2016 Belichick Thread: Cheater de Force

InstaFace · Sep 30, 2016

per Reiss a little bit ago:

LeGarrette Blount is averaging 25 carries per game, so would Bill Belichick like to see that number reduced? "I'd like to see us win. That's what I'd like to see," Belichick answered Friday. "It's not about individual stats. It's about the team winning. That's what is important to me and that's what is important to the team."

Reminds me of the MFY's minority owner commenting on the "A-Rod experience".

loshjott · Sep 30, 2016

WaPo: Tom Brady’s absence has only bolstered Bill Belichick’s esteemed place in NFL history

The headline is misleading. This is not an inane Belichick vs. Brady article but a piece on BB's appreciation of football history, and his own place in it.

TheRooster · Sep 30, 2016

Unless his workload tapers off, I can't see LGB being impactful in December and January. Of course, they should have Brady, Gronk and Amendola at full speed by then so the running game should be much less important.

InstaFace · Sep 30, 2016

loshjott said:
WaPo: Tom Brady’s absence has only bolstered Bill Belichick’s esteemed place in NFL history

The headline is misleading. This is not an inane Belichick vs. Brady article but a piece on BB's appreciation of football history, and his own place in it.

Great article. This bit stood out:

In a victory last Thursday over the Houston Texans, Belichick unearthed blocking schemes from the 1960s and borrowed formations from the Navy teams for which his father scouted. On page 89 of “Winning Football Plays,” a part of the Belichick Collection first published in 1954, Nebraska’s Quarterback Sneak Off Trap is diagrammed. With a fake handoff to the left, two pulling linemen and the quarterback running around right end, it closely resembles the play on which Brissett scored a 27-yard touchdown last Thursday.

I hope to read about those blocking schemes from the 60s on ITP, after the excellent breakdown on the OL's first 2 weeks.

pokey_reese · Sep 30, 2016

TheRooster said:
Unless his workload tapers off, I can't see LGB being impactful in December and January. Of course, they should have Brady, Gronk and Amendola at full speed by then so the running game should be much less important.

I mean, the Pats are right now running the least pass-heavy offense in the NFL, running just over 50% of the time. With Gronk getting up to speed and Brady coming back, do you really expect that to continue? Plus, there is a chance that Lewis will come back later in the season as well. I would assume that Blount's workload will decrease over the next few weeks after Sunday regardless, just because the personal that the team will have available to them will change.

bakahump · Sep 30, 2016

I guess I would expect the Hydra of Brady, Gronk, Edelman, Bennet, Amendola, Hogan and Mitchell to reduce LGBTs carrys almost immediately allowing him to be all systems go for Dec and jan.

I know you probably agree with that but it is fun writing out the names of all those targets.

And thats not even considering White, Foster and Lewis' possible return.

Bowhemian · Sep 30, 2016

Edit: can't read

riboflav · Sep 30, 2016

loshjott said:
WaPo: Tom Brady’s absence has only bolstered Bill Belichick’s esteemed place in NFL history

The headline is misleading. This is not an inane Belichick vs. Brady article but a piece on BB's appreciation of football history, and his own place in it.

That was great. As always tread carefully in the comments section or better yet just avoid it completely.

Bergs · Sep 30, 2016

riboflav said:
That was great. As always tread carefully in the comments section or better yet just avoid it completely.

Actually, that's one of the more respectable comments sections I've seen in an NFL setting. Most in there seem capable of articulating thoughts.

Number45forever · Sep 30, 2016

Why anyone reads internet comment sections ever is beyond me. Life is too short.

Incredible article. WaPo is killing it between stuff like this and everything Sally Jenkins has done in the last 18 months or so.

E5 Yaz · Sep 30, 2016

It's a good article, but I think there should a moratorium on stories that lead with the Belichick book collection at Navy. I suppose it works for the non-alligned fan; but it's gotten to be a cliche for Pats followers

dcmissle · Oct 1, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
It's a good article, but I think there should a moratorium on stories that lead with the Belichick book collection at Navy. I suppose it works for the non-alligned fan; but it's gotten to be a cliche for Pats followers

It was pitched to the non-aligned fan and, I think, gets as close to the core of BB as anything I have read. NFL Films and the library pick the lock.

I was unaware of the new Holley book and will be sure to get it.

