Bill Belichick: Motivational Master

[37Harrison]

If you've been a fan long enough you know that BB uses anything and everything to motivate his troops. From the papers produced in Philly showing the parade route the city planned for the Eagles to the words used by other teams players and coaches which are regurgitated by the media. You have to believe this Denver–Baltimore game, along with the 2010 Jets games, will be drilled into our troops up to game time tomorrow.

It will be a constant reminder to them not to take these Texas lightly, a lesson drilled home today. I believe this lesson will now sink into each and every player on the team, even the ones who may have been taking it as purely lip service up to this point. I feel bad for the Texas now, it will be more like the first game whereas I originally thought it was going to be a close rematch.

 

[mayoclinic]

I mentioned that in the game day thread, and elsewhere. I'm sure BB will point out the media predictions and the headlines, and that Denver's DB hopes are up in smoke. They had a great season, but a lot of work is gone. You have to wonder if they believed their press releases and took Baltimore lightly. The Pats won't want to make the same mistake, and BB won't let them.

It's also worth noting that the 2 times the team was unanimously declared the #1 team in the NFL by the mediots - after the Tennessee game, and after the Houston game - they came out flat the next week and lost. BB will flay them for that. If we manage to get past Houston, we get to play Baltimore, who beat us. SF and Seattle both beat us. So I'm sure BB will be keeping the team humble and hungry.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I mentioned that in the game day thread, and elsewhere. I'm sure BB will point out the media predictions and the headlines, and that Denver's DB hopes are up in smoke. They had a great season, but a lot of work is gone. You have to wonder if they believed their press releases and took Baltimore lightly. The Pats won't want to make the same mistake, and BB won't let them.

It's also worth noting that the 2 times the team was unanimously declared the #1 team in the NFL by the mediots - after the Tennessee game, and after the Houston game - they came out flat the next week and lost. BB will flay them for that. If we manage to get past Houston, we get to play Baltimore, who beat us. SF and Seattle both beat us. So I'm sure BB will be keeping the team humble and hungry.

Baltimore winning and maybe having to play Seattle of San Fran if we beat Houston and then balt would be all the motivation thats needed.

 

[mayoclinic]

Also relevant, though in a different way:

The Broncos lost for a lot of reasons. They let the Baltimore Ravens receivers get deep too often. They couldn't run the football. Peyton Manning was intercepted twice and the Broncos offense didn't consistently move the ball, scoring "only" 21 points in five quarters.

The most inexcusable reason the Broncos lost: Fox played not to lose. He played like his quarterback was Jake Delhomme or Tim Tebow. He coached to his defense, which was not having a good day. Three examples come to mind:

1. The Broncos got the ball back with 36 seconds in the first half and three timeouts. They took a knee and went to halftime.

2. Leading by 7 points, the Broncos had a third-and-7 with 2 minutes remaining. A first down there wins the game. The Broncos ran the ball to set up a punt. It's a defensible move, but you have the chance to put the game in Peyton Manning's hands. One play and it's over. If the play isn't there, trust Manning to take a sack or check it down to keep the clock moving. That's a situation Manning lives for. There's no one better.

3. After the Broncos gave up a 70-yard touchdown to Jacoby Jones after a terrible breakdown in the secondary, the Broncos had 31 seconds left to try to set up a game-winning field goal. Manning took a knee again.

Denver Broncos' John Fox coached not to lose game - NFL.com

BB talked about not staying in a "foxhole". Fox coached from a foxhole. The Pats can't be passive - they need to take the game to the Texans, and dictate the terms of the game, knowing that the Texans will be out for blood and come out swinging, as the Ravens did today.

 

[SVN]

After today's games both AFC and NFC Iam glad we have bb regardless of what happens tomorrow. Pathetic coaching from fox and GB defense.

 

[thenepatsrule]

I thought a certain not guilty* person (RAY LEWIS) was the best motivational speaker in America

 

[Gwedd]

I have to agree regarding Denver. Fox refused to use his best weapon: Manning. All he had to do was let Manning be himself, and odds were he'd have found an open receiver somewhere. But Fox was playing safe, and in the end that cost him the game.

You are right: Manning lives for these moments. He knows the drill. He's been to this dance many times before. But Fox just, somehow, doesn't get it.

Even if Manning had tossed an INT, or had to throw the ball away, the end wouldn't have been different, but now they'll never know, because they never tried.

And seeing how gassed and tired the Ravens were, I like our chances to beat them, again, if we get to host the AFCCG.

 

[Sciz]

This Denver loss is great for the Pats. Belichick gets to give the Pats some positive motivation (home-field) and some negative motivation (not being upset like the Broncos). Of course, most of the work has already been done, so it's a pretty small impact. Belichick's mood on Friday seemed to indicate that motivation throughout the week wasn't a problem.

 

[Gwedd]

This Denver loss is great for the Pats. Belichick gets to give the Pats some positive motivation (home-field) and some negative motivation (not being upset like the Broncos). Of course, most of the work has already been done, so it's a pretty small impact. Belichick's mood on Friday seemed to indicate that motivation throughout the week wasn't a problem.

I got that same vibe from his presser(s) and the general tone of the various articles about the players.

If they follow his coaching and just "do their jobs" then things will work out just ducky.

I'd love to see Balmer have to come back to Gillette for the AFCCG. Hopefully it won't be nearly as close as last year for New England, and the Pats get to go back to the big dance.

 

[BelichickFan]

I thought the parade route thing was contrived and weak, given that both Super Bowl teams have to pre plan the route.

No doubt, though, Belichick will make sure his team knows they have to go out and win it and that the higher seed, home field and the previous game against Houston won't win it for them.

 

[Froob]

Also relevant, though in a different way:



Denver Broncos' John Fox coached not to lose game - NFL.com

BB talked about not staying in a "foxhole". Fox coached from a foxhole. The Pats can't be passive - they need to take the game to the Texans, and dictate the terms of the game, knowing that the Texans will be out for blood and come out swinging, as the Ravens did today.

To be fair, how often does a team get beat for a 70yd touchdown like that tho? I mean, if broncos had passed and failed, Fox would be HAMMERED for not running the ball and taking time off the clock. Personally I'd rather be aggressive like you said(especially with a great qb) but, what Fox did wasn't necessarily the wrong call. But, I do agree with what you said, just thought I'd get that out there.

 

[Froob]

Apparently, Fox(or their OC or whoever) did call a pass on 3rd and 7 but Peyton audibled out of it. Wow...

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Apparently, Fox(or their OC or whoever) did call a pass on 3rd and 7 but Peyton audibled out of it. Wow...

Still, how often does a team score with that little time left on a 70 yard bomb? The safety was in position, he just made a bad play on the ball. Glad Im not a Donkey fan, I wouldnt be able to sleep tonight after that debacle.

 

[Gwedd]

Still, how often does a team score with that little time left on a 70 yard bomb? The safety was in position, he just made a bad play on the ball. Glad Im not a Donkey fan, I wouldnt be able to sleep tonight after that debacle.

FWIW, that play wasn't too far off from what Tebow used to beat Pittsburgh in O/T last year. :rocker:

Still and all, all that Manning had to do was get one first down. Just one and they win the game, rather than punt it over and let the Ravens tie things up.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

he will have them ready unlike the 49ers game..they will be ready to dominate

 

[TruthSeeker]

I thought the parade route thing was contrived and weak, given that both Super Bowl teams have to pre plan the route.

No doubt, though, Belichick will make sure his team knows they have to go out and win it and that the higher seed, home field and the previous game against Houston won't win it for them.

I'd agree with that, but Bill's dead-pan delivery and verbiage was still brilliant.