Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Well, well, well.
It looks like all the know-it-alls are coming out of the woodwork today to blast Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who decided to go for the win last night on fourth-and-2 from the Pats' own 28-yard-line late in the fourth quarter.
Sorry, he's not conservative, so the Pats went for it and they got burned (well, say what you want, but Kevin Faulk bobbled the catch but appeared to still have enough for the first down before the refs spotted the ball where he fell and landed which was obviously a very poor spot).
But now all the haters are coming out and blasting Belichick for going for it, including some Fan Fanatic Sports staff.
I can see fans getting upset for now beating the Colts -- remember they had a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter and you should never blow that big of a lead -- but to only focus on one play is downright wrong.
The Pats went for the win, is that a bad thing?
As far as I'm concerned, they had the play they wanted and went for it. Actually, the DID get the first and you can debate that all you want.
The conservative crew inside Patriots Nation wanted to see a punt. They think a tired and worn down defense would have stopped the Colts and Peyton Manning? No way. As much as you want to hang your hat on that, you know deep down it wasn't going to happen. They couldn't stop the Colts from scoring the go-ahead TD when the Pats turned the ball over, so why do you think they would have done it from say 50-70 yards out with about 2 minutes left?
What really burns me is that if the Pats did make the first down to seal the win, everyone would have loved the call to seal the win. They would have cited how gusty Belichick was for going for it and that the Pats' defense wouldn't have stopped them if they punted the ball back, but it's real easy to second-guess a coach when the result has already happened.
I loved the call, personally. They went for the win and there's nothing wrong with that. I'd rather that than being conservative and punting the ball away because I know the Colts would have easily marched down the field and scored.
Look at it this way: Belichick showed confidence in his offense to pick up the first down and his defense to stop the Colts if the offense didn't make the first down. Unfortunately neither group executed with the game on the line. And when you don't execute in the NFL, you don't win.
Don't pin this loss on Belichick, there's plenty of blame to go around.
But the Pats win and lose as a team. You'll never read me blasting Uncle Bill for being aggressive and trying to win.
There's no doubt I still Trust in Bill. If you don't, then trade in your Patriots gear for another team. We don't want you cheering for Pats. Find a conservative-coached team and start rooting for them. How about Cleveland? You can question everything Eric Mangini does!
I still don't understand why I can't be a Pats fan if I don't agree with the decision. That doesn't make me any less of a fan of the Patriots. I just don't take everything BB does and says as gospel.
ReplyDeleteIf they make the first down, you love the call ...just because you're conservative, you didn't like the call because of the result. You are the master at second-guessing.
ReplyDeleteIn every conversation we've had, I've tried to make it perfectly clear, but apparently you need to have your ears checked. I would not have liked the call if they made the first down. I would not have liked the call if that was the single decision that won them the game. Am I too conservative? Yes, maybe I am. Will I root any less for the Pats and BB on Sunday? No, I will not.
ReplyDeleteYou must feel guilty if you're trying to pledge your love for the Patriots still. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is great stuff. I don't feel guilty at all, I just don't like being called less of a fan because I disagree with a decision. I just think there's a big difference in football. It's a lot easier to 2nd guess a manager in baseball because the game of baseball is a lot easier to understand. Most fans give the head coach of a football team the benefit of the doubt because there are so many different variables that go into the game or specific play they can't understand.
ReplyDeleteYou are being called out for "being less of a fan" because you shot your mouth off about not trusting Belichick any more. How many Super Bowl titles have you been able to cheer about because of him, how quickly you forget? Shame on you for throwing him under the bus when a regular-season game's outcome doesn't go the way you want. Go practice your punting.
ReplyDeleteYou can still think he's a great coach and appreciate all he's done and still think it was a bad call. Even good coaches make bad calls.
ReplyDeleteWell said Maza, well said.
ReplyDeleteFair enough Maza, but I take offense to bashing Belichick and saying you don't trust him any more because of last night's call. Remember, that's what Mr. Ingram has stated.
ReplyDeleteBTW, it was still the right call.
Speaking of bashing BB, I was very surprised to hear Tedy Bruschi bash his former coach. He always seemed level headed. Didn't see those kinds of comments coming from Bruschi.
ReplyDeletesince when does somebody (and a former player no less) saying what he truly feels about something make him no longer level-headed? bruschi and rodney harrison are no longer players being forced to drink the BB kool-aid --now that they're members of the media, the muzzles are off. ...
ReplyDelete