http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/11/18/week11/6.html
Book Corner
Actually, this week, it's the magazine corner. It's Sports Illustrated's "The Cleveland Collection,'' a special issue on sale on Cleveland-area newsstands devoted to the history of Cleveland sports. I am reminded by a Tex Maule story from 1962 of Bill Belichick. In researching a Belichick story for SI in 2004, I had the chance to visit his home in suburban Boston and see his expansive library of football books. Belichick admired Paul Brown as much as any coach, and reading some of the Maule piece, it was easy to see why.
"Brown, characteristically, has never bothered to answer his critics, in print or verbally,'' Maule wrote. "Nor has he changed his offense or his system. To ignore the attacks of his detractors and the compliments of his admirers has been a Brown trait for almost as long as he has been in football ... There are still many doubters who cannot believe that you can manage a large group of grown professional players with the same dictatorial -- and often puritanical -- authority that many high schools impose with difficulty on 15-year-olds. Brown is living proof that it not only can be done but can be enormously successful ... As this season approaches, Cleveland is appearing more and more often as the choice in the Eastern Division. Brown would rather be the underdog, but he isn't exactly displeased with his team. You won't hear that from him now, and if he wins, he won't crow either. Paul Brown will let his record speak for him. As in the past, it should speak eloquently.''
Won't answer his critics ... won't change his system ... puritanical authority ... if he wins, he won't crow. Sound familiar, New England?
