The most fascinating part of the documentary is that NFL Films recorded Belichick in meetings during the week of the Texans game discussing which players he’d hold out to keep them healthy for the playoffs. During the week, Belichick seemed to be leaning toward keeping Welker inactive because he was worried about an injury.
“Maybe Welker, too,” Belichick said when listing players who would be inactive for the Texans game. “I don’t know how smart it’d be to put him in there to get lit up another eight or 10 times like he usually does.”
Later, Belichick is shown in another meeting suggesting that Welker and Randy Moss would both play but get only limited action.
“Even if Welker’s healthy, I think there’s a point in this game where you can just back off,” Belichick said, before adding of Moss and Welker, “Those are two guys we can’t really afford to lose.”
Sure enough, the Patriots did lose Welker, and Belichick is shown in his office afterward looking devastated about it. This great look at a great coach also includes the coach’s mistakes.
ProFootballTalk previewing part two of Bill Belichick: A Football Life