The reason for the Witchhunt: BB's press conference a prime example

[skri65]

Honestly, I could give a rats behind about what other people think of Belichick. The way he talks at these press conferences is who BB is, and I'm fine with that. Honestly, I think it's humorous. He clearly doesn't give a sh** about what other people think of him, which I find is great.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I won't get into the merit of the media themselves. Like them or not however, what they show is seen by the public at large. I'm not saying BB needs to kowtow to the media, far from it. But he needs to handle them in such a way that John Q public who is watching the broadcast doesn't think to himself, "well this guy is just an arrogant, cheating scum, who doesn't even feel sorry for what he just got caught doing". BB did himself no favors in the way he handled that press conference.

AND the Patriots image as an organization took a hit. I think that Kraft also cares about team image, and this is the factor that I am trying to address and why I believe that BB needs better 'coaching' in front of the cameras, preferrably by people that are very good at handling that aspect.

It's well and fine to say "It's us against the world," but there is in fact little to no benefit to taking this approach, and it doesn't have to be that way. This is the value of public relations. In an age of streaming internet video and 24/7 access to media images, public persona becomes even more important. Maybe, just maybe there is value to not being perceived as a coach and by association a franchise known for arrogance, cheating, and an unrepentant attitude?

Belichick is nothing if not consistent, unlike the Media (see Mr FlipFlop King), so why should he change?
This is at the core of what really drives the media crazy- From the beginning, BB shut down media access to the team, identified the moles(Drew and Ty) that Borges and others had and generally got the team to see the media as the evil empire. I can just see BB addressing the team re the Media...."Why should they be trusted? What do they contribute to the team? Wouldn't any one of the media sell you out for a story that could make a name for themselves and potentially give valued information to our opponents?" So it's been a hellish job covering the Pats these past 8yrs and now the media is just loving this situation.
They are the arrogant ones, thinking that they should have any influence over him or his team.

 

[VJ11]

But that's exactly the problem. I have no qualms with BB the COACH, but from a public relations standpoint he makes the team look bad. And this compounds the issue when he takes that same cold unsympathetic approach on one of the most highly publicized scandals in recent franchise history. ...

The image of the franchise is IMO mainly Kraft's problem. I have no doubt that he will find the time to address the issue with Belichick, if he hasn't already done so. I'm sure he will speak his mind, and let Belichick know what he thinks of the situation and how Belichick handled it. I'm pretty sure he thinks this scandal has tainted the public image of the team, more than playing a number of bad, crappy games would have.
The thing is, most people who aren't Patriots fans, already were tired of the Pats and their continued run of success. For them, it's one more reason to root against the Pats. In that respect, the Krafts only have to account for the New England region to keep the team's image positive, because that's the region that is the most important to the team.
And when it comes to the media, they are like vultures looking for the next carcass to pluck bare. The Patriots are the scandal du jour, so we only have to wait for another team to do something stupid or outrageous.

 

[DW Toys]

Personally, I loved it. He's there to talk football not to wring his hands and beg forgiveness. Crying about how he will never get over it. Sorry, if thats what you wanted, then I can see why you are disappointed.

For me, it looks like this. He did something wrong, he got caught, paid his penalty and now he is trying to get on with business. He doesn't have to share his feeling about anything with those blood thirsty vultures.

In BB we trust! The media... not so much!

GOOD POST
DW TOYS

 

[aluminum seats]

Totally disagree with the premise of this thread. Belichick's genius in dealing with the press lies in the fact he gives them nothing. It's what helps the team maintain its focus. Even with a fiasco like this week, give them NOTHING--because every comment, every remark, simply gives oxygen to the story. Tell them nothing, and it goes out.

 

[NEPat]

I won't get into the merit of the media themselves. Like them or not however, what they show is seen by the public at large. I'm not saying BB needs to kowtow to the media, far from it. But he needs to handle them in such a way that John Q public who is watching the broadcast doesn't think to himself, "well this guy is just an arrogant, cheating scum, who doesn't even feel sorry for what he just got caught doing". BB did himself no favors in the way he handled that press conference.

A perfect example for how to handle the media when you F up is to look at Rodney. He apologized, took 100% of the blame, and the fans forgave him. And Rodney isn't a popular player outside of NE, he's got a bad rep with other teams and fans, but you didn't hear all that much about it because he issued that apology.

