Belichick defends Seahawks' play call

[Betallsports]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has heard the criticism of the Seattle Seahawks' play-calling at the end of Super Bowl XLIX, and he believes it is "totally out of line."


<cite>AP Photo/Matt Slocum</cite>Pete Carroll "does a great job" and the criticism of the Seahawks' final play call is "totally out of line," Patriots coach Bill Belichick says.





Belichick's team obviously benefited from the Seahawks' decision to throw on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 26 seconds remaining, a now hotly debated play call that resulted in Malcolm Butler's game-saving interception. Still, Belichick questioned the credentials of those panning the decision by coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.


"There has been a lot of criticism that I don't think is anywhere close to being deserved or founded," Belichick said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on sports radio WEEI in Boston. "That football team is very good, very well-coached, and Pete does a great job.


"Malcolm and Brandon [Browner], on that particular play, just made a great play. I think the criticism they've gotten for the game is totally out of line and by a lot of people who I don't think are anywhere near even qualified to be commenting on it."


Belichick also shared empathy for the Seahawks' heartbreak.


"I wouldn't be able to say enough about Seattle. They're a great football team, well-coached. They deserve so much credit for what they've done, and how well they've done it," he said on the program.


"I know they are disappointed, as we've been in that spot a couple times ourselves. So the high that we feel is probably not as high as the low that they feel. But that's a really good football team."

 

[Michelangelo]

As usual Belichick puts the faux critics in their place.

And while I'm at it, those of you who think he erred by not calling a time out, are, of course, flat out wrong. Firstly, the result of that inaction proved that. Secondly, I'll be willing to bet that BB knew that the likelihood of a positive outcome for the Hawks diminished greatly as the clock ticked down. Confusion created by a limited clock was on the Patriot side. Do you guys remember Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid fumbling and bumbling clock management in their last possession of 2005 SB when they had almost four minutes and all they needed was a tying fg. They blew it under the immense pressure of that Biggest Moment. Guarantee Belichick wasn't doing the safe thing. Guarantee before that game that he had gone over all likely game closing scenarios and his response in his head. The thought that Belichick, without forethought to the outcomes, let that clock tick, tick, tick, is really presumptuous and silly of critics who couldn't screw in BB's cleats.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Philly was down 10 when they weren't increasing the tempo fwiw

They eventually scored to be down 3

I wouldn't chalk it up to pressure that Andy Reid screwed up clock management. I'd chalk it up to him being Andy Reid.

 

[gijoe]

I hope someone ask him about this

 

[raiders72]

I think that was the worst play that could have been called. If Sea wanted to pass a fade or roll out pass/run option would have been better.

Hindsight is 20/20 but it's tough to defend a pass over the middle.

 

[Michelangelo]

Philly was down 10 when they weren't increasing the tempo fwiw

They eventually scored to be down 3

I wouldn't chalk it up to pressure that Andy Reid screwed up clock management. I'd chalk it up to him being Andy Reid.

You forget that Donovan McNabb was puking in the huddle because of the pressure. The Big Stage in the Big Moment brings out the best in some and the worst in others.

 

[PatsFan1283]

You forget that Donovan McNabb was puking in the huddle because of the pressure. The Big Stage in the Big Moment brings out the best in some and the worst in others.

lol I remember back then I'd listen to JT the brick late at night and he said McNabb was out partying the night before. That had to be disgusting to his teammates. Trying to mount a SB comeback and this guy is yacking everywhere.

I'd think he was embellishing some but who knows. Game was in Jacksonville, not South Beach.

 

[HacheMan]

So now BOTH coaches say there was nothing wrong with the play call, but all armchair QB's still believe they're right when they say it was a horrible call...face)(*^%

 

[Salsantorre]

So now BOTH coaches say there was nothing wrong with the play call, but all armchair QB's still believe they're right when they say it was a horrible call...face)(*^%

do you expect the new england coach to criticize his vanquished foe? And do you expect the seattle coach to admit it was a bad call?

 

[Stylez]

I'd say that too if it won me a sb .

 

[HarryCaray]

As usual Belichick puts the faux critics in their place.

And while I'm at it, those of you who think he erred by not calling a time out, are, of course, flat out wrong. Firstly, the result of that inaction proved that. Secondly, I'll be willing to bet that BB knew that the likelihood of a positive outcome for the Hawks diminished greatly as the clock ticked down. Confusion created by a limited clock was on the Patriot side. Do you guys remember Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid fumbling and bumbling clock management in their last possession of 2005 SB when they had almost four minutes and all they needed was a tying fg. They blew it under the immense pressure of that Biggest Moment. Guarantee Belichick wasn't doing the safe thing. Guarantee before that game that he had gone over all likely game closing scenarios and his response in his head. The thought that Belichick, without forethought to the outcomes, let that clock tick, tick, tick, is really presumptuous and silly of critics who couldn't screw in BB's cleats.

