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