Unknown Unknowns

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 12:39 PM EST

"[T]here are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know."

- Donald Rumsfeld

The idea of "unknown unknowns"—particularly when it comes to trying to figure out the game-planning mind of Bill Belichick—is what keeps rolling through my brain in anticipation of Super Bowl 46. Maybe the game will be an old-fashioned slugfest where nobody tries to trick anyone, where it's just an honest matchup and whoever executes better wins.

But more likely, this is going to be a chess match of sorts with all kinds of intrigue going on beneath the surface.

There are things we know about the Patriots...there are things we know that we don't know (whether Gronk will play or not, for example)...I'd also put flea flickers, reverses, fake punts, fake field goals, onsides kicks, exotic blitz packages, etc., in the "known unknown" category...

But it's this other category, "unknown unknowns," where the game could be won or lost.

Thought experiment: What are some things that Belichick could possibly try to do that we would not be ready for?

FanPosts are written by community members. This is simply a way for community members to express opinions too long to be contained in a comment.

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I do not think the onsides kick

will be in play. I think if BB looks at some game tape he will see the special teams for kickoffs has been alert recently to those kinds of plays. I wouldnt be suprised to see Aaron Hernandez running the ball though.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate

by TheWenz on Jan 30, 2012 1:15 PM EST reply actions

The Pats have NEVER recovered an onside-kick

in the Belichick era.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 30, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

Has he ever tried any surprise ones that you can remember?

Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.
-John Madden
The Ballard of Jake:
Stop→Slow→Truck→LEAP!
(Adapted from Raptor 22)

by Willgfass on Feb 4, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

Remember

what Belichick did in the 1990 Super Bowl? He basically told the defense: “Thurman Thomas needs to rush for over 100 yards if we are going to win.”

What if BB did something similar here? “Bradshaw has to run for 100 yards if we are to win.” Maybe they want to slow us down, maybe they see our offense as explosive like the Bills were…maybe they figure they can score enough on us to keep it close until the 4th quarter.

I know that sounds counterintuitive – the Giants would love to run the ball and kill the clock all day to keep Brady off the field – but maybe BB does not want us running out 4 receivers and throwing the ball all day.

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 2:03 PM EST reply actions

That's what i have been saying since last week that BB will treat us like he treated Bills in superbowl.

This is not the 2007 team.
2011 NYG will have their own legacy.

by BB1156 on Jan 30, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

Rams-Patriots

What did NE do to slow down the Greatest Show on Turf?

That game might be a template as well, although the Rams’ D that year stunk. Ironically, I believe our DB coach Peter Giunta was the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Point Being

BB could be confident that the Pats could move the ball well against the Rams in that game. In this game, our defense (at least the pass rush) almost has to be feared as much as our offense.

The Bills had a strong D in 1990 – Bruce Smith, Daryl Talley, some great players – so you could woo them into a low-scoring game.

Interesting…

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

That is what i am thinking.

This is not the 2007 team.
2011 NYG will have their own legacy.

by BB1156 on Jan 30, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

One Problem

If Bradshaw rushes for 100 yards we will win this ballgame.

Why?

1.) Because when they’re worn out from chasing him all over the field NE will become vulnerable to play-action (and if Gilbride wears his big boy pants-a flea flicker).

2.) When ANYONE is fatigued their performance declines; unless you are at full force, you’re not tackling Brandon Jacobs…or Nicks, or Cruz, or Manningham, or Bradshaw…or even getting substantial push off the line to force Eli into quick decisions.

Remember, if Scott Norwood makes that kick (and believe you me, thank God he didn’t) we are not here discussing how Belichick’s plan worked for the best.

One thing that has gotten lost in the past weeks incessant drama from the media is how the Giants will have to stop Lawfirm right off the bat, thus forcing NE to show a more one-dimensional offensive look; this play right into our hands. If we can tackle and limit YAC (i.e. maintain sound fundamentals), the Giants will be fine.

Faith is a refusal to panic

by Commander Prime on Jan 30, 2012 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Oh I Hear Ya

I’m just trying to stir up a discussion of crazy things Belichick might try to do that no one is expecting.

Just spitballing here…! :)

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Lol...

His name does sound like a law firm.

