When we’re lacking stories for a full post, we’ll post some thoughts on the stories of the day. This is that post.
Belichick's Reaction
– Colts 35, Patriots 34. What a great game. First regular season game that we remember that that has lived up to the ESPN produced hype. The issue here is the call by New England to go for it on 4 and 2 from their own 28 yard line with just over 2 minutes left in the 4th. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this is a signal of something. The Patriots don’t make that call. They understand clock management better than everyone else. It’s not Andy Reid on the opposite sideline, it’s Bill Belichick – a guy with 3 Super Bowl rings. You have to at least make Peyton Manning work for the go ahead score. But they didn’t…and they lost. The old (read: 2001-2005) Patriots punt and hold their opponent. The 2007 Patriots go for it and make it, and then score an “eff you” touchdown (hat tip Bill Simmons). These Patriots panicked, and we think they might be slipping.
The Newest Bobcat
– Stephen Jackson Traded. Meh. Was hoping that Jackson got dealt to a contender…we think he’s still a difference maker, even if he’s a headcase. Instead he’s dealt to Charlotte, where he’ll be the only offense. Liked Acie Law in college, he’s now buried on the bench behind Ray Felton and DJ Augustin (another guy we loved in college). Too Bad. Golden State doesn’t really get much out of this. Perhaps addition by subtraction by dealing Jackson. Raja Bell plays defense…he’s now the only guy in northern California that does. The Warriors have a lot of young talent that fits their system, but between Don Nelson hating young guys and deal like this that just crowd the rotation, they are not going anywhere.
– Bob Stoops to South Bend? (Chicago Sun-Times via Colin Cowherd) Reports saying that Bob Stoops and Kirk Ferentz top the short list to replace Charlie Weis at Notre Dame don’t make a lot of sense to us. Ferentz is a defense first guy, and it’s nearly impossible to field a high caliber defense, plus he’s not a “blue chip” kinda guy, he molds unheralded kids into stars. Stoops would be more interesting, but we’d save the roughly $40 million (~$20 million to Weis in a buyout plus Stoops rumored ~$18 million buyout) and go Brian Kelly. Kelly has proven he can win anywhere, and he’s got the offense that would fit the Irish’s current roster. Stoops would probably lost both of his coordinators, meaning he’s going to have to rebuild a little, which means a longer wait for a return to the BCS. Lastly, isn’t Weis being run off for his terrible record in big games? (two wins since 2006 against teams that finished over .500) Why go out and get Stoops who has notably flopped in any big games since the exit of Jason White and Adrian Peterson?
It's The Truth 
i agree about belichick’s risky call for the most part. however, with an offense as potent as NE’s, i can’t say i completely fault him for the call. he certainly considered peyton a serious risk from 70+ yards w/ 2 minutes left, so I assume he felt he was gambling either way, and ended up losing.
wow i can’t believe i sound like i’m defending that POS
I’ve seen this 4th down play replayed (what seems like) a million times in the last 24 hours…and the call by the official – juggling the catch – and the spot by the official, which I believe was a direct result of the juggling call – look very interesting. But hey it’s a judgment call, and I gotta go with the call on the field.
One of the best “other” comments on the matter was made by Steve Young during last nights pregame…the fact they took a TO before this final play which breaks the flow of the game. He claims, and I think he’s got a valid point, if they’d run that 4th down play without the timeout, could’ve been a completely different result.
I’m glad they called the TO.
Honestly, it’s not even the “going for it” call that’s my biggest issue. It’s the fact that on 4th and 2 they didn’t go to the best slot receiver in the game, Wes Welker. That’s all he does, give him a screen and he’ll get two yards. Randy Moss had been uncoverable all night. Have him fly off the line and throw him a ten yard jump ball. I mean, Kevin Faulk is decent player, but in that situation I want the ball going to my best players, and it didn’t. It went to a third down back. Slipping.