Ok, it seems that I am a little unproductive this morning as I continue to fume about the Patriots last night. Am i fuming because of the call to go for it on 4th and 1? No. Would I have done it, probably not. But you will never get criticized for punting away. Its the easy call. There was much less outrage about Reid's decision a few weeks ago to kick a field goal when it did not help the team to win the game. There are other noteworthy parts of the game at need to get discussed, but all the focus is on the decision to go for it on 4th and 2.
The biggest reason I, and many other fans, are frustrated this morning is because the Patriots dominated that game, yet lost. No matter what, that is always the most frustrating kind of loss. See the Jets loss to Miami recently. What fans can take away from this game is that we know that the Patriots can take it to the Colts in the playoffs if necessary (which I doubt, because I don't think the Colts beat Pittsburg or Cinci if they face them earlier).
Let's look at the Patriots last possession. Obviously, the need to call a timeout, coming out of a timeout was painful. How do you have the wrong personnel on the field coming out of a timeout. Inexcusable. First down, they run the ball for 0-1, timeout Colts. Predictable, maybe should have done a short throw here since the Colts knew what was coming. But I'm not complaining. Second down they get 7 on the short throw to setup 3rd and 2. Timeout Colts.
HERE IS THE PROBLEM. If you think that you might go for it on 4th and 2 if you don't complete the pass, then the 3rd down play was the wrong call. They should have run the ball! Then, the Colts either have to call timeout, or the clock runs to the 2 min warning. Either way, you save that last timeout and you have time to discuss the fourth down play. Also, I would assume that you can get a yard on 3rd and 2. This would setup 4th and 1. The odds of making 4&1 are better than 4&2, even though going for it on 4&2 gave the Patriots a better chance of winning (see NY Times article) Brady is a master at the sneak (he got 2 earlier in the game). Instead, you are left making 2 yards without a timeout to use to challenge. Plus you have allowed the Colts to keep a timeout for themselves.
Its also too bad that Merriweather made the TD saving tackle on Adai when going in at the end of his 8 yard run. If he misses the tackle, the Patriots have 1:15 left to get a FG. Plenty of time. The Colts were also helped two times by very ticky tack pass interference calls while they picked the Patriots defenders all game long. The Patriots were just the better team.
The next time they play, the Patriots should have all their defensive lineman because missing Jarvis Green and Ty Warren really hurt them in the last quarter. The Patriots also missed having Taylor at RB when they really needed to stuff it down their throats. The Colts will have some of their guys back, but none that really affected the outcome of the game (Sanders done for the year). I look forward to meeting the Colts again the playoffs, but just don't think the Colts will be able to get it done against some of the other playoff teams in the league.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too!: phd Probiotics To Go Review
LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too!: phd Probiotics To Go Review
I co-founded Mass Probiotics, and this is a review of the products we have. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions about probiotics. I will be writing more about them and other gut related health issues later as well.
I co-founded Mass Probiotics, and this is a review of the products we have. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions about probiotics. I will be writing more about them and other gut related health issues later as well.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Baseball Playoffs
I love baseball, especially the Redsox. Even though the sox have been eliminated, I will still try and watch some of the remaining games. It seems to get harder and harder every year to keep my interest, and some of it is due to the fact that with family and work obligations, my viewing time is limited. The other problem is the schedule of the playoffs.
The baseball season is setup to be a grind. Teams that play consistently well and have a deep team do well. You usually need to have solid pitching from your 1st through 5th starting pitchers as well as have depth in your bullpen to succeed. Most relievers can only appear in about 80 max. So these guys can only pitch about once every two days.
The baseball season last approximately 180 days, during which they play 162 games. So they get about 18-20 off, or once every 10 days. But once the season ends, the teams in the playoffs get more days off than they do play games. So the playoffs are no longer a grind they are a sprint. What you looked for as winner in the regular season is no longer what you look for in the playoffs. What if they played the football games every 3 days during the playoffs? All of a sudden, preparation and game planning for the next team would be out the window.
