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No or go for 16-0?

Dec 18th, 2007 by Bill Burt

I’d like to know what you think.
Should the Patroits err on the side of safety, particularly with their quarterback, Tommy Brady, or should they go with the “60 minutes” motto they’ve been professing lately?
To be honest, I can’t figure out Bill Belichick’s intentions. Just when I believe I have him somewhat figured out, he goes in the other direction.
I am withholding my thoughts for a while, but I’d be interested in yours.
Do you think the Patriots should go for the record, and undefeated season or should they pack it in and prepare for the January and February?

Posted in Patriots | Comments

  • Colin
    It's not like they haven't won a Super Bowl, this is their only chance and they can't afford to take any risks. They have already won three Super Bowls, and now they have a chance to do something no team has ever done before, and that's go 19-0. They have to go for it. Of course, they should also take Brady, Moss and other stars out of the next two games as soon as possible, but they shouldn't pack it in and miss out on history. I think Belichick understands what 19-0 would mean and will go for it.
  • Colin
    I agree. I sort of equate this to the Ellsbury-for-Santana deal. They (the Red Sox and Patriots) are not desperate. They have won before. That being said, don't be stupid. Like you said, Belichick is an NFL historian. You'd be in shock how much history he knows about the game. I am trying to find out how many visits to Canton, Ohio he has made. I'm guessing more than 10. Cleveland, his first stop on the NFL head coaching circuit, is only an hour away. I even stopped by when I was there for the Sox-Indians series. We only stayed about three hours. I could have stayed three more if they had a better cafeteria.
  • Marc
    I think going for the record allows the Patriots to have something to play for in the next two weeks, which will keep them sharp for the playoffs, as opposed to the Colts who really have nothing to play for. Not sure if the data backs it up but it seems that teams that rest their starters before the playoffs have a tough time with intensity and being sharp in that first playoff game. Go for the history.
  • Bill,
    I think he goes for it, within reason. I think the starters will go and go early. But I also think that with a lead, these guys won't see much run in the second half.

    At the same time, it wouldn't surprise me if Bill asked his players what they wanted. If the perfect season is motivating and driving them as a collective team goal, it could be a let down at this point to take that away from them.

    But if all they see as the ultimate prize is another Super Bowl trophy, then I expect Bill to coach accordingly.

    I would ask them, would you rather go 16-0 and lose in the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl? or would you rather go 15-1 and take the trophy home? My guess is the later...and with that the case, you have to coach to put your team in the best position to reach that goal of a Super Bowl championship even if it means short term setbacks.
  • I think they'll go for it because Belichick was royally PO'ed at the team after only beating the Jets 20-10 and was pretty hard on them in practices. I'm pretty sure they'll come out scoring and be up 35-10 or some such score at some point against the newly-Tunaized Dolphins.
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