I have the exact same take on the Pats not calling time out, and I am far from a BB or Pats fan.

 

[Enfuego]

So now BOTH coaches say there was nothing wrong with the play call, but all armchair QB's still believe they're right when they say it was a horrible call...face)(*^%

Seriously?

Bellechick says it was a good call because he fucking won the game. Carroll never said it was a good call. He apologized to the team afterwards and told them he cost them a SB Title.

 

[Enfuego]

do you expect the new england coach to criticize his vanquished foe? And do you expect the seattle coach to admit it was a bad call?

He did admit it was a bad call. He apologized to the entire team.

 

[raiders72]

So now BOTH coaches say there was nothing wrong with the play call, but all armchair QB's still believe they're right when they say it was a horrible call...face)(*^%

How could NE stop a roll out pass? It's either a running TD, passing TD, or throw away incompletion.

The coaches aren't infallible and if other coaches were to give an honest opinion of the play, they would disagree.

 

[DrunkenHorseplayer]

If Wilson had thrown an accurate pass from about six yards away nobody would be talking about the call.

 

[Polaris]

If Wilson had thrown an accurate pass from about six yards away nobody would be talking about the call.

If Wilson threw the ball 1 yard in front or 1 yard behind, that probably would have been a catch and touchdown, but the ball was exactly where the defensive back was.

I have watched Seattle play before on TV, because you know, bet against them when they play San Francisco, and they always use this play in short yardage and they convert which is frustrating to San Francisco backers. I am really surprised this play did not work for them.

That is the other point I like to raise, is that I agree with everyone else, I was stunned and surprised they called that play.

But, isn't that the point? Isn't that Pete Carroll, or someone like Jeff Ficsher, or even , do something when anyone least expect it?

The Rams beat the Seahawks this season because Ficsher called the fake punt at his own 18 yard line. Remember Sean Payton calling that on side kick in their Superbowl, Payton Manning did not see the field for a hour and a half in that game because of such decisions. What about two weeks ago, 4th and 18 and they called the fake field goal and they score a TD. Same guy who called this play.

It was the 1 yard line. The defensive front all lined up goal line defense. That means at the snap of the ball, get low straight ahead, no one is going to jump up to bat the ball down. There is no secondary either. That means Russell Wilson has a clear view and access to the whole end zone. At that moment all it was, it was between the receiver, the defensive back, and the QB. They ran a pick play and they still could not convert.

Who thought they would call a play like that? Total surprise.

Is it more stunning that it did not work?

I thought they scored. Then I thought pass interference. Then the TV had Chris Collingsworth bellow out "NOoooooooo!" Then I thought, what the hell just happened? Why are the Patroits defenders running off the field screaming like little girls. I only believe it when they showed the replay. And I still did not believe it.

They should have scored on that play, but the DB play a great play a play of a lifetime. He was going to cry on the sidelines because the moment was too overwhelming.

Damn, what a game.

:smoking:

 

[pocketrockets]

I think is more Wilson-s fault than Carroll's but oh well

 

[Well-Seasoned]

I think is more Wilson-s fault than Carroll's but oh well

I agree...........Wilson supposed to be the leader on the field............The fact that most immediately blamed someone besides Wilson proves nobody sees him as an elite Quarterback or the one fully in charge...Good QB, but nobody compares him to Rodgers, Brady, Manning, or even Rivers who has no rings..............

 

[pocketrockets]

I agree...........Wilson supposed to be the leader on the field............The fact that most immediately blamed someone besides Wilson proves nobody sees him as an elite Quarterback or the one fully in charge...Good QB, but nobody compares him to Rodgers, Brady, Manning, or even Rivers who has no rings..............

+1

he gets a pass for that exact reason

 

[Enfuego]

I agree...........Wilson supposed to be the leader on the field............The fact that most immediately blamed someone besides Wilson proves nobody sees him as an elite Quarterback or the one fully in charge...Good QB, but nobody compares him to Rodgers, Brady, Manning, or even Rivers who has no rings..............

Disagree. Hated the play call, worst in the history of sports but the throw was good and the route was good. At the end of the day, an unknown rookie made the play of his life on the biggest stage.