Left field

The Reuters global sports blog

Nov 17, 2009 03:58 EST

What was Bill Belichick thinking?

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Bonehead move or brilliant gamble? Gutsy call or clueless mistake?

With the New England Patriots leading the surging Indianapolis Colts 34-28 with just over two minutes to play and staring at a fourth and two gamble on their own 28 yard line, was Bill Belichick’s decision to go for the first down rather than punt the ball away the right one?

The result, a shock 35-34 Colts comeback victory says Belichick made a boo boo.

Right or wrong, “The Call” sparked a debate more heated than healthcare reform across the United States on Monday and threatens to rage on for weeks to come as fans and commentators try to get inside one of the NFL’s greatest minds and get the answer to one question; “What was he thinking?”

Headlines Monday morning indicated many already had their answer.

“Beli-flop”screamed the headline in the New York Daily News while internet chat rooms were buzzing hailing Belichick “Bozo the Coach”.

Under cross-examination, Belichick stood by his decision but his body language as the final seconds ticked down on Sunday was saying something else like “What did I do?”

COMMENT

How could the Pats defence have been out of gas. They were on the field for only 4 minutes in each of the 3rd and 4th quarters. If they were out of gas after spending most of the 2nd half sitting on the bench, then NE has a serious problem with conditioning.

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