New England Patriots: Bill Belichick Fourth and Six Play Call
The New England Patriots continue to “walk the talk” in their perseverance in getting better each week, to control what they can control and to eliminate the noise. Their 23-3 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday is proof that the team still finding creative ways to move the ball on the offense and to stop the ball on the defense.
Sep 22, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano (left) speak prior to a game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Bill Belichick experience pays off every day in every game and there’s no other coach I would rather have leading my team than coach Bill Belichick. The team directed the game in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams. The absence of special team player Matthew Slater went well under the radar, but there were questions on how the team would step up during his absence. However, there was no question in the locker room that every player would pick up where Slater left off.
One of the many football coaching qualities I admire in coach Belichick is his ability to balance out conservative and bold play calling. Not all of his play calling ends up being successful, (as we know it) but one thing that he’s not scared of is of calling plays – and that, in my opinion, builds the gap between knowing and wondering “what if”.
With a 20 point lead at 7:38 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots ate up the clock as much as they could (4:41 elapsed time and 10 plays) while taking opportunity of situation football. The 4th and 6 call at the Buccaneers 11 was really a treat to witness, and it would be nice if Blount could have gained 6 yards instead of 5. But the point is that coach Belichick managed the clock well, took advantage of the opportunity for our players to have a realistic measurement of situational football, and Tom Brady had protection throughout the drives. If coach Belichick wanted to make that a scoring drive, he absolutely could have done it, but playing safe with an edge of boldness while showing great camaraderie to opposing head coach Greg Schiano, Belichick is an amazing coach.