Bill Belichick was roundly criticized for his frosty approach toward Eric Mangini, which many media types perceived as a petty response to Mangini's decision to leave New England. But there may be more to it than what has been reported.
Some people in the know insist the rift wasn't created by the actual break-up, that the relationship started to fray after Mangini left.
That opens several possibilities; maybe Belichick is sore because Mangini tried to poach some of his assistant coaches. The belief here is Belichick's beef with Mangini stems from the Deion Branch situation. The Patriots believe the Jets tampered with Branch - New England filed a grievance with the league - and that certainly could explain Belichick's cold shoulder.
It's interesting to note that, on the day Mangini took the Jets' job, Belichick released a statement that called Mangini "an outstanding coach and an even finer individual...(This opportunity) is truly an example of good things happening to a good, hard-working person."
Does that sound like a betrayed coach?
