Belichcik takes heat over last play versus Dolphins<\/b>
\nPatriots coach Bill Belichick wasn\u2019t worried about a pass into the end zone late in Sunday\u2019s game, but he was worried about a long-distance throw, which, he said, was why tight end Rob Gronkowski was in the game as a safety.
\u201cIt was his (Gronkowski\u2019s) ability to play the deep long throw,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cI think it was a little too far to get to the end zone, but certainly a deep pass in that situation was a possibility, I wouldn\u2019t rule that out.\u201d
The question about using Gronkowski in that sutuation was among many Belichick fielded Monday after the team\u2019s stunning 34-33 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.
\u201cFirst of all, it\u2019s understanding the situation, that\u2019s the No. 1 thing and specifically what you would call in that situation. That could have a lot of variability depending on what personnel they have in the game and various other factors,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cUnderstanding what are the critical parts of each situation and then applying the specific call that is made to that. It\u2019s a combination of a lot of things and as I said, I\u2019ve got to do a better job of it.\u201d
The Patriots flooded the end zone in anticipation of a Ryan Tannehill Hail Mary toss from the Miami 31 with seven seconds remaining.
Tannehill crossed up the Patriots with a double lateral pass play that began with a hook route by Kenny Stills in the middle of the field. Stills lateraled the ball back to DeVante Parker, who relayed the ball to Kenyan Drake.
Drake eluded several Patriots across the middle of the field and crossed up Gronkowski inside the 10-yard line to complete the 69-yard combination pass in the Patriots\u2019 end zone with no time on the clock.
\u201cWe have to do a better job with that and its starts with me,\u201d said Belichick. \u201cWe have got to play better situational football and work and try and achieve that.\u201d<\/p>\n