bill belichick

Belichick then calls up another play with Vereen split wide to the right, later on that same drive. “This time the matchup is a little bit different [on Vereen], with a little bit tighter coverage – the safety cheated over a little bit further,” Belichick notes, pointing out that Brady decides to work the “slot side part of the combination” on the other side – with tight end Aaron Hernandez coming out of the backfield and going outside, and Wes Welker going underneath. Hernandez gets a step on a linebacker and advances the ball to the 1. Belichick credits Brady with recognizing coverage and getting the ball to the right player. Also a nice block by center Ryan Wendell creates a nice throwing lane.

Great nugget from the Bruschi chat, I noticed this too…

James (NJ (via Boston)) It is amazing to see the focus of Belichick yesterday when Brady throws the dagger TD pass following the Ninkovich INT and he offers absolutely no emotion when looking at the video screen, he didn’t even nod his head! Can you offer some insight into that focus during the week of preparation, how does he balance the hyper focus with keeping the team loose? Last year I felt like I saw a tight team in the AFC championship, and especially the SB.

Tedy (12:27 PM) You’re right, James. I thought the cameras picked up a great shot on Belichick and how his mind works quickly to focus on what’s next. The minute that TD is scored, it’s not about celebrating that TD, it’s about what that TD meant to the game situation, how much time was left on the clock, and what type of situation it will be for the defensive unit. It’s that exact process that he tries to teach his players – not to focus on what has happened in the past, or even what just happened at that moment. The only control you have is thinking about how it changes things that are coming up.