Bill on resting starters

Mike, I suspect, perhaps you could help confirm or deny my suspicion, that if we looked back at the most recent two superbowl years for the pats, didn't they rest some players in the final weeks? Wouldn't that suggest that the Pats have adopted this new "approach" to the game either this year or relatively recently?

He's hilarious. He did JUST THAT in the game against Miami in week 17 two years ago; and when there was a chance the Patriots would move from the 4 to the 3 slot last year, he played everyone the whole game. I like that he says this, but I also like that he ignores it when push comes to shove.

KEEP THE PEDAL TO THE MEDAL!!!

Classic Bill, he is not going to answer that question. He is serving humble pie. He is not going to say "hey we want to go undefeated so no" or "We need to give guys a rest to make a strong run in the playoffs so yes" I love it! My predictions are that they will play unless they lose against Miami. Too much at stake and we know he likes to be perfect!

We don't let up when we're crushing the Redskins or Bills, we better not let up when we have a chance to be the first team in history to be 16-0 in the regular season (72 dolphins were 14-0 in regular season). Here's to being the best team in NFL history... cheers!!!

isn't the "metal" ?

Belichick has not to my memory ever rested his team going into the playoffs IF he has earned a bye. After a bye week your team is more likely to show a little rust that is why he can put the pedal to the metal, this year there will be a two week break between the season and postseason. When there is not it is better to get guys fresh for the post season.

JJ - they wanted to lose that game so they didn't have to face Pittsburgh in the playoffs that year. Cassell almost won it for them too.

Mike, If I'm not mistaken BB has in the past rested the players in last game when they don't have a bye and played them when they do.

JJ-

I think that year having the #4 slot might have looked more favorable. Also, they were going to be playing the next weekend (wildcard weekend) and that a 1 week off approach probably works, but Bill might think that having 2 weeks might be an issue with players losing their edge.

Obviously, if people are hurt and could benefit from the extra rest, then that would be the smart move if they need the extra time to heal up. Otherwise, you have to trust the coach, he helped the team get this far and I'm sure all the players want to play.

I love Belichick, he is going for it all the way. Who cares about the past.

I do think resting players this early when you already have the bye week would be mistake. The starters should play 3 quarters just to stay sharp.

Yes...wasn't there also a game that Belicheck purposely took a safety - only to turn around and score a TD and win the game. He always has a master plan beyond that one play, one game, one season -- he just doesn't tell ANYONE!!

IT'S CALLED GIVING THE BACKUPS SOME GAME EXPERIENCE. NOT RESTING STARTERS

In 2003 the Pats beat the Bills 31-0 and the “starters” played well into the 4th quarter. But a loss would have made them the 2nd seed.

In 2004 the Pats beat the 49’ers 21-7 and the “starters” played three full quarters. The Pats were locked into the 2nd seed, so the game was irrelevant.

In 2005 without a bye, the “starters” only played a few series, making the season finally a pseudo bye week. The Pats could have locked up the 3rd seed with a win, but chose to play the backups.

Last year the Pats were still playing for the 3rd seed (a win and an Indy loss) and the “starters” played deep into the 4th quarter against the Titans.

To answer your question David – no, Belichick does not have a history of resting his starters with 2005 being the abnormality.

Also, I think that the Pats' record of having success winning Super Bowls and playing starters in the last games of the season aren't independent of each other. I think it's probably better that players continue to train their bodies to play hard for 4 quarters

If that's what Belichick thinks is best, who are we to second-guess him?

What the media doesn't understand is that Bill Belichick is true to his word. Each game has a very different significance this time of the year. Every year BB says: "We will do what is best for the team" He never tells us the starting line-up a week in advance or who is going to play more or play less.
"We will do what is best for the team" Ya can't get any more honest than that. But everyone has an opinion otherwise that suits their own meaning.

The approach hasn't changed! When we have a first round bye he's played the players up until the last week. When we aren't a 1 or 2 cede and have to play in the wild card round then he has sat people the week before to allow for some rest. It appears that Bill prefers to have 1 week of rest but no more so that the players are both rested and rust free.

He rested the players the Wednesday after the Ravens game. If he were to want to rest them again, I would expect him to give them more practice time off, not game time. That's the real time to rest players, if that's what they need. The games are not nearly as hard as practice.