The thing is though, like other people have touched upon, Belichick may be an arrogant, Nixonian-type a**, but he's not a phony. He is never in a million years going to admit more than what's in his pseudo apology. He just won't. If you ask him, I bet he doesn't blame himself in the least, and that he's not sorry for what he did, he's sorry he got caught.

I agree that the franchise image suffers more for it, but I don't know what can be done. I'm sure Kraft talked to him before he issued any type of statement, so I wouldn't assume that Kraft is aghast at the way Belichick handled it.

It is what is it.

 

[nowayback]

i think if BB started answering ques and giving explanations today...the media would say that they brought him to his knees! that he is looking for sympathy and not so strong a man as he made out to be.. and then many of them would cut his throat!

 

[TeamFirst]

Personally, I loved it. He's there to talk football not to wring his hands and beg forgiveness. Crying about how he will never get over it. Sorry, if thats what you wanted, then I can see why you are disappointed.

For me, it looks like this. He did something wrong, he got caught, paid his penalty and now he is trying to get on with business. He doesn't have to share his feeling about anything with those blood thirsty vultures.

In BB we trust! The media... not so much!

We have bingo we have bingo.:rocker:

 

[patsgo]

Well I just watched BB's press conference on the official patriots website. And I have to say this, I can see why a lot of the media out there hate him.
He repeatedly stonewalled their questions, using the broken record technique to respond and I can definitely see how he can come off as unfriendly or prickish in that respect.
Although I'm not sure there's much more he can say than what he did, but he could have done it in a different manner.
The pluses of his approach is he avoids the pitfalls of saying too much and hanging himself, so to speak.

But he is not going to win any sympathy by the way he responded.
And I suppose BB is not looking for sympathy, but this does not come off well in front of the cameras.
This is an embarrassing episode in BB's career, but he should try to come off as more humbled or contrite imo.
He should have made his apology himself, speaking it, instead of leaving a dry written statement.

When you cannot elicit a sympathetic response from those who might be on your side given the right choice of words, its no wonder that his enemies all stood up to crucify him. And who can or would leap to his defense when all they see is the cold exterior that BB will allow the world to see?

In other words, I think that BB needs a public relations expert to coach him on how to speak with the media. I hope Bob Kraft realizes this and insists that BB take some lessons. This is one of the most publicized scandals in recent franchise history and all you can respond with is "I'm moving on"? In particular I thought his last response to the reporter asking the question on what he would say to the kids that look up to him, well it was lacking. BB had the chance to do some serious damage control today, and much as I like him as a COACH, as the face of the franchise he dropped the ball. Just my opinion.

Does anyone agree? If BB just learned to handle the media in a better, more friendly manner, his road would become that less rocky and difficult, and the Patriots as a franchise would benefit. When the image of the franchise is tarnished, you need to respond with a heartfelt apology that gives people reason to think that you have learned from what you have done wrong and that you have been humbled and that you have changed. A dry writen statement like the one BB issued will move no hearts and change no opinions.

In this case BB's media unfriendly demeanor has been his weakness. BB is a smart guy. I think he should start to realize the importance of how you come off in front of the public. It can be the difference between getting burned to the stake or getting a repreive. Like it or not, the court of public opinion counts in this country.

he hates the media. i hate the media so who cares? your just as miserable as the media, nothing to be accomplished talking to those a holes you must be one of them

 

[patsgo]

Very well written. I couldn't agree more.

i dont follow the pats for good media relations i like them because they are good and win football games, let a media coach in here who gives good press conferences and looses games then you will really see how fun that is, your so stupid yopu dont realise what we have now, its not about media relations dahhhhhhhh

 

[Bill's Girl]

You know, when he first came here, I think things were pretty good, weren't they? With the press, I mean. They were downright warm and fuzzy when we started to win. This is just my recall, I could be wrong though.

THings have been going badly for BB media-wise since sometime last year. Maybe handshake-gate? Or perhaps earlier with the Branch situation. I don't really know. There's no denying that it seems it has been one PR nightmare after another since then.

