Imagine if They Filmed the Coaches' Signals

Once more, the Patriots continue to prove that their success was not contingent on "stealing signals." I caught part of the game when I tired of watching the Texans flail at yet another NFL team. And even though missed part of the run-up, I couldn't help but appreciate this note in the Post's coverage:

But most alarming was the sight of Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, late in the game, asking Brady to convert a fourth-down play in an attempt to drive the score higher. It is a tactic called running up the score. And it is rarely done in professional football -- especially to Gibbs, the Redskins coach in his second tour with the team. So when Brady converted and later dived into the end zone for a touchdown, the 68,756 at Gillette Stadium roared.

Gibbs glared. After the game, he barely shook Belichick's hand as he raced off the field.

Later, when asked about the play, Belichick stared for a moment.

"What do you want us to do, kick a field goal?" he said.

It would seem that by inflicting a silly, overinflated penalty for a superfilous rule, the NFL honchos have now given the Patriots something to prove. And given Tony Dungy's rare outbreak of sour grapes, I can't imagine next week going well for the Colts. Still, it ought to be one of the best game going in the NFL next week, so count it as Must-See-TV.

On a side note, I can't help but count it as ironic that I chose Dungy's bio to read next month. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of both Dungy & Belichek (as well as of Brady & Manning). I just think the NFL was seriously way off base in their penalty. There's nothing like watching a team play with a point to prove. And for that reason, I'll be cheering on the Pats.