The first discussion was about Bill Belichick. La Russa told Accorsi that he and Belichick had become close friends. Tony said he admired that Belichick is "a coach, a great coach, not an entertainer." Accorsi talked about his complicated relationship with the complicated man.
"I hired him in 1991 when I was with the Cleveland Browns," said Accorsi, who had nine playoff teams in 17 years as a GM with the Giants and Browns. "I learned that sometimes he's harsh, but he's never phony. He's very direct."
La Russa asked Accorsi what he saw in Belichick.
"I remember when I was in college and John F. Kennedy was running for president," Accorsi said. "I thought, 'This guy has been preparing his whole life.' That's exactly how I felt about Bill. He's a brilliant football man -- and not just defense, which many people don't know. I think he ranks with the greatest of all time, with George Halas, Paul Brown, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh."
Both La Russa and Accorsi agreed that Belichick's communications skills could be, ah, improved.