This one is by far the worst though. I know what you're saying, bt I think BB thinks if he comes off as contrite then he will be admitting to being a cheater. I don't think he believes he did that and he is not going to admit it. All that stuff about the children and all that....on the fly, I wouldn't know how to answer that either. He needed to be prepped for this, bigtime. But I bet he wouldn't go for that because it wold take away from game prepping.

I wonder when we will hear from the Krafts about all this.

Hi Bella! I hate to say this but you are wrong about the media in the beginning with BB. People were writing that Kraft was insane for hiring BB. One of the Herald guys called him "duplicitous pond scum" or something to that effect. His bad media rap followed him from his time in Cleveland and him not having any media favorites like Parcells did, was not helpful either. Borges hated him from day one and has been calling for BB's head on a platter from the begining. Even when we started winning, a lot of the media had negative things to say about Bill. I know he has a grumpy press conference persona, but he has not been given a chance by these media guys.

 

[spacecrime]

But he is not going to win any sympathy by the way he responded.
And I suppose BB is not looking for sympathy, but this does not come off well in front of the cameras.
This is an embarrassing episode in BB's career, but he should try to come off as more humbled or contrite imo.
He should have made his apology himself, speaking it, instead of leaving a dry written statement.

When you cannot elicit a sympathetic response from those who might be on your side given the right choice of words, its no wonder that his enemies all stood up to crucify him. And who can or would leap to his defense when all they see is the cold exterior that BB will allow the world to see?

In other words, I think that BB needs a public relations expert to coach him on how to speak with the media. I hope Bob Kraft realizes this and insists that BB take some lessons. This is one of the most publicized scandals in recent franchise history and all you can respond with is "I'm moving on"? In particular I thought his last response to the reporter asking the question on what he would say to the kids that look up to him, well it was lacking. BB had the chance to do some serious damage control today, and much as I like him as a COACH, as the face of the franchise he dropped the ball. Just my opinion.

Does anyone agree?

I don't know about anyone else, but no, I do not agree.

What do you want as a Pat fan?

A coach who is driven to win and screw what the media thinks? Or a coach who is aware of his public persona, and is willing to give the media what it wants so they will like him?

Do you wish Pete Carroll had never left?

Screw the media. The only thing I want BB to worry about is winning games.

If you are concerned that Felger and Clayton and Marioti and LeBatard and Rome and the rest don't like BB, something is wrong with you. These guys have abslutely nothing to do with our record or whether we win or lose games.

.

 

[Bella*chick]

Hi Bella! I hate to say this but you are wrong about the media in the beginning with BB. People were writing that Kraft was insane for hiring BB. One of the Herald guys called him "duplicitous pond scum" or something to that effect. His bad media rap followed him from his time in Cleveland and him not having any media favorites like Parcells did, was not helpful either. Borges hated him from day one and has been calling for BB's head on a platter from the begining. Even when we started winning, a lot of the media had negative things to say about Bill. I know he has a grumpy press conference persona, but he has not been given a chance by these media guys.

Oh, at the VERY beginning, it was not good from a media standpoint. But BB tried to approach it in a much different way than he did in Cleveland. It wasn't until the 2003 run that I think things got truly warm and fuzzy. I seem to remember a press conference where BB was asked what his New Year's wish was and he responded "To be as helpful as I can to the media, same as every year." and it got much warm laughter, including a great column the next day which called BB "our mentor." That's what I'm thinking of, not Borg-ass or the insanity at the very beginning of his hire...

 

[MetalBleachers]

Look, I'm just trying to do what's best for the football team. Some may agree, some may disagree, but I'm just trying to move forward and do whatever I can to help this team win. I make decisions all the time: sometimes they're right; sometimes they're wrong. Over the course of a day or a week or a year, there are going to be plenty of wrong decisions made by me. It is what it is.

Now we're on to San Diego and preparing as best we can for them. They're a great football team, probably the most talented team in the league right now. I'd compare them to the Chargers teams of the '80s but with a better defense. We've got plenty on our plate. That's our focus right now.

I'd be happy to answer any questions involving San Diego. As far as the issues with the league and the commissioner's decision, I have no further comment on those. So, if you ask me a question about those issues, you might as well just go f**k yourself. I hope we're all clear on that.

