An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Coach,

I have two major points I'd like to make to you.

First, let Matt Cassel air the ball out more. He's proven himself to be a good decision maker. Is he Tom Brady? Of course not. But he better than a lot of other starters in the NFL, and I think he's earned the right to take a few more deep shots. He hit Gaffney perfectly in stride last night, and if that were Moss, it would have been 6. I realize Moss was double and triple covered, but there were times where he had more one-on-one coverage. Let's take off the training wheels.

Second, privately - not publicly a la Mike Singletary - a point needs to be driven home to the entire team about David Thomas' actions. While I do not believe a loss ever comes down to one play or one player (there were plenty of other opportunities we didn't take last night), his bone-headed penalty seemingly cost us a shot at the win. One of the strengths of this team thus far has been the incredible discipline we've demonstrated in committing so few penalties. Get Thomas, and by implication, the rest of the team, back on board.

Thanks Coach - Pats 11-5 AFC East Champs,

Steve

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Can anybody see BB having a post game press conference like Singletary? Or dropping his pants?

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

I couldn't disagree more on either point. Cassel is executing the game plan very well, why change it? He had some chance for deep throws at the end of the game, and was off the mark. Granted, the Gaffney drop was a perfect throw, I don't think Cassel has demonstrated consistency throwing the long ball - and with coverages on Moss being like they are, they should just go with what works.

As for Dave Thomas, what I believe they continually failed to show on the replays was that Thomas was retaliating for a cheap shot on Moss. Sure, Thomas' hit was a second too late, but guys with some nastiness like Thomas or Mankins have to let players on the defense know they aren't going to get away with taking shots at our superstars, especially Moss.

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

So, retaliation is okay even at the expense of the game? Well, I'm sure the team can take solace in that as they travel back to Foxboro with an "L".

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

I agree. We are doing fine with the game plan on offense, and it seems that BB is slowly giving Cassel more freedom anyways.

As far as the Thomas play goes, I thought the call was more in question than his actions. Plus, I think Thomas knows what he did and doesn't need anyone to point it out. For BB to single him out would be pointless humiliation and a waste of time. It says more to not say anything.

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

There's no doubt he made a mistake - he made the hit one second too late. But the hit itself was not the issue, it was the timing.

Besides, they could've called a late hit or unnecessary roughness on probably 25% of the plays out there. It was a chippy and physical game. Mankins was roughing people up after plays, Colts players were getting their shots in.

Thomas was just dumb enough to do it right in front of the ref, and the ref had a big enough ego to derail a perfectly good and competitive game by making a ticky-tack call.

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Could not agree more, the blame game makes little sense.. thought the game plan was well thought out, the pats were in a position to win.. a dropped pass may have made the difference..

I thought the Thomas penalty was overkill, his back was to the runner so how did he know he was down?? The hit seemed coincidental with the whistle..

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Agree - I thought it was a lot closer to the whistle than fans/posters here are making it out to be.

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Like the "great" bob sanders who routinely dives in the pile and spears players and never gets called for it.

Re: An Open Letter to Bill Belichick
 

Exactly. (10)