What was Belichick thinking?
Posted on 18. Nov, 2009 by Brandon LaClair in Columns
What was Bill Belichick thinking? The Patriots were leading by six points,with two minutes to go in the game. If the Patriots had punted the ball, Peyton Manning and the Colts offense would have to go 70 yards to take the lead rather than the 30 yards that cost the Patriots the game. In retrospect, was it a poor decision?
Let’s outline Belichick’s thought process facing a 4th and 2 on their own 28 yard line:
1. We’re 6-2, 2nd place Jets are 4-4, AFC East is ours.
2. Since Tom Brady took over as starting quarterback in 2001, we have converted on
70% of 4th and 2 plays.
3. Let’s go for the win now, Peyton Manning has been unstoppable in the 2nd half.
4. Tom Brady is the most clutch quarterback this decade.
When you factor those variables into the equation, what percentage of us would have made the same decision? You either succeed or fail on 4th down plays, Belichick failed. It happens. This “bad” decision has transformed into a radioactive one as Belichick has been destroyed on every media outlet. When asked what his thoughts were on Belichick’s decision to go for the win, ESPN’s Trent Dilfer chose the words “stupidity” and “idiotic.” What if the risk was to pay off? What would Dilfer and every other detractor of Belichick say then? It would be along the lines of “What a gamble by Belichick, he proves time-and-time again why he is the best coach in the NFL.” It’s a joke, people can‘t glorify Belichick enough when he succeeds, but can’t wait to destroy him when he fails.
The detractors can sit back and focus on one play, but the real problem is the defense. While they are talented, youth and inexperience are a significant problem. With 7:19 left in the 2nd quarter, the Patriots led 24-7. A championship team does not give up that lead in any situation. The offense put up the points, but the defense couldn’t hold it. Belichick should never have been in that position. It looks as though the multitude of veterans who have departed has stuck this defense into a state of mediocrity.
A glaring reason as to why Belichick put himself at such a disadvantage is a testament to the greatness that is Peyton Manning. Belichick had obviously taken note of Manning’s league leading completion percentage and the explosive offense that had led the Colt’s to a perfect 9-0 record. Belichick knew that if he had chosen to punt the ball, there was a very good chance Manning would have executed the two-minute drill to perfection to put the Colts in a great position to win. Naysayers of Manning can justifiably say that he is typically a choke during playoff time, but during the regular season, he is the best quarterback in football.
Bottom line here is: Belichick’s resume speaks for itself. He chose to take a risk that was justifiable because of the string of success the team has enjoyed over the last decade. Go to the top of the highest mountain and scream about Belichick’s poordecision-making, but his collection of Superbowl rings are plugging his ears.
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3 Responses to “What was Belichick thinking?”
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gram
19. Nov, 2009
great writeup!!! it totally agree
Rick
24. Nov, 2009
Great analysis Brandon, And your absolutely correct. You are either a hero or a zero in all facets of public life – and that can change by the minute in our culture. I believe it’s become our societies nature to worship success and root for failure at the same time. I, for one, applaud Belichick and the entire offense on this call. If you don’t take a chance, you never had a chance.
Jim
25. Nov, 2009
Not to mention that it looked like Faulk had the first down and then the Patriots got a bad spot from the official.
Look at the Falcons game earlier in the year, they went for it from their own 24 yard line on 4th down in that game.
They almost did something similar against Miami the week before the Colts game, but a false start pushed it back to 4-6 and so they decided not to go for it.