Awesome Game-Winning Throws" is just too long!!
Man I love seeing the interior of that line! Ray Brown, Chris Dalman, and GOOGS!!
Originally posted by kemp_j: TO was a different player when he made that catch against Green Bay. It wasn't until later that he began his transformation into the guy we see today. I for one am a TO fan mostly because of what he does (or did) on the field. He dropped a lot of passes that day, but he made the one that counted. Green Bay had knocked us out of the playoff's a couple of years in a row and it was sickening. So for the Niners to beat them finally was huge.
So for me, he deserves all the accolades for making "The Catch) II.......
Sorry but I absolutely cannot stand that guy. I liked the performance on the field. But the guy has NO heart. I live by the axiom that you remember where your bread is buttered and that you never throw your coworkers under the bus. Regardless if you like them or not or have issues with them. I had PLENTY of issues with CoWorkers. You don't work in any job and not have SOMETHING. But I never NOT ONCE ratted them out or pointed my finger at them. Though I've had some do it to me.
Steve said that he was very respectful when he first got to the league. Alot like how Bam Bam is now. But I think that was something that his Granmother instilled in him. When she was losing her battle with Alzheimer's he changed virtually overnight. She was basically his Mother from what I can recall of the whole thing.
The antics I could live with. The Outrageousness as well.
But throwing his QB under the bus not once but on 3 separate occasions? Completely uncalled for. An I'm old school about such things. Say something like that about me an I will air it out just high enough to get ya killed. Maybe that's what Garcia did a couple times.
I aree with you (PW) on this, but you are wasting your breath. People can call that play whatever they want. "The Catch 2" simply stuck. Seems pretty silly for a nickname of a play to have a sequel. But, like many sequels... this one doesn't touch the original.
But throwing his QB under the bus not once but on 3 separate occasions? Completely uncalled for. An I'm old school about such things. Say something like that about me an I will air it out just high enough to get ya killed. Maybe that's what Garcia did a couple times.
~Ceadder
I agree and understand your point. As a true Niner fan, this did not sit well with me either. I like TO's play on the field. As a team mate he sucked and became a cancer to the team so he had to go. It would have been great if he could have been the opposite and worked with Garcia.