Now that we’ve all spent the better part of the last 24 hours listening to people rip Bill Belichick, let me share what I love about the Patriots coach in wake of the most costly decision of his career in New England. I love the way Belichick is handling the fallout. Most coaches might allow one awful decision to be the breaking point for a season that spirals out of control. Not Coach Bill. His team will be stronger because of this. Belichick will prevent any doubt from creeping in the heads of his players. He’s doing everything right in the wake of Sunday’s disastrous loss to the Colts.

To understand how he’s spinning this into a positive, we have to acknowledge that he didn’t make the decision to go for it on fourth down from his own 28-yard-line because he’s the type of guy who fears repercussions. He simply wants to win games, and he never doubts himself. You can question his decision, but you can’t question his motive. During yesterday’s interview circuit, Belichick seemed to follow through on his conviction by giving zero thought to his public perception. In fact, he cared so little about his public image, he showed up to yesterday’s press conference in cutoff sweatpants (see photo).

Belichick won't even upgrade to jorts. (AP)

By the end of the day, former players such as Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison were coming off like talking heads, pouncing on their opportunities to rip their former coach to demonstrate their own objectivity. Bruschi wrote: “The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks.” Harrison said: “This is the worst coaching decision I’ve ever seen Belichick make.” Belichick could have responded with a snide remark about either player at any point during the day. But rather than divide his locker room between the guys who played with Bruschi and Harrison and the guys who didn’t, Belichick answered, “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion out there. I respect that.” He didn’t take shots at his detractors. Why would he? He doesn’t care about them. With that, Belichick turned into the sympathetic figure who is unafraid to make big decisions. Harrison and Bruschi came off like has-beens who took shots from their national perches.

To give you an idea of whether or not Belichick had won over New England fans at the end of his media tour yesterday, WEEI.com conducted a poll asking readers if Belichick made the right call by going for it on fourth down. Bear in mind, this was a call that blatantly blew the game. There’s little argument that it was the wrong call in retrospect. It didn’t work out. Still, 48 percent of the people voted: “Yes, Belichick made the right call.” Now, was this because WEEI.com posted an extremely confusing poll that was titled, “Did Belichick blow it?” but then asked the question, “Did Belichick make the right call?” I suppose that could have been it. But I’m going to stick with my theory that Belichick is incapable of losing his players or his fan base.

Having witnessed the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia for the last 12 years, I can honestly say I wish Reid would blow a call this blatantly once in a while. And I’m not talking about blowing three timeouts on the opening drive of the second half. Reid has spent the last 12 years deciding whether or not his team should go for two points after each touchdown by revisiting his “scoring chart,” which breaks down the percentages of all possible scoring differentials. At times, the Eagles will go up 6-0 and Reid will stupidly consult his chart to make sure an extra point is in order. If the Eagles encounter fourth down, Reid only has two choices: punt or kick a field goal. If there’s any chance he might get ripped in the postgame fallout, he makes the decision that will pass the buck to his players. That’s boring, gutless football. That’s why every year is the same with the Eagles.

Yesterday, the authors of the site Advanced NFL Stats came up with a formula to prove that Belichick actually made the right call because the Patriots were more likely to convert on fourth-and-2 than stop Peyton Manning from driving 70-plus yards in two minutes. The irony of that column is that Belichick wouldn’t have used that formula. He had all the information he needed, which was the evidence from the previous 58 minutes of game-time. His defense was tapped, Manning couldn’t be stopped, his team’s only hope was converting on fourth down. It may not have been the right call, but does anyone think the Pats defense was prepared to stop Manning from driving 70 yards in two minutes? Please. That’s my boy, Peyton Manning. He gets it done.

So Belichick proved to be a mix between Bruce Willis in “Die Hard” and the type of guy who will hit on your girlfriend right in front of you. He has some serious sack. Is he always right? No. But he’s the type of guy who gets what he wants. The Pats are in good hands. Let’s stop killing the man in the arena.

6 Comments for “Stop hating Belichick, the legend”

1. Bas Fedor Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 9:10 am

   Belichick is the man. Pats bulldoze through remaining schedule. ‘Nuff said.

2. Jon Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 9:36 am

   “the most costly decision of his career in New England”

   Really? Bigger than having Reche Caldwell as your primary receiver? Bigger than continually throwing the ball down field with 5 step drops in Superbowl 42 when your O line is completely overmatched until the last drive of the game?

   He went for the win, it didn’t work out. It is crazy the amount of sky is falling crap people are talking about this one play. What about the Maroney fumble, what about the defense completely stop playing in the 4th quarter? Guess what, they still have the Jets this week and then undefeated New Orleans next. We can disect Glen Ordways interview but unless Glen puts on a headset and starts calling plays this weekend, I’ll just watch the games instead.

   FYI I wonder if Terrell Suggs thinks low hits are still OK this morning as he heads off to get an MRI on his knee.

3. Samuel Grozalsky Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 9:41 am

   Unfortunately, as usual people are hung up on a single calkl made by the coach and saying that is the caausal factor for the loss. What everyone is ignoring is why this situation arose to begin with.
   This is the third major time that the Pats have been unable to play with a lead and win. Sure they can beat up on tthe Tampa Bays and Titans but they don’t hold up well against a good team like the Colts or the Broncos or even the Superbowl Giants.
   They remind me of your big brother who rolls over you in any competition and then lets you catch up to a certain point. But the Pats can’t stop you when the game is on the line. Where is the 60 minutes of play that the team should be capable of handling; they are paid plenty to perform. How many of us are given this type of forgiveness and excuses by our boisses, clients and customers. If we performed like this continually we would be on the unemployment line.
   Blame the loss on the decision if you want. I blame the coach and the players for not being prepared, again, to perform for a full 60 minutes.
   I have removed the Pats clock and stadium picture from my wall. Let me spend my time in a more productive fashion than watching the Pats.

4. Pats Bandwagon Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 10:34 am

   Later Samuel!

5. KD Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 10:56 am

   Samuel –

   Take down that Pats clock and put up a McNabb Fathead! As the unofficial spokesman for Philadelphia Eagles fans, we would love another whiny, overreacting, half-supporter in our corner! And after reading your rant today, we know you’ve got what it takes! Just make sure you sign the petition to fire Andy Reid every week and you’re in.

6. Favre Superfan! Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am

   Your Vikings clock and a picture of Brett’s return to Lambeau are in the mail Sam! You want 60 minutes of focus, fun, and leadership; follow America’s last real American. I even threw in a pair of Wrangler jeans sure to win over clients, bosses, and customers!

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