New England Patriots Links 11/18/09 - Humbled But [Still] Loveable

Bill Belichick is all about the Jets as he addresses the media Tuesday.

OK, we're getting ready for the Jets and that's in addition to what we saw from them earlier in the year. They have added some things offensively [and] defensively. [They have] a real good running game, of course. They present the usual scheme problems, the ones we worked on the first game and that they did a good job with. We have a lot of work to do there. It's a division game [and] it's November, so we've got to play well Sunday. We need to play a good game here against the Jets. They got us the last time and we need to win the division.

Joe Fitzgerald feels the fans made the wrong call after Belichick's gamble.

It’s odd how we express contempt for coaches who are too conservative, too unimaginative, who play it too close to the vest, then vilify one for throwing caution to the wind, even though his track record suggests his instincts are usually correct.

We profess to admire those who swing from their heels, shoot for the moon, exhibit the courage of their convictions, never cautioning them to play it safe.

Truth be told, if Belichick’s move had worked we’d now be basking in its glory. But because it fell 30 inches short we’re offended by its failure. And we view ourselves as sophisticated? Please.

Deshawn Zombie, Colt's blogger (18to88.com) can't believe he's defending Bill Belichick.

The Pats offense did NOTHING in the final 2.5 quarters. They scored 10 points on drives that started from the Indy 7 and the Indy 31. They also turned the ball over twice. That's the definition of doing nothing. The Pats defense gave up 28 points already and was about to have Peyton Manning drive the length of the field on them. Instead, Belichick flipped the script. Instead of the headlines being, "PATS WEAK", "PATS BLOW LEAD", "PATS DEFENSE SOFT", "BRADY GREAT IN FIRST HALF, WEAK IN SECOND HALF" everyone is focused on what an idiot Belichick is, as if he gives two craps what they say. Bill Belichick fell on his sword for his team Sunday night. They folded, and he took responsibility in the most manly way possible. No one is questioning the players about their mistakes. They are all focused on the coach. It's brilliant.

Belichick might have killed the Colts on Sunday night. By being aggressive and failing, he has opened the door for Jim Caldwell to play passive the rest of the year and get away with it.  Now when Jim punts instead of going for it, the local fans and media will embrace the conservative calls.  This possibility terrifies me.  Don't listen to the pundits.  Belichick did the right thing.  I can only hope Caldwell has the balls to do the same when it matters.

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets.  Series history, team connections, broadcast info and more.
• Patriots sign DL Adrian Grady to practice squad.
• Ask PFW: The decision.
• Tuesday Conference Calls: Bill Belichick (14:48), Nick Caserio (7:26), Dean Pees (7:57).  Plus Transcripts.
• Patriots Today: Analysis, news and numbers from loss to Colts.  (10:04 min. video)
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Kerry Byrne separates facts from myths when it comes to the Patriots.
• Albert Breer takes a closer look at some of the intricacies of Sunday's showdown between the Patriots and Colts.
• Chris Gasper notes removing the emotion of how the Patriots lost, you have to feel better about their chances of matching up with Peyton Manning and Co., and anybody else in the NFL than before.
• Albert Breer breaks down the rush: How the Patriots rushed Peyton Manning, and how the Colts got after Tom Brady.
• Mike Reiss looks at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots' offense against the Colts.
• Robert Lee notes the Patriots see red-zone issues in matchups with the Jets.
• Mike Reiss looks at where the Patriots rank in key statistical categories through 10 weeks of the NFL season:
• Albert Breer reports New England’s Tom Brady-driven attack ranks 25th in converting red-zone opportunities.  Ouch!
  
• Ian Rapoport catches up with injured Matt Light at a charity ball in Foxboro, honoring Steve Grogan.  Light described himself as "getting there. Almost there."   Practicing for the first time Friday, it's unclear if he'll play Sunday.
• Mike Reiss offers Ten Things to know about the Jets.
• Ron Borges has even more contempt for a crying coach than he does for Bill Belichick.  "Jets have become a team you can rely on. Talk all week, shut up on Sunday.  Bank on it."
• Adam Kilgore notes Left tackle Matt Light and guard Steve Neal each addressed their injuries tonight while attending a charity event. Light is 'improving' and Neal is optimistic.
• Christopher Price offers his weekly reader mailbag.  One last look back at Pats-Colts.
• Mike Reiss presents his weekly reader mailbag. 4th and 2, mismanaging timeouts, etc..
• Chris Penfield offers a breakdown of Sunday's game, which despite the score was mostly positive.
• Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Belichick has moved on to the Jets; Steve Grogan surprised at the decision; Nick Caserio expresses confidence in Maroney's play.
• Steve DeOssie grades the Patriots in his weekly report card.  Not a banner day for the coaches.
  

NATIONAL NEWS

• Gregg Easterbrook (ESPN) Bottom line is, Bill Belichick was right.
• NFL Live Chat with Junior Seau.  "We support Bill Belichick."
• Eric Edholm (PFW) Lack of faith in defense won't hurt Patriots long term.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) A look at AFC East in Pro Bowl balloting.
• Don Banks (SI) Bill Belichick fallout was comical, but no one is laughing in Patriots locker room.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Who will be Buffalo's coach in 2010?
• Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Bills need a team built for the elements: They need a Parcells-like team.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

• Rich Cimini (NY Daily News) Rex Ryan breaks down, cries in front of players.
• Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Cryin' shame: Rex Ryan must handle emotions for Jets to succeed.
• Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) Rex Ryan needs to keep on yappin' and stay true to himself.
• Steve Serby (NY Post) Papa Ryan believes Rex will leave Pats crying.