BB and players demeanor this week: out of character

Is it just me or do you all think Bill is acting a bit differently this week? Specifically he actually appears to be having a bit of fun with the media and is allowing his players to do the same (e.g. WR's saying they will be playing QB). Typically the guy is no-nonsense all business all the time (at least in front of the camera). I have three theories as to his behavior:

1. Psychology - team is on the verge of making history and the stress doesn't get any higher. Thus, lay off the gas for a few days and allow the team to loosen up and release some stress. Once in Arizona he'll real them back in.

2. Simply enjoying it - this will be Bill's 6th Super Bowl appearance. Perhaps in the past he's worked so hard that he never stopped to enjoy what was happening in the current and this year he wants to enjoy it more while it's happening vs just after the game is over.

3. He's about to unleash Hell - no one can argue Bill is a football genius and he hasn't shown any of his aces yet. Perhaps he knows he has found the Giants weakness and already has a game plan in place to destroy them.

Regardless of the reason; Bill's behavior has my curiosity up. It's like he has a smart-ass grin on his face that he knows something we don't and he can't really hide it anymore.

Here's hoping for #3.

It's like he has a smart-ass grin on his face that he knows something we don't and he can't really hide it anymore

Click to expand...

That's exactly how I've taken the teams behavior this week. It really just seems like they have all their cards in place and know exactly what they'll be doing next week, while the Giants are scrambling to figure out how to stop TB & The Tenacious Ten from putting up 40 this week.

Kinda weird, can't recall the last time BB had this attitude before a game.

I don't think Belichick seeming (his version of) buoyant and playful with the media is new at all. I think he's been this way a LOT this season, 'though not lately. It has tended to come in weeks we followed up with a blow-out, so I'm hoping that trend continues. But no, overall I'd say he's been more often like THIS, this season, than he has been the stereotypically dour BB.

I'm going with #1.

Swingline747 said:

Is it just me or do you all think Bill is acting a bit differently this week?

Typically the guy is no-nonsense all business all the time (at least in front of the camera).

Click to expand...

Its just you.

Bill has been mischaracterized frequently by the media, and some fans, as a cold, ruthless machine lacking style and personality.

Far from the truth. Watch him on the 5th quarter some time--he's a mellow, intelligent man with a great sense of humor.

Maybe their acting different because they can't win a game this weekend. With only two off weeks this season, they've gotten into a habit of a win every week.

Actually I have seen him like this a few times before. Never at the beginning of the week, but sometimes towards the end of the week when he has his game plan done. He was like his before the 2nd Dolphins game.

I take it as a sign he has a game plan he has a lot of confidence in.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie said:

Actually I have seen him like this a few times before. Never at the beginning of the week, but sometimes towards the end of the week when he has his game plan done. He was like his before the 2nd Dolphins game.

I take it as a sign he has a game plan he has a lot of confidence in.

Click to expand...

i hope you are right.

they need to win this game. It just has to happen.

How nice would it be to be able to sit back and enjoy a blowout?

my God, that would be excellent.

I've noticed this as well. I definitely think it's a little of #1, but I do think that he wants the team to be peaking, intensity-wise, next Sunday. It's hard to keep that intensity up for 2 weeks. I think the hammer will come down when they get to Arizona tomorrow.

I say 1. They've shouldered a tremendous amount of stress this season, it showed in some chippy play towards the end.

By letting them savor what they've accomplished and chilling a bit, he's still got a week to ramp them back up.

Being tight is the worst thing that could happen to them.

Probably a little bit of all three.

murabma said:

I'm going with #4. He knows that Kraft's check to the Refs' Retirement Fund has cleared.....

Click to expand...

Gotta love when NEW YORK fans have resorted to playing the "rich, big-market bad guy" card.

murabma said:

I'm going with #4. He knows that Kraft's check to the Refs' Retirement Fund has cleared.....

Click to expand...

At first I was going to call you a troll. But then I realized you're right . . . Mr. Kraft OWNS this league. He built this organization playing by the rules and now dominates the competition at every phase of the game (players, coaching, winning, scouting, everything).

On second thought . . . you're still a troll.

Mosi Moose said:

I've noticed this as well. I definitely think it's a little of #1, but I do think that he wants the team to be peaking, intensity-wise, next Sunday. It's hard to keep that intensity up for 2 weeks. I think the hammer will come down when they get to Arizona tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Bingo. He's going to fight the distracting hoopla as the game goes closer, so he's giving in to it somewhat now.

murabma said:

I'm going with #4. He knows that Kraft's check to the Refs' Retirement Fund has cleared.....

Click to expand...

Your confusing Robert Kraft with Bill Polian.

A.C Vegas said:

Your confusing Robert Kraft with Bill Polian.

Click to expand...

Hmmm . . .what's Bill Polian doing now?? Probably wondering how his cap is doing next year with Peyton due $15M+ and a yet needing to fill all the holes that were exposed in his organization.

Oh wait, I do know what he's up to. He's probably already called the Ref's and the NFL requesting new rules targeted to stop the Patriots from further increasing their dominance.

His motto has always been . . . "If you can't beat them, ask for the rules to be changed so you can."

actually BB has been this way with the media for most of the season. the PFW in Progress guys actually get worried when he comes in and is his "old self", that is to say short, grumbling, grumpy type answers. most of this season he has given the exact same answers he always has (ie no information of any use) but he has delivered them with more of a grin.

I think there is something BB is insecure about.

Menlo said:

I think there is something BB is insecure about.

Click to expand...

Stop the presses.

Flying Fungi said:

Its just you.

Bill has been mischaracterized frequently by the media, and some fans, as a cold, ruthless machine lacking style and personality.

Far from the truth. Watch him on the 5th quarter some time--he's a mellow, intelligent man with a great sense of humor.

Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more, the media wants to believe he's arrogant but IMHO he's just a smart guy, something they're not used to seeing. His mannerisms and approach are consistent with the intellectual profile, something very uncommon in the sports world.