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Belichick on the Loss: ‘They Were the Better Team’ 01.10.10 at 4:40 pm ET
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Patriots head coach Bill Belichick just met with the media for his postgame Q&A following his team’s 33-14 loss to the Ravens. Here is a transcript:

Opening statement

First of all, let’s start by congratulating the Ravens today. They were certainly better than we were in every phase of the game. They were the better team from start to finish. We didn’t do enough things well, obviously, to be really competitive in the game. A disappointing way to finish the season. Really isn’t too much to say. They were the better team today. Out-coached us, outplayed us. Did everything better than we did. That’s why they’re moving on.

What did you see on Rice’s touchdown run on the first play?

We just obviously didn’t do a good job.

Were you prepared for the Ravens’ level of intensity?

I don’t think they really did anything different.

Were your options at receiver limited?

We played with what we had. Julian, Sam, Randy, they’ve made plays for us before.

Have you seen Brady’s interceptions?

We made too many mistakes in the game to win. That’s obvious.

Was Brady healthy?

We just didn’t do very well as a team, in any area.

Was this particularly disappointing?

Anytime you lose it’s disappointing.

Any indications in practice this week that you weren’t ready?

No. We obviously didn’t play well.

Do you feel like you were outcoached in the gameplan?

When you get beat like that, yeah. Sure do.

What did Baltimore do in the running game?

They ran it better than we defended it. There isn’t any one thing you can single out. They did a good job.

Where do you go from here?

Well, our season’s over.

Any thoughts about going forward?

We’ll start to work on that in due course. We just got off the field.

How big is the job ahead?

Look, we just got off the field. The game was over maybe 10 minutes ago.

What went wrong with the first-half pass protection?

Sometimes they got pressure on us.

With their effectiveness in the running game, did they just do better job with blocking? Could you have game planned differently?

Whatever it was, it was not nearly as good as what they were doing. All of us who participate in the game are accountable for our performance. I don’t think anyone felt very good about it – players, coaches, anybody.

In addition to being disappointed, are you shocked?

No.

Did Baltimore’s quick scores disrupt your game plan?

Didn’t throw it off. Just spotted them a big lead. Spotted them 24 points in the first quarter. It’s not a very good place to be.

If you weren’t shocked by the result, were there indications this wasn’t the team you thought it was?

Look, we didn’t play well today. We got beat by the better team today. Give them credit: they were the better team. They outplayed us, outcoached us. They won the game convincingly. They deserve to move on.

Maroney only had one carry – any reason?

We were behind a lot in the game.

What does it say about NFL that you lost and the Jets, whose record wasn’t as good, won against Cincinnati?

Same thing it says about the NFL every week in this league: better team wins. It’s not about better records. It’s about who plays better on the day that you play. That’s what it’s always about.

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  • NYPatsFan

    As much as Bill says it and insists, there’s no way he couldn’t be shocked by the performance of his team today. I like that he’s giving credit to the Ravens, and deservingly so, but Bill has to be shocked by what he saw today. You could just see it on his face. Everyone was in disbelief by how this game started, including CBS and its commentators who along with pretty much everyone else, thought this would be the best game of the weekend.

  • http://WEEI David C.

    Why does Belichick even have a post game interview? League Rule or what? His interview mirrors how this year’s team played…boring, emotionless and predictable. It boils down to who is hungrier for the win. Look at previous years and it is obvious the Patriots were trying to reach the pinnacle. Now, they know the feeling and it is a been there, done that mentality. It is time to re-tool and offer no more than 2 year contracts as that would avoid complacency.

  • Tim

    Do you think there’s any chance the a** kissers on the Big Show will ask ANYTHING resembling a tough question to BB? Or will these clowns continue to wave the pom poms? Fred is stammering twit. Sheppard has the IQ of a rock. And Ordway is a Napoleonic buffoon with staggeringly little sports knowledge.

  • Sean F.

