"When the enemy is making a false movement, we must take good care not to interrupt him"

[K. Dog]

Napolean, from History of Europe: From the Commencemnt of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons in M.DCCC.XV by Archibald Alison (1836, v. 5, p. 476 at FRENCH REVOLUTION ).

This is a famous quote (in various formulations) which Belichick, as a history buff, likely knew when he noted that something didn't look right.

 

[Jlaff]

So Superbowl 49?

 

[Kontradiction]

 

[Seacoast Fan]

Napolean, from History of Europe: From the Commencemnt of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons in M.DCCC.XV by Archibald Alison (1836, v. 5, p. 476 at FRENCH REVOLUTION ).

This is a famous quote (in various formulations) which Belichick, as a history buff, likely knew when he noted that something didn't look right.

My guess was Lee during any one of a dozen battles.....

 

[oldrover]

Napolean, from History of Europe: From the Commencemnt of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons

This is a good reminder for me... actually, I need to restore some bourbons to my liquor cabinet.

 

[Tunescribe]

Napolean, from History of Europe: From the Commencemnt of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons in M.DCCC.XV by Archibald Alison (1836, v. 5, p. 476 at FRENCH REVOLUTION ).

This is a famous quote (in various formulations) which Belichick, as a history buff, likely knew when he noted that something didn't look right.

 

[Simpelton]

 

[RobertWeathers]

The Dude Abides...

 

[Thelonious]

If Napoleon had laid off the tomatoes and peppers, we'd all be speaking French today.

 

[K. Dog]

My guess was Lee during any one of a dozen battles.....

The sentiment has been applied to the Civil War, e.g.

General Meade, however took the matter very seriously; thought I should take all the cavalry and capture Stuart; that the government would expect him to do so. I assured him that Lee was of more importance to us than Stuart; the latter was in a false position and useless to Lee, and that it was a maxim in war never to interfere with the enemy when he was making a false move.

From "The Campaign of Gettysburg" by Major General Alfred Pleasonton, in The Annals of the War: Written By Leading Participants North and South (The Times Publishing Company, Philadelphia 1879, p. 453 at The Annals of the War Written by Leading Participants North and South )

 

[K. Dog]

So Superbowl 49?

Yes, you're correct. Belichick said "just go goal line" instead of calling a time out at the end of SB LIX because, as he said later, "something just didn't look right".

The Seahawks were confused, uncertain, and making "false movements" which is why Belichick, applying Napolean's maxim, didn't call for a timeout.

Belichick is an expert in military history, and is known for citing historical events in his team meetings; it is highly likely Belichick would have known of Napolean's statement.

 

[Kontradiction]

View attachment 17076

That would terrifying.

 

[archstanton543]

Napolean, from History of Europe: From the Commencemnt of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons in M.DCCC.XV by Archibald Alison (1836, v. 5, p. 476 at FRENCH REVOLUTION ).

This is a famous quote (in various formulations) which Belichick, as a history buff, likely knew when he noted that something didn't look right.

That's cool and all but what specifically is this regarding?

 

[Tunescribe]

That would terrifying.

Just think of the eggs it would lay.

 

[Sicilian]

This is usually the kind of random thought I'll have at 3am when I haven't slept in days. Which makes it more terrifying that it seems to have occurred at 2:30 in the afternoon...

 

[363839]

I think Sun Tzu may have said something like that a bit before Napoleon.

 

[mosslost]

So Superbowl 49?

BB just got lucky on that one.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I prefer this version: "When the other guy is shooting himself in the foot, just stand back and get out of the way."

 

[captain stone]

It also reminds me of all the lousy HCs & GMs that the other AFCE teams continue to hire, then fire, then hire..