Beli-choke
"The last few times the Patriots have been in Indianapolis, Belichick has taken a leak down his leg. There's a line between aggressive and freaking stupid! "
– Michael Felger
To the surprise of no one, Bill Belichick's questionable decision to go for it on fourth and two from his own 28-yard line dominated today's discussion. At the time of the decision, the Patriots were leading 34-28 with 2:08 remaining in regulation. Michael and Tony dissected the decision, and the series of events leading up to the Patriots fourth quarter collapse in Indianapolis.
Felger: "Manning is in Bill Belichick's head. That's what this is. How do you explain the greatest coach of our generation becoming a puddle in Indianapolis last night? And that's what it was, a complete puddle. The last couple times the Pats have been in Indianapolis Belichick has taken a leak down his leg. That's exactly what happened last night. I still don't believe it. I didn't believe it when it happened, I don't believe it now. Bill Belichick has always been aggressive and its what makes him a good coach. The aggressive ones are the good ones so we love the fact that he's aggressive. But there's a line isn't there? There's a line between aggressive and freaking stupid! The shame of it was his defense was better in this game. Manning made his plays but this is the part of it I don't get. You spend the whole off-season shaping that defense and you trade Vrabel, you trade Seymour, and you bring in all these young guys. You make those deals and flush out the old players and bring in the new. You have this new defense and it's working. They have shut up guys like me and they are improving every week. And you go for it? A mind-blowing decision. I thought it was chicken to go for it. Manning is in his head! Suddenly the most poised, clutch, well-coached team we have ever seen goes into Indy and throws up. They did it last night, they did it last season, and they did it in the AFC Championship game two years ago. They have been peeing down their leg at Indy for the past three years."
Mazz: "It was cocky and it was arrogant. That's the bottom line. Fourth and two on your own 28? Kick it! They puked all over themselves the final four minutes of this game and this isn't the first time this has happened recently. You know what's amazing when you think about it, as cocky and as arrogant as he has become with that offense, he's the exact opposite with his defense. He's terrified of his own defense. I'm sorry. If there are still people out there defending him, defending this decision, shame on you. Please. It was idiotic and a foolish thing to do. The risk reward right there isn't worth it. Your going to give Manning the ball at the 30-yard line with two minutes to win it? Really? I thought the defense played a good game last night and Peyton Manning was mediocre until the last two drives of the game. Manning threw some balls last night that were absolutely dreadful. I mean they looked like quails coming out of his hand and two of them got picked off. Last night for me took it to an entirely new level Michael. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that the Patriots could be capable of that sort of collapse. I never thought of it in my wildest dreams. It was an absolute debacle. Belichick doesn't trust anyone but his quarterback is what it comes down too. That's the bottom line and that's a hard way to win football games. This is a meltdown we're talking about here. These aren't mistakes that cost you a game, this is a meltdown of epic proportion."
The Collin-tary: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is unarguably the greatest coach of his generation. In fact, when his Hall of Fame career is over, he may be regarded as the greatest of all-time. His credentials prompt Patriots supporters to confidently proclaim, "In Bill We Trust," during adverse times for the team. It's this respect, admiration, and trust that lead his admirer's blind loyalty. Unfortunately in this case, it also leads to stupidity.
The man who takes pride in his preparedness, preaches high football IQ, and stresses the importance of situational football, has once again thrown up all over his famed coaching sweatshirt. For all you blind squirrels, this is not the same as going for it on fourth and two inches from your own 24, up six, halfway through the third quarter, at home, against Atlanta (Yes, that actually happened earlier this season).
I fully understand the Colts are capable or driving the length of the field for a game-winning touchdown in two minutes, but that's a risk the coach must take. Giving Peyton Manning the ball at the plus 29-yard line, down six, with two minutes left is a gamble a coach should NEVER be willing to take. Think about if the Colts were in the same situation. Manning would be lining up to go for it, and you would be screaming, "Are they insane?!?".
The Patriots defense preformed admirably against Manning's offense Sunday night. In fact, they had forced him into throwing more interceptions than touchdowns in the second half before the final drive. The Pats defense had forced seven punts, and two turnovers (9 possessions without points!), as opposed to just four scoring drives. Sure the Colts were coming off an impressive 79-yard drive to pull within six, but the Patriots defense had yet to surrender points on back-to-back possessions! Any time the Colts scored, adjustments were made, and the defense immediately stiffened. In game adjustments have long been a strength of Belichick's brilliant defensive mind. Yet, at the most critical juncture, of the most critical game, he failed to believe in the defense HE built from the ground up. Even more troubling, he failed to believe in himself.
Put yourself in Belichick's shoes, would you have gone for it or punted it away to Manning? Originally the punt team did come on the field before the Patriots called timeout. Do you think Tom Brady talked Belichick into going for it on fourth down? Would punting the ball have led to a different outcome?
