INDIANAPOLIS — Head coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks were either going to look like geniuses or idiots in what wound up being their final offensive play of their season. It turned out to be the latter when Malcolm Butler picked off quarterback Russell Wilson’s pass, but New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick disagreed with the media’s criticism of Carroll.
Belichick said the ire that Carroll has drawn for the play call is “out of line.” The Seahawks head coach appreciates the support.
“It is important. I care. We all care about that,” Carroll said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Bill’s an extraordinary coach. Anything he says, people should listen to. In this case, when — he’s just respecting coaching. He understands the game, he knows what’s going on exactly.”
Carroll pointed out that the Patriots, in a similar situation, threw the ball on second down on their own 3-yard line late in the fourth quarter. Things went much better for the Patriots when quarterback Tom Brady completed his pass to wide receiver Julian Edelman for the go-ahead score.
“They’re in their sequence on the 6-yard line, when they scored, they ran on first down, made a few yards, they threw the ball for a touchdown on second down,” Carroll said. “It was a great play, great concept, got them ahead, all of that. We were kind of in a similar kind of mode.”
Granted, the Seahawks have All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch, who is significantly better than the Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount, but it’s still a good point.
“I have always respected the work that Bill has done, the accomplishments, the achievements,” Carroll said. “For him to take the moment to do that, it’s very gracious of him. We all care a lot about coaches, we all care a lot about the game, and I think he made the statement just to try to let people know if they’re curious, what he feels about it. I appreciate that.”
Thumbnail photo via Doug McSchooler/Associated Press
