Scalavino interview with Belichick

[pats1]

CoachSpeak: A conversation with Bill Belichick

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I thought this was interesting given the heated topic du jour here this past week:

Nowadays, Belichick is noticing a new trend in the NFL.

“It’s been this way for a while, but every team really only has one running back in the game,” he said. “You seldom see two guys who are legitimate ball carriers in the game. Maybe for a play or two, but not in a regular offense, where 20 years ago you could see a [Ernest] Byner and a [Kevin] Mack, or Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. But you just don’t see that anymore.

“You see quarterbacks in the shotgun a lot more with more spread offenses. I think you see backs that are coming back in that, just about all the backs in the league are good in the passing game. There was a time when they would run the ball and then come off the field on third down, maybe put in a specialist – a Joe Washington or a Kelvin Bryant or Tony Galbreath or guys like that.

“Not that you don’t still see that a little bit, and we have one with Kevin Faulk, but you see a lot more backs that are staying in all three downs and that are good in the passing game. There’s too much passing for a guy to be that limited.”

I also think that (again) reading between the lines I could see his life come full circle, finishing up where he tried to get started, in college, and because of Steve at the college where he grew up and where the coaching seed was planted, Annapolis. It remains pretty clear he has one heck of a soft spot for Navy.

 

[blackglass3]

His favorite subjects include history, adventure, sports (not surprisingly) and “ones that are a little bit personal,” as he put it.

He's obviously reading Twilight and doesn't want us to know.

 

[Reckedtrek]

He's obviously reading Twilight and doesn't want us to know.

No... I bet he's reading The Godfather. Bill's always looking for new angles on how to bump off the other guy. Don Vito Corleone, our new "team consultant".

 

[Urgent]

Nice interview.
But why the eight month embargo, I wonder?
Apparently the interview took place in November 2008, posted July 2009.

 

[patfanken]

God what a missed opportunity. Though I loved reading the article, which DOES give you some insight into the BB we don't know, there were a hundred questions I would have loved to ask. So here are 10....in case BB comes to patsfans, and will read this thread....and will answer my questions.

1. WTF is the real story behind spygate?

2. Clearly you KNEW that the league was aware of it. So why did you continue the practice? What was the point you were trying to make to the league?

3. What did you say to the Commish when you went before him?

4. What did you think about his handling of the situation?

5. Did you think his handling of it, exacerbated the media frenzy that ensued?

6. Will you ever tell the public your side of the drama.

7. Are you sorry that by forcing this issue (whatever it was) you have jeopardized the legacy of the the teams accomplishments?

Then on a more football related vein.

8. I grew up playing and later coaching the delware wing T offense. As you know it basically consists of 2 backs (I, split, or paired), and a lot of misdirection, and a lot of angle/pull blocking on the OL. (BTW this discription is more for the readers than BB. he won't need it ) As I watch the game now, and see all the sumo wrestling that passes for blocking being done on the LOS, I can't help but wonder, if at some future date, this offense and blocking scheme might come back in vogue?

I think that if used as a alternative to all the passing and singleback running it could be very effective, especially if its used like the wildcat has been which is about a dozen plays a game. I especially like the blocking schemes, since DLs are playing so high coming off the ball. (sorry if this sounds like a Pete Shephard question where he answers the question while he's asking it. )

9. At what point did you realize that Tom Brady was your QB of the future?

10.What is the real reason behind you being upset with Mangini after he took the Jets job, I have to think it was more than just him not taking your advice?

10. There has been an interesting debate at Patriots.com which I'd like you to choose a position. If you could have the 19-0 Superbowl win, with Brady retiring after the game, or 10 more years with Tom Brady, and losing that superbowl, which would you choose?

Well those would be my questions. I'll wait patiently for BB to answer them.

 

[BelichickFan]

God what a missed opportunity. Though I loved reading the article, which DOES give you some insight into the BB we don't know, there were a hundred questions I would have loved to ask. So here are 10

1-7 and both 10s would have been wasted questions because there's no chance he would have answered them.

 

[patchick]

God what a missed opportunity.

Wow Ken, you really think that a "sit down for a friendly chat to get to know the coach" piece was a missed opportunity because most of the questions should have been about spygate? Have to disagree, strongly.

 

[Sicilian]

1. WTF is the real story behind spygate?

6. Will you ever tell the public your side of the drama.

You've already admitted through question 6 that you don't expect him to answer 1 -5. Good luck with that.

LET...

IT...

GO...

 

[Mike the Brit]

Well those would be my questions. I'll wait patiently for BB to answer them.

Well, my advice is: don't hold your breath.

 

[Mabeyitstrue]

BB is the man, best coach ever and a class act for sure!

Without BB = no rings, its good to be a Pat's fan in this era

 

[patfanken]

Listen guys, I still have somewhat of a grip on reality. However I found it odd that in an interview where the only issue that was barred was the Presidential election, not even one question about spygate was asked.

I also know that we'd like to put the issue behind us, but the fact remains that there are just SOOOO many questions left unanswered (I blame Goodell for a lot of that) that we are still haunted by other fans about being "cheaters", and while I can defend the whole thing intellectually, its a burden that, quite frankly, we Pats fans SHOULDN'T have to bear... at least without knowing the WHOLE story.

