Don't expect Bill Belichick to second-guess himself - ESPN Boston
ihave to agree about the timeouts and not making the decision before 3rd down.
ihave to agree about the timeouts and not making the decision before 3rd down.
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Right after 3rd down I screamed go for it. I'm not one of many who in hindsight say "Bad move" because it really wasnt. I feel like it was the right move because of the Colts last two drives they had which they drove down the field and scored quickly. Right call, bad play and WR selection. Faulk ran just enough to be on the line of the marker which still pisses me off. All they had to do was gain 2 yards on a Colts defense that isnt very good. And with our offense, no excuses. A better play and execution should have been made.
Two thoughts come to mind as of late:
(a) The Colts defense was extremely surprised the Pats were going to go for it; a deep shot over the middle to Moss might have caught them off guard even more and been a better attempt.
(b) Why not take an intentional safety and have the Colts punt the ball back (they'd try an onside kick, but no guarantees they'd get that). Just a random, weird thought.
Two thoughts come to mind as of late:
(b) Why not take an intentional safety and have the Colts punt the ball back (they'd try an onside kick, but no guarantees they'd get that). Just a random, weird thought.
I agree with a better play selection. Looks like Brady was keyed in on Faulk from git go but was Welker open. If BB punted I was cool with that. I think what should have been called if Pats didn't make it on 3rd down everyone get up to line quick snap. That might have had Colts still scrambling to set themselves & pick up easy 5 yrds. Just an after'thought.
I'm sure Bill realizes that the decision to go for it was one of the worst on-field decisions he's made as Patriots head coach, and I'm sure he'll take the time to ponder how he allowed himself to overrule all sense and make that call. There's really no need to 'second guess' it, at this point. He'll try to learn from his mistake and move forward as best he can. From all reports, that's just the sort of coach Bill is.
Hopefully the next time he preaches to the team about "situational football", hell remember that call, and work on better situational coaching.
I'm sure Bill realizes that the decision to go for it was one of the worst on-field decisions he's made as Patriots head coach, and I'm sure he'll take the time to ponder how he allowed himself to overrule all sense and make that call. There's really no need to 'second guess' it, at this point. He'll try to learn from his mistake and move forward as best he can. From all reports, that's just the sort of coach Bill is.
Hopefully the next time he preaches to the team about "situational football", hell remember that call, and work on better situational coaching.
I don't think so. Given the choice of :I'm sure Bill realizes that the decision to go for it was one of the worst on-field decisions he's made as Patriots head coach
Brady indicated to someone that Faulk was not a read, that was the play, period. Everyone else was a decoy to draw coverage. The Colts had stacked the box and were coming. And while I don't listen to Zolak's opinions he said according to Troy Brown the problem was route depth and spacing. And that he knows for a fact that the Patriots do not have any route depths designed to go 3 yards. 5 is the minimum. Faulk was set up as a receiver rather than coming out of the backfield and he got chipped on his way out and had to cut his route short (probably why he had to go up for the ball, too). The throw was intended for Faulk at the 33. Had he caught it there the bobble is inconsequential.
After listening to days of disrespecting the defense whining, isn't it really disrespecting your offense (let alone this one) when you decide they can't get 2 yards when you really need it. BB challenged them before the Atlanta game telling them that at some point this season they were going to need to convert on 4th down to win a game. That week they proved to him they could. Failure to execute in week 10 resulted in them not making it when their only chance to contend with the Colts for HFA hung in the balance. He'd told them that before this game, too.
VeryPost ... well done.
I'm sure Bill realizes that the decision to go for it was one of the worst on-field decisions he's made as Patriots head coach, and I'm sure he'll take the time to ponder how he allowed himself to overrule all sense and make that call. There's really no need to 'second guess' it, at this point. He'll try to learn from his mistake and move forward as best he can. From all reports, that's just the sort of coach Bill is.
Hopefully the next time he preaches to the team about "situational football", hell remember that call, and work on better situational coaching.
Agreed. Especially as the 30 to 30 was with a 6 point lead so they'd have to be a little soft to prevent the quick TD strike. That's balanced somewhat by there being less time on the clock when they get to the 30 under the punt scenario but I'm putting my money on the 4th and 2.It actually is really simple, if you had to bet your life savings on one of the following, which one would it be?
A) Brady & the offense gain 2 yards in 1 play in the 4th quarter
B) The defense stops Peyton Manning from driving from the IND 30 to the NE 30 in the 4th quarter
It was the right call, whether it were in the playoffs or not.
I'm sure Bill realizes that the decision to go for it was one of the worst on-field decisions he's made as Patriots head coach, and I'm sure he'll take the time to ponder how he allowed himself to overrule all sense and make that call. There's really no need to 'second guess' it, at this point. He'll try to learn from his mistake and move forward as best he can. From all reports, that's just the sort of coach Bill is.
Hopefully the next time he preaches to the team about "situational football", hell remember that call, and work on better situational coaching.