    This game was all on Tom Brady’s shoulders, and, just like the rest of this season has gone, he couldn’t deliver against a good, quick defense. Teams have figured out how to play him – take Moss out of the game (if he doesn’t do so himself), pressure Brady and he will not read the field, just look to get rid of the ball, oftentimes making bad throws that result in interceptions. Happened all year long, and killed them today. The offense had plenty of chances to win the game with the field postion they were given. Brady just couldn’t get it done. I hope he comes to camp looking more like a football player than a model next year…he should get back to the locker room and lead by example. Get that parking space back, Tom!

  • http://lifecouldbebetter.com kate Hudson

    Lets begin with the TB hat! What ever happened to team colors…that is ….unless you’re competing with your wife for recognition….hollywood Tom needs to be grounded..and shame on the Patriots organization for allowing TB to sport his brand all season instead of the Patriots brand…BIG wake up call!

    yup…life could be better…thanks for the short season!

    Kate

  • Tim

    PLEASE: Big Show, I’m begging you!!! Grow some balls and ask the tough questions!

  • JC DONAHUE

    YOU GOTTA LOIVE TIM’S INSIGHT.
    SHEPHERD EMULATES THE FABULOUS SPORTS BABE OF YESTERDAY…ABRASIVE. CONDESCENDING. OFFICIOUS. DOGMATIC. POOR LISTENER.DISRESPECTFUL OF ALL.
    WHILE YOU MIGHT NOT FIND HIM AT A MENSA MEETING I DISAGREE THAT HE HAS THE IQ OF A ROCK. HE’S A TAD BRIGHTER THAN THAT BUT NEEDS TO MOVE ON.
    THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN NE SPORTS COVERAGE IS LETTING TEDDY BRUSCHI MOVE ON.

  • Tim

    JC: Couldn’t agree more. The problem is, in this town, you have Felger and Mazz and Borges and Shank on one side saying, “Everything sucks, BB sucks, Krafts suck, etc.” On the other side, you have the dipsh*ts on EEI gobbling BB’s knob.

  • SportsGuyNE

    Is it me or could this be the same drivel after the Saint, Colts, Jets etc.

    Maybe BB just doesn’t know how to coach anymore. The defense got burned badly a number of times, tackling is spotty.

    They did a ok job on the run but when they missed tackles big plays kept the Ravens moving the ball (and clock).

    This team needs major help from all over.

  • Greg

    Lets to put it plainly we just sucked all year, always just 1 interception or fumble from losing except for a few games. Secondary looked like shit because we have no pass rush, I don’t care whos in the secondary if we have no pass rush they will fail. Lets not blame the lack of pass rushing on Mayo, hes a great player unfortunately that awesome 3&5 round trade for whats his name again? exactly I choose to forget him also, didn’t help open Mayo up to attack the QB. Lets face it the OL is just not what it was, yeh we have some good players worth keeping but we need upgrades. Lets see if I were to draft this year I would start by:

    1. RB
    1. DE/LB
    2. OL
    2. WR
    2. OL

    Then try to trade Maroney for a 3rd round pick, maybe somebody is dumb enough to take him.

    What hurts the most is 75% of the team is great for the game we play, unfortunately that will not win you SB’s

    Or something in that order since we have 5 of the first 50 picks.

  • http://WEEI.comBlogNetwork Pats r Stars

    Listen in “Bill we trust”. This Franchise would be nowhere with out him…
    That said I expect #96 will be out & use the money to hopefully bring a couple of guys from Carolina in ie. J Peppers & throw some picks @ them for Steve Smith. Lets face it as much as I luv him Welker is dun. Steve Smith is more dynamic and would thrive as a leader and playmaker on this team. At times this team lacks fire & leadership. Matt Light move on over, clearly the upside on this years team was S. Volmer.Brady will be better next year. The guy has to be clearly hurt. I swear I was watching somebody else wear the #12 jersey this year. A good off season and this team could be right back to the top.

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