I also believe that when the entire story is told, the Pats will come out looking better than they do now. We all know that there were OTHER teams doing the same or similar things. We all know that BB continued the practice DESPITE the warning letter to prove SOME point....I just don't know what that was.

What we DON'T is why the Commish remained silent after he made his initial announcement, and never cane the Pats defense when the media was making speculation after unfounded speculation right up to the superbowl fiasco of the Tomasi article. IMHO Goodell not only damaged the Pats good name in all this silence, but the integrity of the game ITSELF.....all seemingly for no good reason.

BTW there are tons of OTHER, more football questions I'd love to discuss with him, just like #7, and I believe that one could last for hours...if we had a chalk board/

 

[letekro]

10. There has been an interesting debate at Patriots.com which I'd like you to choose a position. If you could have the 19-0 Superbowl win, with Brady retiring after the game, or 10 more years with Tom Brady, and losing that superbowl, which would you choose?

An interesting question. I would have to say the 19-0. The perfect, eternal exclamation point on the FU to the rest of the league following the Spygate scandal would have carried me though the next 10 years easy. (Plus, I happen to think O'Connell is going to be an excellent QB).

 

[patfanken]

An interesting question. I would have to say the 19-0. The perfect, eternal exclamation point on the FU to the rest of the league following the Spygate scandal would have carried me though the next 10 years easy. (Plus, I happen to think O'Connell is going to be an excellent QB).

I agree. While 10 more years of Brady would probably assure us of 10 years of a very competitive teams and even a couple of more superbowls, 19-0 is a historical event, unlikely to be duplicated, and for the rest of our lives (at least mine) any talk of the best team EVER would have to start with OUR Pats.

 

[lurker1965]

God what a missed opportunity. Though I loved reading the article, which DOES give you some insight into the BB we don't know, there were a hundred questions I would have loved to ask. So here are 10....in case BB comes to patsfans, and will read this thread....and will answer my questions.

1. WTF is the real story behind spygate?

2. Clearly you KNEW that the league was aware of it. So why did you continue the practice? What was the point you were trying to make to the league?

3. What did you say to the Commish when you went before him?

4. What did you think about his handling of the situation?

5. Did you think his handling of it, exacerbated the media frenzy that ensued?

6. Will you ever tell the public your side of the drama.

7. Are you sorry that by forcing this issue (whatever it was) you have jeopardized the legacy of the the teams accomplishments?

Then on a more football related vein.

8. I grew up playing and later coaching the delware wing T offense. As you know it basically consists of 2 backs (I, split, or paired), and a lot of misdirection, and a lot of angle/pull blocking on the OL. (BTW this discription is more for the readers than BB. he won't need it ) As I watch the game now, and see all the sumo wrestling that passes for blocking being done on the LOS, I can't help but wonder, if at some future date, this offense and blocking scheme might come back in vogue?

I think that if used as a alternative to all the passing and singleback running it could be very effective, especially if its used like the wildcat has been which is about a dozen plays a game. I especially like the blocking schemes, since DLs are playing so high coming off the ball. (sorry if this sounds like a Pete Shephard question where he answers the question while he's asking it. )

9. At what point did you realize that Tom Brady was your QB of the future?

10.What is the real reason behind you being upset with Mangini after he took the Jets job, I have to think it was more than just him not taking your advice?

10. There has been an interesting debate at Patriots.com which I'd like you to choose a position. If you could have the 19-0 Superbowl win, with Brady retiring after the game, or 10 more years with Tom Brady, and losing that superbowl, which would you choose?

Well those would be my questions. I'll wait patiently for BB to answer them.

I'm sure I would not be alone in telling you questions 1-7 are absolutely begging to have him walk away from you and ask someone your name so he can never talk to you again because you beat a dead horse.

 

[lurker1965]

Well, my advice is: don't hold your breath.

Actually if he holds his breath he will just pass out and start breathing again.

 

[lurker1965]

Listen guys, I still have somewhat of a grip on reality. However I found it odd that in an interview where the only issue that was barred was the Presidential election, not even one question about spygate was asked.
...

Did you notice it was on Patriots.com. Maybe, just maybe, Kraft and company would rather not re-beat the dead horse. If you want that crap E!SPN.com probably still has articles up about how Walsh taped the Rams walkthrough.

 

[363839]

I agree. While 10 more years of Brady would probably assure us of 10 years of a very competitive teams and even a couple of more superbowls, 19-0 is a historical event, unlikely to be duplicated, and for the rest of our lives (at least mine) any talk of the best team EVER would have to start with OUR Pats.

You are, of course, on the money here.
As far as 19-0 ever being duplicated, remember this...
This Patriots team broke it's own NFL consecutive win streak record.
I believe both were over twenty wins.

 

[patfanken]

I'm not looking to beat a dead horse. I really believe if all the information was out there, it would erase at least some of that "cheaters" image the Pats currently have, and WE FANS have to deal with.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm not looking to beat a dead horse. I really believe if all the information was out there, it would erase at least some of that "cheaters" image the Pats currently have, and WE FANS have to deal with.

Ken, it is beating a dead horse no matter how pure the motive. However, I imagine that the day will come when BB 'writes' a book. I expect a very interesting chapter on spygate. My most fervent hope is that he calls out this worm of an Ommissioner for the clown that he is.