Bill Belichick’s 10 most unconventional moves as coach of the New England Patriots – ESPN Boston
The fact Belichick was feeling good bodes well for the Patriots entering next Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants. Not that Belichick will ever tolerate on-field slacking in practice or outrageous media comments from his players. But the laid-back demeanor he displayed is a reminder of how much less outside pressure this New England squad is facing than the last one that played for a Lombardi Trophy. The stakes were so much higher for the 2007 Patriots. They were on the verge of posting the first 19-0 record in NFL history. They also had beaten the Giants in the regular-season finale. Dubbed a 13-point underdog by oddsmakers, New York entered as a far looser team and posted a 17-14 upset victory.
Bill Belichick is everybody’s critic in film sessions – ESPN Boston
Bill Belichick is everybody’s critic in film sessions – ESPN Boston
Must read alert! Filled with great Belichick tidbits.
The Belistrator loves to run a particular play when center Dan Koppen is supposed to be cleaning up the pocket, but is unable to make contact.
“We’re waiting, Dan,” Belichick delights in saying as the film runs. “Still waiting … still waiting …”
“Coach,” Koppen finally responded after two years of seeing clip, “no matter how many times you show this, I’m still not going to get there.”
“Anybody, Dan? Anybody? Can you just hit somebody?” chortled Vrabel, in his best Belistrator voice. “That’s one of my favorites.
"And don’t forget the time he went to Willie McGinest and said, ‘Hey Willie, if you were on the offensive line and I yelled, ‘Screen left!’ which way would you block?’ Willie said, ‘I’d go left.’
"Bill said, ‘Well damn, that’s right. See, Light? Even a defensive guy knows which way to block.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqxIVwmrrvE
I Wanna Gronk! – Rob Gronkowski (by thebostonglobe)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
An inside look at the Patriots’ red zone run game | National Football Post
On Nov. 7, the Herald ran a lengthy obituary for the Patriots [team stats]’ long-running dynasty following their 24-20 loss to the team they will meet again Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Super Bowl XLVI, the New York Giants. They had just lost their second game in a row in a way that seemed to make clear everything had changed for the most successful franchise in the league over roughly the last two decades (1994-present).
It was a game of turnovers (four), missed opportunities and a defense that couldn’t hold, allowing the Giants to travel 80 yards in 81 seconds for the winning score as time was running out. That loss ended a 20-game home winning streak in a way that led to the following conclusion:
“Dynasties do not end in spectacular collapse or fiery conflagration. They end from the corrosive effect of winning, eaten bit by bit until the edge is no longer on your side of the line of scrimmage . . . That’s how the good old days become the good old days — one small mistake at a time until your edge is gone and what is left is one dogfight after another. “That is who the Patriots are now. They are a team doing its best, but not always enough. They are not a dynasty any more. They are a team running with the pack: closer to the head of it than the rear but headed in the wrong direction.”
Thus inspired by yours truly, the Patriots didn’t lose another game. They won 10 straight to reach their fourth Super Bowl in the past 11 years under the direction of Tom Brady [stats], Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft, and I’m glad I could help. These Patriots won the AFC championship in just the kind of nail-biting dogfight that earlier column alluded to, but when you win those types of games, as the Patriots did so often this season, it means the dynasty is not over regardless of what happens Sunday.
Super Bowl XLVI: Breaking Down the New England Patriots Tight End Sets | Bleacher Report
Super Bowl XLVI: Breaking Down the New England Patriots Tight End Sets | Bleacher Report
Great stuff from Patriots X and O guru Alen Dumonjic.
