Seven Nation Army
Practice Squad Player
- Joined
- May 9, 2007
- Messages
- 108
- Reaction score
- 1
The first five years of Bill Belichick's tenure in New England were a startling reinvention of a man once thought unfit to be an NFL head coach. The last two years I don't think he has shined quite so brightly. We've gotten little tastes of what Cleveland went through from 1991-1995. The major difference is that Belichick's team is really, really good so he is secure in his job.
Belichick is essentially non-communicative in press conferences. Remember when his answers were patient and good natured? I know it seems like a long time ago, but back in the early part of this decade Belichick was actually regarded as warm during his press conferences. Gone were all the problems from Cleveland: terse answers, lack of eye contact, excessive secrecy. Now they're all back. Have you watched his press conferences? He doesn't smile, doesn't make eye contact, doesn't show any emotion. Even moronic coaches like Herm Edwards at least look at the person they're talking to. To his credit Belichick does not swear in front of the press or bash other coaches, both of which he did while coaching the Browns. The AFC Championship Game is typical of the situation: Belichick gave a two-minute press conference and was curt, but his team was contending for its fourth conference championship in six years, so it's forgivable. But there will never be good will towards the Patriots anymore.
The excessive secrecy, plotting and acrimony is the part that really reminds of Belichick's time in Cleveland. Why does a team as talented as the Patriots need to steal signals? Why does a team as versatile and deep as the Patriots need to play games with the injury report? Why did Belichick make the Mangini-to-New York thing so dramatic? Why did he get involved with a married woman? By themselves none of these things are relevant, but put together they can leave a nasty taste in the football community's mouth. That bitterness is held in check by the outstanding New England Patriots team assembled and coached by Belichick. But in Cleveland it got him fired.
We're just getting a little taste of it...
Belichick is essentially non-communicative in press conferences. Remember when his answers were patient and good natured? I know it seems like a long time ago, but back in the early part of this decade Belichick was actually regarded as warm during his press conferences. Gone were all the problems from Cleveland: terse answers, lack of eye contact, excessive secrecy. Now they're all back. Have you watched his press conferences? He doesn't smile, doesn't make eye contact, doesn't show any emotion. Even moronic coaches like Herm Edwards at least look at the person they're talking to. To his credit Belichick does not swear in front of the press or bash other coaches, both of which he did while coaching the Browns. The AFC Championship Game is typical of the situation: Belichick gave a two-minute press conference and was curt, but his team was contending for its fourth conference championship in six years, so it's forgivable. But there will never be good will towards the Patriots anymore.
The excessive secrecy, plotting and acrimony is the part that really reminds of Belichick's time in Cleveland. Why does a team as talented as the Patriots need to steal signals? Why does a team as versatile and deep as the Patriots need to play games with the injury report? Why did Belichick make the Mangini-to-New York thing so dramatic? Why did he get involved with a married woman? By themselves none of these things are relevant, but put together they can leave a nasty taste in the football community's mouth. That bitterness is held in check by the outstanding New England Patriots team assembled and coached by Belichick. But in Cleveland it got him fired.
We're just getting a little taste of it...
