Going for it on 4th and 13

[SouperMeister]

I was disappointed that Chris Myers didn't ask Belichick about his thought process going for it on 4th and 13 the first drive of the 2nd half when a 49 yard field goal was clearly the better percentage play (especially in a dome). If you want to credit Belichick for brilliant coaching moves, then you must also be critical of this obvious gaffe. He drafted Gostkowski 2 years ago with a 4th round pick, which is pretty high for a kicker. To me, that demonstrated an obvious lack of confidence in your kicker.

[MTK]

Very dumb decision. A classic example of Belichick's arrogance. Nice to see it blow up in his face for once.

[vaoutlaws2006]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Very dumb decision. A classic example of Belichick's arrogance. Nice to see it blow up in his face for once.

that was the best part apart of the whole superbowl. Watching Belichump's arrongance blow up in his face.

[SC Skins Fan]

Three points:

1) What was even more odd about that series was that the Patriots elected to punt on 4th and 2 from the Giants 44 (the 12 men on the field call ended up giving them the first down). If they were going to go for it on 4th down then 4th and 2 would be the place to do it. They were down at the time, in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, on the plus side of the field. Odd that they would elect to punt there but then go for it on 4th and 13. Going for the 1st on 4th and 13 was more in line with the Patriots M.O. this year, it was the punting on 4th and 2 that was out of character ... the Giants defense forced them into positions they hadn't been in all year (save perhaps the Baltimore game). Kind of makes me want Spagnolo here even though I previously thought it was a bad idea ... guess we'll find out soon.

2) I actually think the whole series as it played out was more indicative of confusion and desperation rather than arrogance. That isn't to say that Belicheck has not displayed arrogance and poor sportsmanship over the course of the season, but on Sunday the Giants did not give them the opportunity.

3) Where are all the Patriots fans to come and tell us how great the Patriots are and how we are just sore losers and dig up old threads about helmet stickers, etc. etc. They all seem to have disappeared. It is quite odd. Must be watching the parade ... oh, wait ...

[Skinny Tee]

They went for it on fourth a lot when they were up huge in games this past year. Felt so good to have this irony bomb blast full on to Billichick's face during a international game.

By the way, I'm not against disrespecting your opponents by going for it on fourth down when you're already up big...I'm also not against laughing when it comes back and blow up in your face. It all comes out in the wash.

[SmootSmack]

I think they had said that Gostkowski was hurt or something like that which is why they went for it there. If that's true, I guess I can forgive not kicking it.

But my alternative to attempting a field goal would have been to punt it and hope to pin the Giants back deep.

Like they say though, you live by the sword you die by the sword

[FRPLG]

That was their M.O. this year. It usually worked for them.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

That was their M.O. this year. It usually worked for them.

I would say it was ther MO going for it on 4th and less than 6 in opponent's territory most of this year, but I don't ever recall seeing them go for it on 4th and 13, especially in FG range. I was equally shocked when Belichick chose to punt earlier in that drive on 4th and 2 from the Giants 44, only to be given a reprieve when the Giants had too many men on the field. Bottom line, Coughlin and his brain trust outcoached Belichick and his staff. You NEVER go on 4th and 13 in FG range at that point in a game. You just don't do it.

Footnote: for those saying that Gostkowski was hurt, it was reported that he was hitting from 52 during pre-game warm-ups. He started the game kicking off 2 yards deep in the end zone, and even his last kickoff was fielded at the 3 yard line, forcing Eli into a long drive to win the game. I would say that's enough evidence that his leg was fine.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I would say it was ther MO going for it on 4th and less than 6 in opponent's territory most of this year, but I don't ever recall seeing them go for it on 4th and 13, especially in FG range. I was equally shocked when Belichick chose to punt earlier in that drive on 4th and 2 from the Giants 44, only to be given a reprieve when the Giants had too many men on the field. Bottom line, Coughlin and his brain trust outcoached Belichick and his staff. You NEVER go on 4th and 13 in FG range at that point in a game. You just don't do it.

Footnote: for those saying that Gostkowski was hurt, it was reported that he was hitting from 52 during pre-game warm-ups. He started the game kicking off 2 yards deep in the end zone, and even his last kickoff was fielded at the 3 yard line, forcing Eli into a long drive to win the game. I would say that's enough evidence that his leg was fine.

Yeah I'm not sure where this BS over him being hurt is coming from. Chris Myers followed up on that during the game and said he was fine.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Yeah I'm not sure where this BS over him being hurt is coming from. Chris Myers followed up on that during the game and said he was fine.

I thought I heard the announcers make some mention of it after the failed attempt. Either way, it was an arrogant mistake to go for it.

[dirthogs311]

I would have punted and pinned them deep, but Belichick coached that game like he was playing Madden on Rookie, with the 4th and 13 and the deep bombs at the end, when they had 3 timeouts and could have easily gotten into field goal range, well, at least historically thats what the Patriots would have done. But nevertheless, I'm happy for the G-Men and laughing my a s s off at Tiki.

[BDBohnzie]

In his short career, Gostkowski is 6-10 on FGs 40 yards or longer. His longest this year was 45 yards. However, given that they were up 7-3 at the time, BB should have sent his kicker out there to attempt the 49 yarder. At least then, you have a chance of points on the board, whereas going for it, the only thing you save is 7 yards if Gostkowski happens to miss it...

The more telling story was the last Patriots drive. 3 timeouts left, and not trying to use the middle of the field to their advantage? 3rd and 4th down, running the exact same play into the exact same coverage, when they needed a FG to tie. Moss ran the same seam route twice in a row, and both times it fell incomplete. The fact that Brady even mentioned himself that his worry was throwing a deep ball 65 yards and having it go only 55 (because of his ankle) tells me that they were arrogant enough to think it would work. That killed them more than not sending out Gostkowski when they were up 7-3.

[rickmmrr]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

In his short career, Gostkowski is 6-10 on FGs 40 yards or longer. His longest this year was 45 yards. However, given that they were up 7-3 at the time, BB should have sent his kicker out there to attempt the 49 yarder. At least then, you have a chance of points on the board, whereas going for it, the only thing you save is 7 yards if Gostkowski happens to miss it...

The more telling story was the last Patriots drive. 3 timeouts left, and not trying to use the middle of the field to their advantage? 3rd and 4th down, running the exact same play into the exact same coverage, when they needed a FG to tie. Moss ran the same seam route twice in a row, and both times it fell incomplete. The fact that Brady even mentioned himself that his worry was throwing a deep ball 65 yards and having it go only 55 (because of his ankle) tells me that they were arrogant enough to think it would work. That killed them more than not sending out Gostkowski when they were up 7-3.

Hah; What the hell were they thinking. They had 3 time outs. Just get into field goal range and send it into over time.
but I'm glad they did what they did, as bone headed as it was.

[LandrySlice]

While it did usually work for them, I have ever enjoyed seeing them fail as much as I did last night while drinking my refreshing Bud Light!

[skinsfan69]

Should have kicked it. It was 4-13. Bad move and it might have cost him in the end.