Little reason in some of these arguments

November 17, 2009|Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist

It did not look any better in dawn’s early light.

Groggy Patriot Nation woke up yesterday and wondered, “Did that really happen?’’ Perhaps it was some Ambien-induced hallucination. A bad dream. Hangover haze.

Sorry, people. It’s reality. The Patriots actually blew a 31-14 fourth-quarter lead against the Colts Sunday night in Indianapolis. In a skull-imploding move that no doubt had Amos Alonzo Stagg rolling over in his grave, Bill Belichick went for a first down on fourth and 2 from his 28 while leading by 6 points with 2:08 to play.

The Patriots spin machine was in overdrive yesterday (speaking of spin, nice try by the Red Sox - raising ticket prices on the day after Belichick channeled Grady Little).

There are New England football fans who’d support Belichick if he pledged to eradicate indoor plumbing. And the Kraft family’s media partners do a nifty job spreading the gospel of Bob, Bill, and Tom. But the blind loyalty was put to the test on the day after the disaster at Lucas Oil Can Boyd Stadium.

Patriot Mondays are generally back-slapping festivals of congratulation and celebration. After a standard media session (which sometimes in cludes reporters who are not working for the team), Belichick and Patriots players fulfill contractual obligations with their soft-tossing media partners. Legions of Bruschi-jersey-wearing folks nod sagely and wonder how their team will outsmart the next tomato can on the schedule. Hakuna matata.

There was heightened interest in Belichick’s presser yesterday. Channel 4 (WBZ, home of Patriots “All Access’’) interrupted “The Price is Right’’ with live coverage of Belichick’s explanation of the Sunday night debacle.

Good symmetry. The Price is Right, but the Call is Still Wrong.

Naturally, Belichick stuck to his guns. It didn’t matter that he’d been ripped by some of his ex-players (check out comments from Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, and Christian Fauria). It didn’t matter that the football universe knew it was a bad idea to go for the first down. Bill’s not going to admit he was wrong. You don’t win Super Bowls second-guessing yourself.

“I thought it was our best chance to win,’’ said Belichick, repeating his postgame remarks. “I thought we needed to make that one play and then we could basically run out the clock. And, we weren’t able to make it.’’

Would he do it again?

“You only get one chance.’’

Any awareness of the firestorm he ignited?

“I don’t think I’m probably up on all the commentary [phew, maybe I’ll escape the Nixonian Enemies List],’’ he said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect that.’’