FOXBORO, Mass. — Add advanced statistics to the list of modern innovations Bill Belichick is not particularly fond of.
The New England Patriots coach, who previously has railed against social media and sideline tablets, was asked during his Friday news conference about “advanced metric websites” that measure stats like quarterback release time.
“The what now?” Belichick responded.
You know, advanced statistics. Analytics. Next-gen stats. Whatever you want to call them.
“What the hell is that?” Belichick said. “I mean, you can take those advanced websites and metric them in whatever you want. I don’t know. I have no idea. I’ve never looked at one. I wouldn’t even care to look at one. I don’t even care what they say.
“As far as the quarterback goes, read the coverage, throw the ball to the open receiver, take the best matchup. That’s what it is in a nutshell. The quicker we’re open, the clearer the picture, the sooner the ball’s going to come out. If we don’t have anybody open, who’s the quarterback going to throw it to? So it’s timing, decision-making, execution by the entire offensive team. That’s what the passing game is. Receivers have got to get open and catch the ball. The quarterback’s got to read the coverage, make the right decision, make an accurate throw.
“All the metrics they use and all that, I have no idea. You need to ask that to a smarter coach than me.”
Bill Belichick, as old school as they come.
Thumbnail photo via Jason Bridge/USA TODAY Sports Images
