Let me start by saying I am not a New England Patriot fan, but I did love Bill Belichick’s fourth down call against the Colts. I’ve thought about this very carefully over the last two weeks and I’ve come to the conclusion that it really was the right decision. Here’s why. First, I am tired of watching football coaches constantly making conservative calls playing the entire game with a “not to lose ” Italian soccer strategy instead of the “going for the win” approach. Second, when you think about it, which was the riskier move, having Tom Brady and his offense get the 2 yards for the first down or giving Manning the ball with 2 minutes left and 60- 70 yards to go. In reality Belichick did what most baseball fans, who I feel are in the same category as Star Wars/Star Trek convention-going fanatics, would say a great manager would do. Make a decision on percentages. Yes, a baseball manager looks at all his options and who his opponent is in every situation and figures out what his best percentage to succeed is and goes for it. Successful or not if he plays the percentages he is always considered to be making the right decision. In baseball what Belichick did is called strategy but to football fans it’s crazy. Go figure.
As for the thinking that what Belichick did would get his defense to feel like he doesn’t trust them is also ludicrous. Does a relief pitcher that gets pulled out of a game because the next batter he faces has a better chance of getting a hit on him than another pitcher on his team get offended? No he understands the percentages. Belichick knew that his offense facing the Colts defense has a better chance of success then his defense facing Peyton Manning.
So for all you Belichick haters that are just waiting for him to make a mistake and jump on him on what was the right call, just chill out and remember a very important fact. He hasn’t won 3 super bowls with a constantly changing line up and low-drafted players because he guesses and uses emotion in making his decision. He also hasn’t won because he has had great coordinators as Charlie Weiss, Eric Mangini, Romeo Cromell and Josh McDaniels have not exactly gone on to great things without Belichick. He has won because he is a football genius.
Mr. “Sports” Bean
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““not to lose ” Italian soccer strategy ” I resent that. During the 2006 world cup Italy constantly used 3 forwards. If you recall during that epic semi final game against Germany, Italy had 4 attacking players on the field during overtime/extra time. 4!! Hardly a “not to lose” strategy. I think the Greek 2004 Euro Championship team warrants that reference. Just my two cents.
As a Greek soccer fan, I resent that. Would you also label Spain, Germany and Italy as teams that employed a “not-to-lose” strategy in that same tournament? Cuz Greece outscored all of them in the first round in terms of goals for. And for what it’s worth, none of our games went to penalty kicks – they were all decided in regulation time by clutch scoring.
Furthermore, every team should play according to its strengths – would you label the Baltimore Ravens or the Pittsburgh Steelers as playing not-to-lose, simply because they rely on their defense to keep them in games? You play according to your team’s strengths.
With the Pats, Bellichick did exactly that – his offense was his strength, and a two yard play was a good gamble. If this was the Steelers going for it on 4th and 2, then I’d say it was a dumb move, because playing to their strength would be punting and relying on their defense to hold the fort.
And P.S. Check who the leading goal scorer was for the European WC qualifications…I forget where he was from again…let me refresh my memory:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/topscorers/index.html
I don’t disagree with Bilichick’s play.
The point I’m trying to make is that Italy is still labeled as this ’score one goal and sit back kind of team’. I’m tired of it. The opposite has been true for years.
I strongly believe this stereotype is still coming from English fans. They say Serie A is boring, too slow, too technical etc. But when Italy always beats England, as they usually do, English fans say “Italy just defend and play not to lose. That’s not football” (to be read with a deep English accent) Back in the day, that may be true. Italy had the best defense. So like you said they played to their strengths.
For years now that has not been the case. Admittedly Italy’s defense has not been nearly as good. They rely more on scoring goals and usually play a 4-3-3 formation.
Even Serie A scoring has been up. Take a look at these stats from the 07/08 season.
Goals per game ratios…
La Liga 2.69
EPL 2.64
Serie A 2.55
As you can see Serie A is right there with the Spanish and English League. The thing is no one pays attention to this. Everyone enjoys saying “Italian soccer, BOOORING”. Times have changed but peoples opinions have not, and that’s a shame.
Sorry to through Greece in the mix but it seemed more fitting for the article above. I wish all the best to the Greeks in the WC.
P.S. during the 06 WC ten different players scored for Italy and five goals out of twelve were scored by substitutes, while four goals were scored by defenders. Complete teams usually win championships.
I’ll give you that – the only thing missing from English soccer fans is a soother – next to the Buffalo Bills of the 90’s, they’re the biggest choke artists of our lifetime