So now teams that succeed are the teams that have 2-3 great pitchers (instead of 5 good starters) and 3 good bullpen guys (instead of 5 good guys) since the relievers only have to pitch every other day. The game has now changed. Who cares that the Yankees 4th and 5th starters are completely ineffective and that the Angels are solid 1-5. You might never see them those 4th or 5th starters. And as a fan, the rhythm you were in during the season is now completely gone. Who knows if your team is playing on given night.
Its frustrating as a fan to see the playoffs stretched out like this (and that goes for you too basketball playoffs!). And to make matters worse, Nick Cafardo in the Globe recently was advocating going to best of 3 and best of 5 game series to determine the WS opponents since the playoffs take so long. Great, now it really would be a sprint and depth of rosters would mean nothing. He argues that reducing the regular season to 154 games in order to accommodate the long playoffs would make single season records irrelevant. But most single season records are just about untouchable and is that why we play the game? For the records?
Enough ranting. Lets eliminate some of the days off during the playoffs, allow multiple networks to show playoff games at the same time, and make the playoffs a bit more similar to the regular season. Oh, and lets make sure the Angels beat those damn Yankees.
The baseball season is setup to be a grind. Teams that play consistently well and have a deep team do well. You usually need to have solid pitching from your 1st through 5th starting pitchers as well as have depth in your bullpen to succeed. Most relievers can only appear in about 80 max. So these guys can only pitch about once every two days.
The baseball season last approximately 180 days, during which they play 162 games. So they get about 18-20 off, or once every 10 days. But once the season ends, the teams in the playoffs get more days off than they do play games. So the playoffs are no longer a grind they are a sprint. What you looked for as winner in the regular season is no longer what you look for in the playoffs. What if they played the football games every 3 days during the playoffs? All of a sudden, preparation and game planning for the next team would be out the window.
So now teams that succeed are the teams that have 2-3 great pitchers (instead of 5 good starters) and 3 good bullpen guys (instead of 5 good guys) since the relievers only have to pitch every other day. The game has now changed. Who cares that the Yankees 4th and 5th starters are completely ineffective and that the Angels are solid 1-5. You might never see them those 4th or 5th starters. And as a fan, the rhythm you were in during the season is now completely gone. Who knows if your team is playing on given night.
Its frustrating as a fan to see the playoffs stretched out like this (and that goes for you too basketball playoffs!). And to make matters worse, Nick Cafardo in the Globe recently was advocating going to best of 3 and best of 5 game series to determine the WS opponents since the playoffs take so long. Great, now it really would be a sprint and depth of rosters would mean nothing. He argues that reducing the regular season to 154 games in order to accommodate the long playoffs would make single season records irrelevant. But most single season records are just about untouchable and is that why we play the game? For the records?
Enough ranting. Lets eliminate some of the days off during the playoffs, allow multiple networks to show playoff games at the same time, and make the playoffs a bit more similar to the regular season. Oh, and lets make sure the Angels beat those damn Yankees.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Introducing My Blog
Hi, my name is Bill and this is my glorious blog. I never really thought I would be writing a blog, but I feel I have thoughts and ideas that need to be explored. I know that I don't have all the answers, but I think that with help, some of the ideas I do have can be expanded and improved through insight from others.
I have been working on the probiotic beverage company I co-founded, Mass Probiotics (www.drinkphd.com), and because of that my eyes have been opened up to some of the major health issues that face our country. So I will write about health issues, sports, politics, and whatever else I feel is worthy to share. I hope whomever reads this enjoys it and provides thoughtful feedback and comments.
I have been working on the probiotic beverage company I co-founded, Mass Probiotics (www.drinkphd.com), and because of that my eyes have been opened up to some of the major health issues that face our country. So I will write about health issues, sports, politics, and whatever else I feel is worthy to share. I hope whomever reads this enjoys it and provides thoughtful feedback and comments.
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