So close and yet...

Everyone is talking today about Bill Belichick, so allow me to join the conversation.  (It is my blog, so I can do what I want.)

First, if you have missed the discourse, here is a nice summary from people who think they know.

(Actually first, first: if you missed the discourse - HOW?)

So, he is gutsy or he's an idiot.  He is dissing his defense or showing confidence in his Brady-led offense.  He is one hoodie short of a full closet.  And so on and so on.  You can listen to former Patriot defender Tedy Bruschi claim it is a rip on the current Patriot defense.  You can watch Merrill Hoge defend coach Belichick (in a nice little chat with a rather annoyed ESPN acnhor).  You can read what former Patriot Rodney Harrison says about it.  This is just a taste, but you get the idea.

I am kind of shocked this is so shocking.  As a Colts fan, I can attest that going for it on 4th down is pretty standard operating procedure for the Patriots when playing the Colts (and, on an unrelated note, for the Jeff Fisher Titans when they play the Colts too).  Why it is so shocking now and such a slam on the D is beyond me.  Was it a slam on Tedy, et al, when the Coach went for it when they were on the team?

They cruised up and down the field all night with the hallowed Tom Brady at the helm.  Why WOULDN'T they assume they could get two more yards on top of the hundreds they had already amassed??

Here it is:  it isn't a rip on the Patriots' D.  It is a rip on the Colts D.  He (Belichick) was convinced the Colts couldn't stop his team/prevent them from gaining two little yards, so he went for it.  It isn't about his precious little D.  It is about them continuing to disrespect the Colts and being convinced in their minds that they are and continue to be the much better team/personnel/coach etc.  Disrespect for the Colts and uber-confidence in his peeps.

Bottom line: it was arrogance.  The concept that Peyton was "in Belichick's head" is totally laughable.

And now you have my two-cents to add to this ridiculously loud discourse.  Can we move on now?