Jay Kersting's Blog

Let me first admit, I did NOT even turn on the game until midway through the second quarter.  I was checking the score on my phone, but Kathy and I were watching a movie on HBO (if you must know, "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", I know, I know "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" is better).

Well, as I have talked and written about, I am sick and tired of not only the New England Patriots, but of Boston sports overall.  As much as I am not a New York Giants fan, I have found that I was pulling for them.  For the last two weeks, admitting that made me feel as if I was attacking windmills.  Futile seemed to be an understatement.

But I also admitted over the last two weeks how much respect I had for Bill Belichick. I may have even written here that it stemmed from when I read David Halberstam's book about him. 

All the respect I had for him was gone with one second left in Super Bowl XLII.  A lot of it chipped away earlier, but more on that later.

Game is over, effectively.  Not over officially.  He moves on to the field apparently to shake hands with Tom Coughlin. And in fact, he does.  BUT, the game was NOT over. When the officials clear the field, he goes to the locker room, as does his pretty boy quarterback.  No public congratulations.  No handshake when it counts.  In the NCAA, they will let the clock run out when I coach concedes defeat.  Not in the NFL.  Bill Belichick knows this.  He didn't stick it out.

Maybe I am nitpicking.  BUT, I base that on the actions on that of at least ONE of his players. 

Patriots linebacker Junior Seau RAN back to the field to finish that game.  Seau was almost in the locker room.  He could have been replaced by someone else on the field for that las second.  But he ran back to finish up.  It was the RIGHT thing to do.

And he has been heartbroken since the Chargers lost the the 49ers in 1995.  I will always respect him for that....saying that was hard is probably one of the biggest understatements of the year. 

Clearly, he is upset.  Clearly, he hated to lose. But don't tell me he isn't used to it...he did coach the Cleveland Browns.

And I understand his post game press conference and post game interview demeanor.  I have worked in sports reporting long enough to know and understand that. 

I do not understand leaving the field.  I can understand players, with injuries needing treatment, leaving the field.  But he has NO EXCUSE.  What more would it take?  It just showed no class. 

When is the game over?  I thought it was when the clock hit ZERO.  Not 0:01!! 

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The other thing that bothered me about Belichick was when he challenged a non-call.  I will admit that I do not understand all of the ideosyncratic bits and pieces of the NFL instant replay and challenge rules.  But, I think it should a rule that you can't challenge a NON-call.  By allowing that, challenge for a holding call on every play.  You will win that challenge, without any doubt.

But the 12th man of the Giants was a step from leaving the field.  The officials did not call it.  It  was ticky-tacky Billy Martin bull shit!  It was pointing out that there was too much pinetar on a bat AFTER the home run was hit. 

Except that the call had no impact on the rest of the game.  It just wasted time.

Some said, especially the Fox Sports analysts with their man-crushes on Belichick and Brady, that is was brilliant coaching.  Maybe.  I think it was cheap, stupid and a waste of time for fans, players and officials.

Billy Martin!!

I used to respect the man.  Now, I can't. 

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Super Tuesday is tomorrow.  It will not be over after the polls close.  Looks like Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton are leading here in Missouri.  It appears that Romney and McCain will continue to battle.  Looks as if Clinton and Obama will fight down to the end.

And it appears that even Ron Paul won't leave the field with one second left.