Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1301 of 1503)

When football fans reminisce about Super Bowl XLII, they’re likely going to talk about Eli Manning and the Giants’ final drive to beat the previously undefeated Patriots. Or David Tyree’s catch. Or Will Ferrell’s, “Bud Light – suck one” commercial.

But one small facet that is currently being overlooked is the decision Bill Belichick made in the third quarter to go for it on 4th and 13 instead of attempting a 48-yard field goal. FOXSports writer Mark Kriegel talks about that play in one of his latest columns. (As well as how Belichick has decided to hide in a hole following the game.)

Recall Belichick’s decision to go for it on fourth down with the ball on the Giants’ 31-yard line. With a chance for a 48-yard field goal, Belichick keeps his kicker on the sideline. It was the third quarter. Points were precious and few on Sunday. The kicker, Stephen Gostkowski was 21-of-24 this year, three-of-five from a distance of 40-to-49 yards. The longest field goal of his career was a 52-yarder he made last season as a rookie. He’d been kicking them from the 50 in practice. And it’s not as if there was any interference from the elements. University of Phoenix Stadium was a dome Sunday night with its roof closed. All that, and Belichick goes for it. As it happened, Tom Brady — having his problems all night with the Giants defense — would throw an incomplete pass to Jabar Gaffney.

The field goal was no guarantee, but Kriegel’s right for calling Belichick out. The odds of the Patriots scooping up a first down on 4th and 13 were slim compared to Gostkowski making a 48-yarder. It was a dumb decision and considering the media’s infatuation with Belichick the genius, one would think that they would call him out more for arrogant decisions like that one.

This play might never get old.

How the F did Eli Manning escape three sacks? How the F did David Tyree come down with that ball? How the F did the Patriots not sack Manning and Rodney Harrison allow Tyree to catch that pass? He had good coverage, but his swat at the ball was brutal.

Oh yeah, and how the F did David Tyree come down with that ball?!