Punt returner's miscues led to Giants' final 10 points Brad Biggs
Kyle Williams will forever be associated with the NFC Championship Game.
No matter how you cut it, the wide receiver will be remembered for fumbling one punt return and letting another bounce off his leg – turnovers that led to the final 10 points of the game for the New York Giants in a 20-17 overtime victory at Candlestick Park.
It’s a team loss and there were other contributing factors but Williams is still the goat.
“You hate to be the last guy that had the ball, to give it up that way in that fashion and to lose a game of this magnitude," Williams , according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. “But it is what it is, and we're going to move forward as a team.”
Williams was filling in for Ted Ginn Jr., who missed the game with an injured knee. His first error was getting too close to a bouncing punt that Devin Thomas recovered for the Giants after it went off Williams’ leg and the Giants won a replay challenge. In overtime, he was stripped of the ball, setting up the winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes that booted the Giants into Super Bowl XLVI and the 49ers straight into the offseason.
“Hopefully, he doesn't beat himself up too hard," safety Donte Whitner said. "Hopefully, the media's not on him too tough. Because he's still a young player, and he still has a bright future in the National Football League.
"There's just certain things that you can't do in certain situations. We have to protect the ball at all times. I think he learns that now, and he'll be better."
That was just one of several supportive statements for Williams after the game. Still, it’s something he won’t escape anytime soon.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
Harbaugh was outcoached:
1) Coughlin was using a replacement punt returner too, a veteran (actually two), giving up field position for ball security. Harbaugh gave too much responsibility to a young player in the most important game of his life.
2) 1 rec by a WR? Cutting Edwards hurt the Niners, running a collegiate offense hurt the Niners. Not using Gore enough hurt the Niners. Giants have had tons of injuries this year, but kept a whining Osi around because depth matters.
Looks like Jim H. benefitted from Singletary's defense while under-using Gore.
There's a reason it is a no-Harbaugh Super Bowl. Seems they're not quite ready yet.
Hopefully he has a bright future with another team, because I will gag the minute I see him in a Niner jersey next year and when he does this again next year, it's all on Harbaugh. He should have never been returning those punts to begin with, he was horrible all day even on the ones he didn't lose. That's on Harbaugh too. KW made several HS JV stupid plays before finally putting the dagger in the Niners. A beautiful season destroyed due to a stupid stupid football player and you do not win championships with stupid players.
Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games and Special Teams wins Championships. All too often people forget this or misquote it. This shown up huge on Sunday.
Personally, I consider the first mistake made by Williams to be of Leon Lett proportions. Inexcusable. He should have known to get the heck away.
On the second one, it looked to me like it was a good strip. Do they use the "kicking ball" for punts, also? Because, if they do, that ball was extra wet and slippery on a cold, wet and slippery day.
Where the slippery ball almost came up to bite the g-men in the posterior was the final FG kick. The snap wasn't perfect,, but the holder was able to grab the slick ball and get it into place for the game winning kick. The holder is the hero there.
Only 1 catch by a WR because "the crab" couldn't get open? I thought he was the greatest WR in his draft class? There's a guy that needs a hard, long look into the mirror.
VDavis did get all the catches, but he did get 2 personal foul penalties. Undisciplined, selfish, stupid and has Singletary yelling "I told ya so!"
He'll be gone next year, HOPEFULLY!!!! I have to believe Niners will up grade the receiving core. Draft, free agencey or perhaps both should bring better receivers to the Niners next year. Doubtful he'll ever be used as a returner again, with an up graded receiving core I don't see this kid in Niners uniform again.
Is there a Missing Persons Report out for Michael Crabtree? Can a Niner's fan tell me WTF happened to this kid? I'm with Otto - the kid was a beast in college.
As time passes and those players currently defending him realize that this game was the closest they'd ever come to a Super Bowl appearance....their tune will change
Don't know which is worse; personally costing your team the Championship or everybody kissing butt and making excuses for Williams. He is a pro athelete, not a little league player. He messed up more than twice and cost his team 10 points. Fire him. He's a bum and gets payed to take honest criticism. He should just try out for the Gold Rush.
Don't know which is worse; personally costing your team the Championship or everybody kissing butt and making excuses for Williams. He is a pro athelete, not a little league player. He messed up more than twice and cost his team 10 points. Fire him. He's a bum and gets payed to take honest criticism. He should just try out for the Gold Rush.
Jan 23, 2012
11:04 AM
they teach you in high school to either play a punt or get the hell away from the ball. why r these players so fucking dumb sometimes???? its really basic football common sense. i can see fumbles happen but making a stupid play like that should not happen. fucking moron. i hope we find someone better then him. and keep ginn as stricly returner and 4th WR. ginn is too valuable sadly proven by this loss.