Confidence in 4th-down gambit elevates Belichick as NFL rarity

[SVN]

Confidence in 4th-down gambit elevates Belichick as NFL rarity - USATODAY.com

 

[Jackson 2]

It seems that the anti-Belichick firestorm spawned by Spygate among the national media may finally be waning somewhat. In addition to this piece, there is a very complimentary article in this week's edition of SI in which Shawn Springs describes BB as "a brain walking around on two legs", and the author, Damon Hack, seems to agree. The premise is that Belichick is slowly, but surely, piecing together a team which may stumble slightly at the outset, but will be one to be reckoned with before too long. Hack concludes by stating that, "To the rest of the league, it (the Patriots coming together) may start looking all too familiar."

 

[mayoclinic]

Nice to hear BB get his due. However, it was only a week ago that the mediots were writing obituaries for the Pats' as having fallen from the ranks of the elite teams, and wondering if TB was all washed up as a top QB. How quickly things change.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

This could go down as another example of his genius, like taking the safety against the Broncos late in the game for field position.

 

[farn]

This could go down as another example of his genius, like taking the safety against the Broncos late in the game for field position.

That is my favorite call in the BB era (regular season).

 

[xmarkd400x]

"I said on air, 'I guess I know now why I've never won a Super Bowl,"' said Reeves, the former Broncos, Giants and Falcons coach and current radio analyst.

Yikes!

10char

 

[Gwedd]

This could go down as another example of his genius, like taking the safety against the Broncos late in the game for field position.

Yes, my favorite call as well. It was a brilliant move and one that, I believe, says more about Coach than anything else. It is a perfect example of the "situational football" that he preaches.

respects,

 

[LuRkeR1978]

This could go down as another example of his genius, like taking the safety against the Broncos late in the game for field position.

Parcells did it in 1993.

It's funny because during that Bronco's game, I told my friends about how Parcells did it back in the day, and that they should do it to regain field position. BB didn't disappoint me.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Parcells did it in 1993.

It's funny because during that Bronco's game, I told my friends about how Parcells did it back in the day, and that they should do it to regain field position. BB didn't disappoint me.

The difference is that Belichick is also psychic, because he had the team practice that play that very week, which he had not done before.

 

[xmarkd400x]

The difference is that Belichick is also psychic, because he had the team practice that play that very week, which he had not done before.

Or: The Pats practice a certain set of situational plays each week, and BB would prefer to run a play that his team has actually practiced.

Just saying.

 

[patchick]

Yes, my favorite call as well. It was a brilliant move and one that, I believe, says more about Coach than anything else. It is a perfect example of the "situational football" that he preaches.

I also loved the one where the Pats were up by one score with about 8 seconds remaining, 4th down, NE ball. The announcers were debating whether to punt or to hand off to a running back and hope that the play takes the full 8 seconds. Then Brady drops back verrrry deep to pass and hurls the ball farrrr down the field and safely out of bounds, game over. The best part was the announcers marveling over how that never would have even occurred to them.

 

[jmt57]

Some 4th-down stats courtesy of weei.com.

The Patriots went 3 for 3 on 4th down last week, the 10th time that they have had 3 such conversions in a game since 2000. It gave them 64 conversions on 4th down since 2005 (in 86 tries; 74.4%). Here are the top five teams in 4th down successes since 2005:

64 - New England Patriots
47 - Jacksonville Jaguars
45 - St. Louis Rams
45 - Houston Texans
44 - Kansas City Chiefs

And the top five in 4th down success percentage in that span:

74.4% - New England Patriots
62.5% - Houston Texans
61.5% - San Diego Chargers
60.9% - Baltimore Ravens
59.5% - Kansas City Chiefs

One last 4th down conversion percentage note: During that same span, the Baltimore Ravens have allowed just 36.8% conversions on 4th down since 2005 (25 out of 68), the lowest percentage in the NFL.

 

[Gwedd]

I also loved the one where the Pats were up by one score with about 8 seconds remaining, 4th down, NE ball. The announcers were debating whether to punt or to hand off to a running back and hope that the play takes the full 8 seconds. Then Brady drops back verrrry deep to pass and hurls the ball farrrr down the field and safely out of bounds, game over. The best part was the announcers marveling over how that never would have even occurred to them.

Maybe not as true a "situational football" play, but Flutie's drop-kick was great too.

What of all these things do, though, is force other teams to literally prepare for anything.

 

[eom]

I was a big fan of that free kick against the bills in the snow last year --- you guys remember that?

I was cracking up.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I guess what sets Belichcik apart is that if he has a play that he'd confident will work he applies it - that doesn't mean it always work but it does mean that whenever he goes for it on 4th down he's confident about the play

 

[Wolfpack]

I think all coaches should be required to play Madden 2010 against some regular gamers, because the average Madden player seems to know better situational strategy than many coaches.

There are still some coaches (and announcers) who think it is better to call a time out after the 2:00 warning when you are losing to save 40 seconds instead of before the 2:00 warning to save 20, 10 or even 5 seconds.

Playing the game will teach you why it is best to call the timeout right away instead of waiting, even though you save fewer seconds.

 

[eagle eye]

I love these praising threads after the fact.

Lets face facts, if we didn't convert and Atlanta scores a touchdown and goes on to win the game. Most of you are giving out yards about what a dumb play it was.

And you would all be pointing out that the Patriots were 0 for 3 on fourth down conversions this season coming into that game.

 

[eagle eye]

I think all coaches should be required to play Madden 2010 against some regular gamers, because the average Madden player seems to know better situational strategy than many coaches.

There are still some coaches (and announcers) who think it is better to call a time out after the 2:00 warning when you are losing to save 40 seconds instead of before the 2:00 warning to save 20, 10 or even 5 seconds.

Playing the game will teach you why it is best to call the timeout right away instead of waiting, even though you save fewer seconds.

I know, lets get gamers to take over real game playcalling.

Looks up to sky after this comment and hope posters realise he is not being serious

 

[Gwedd]

I love these praising threads after the fact.

Lets face facts, if we didn't convert and Atlanta scores a touchdown and goes on to win the game. Most of you are giving out yards about what a dumb play it was.

And you would all be pointing out that the Patriots were 0 for 3 on fourth down conversions this season coming into that game.

In a word,... NO.

This isn't about just this year. NE has a proven track record of playing situational football, and being successful as a result.

 

[Wolfpack]

I know, lets get gamers to take over real game playcalling.

Looks up to sky after this comment and hope posters realise he is not being serious

You should reread my post since you obviously didn't understand it the first time. I am not talking about playcalling, I am talking about situational strategy. You will see countless gaffes by pro coaches (and players) that you'll never see in any reasonably competitive Madden League - such as my aforementioned example of calling timeouts before the 2:00 on defense if you are losing instead of after.