By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
NFL Films released their weekly Mic’ed Up mashup on Wednesday, with a segment dedicated to Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Fans who were wondering what Belichick was thinking during Sunday’s 18-12 loss to the Denver Broncos can now get some insight.
The first notable clip of Belichick is him reacting to Ryan Izzo’s third quarter fumble. “That’s our ‘catch and tuck’ right there,” Belichick remarks, referencing a drill the team does on a regular basis, where players catch a football and have to immediately protect it from staffers trying to punch it out. He reminds Izzo of that drill as the tight end comes off the field.
The clip that has gotten the most publicity is one where Belichick questions official Scott Novak for not calling holding on a Broncos play action pass that likely could have ended up in a sack. “I don’t know how you let that go,” Belichick asked the official. “C’mon man!”
While that exchange has gotten the most attention for showing Belichick fired up, there’s another equally enjoyable clip that’s more on the lighter side. On the Cam Newton touchdown that was originally ruled short, you see Bill Belichick come up to the official on the sideline and exaggeratedly throw the challenge flag. There’s also a cool moment between Belichick and Newton, talking about the play in question.
Finally, a look inside a quick postgame ‘handshake’ between Belichick and Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Two of the most veteran coaches in the league, this may turn into a full conversation in another setting. But given COVID and the Patriots’ lackluster performance, Belichick didn’t stick around for much more than a “yeah.”
It’s rare we get any sort of insight into Belichick’s in-game process. These are just a few short clips, but they represent a door into the thought process of the six-time Super Bowl champion.
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