Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

I thought a certain not guilty* person (RAY LEWIS) was the best motivational speaker in America
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HE7DF0Idiq...s+murderer.jpg

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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. :cool:

re: Bill Belichick: Motivational Master
 

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.