 

[Jimke]

Dealing with the media is not one of BB strong points. The media in

Boston can be brutal. Many of these guys (and gals) have been waiting

6 years for Bill to screw up so they could tear him apart.

 

[VJCPatriot]

That's exactly what I'm trying to get it. Thank you for seeing my point rather than misinterpreting this as some kind of attack on Belichick.

If BB had handled this situation in a similar way to Rodney, I think a lot of people would have been appeased. Instead he came off looking even more arrogant and unrepentant. I don't think hardly anybody was convinced by the written statement, especially after the way he handled the press conference. This is an issue that I believe CAN be fixed with simple coaching from a PR professional.

Why does Kraft have to clean up BB's PR messes. I think he's going to get tired of doing it one of these days and before you know it Myra has enough ammunition where she can whisper 'don't give the extension' and it happens.

A perfect example for how to handle the media when you F up is to look at Rodney. He apologized, took 100% of the blame, and the fans forgave him. And Rodney isn't a popular player outside of NE, he's got a bad rep with other teams and fans, but you didn't hear all that much about it because he issued that apology.

The thing is though, like other people have touched upon, Belichick may be an arrogant, Nixonian-type a**, but he's not a phony. He is never in a million years going to admit more than what's in his pseudo apology. He just won't. If you ask him, I bet he doesn't blame himself in the least, and that he's not sorry for what he did, he's sorry he got caught.

I agree that the franchise image suffers more for it, but I don't know what can be done. I'm sure Kraft talked to him before he issued any type of statement, so I wouldn't assume that Kraft is aghast at the way Belichick handled it.

It is what is it.

I never said I wanted Carroll back. His type of coaching is most suited to college football, not the pro game.
The problem with BB's attitude of 'screw the media' is that the media is the one that brings you down in the end.
Do you sincerely believe that Goodell would have handed down a penalty of a 1st round pick for common league activity if the national media outlets hadn't raised such a HUGE STINK about this incident?
And do you really think the STINK would have gotten this big if BB had any friends to defend him?
Or that if public opinion hadn't been so set against the Pats that this would have escalated to this level?
If so you are thinking naively. Whether you like it or not,the court of public opinion DID influence how hard Goodell went down against BB and the Pats.
This is just one example of why public relations DO matter.

In the 'old school' days a coach could be as grumpy a **** as he wanted and it didn't matter as long as he won.
In today's media conscious age, that attitude is a distinct weakness.
BB does not need to become the media's 'chum'.
He just needs to come off as a decent human being to the viewing public.
Because the commissioner, and yes Robert Kraft do care about public image.
That is one very big reason why the Pats got docked a 1st round pick instead of the previous max, a 3rd rounder.
Is it really heresy to suggest consultation and 'coaching' with a professional publicist before handling one of the biggest post-scandal press conferences in recent team history... or is it just COMMON SENSE?

Do you wish Pete Carroll had never left?

Screw the media. The only thing I want BB to worry about is winning games.

If you are concerned that Felger and Clayton and Marioti and LeBatard and Rome and the rest don't like BB, something is wrong with you. These guys have abslutely nothing to do with our record or whether we win or lose games.

 

[patsgo]

That's exactly what I'm trying to get it. Thank you for seeing my point rather than misinterpreting this as some kind of attack on Belichick.

If BB had handled this situation in a similar way to Rodney, I think a lot of people would have been appeased. Instead he came off looking even more arrogant and unrepentant. I don't think hardly anybody was convinced by the written statement, especially after the way he handled the press conference. This is an issue that I believe CAN be fixed with simple coaching from a PR professional.

Why does Kraft have to clean up BB's PR messes. I think he's going to get tired of doing it one of these days and before you know it Myra has enough ammunition where she can whisper 'don't give the extension' and it happens.



I never said I wanted Carroll back. His type of coaching is most suited to college football, not the pro game.
The problem with BB's attitude of 'screw the media' is that the media is the one that brings you down in the end.
Do you sincerely believe that Goodell would have handed down a penalty of a 1st round pick for common league activity if the national media outlets hadn't raised such a HUGE STINK about this incident?
And do you really think the STINK would have gotten this big if BB had any friends to defend him?
Or that if public opinion hadn't been so set against the Pats that this would have escalated to this level?
If so you are thinking naively. Whether you like it or not,the court of public opinion DID influence how hard Goodell went down against BB and the Pats.
This is just one example of why public relations DO matter.

