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Monday’s question of the day: What did you think of Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on fourth and two?

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Putting the outcome aside, what did you think of Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on fourth and two late in the Patriots game against the Colts? Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times

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I was in the press box for this game, and we were all surprised when Tom Brady stayed on the field for fourth down and blown away when he actually took the snap, as opposed to trying to draw the Colts offside with a hard count. Bill Belichick has made countless brilliant decisions over the years, and many of them against the grain. But ignoring conventional wisdom to this degree was just being too clever by half. It’s a message to the Patriots defense that, hey, I don’t trust you to get the job done. That’s a gut punch.

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant

The term “jump the shark” is a reference to a “Happy Days” episode in which Fonzie, on water skies, jumps over a pool of sharks. It was over the top, and that phrase is now used when TV shows seemingly lose their way.
Bill Belichick may have “jumped the shark” Sunday night. After so many years of success, he may be so convinced of his infallibility that he can convince (delude?) himself into thinking that any move he makes is right. This happens to leaders in all walks of life. Could there be another explanation for going for a fourth-and-1 at his own 28-yard line with a six-point lead and 2:02 left?
This will pass, and Bill Belichick will ultimately be remembered as a multiple champion by his admirers, and as a rules-breaker by his detractors. But if his career begins to wind down, this could be the point he went over the edge. There may have been no opposing quarterback other than Peyton Manning who could have pushed him.

Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Bill Belichick was right. He went for the win. His quarterback, Tom Brady, makes 76 percent of fourth downs. His defense not only is weaker than some years, but was gassed by that point in the game. Look at what Peyton Manning had done in the three fourth-quarter possessions: Five plays, 79 yards in 2:04, touchdown; one play, interception; six plays, 79 yards in 1:49, touchdown. So Belichick put the game in the hands of Brady, with his good odds on fourth downs. Here’s why people are against the call: It didn’t work. We play the result all the time in sports. It’s a bad call simply because it didn’t work. The catch by Kevin Faulk came up just short. Four plays and 29 yards later Manning completed the comeback with a touchdown pass. I wish Belichick had made it. Then more coaches would be brave enough to play the odds that didn’t work out.

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