FIRE Perry Fewell

by bleedblue12 on Jan 30, 2012 9:35 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I expect the Giants will have to fight for points like in SF

The Giants have scored a TON of TDs this year off of big-play catch-and-runs.

Certainly a lot of that has to do with our QB and receivers being very good. But another part of that equation is, frankly, poor tackling.

SF displayed excellent fundamentals tackling in their defensive backfield. The Giants had to really earn the points. I expect Belichick and his DBs coach are emphasizing that as a MAJOR factor in this game. I do not expect the Pats DBs to go out there trying to make shoulder-hit tackles. I expect them to be great form tacklers.

Now, if we could get a nice blown coverage or two … (which, I should point out — NYG blew 2 coverages vs. SF and both led to insta-touchdowns. That team does NOT let opportunity pass by, one reason they were so good this year. Neither will the Pats.)

You PLAY to WIN the GAME.
Dear Tebow, please let the Giants beat the Patriots.

by Simms-McConkey on Jan 30, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

0-0

at the half in our first game, so what you say has a precedent.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see an unexpected ground-and-pound game coming out of both sides. Everybody’s hyping the D-line vs. the “head of the snake” – but I think BB knows he is kind of checkmated to stop our passing game and would like to keep Eli off the field.

If he is confident that they can run on us…and then by extension tries to force us to run the ball as well…your scenario may well play out.

So maybe he puts 7 OL and 2 TEs on the offensive line – no WR – and Brady hands the ball off to BJGE and Woodhead 40+ times…?

Again, just spitballin’ here…

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

On the Other Hand

NE’s DBs are not SF’s. Not by a mile.

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Hopefully,

our DBs won’t be knocking each other out of the game.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 30, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

hopefully Brandon Jacobs handles that

You PLAY to WIN the GAME.
Dear Tebow, please let the Giants beat the Patriots.

by Simms-McConkey on Jan 30, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

This

FIRE Perry Fewell

by bleedblue12 on Jan 30, 2012 9:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

yes

This is not the 2007 team.
2011 NYG will have their own legacy.

by BB1156 on Jan 30, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

I think Samuel. L. Jackson says it best.

Believe!!!!!!!!

by Jared G on Jan 30, 2012 5:04 PM EST reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsXdTuBaBg

Believe!!!!!!!!

by Jared G on Jan 30, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Fantastic!!

by Pink Flamingo on Jan 30, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

"When I was a boy and I had no sense..I got my pecker caught in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair, tickled my balls and made me shit in my overalls..."

by Bobbiblue on Jan 30, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Donald Rumsfeld..Can't believe he was my boss for awhile....

He’d talk..and you’d start to twitch uncontrollably…Like what did he just say?!?!?!?

"When I was a boy and I had no sense..I got my pecker caught in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair, tickled my balls and made me shit in my overalls..."

by Bobbiblue on Jan 30, 2012 7:18 PM EST reply actions

Hahahaha

FIRE Perry Fewell

by bleedblue12 on Jan 30, 2012 9:37 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Why would anyone want to force us to run the ball well?

Eli does two things remarkably well

1) 4th qtrs
2) play action

We don’t run a hurry up offense, so our rhythm isn’t particularly affected by running the ball.

Just like slowing down the Bills passing game was job 1, stopping our 3 WR set will be job 1 for the Pats. They have a serious DB deficiency (at S or CB depending on how you assign covg) in terms of the number of healthy capable guys. I almost guarantee that we run 3 WR on our first offensive snap. They are going to want to see whos covering who and how the safeties slot.

From there the chess match begins. Because I suspect that BB will not want to give the Giants the same look to often. He’ll try to show one look but have different coverages played out of it, hoping to confuse Eli. I’m expecting a lot of LB help underneath. That’s what SF did to slow down our passing game, but they had wind and rain to squeeze the back end. You could end up seeing more opportunities for our RBs. But that’s a dangerous game to play vs a TC team. You could see a long grinding drive right away.

I think our biggest risk is Tom Brady having one of those days where he can not only make the plays he’s supposed to make, but he makes the plays that he shouldn’t be able to make. The throws in between two DBs. If he gets hot that way our defense has all it can handle.

Eli is our King!

by trueblue63 on Jan 31, 2012 9:04 AM EST reply actions