In the 'old school' days a coach could be as grumpy a **** as he wanted and it didn't matter as long as he won.
In today's media conscious age, that attitude is a distinct weakness.
BB does not need to become the media's 'chum'.
He just needs to come off as a decent human being to the viewing public.
Because the commissioner, and yes Robert Kraft do care about public image.
That is one very big reason why the Pats got docked a 1st round pick instead of the previous max, a 3rd rounder.
Is it really heresy to suggest consultation and 'coaching' with a professional publicist before handling one of the biggest post-scandal press conferences in recent team history... or is it just COMMON SENSE?

your way off base public image ids good he wins, again who cares about the media except the media? i dont need to read feel good stories i want wins and the majority of fans wants wins kraft and goodell could care less wether bb talks nice to the press your in lala land

 

[VJCPatriot]

"That acknowledgement makes this story, by definition, a media-created firestorm. As the Cold, Hard Football Facts noted in The Boston Herald Thursday, sharks were already circling Belichick, waiting to move in for the kill. His violation of league policy simply puts a little blood in the water that whips up his critics into a fever, especially those critics in the media who have felt slighted by him in the past." - Courtesy of the Cold Hard Football Facts (http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=1634)

Sorry to break it to you, but that lala land you are talking about, is the real world where Goodell slapped the Patriots with the penalty of a 1st round draft pick, a $250,000 team fine, and a $500,000 personal fine to BB himself. I'm sure BB does not like to be in that place. By learning to handle the press better, he can AVOID going to that place, known as the real world, otherwise known to you as lala land.

Don't misunderstand. I stand by BB as the Patriots head coach. However, his weakness, public relations, has become a real detriment and embarrassment to this team. And someday it might well cost him his job.

What happens when the next scandal hits? And you know the media will be eagerly looking to spring the trap when it happens. If BB's image is not fixed by then, Kraft might be so embarassed that he has no choice but to axe BB. These are cold, hard facts from the cold, hard world where draft picks are docked and fines are levied. I don't want to see it happen, but BB has got to work on his weaknesses, before his enemies can take advantage of them.

your way off base public image ids good he wins, again who cares about the media except the media? i dont need to read feel good stories i want wins and the majority of fans wants wins kraft and goodell could care less wether bb talks nice to the press your in lala land

 

[patsgo]

"That acknowledgement makes this story, by definition, a media-created firestorm. As the Cold, Hard Football Facts noted in The Boston Herald Thursday, sharks were already circling Belichick, waiting to move in for the kill. His violation of league policy simply puts a little blood in the water that whips up his critics into a fever, especially those critics in the media who have felt slighted by him in the past." - Courtesy of the Cold Hard Football Facts (http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=1634)

Sorry to break it to you, but that lala land you are talking about, is the real world where Goodell slapped the Patriots with the penalty of a 1st round draft pick, a $250,000 team fine, and a $500,000 personal fine to BB himself. I'm sure BB does not like to be in that place. By learning to handle the press better, he can AVOID going to that place, known as the real world, otherwise known to you as lala land.

Don't misunderstand. I stand by BB as the Patriots head coach. However, his weakness, public relations, has become a real detriment and embarrassment to this team. And someday it might well cost him his job.

What happens when the next scandal hits? And you know the media will be eagerly looking to spring the trap when it happens. If BB's image is not fixed by then, Kraft might be so embarassed that he has no choice but to axe BB. These are cold, hard facts from the cold, hard world where draft picks are docked and fines are levied. I don't want to see it happen, but BB has got to work on his weaknesses, before his enemies can take advantage of them.

so let me get this right if bb was nice to the media , he would of gotten a pass on this , or future scandals??? right your not only in lala land but your smoking some powerfull stuff, i know your type weei 24 /7 and news papers in between, get alife dude

 

[Bella*chick]

Well, not a pass, but it might not have been this horribly overblown.

I think that's a perfectly reasonable point to make.

It may have been better for BB if he announced he found Jesus while speaking from his heart. Sure worked for Mike Vick. No one talks about him anymore and his was supposed to be the biggest sports scandal this year. He owes us bigtime.