Ed Hillel · Oct 2, 2016

I was reading some of Reiss' notes, and this stuck out:

10. Interesting story relayed by former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel on “The Tim Graham Show” on 1270 The Fan last week in Buffalo, as he said then-Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo and Bill Belichick had the general parameters in place on a 2010 draft-day trade that would have sent tight end Greg Olsen to the Patriots for a second-round pick. Gabriel relayed on the show that the Bears were anticipating a phone call from the Patriots that day, but it never came after New England traded up in the second round to pick Rob Gronkowski. The Bears ended up trading Olsen the following season to Carolina. That worked out well for the Patriots and Panthers, and not so much for the Bears.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4796272/patriots-should-get-extra-time-to-make-roster-move-as-tom-brady-set-to-return

riboflav · Oct 4, 2016

Oral History of BB, himself. Done by ESPN Magazine (so, you know, there are some eye-rolling themes and passages).

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/17703210/new-england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-greatest-enigma-sports

InstaFace · Oct 4, 2016

That is absolutely tremendous. It's oral-history style, the majority of it from his players. I hope this snippet will convince people to read it despite its publisher:

Matt Cassel: My rookie year, I got crushed in the back by a corner blitz against the Giants. We're playing them the next year in the last preseason game. He asks me, 'OK, Cassel, what front do they like to bring the corner blitz from?' I had looked it up the night before, anticipating it. I said, 'Coach, it's an over.' And he goes, 'Brady?' Well, you know immediately when he goes to the next guy: 'Oh, no. Oh, no.' And Brady says, 'An under.' And he goes, 'Brady's right. I don't want to have to send your mother another note that says, 'Dear Mrs. Cassel, we regret to inform you that your son got killed being a dumbass.'"

There are at least a dozen anecdotes that good or better.

riboflav · Oct 4, 2016

InstaFace said:
That is absolutely tremendous. It's oral-history style, the majority of it from his players. I hope this snippet will convince people to read it despite its publisher:

There are at least a dozen anecdotes that good or better.

It is worthwhile to read and you're correct there are many good anecdotes I had not heard before.

I'd say their biggest misstep was to quote a "former NFL coach" who would not attach his name in an oral history. Seems highly unprofessional to have done so.

DavidTai · Oct 4, 2016

riboflav said:
It is worthwhile to read and you're correct there are many good anecdotes I had not heard before.

I'd say their biggest misstep was to quote a "former NFL coach" who would not attach his name in an oral history. Seems highly unprofessional to have done so.

I thought this might have been Eric Mangini, actually. I expected his name to turn up and was surprised it didn't.

Though the whole 'pushing the line' thing, I can see why he refused to be named. Coward.

InstaFace · Oct 4, 2016

Given the recent NY Post article about Mangini, and how much he regrets the role he played in blowing the whistle, I actually kinda doubt it's him. I also doubt it's John Harbaugh, who was quoted in the article as owing his job to Belichick going out of his way on Harbaugh's behalf, and Harbaugh admiring the hell out of the guy. I wouldn't be surprised at all, though, if it were Parcells, or Dungy, or Bill Callahan, or a long list of others he has trampled on.

BigSoxFan · Oct 4, 2016

No, Curtis, Deflategate didn't happen.

Super Nomario · Oct 4, 2016

riboflav said:
Oral History of BB, himself. Done by ESPN Magazine (so, you know, there are some eye-rolling themes and passages).

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/17703210/new-england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-greatest-enigma-sports

Thanks, this is wonderful.

BaseballJones · Oct 4, 2016

This really is amazing. I especially love the part where the meme of Belichick's "arrogance" is just completely slammed.

kenneycb · Oct 4, 2016

This quote from Cassel slayed me.

And he goes, 'Brady's right. I don't want to have to send your mother another note that says, 'Dear Mrs. Cassel, we regret to inform you that your son got killed being a dumbass.'"

tims4wins · Oct 4, 2016

InstaFace said:
Given the recent NY Post article about Mangini, and how much he regrets the role he played in blowing the whistle, I actually kinda doubt it's him. I also doubt it's John Harbaugh, who was quoted in the article as owing his job to Belichick going out of his way on Harbaugh's behalf, and Harbaugh admiring the hell out of the guy. I wouldn't be surprised at all, though, if it were Parcells, or Dungy, or Bill Callahan, or a long list of others he has trampled on.

Right, it wouldn't be Harbaugh or Parcells since they were quoted. Could be Dungy, wouldn't be surprised.

Also your user name is fantastic

luckiestman · Oct 4, 2016

Great read, loved this:

Aqib Talib: "Once, in practice, Brady threw a seam ball that was intercepted, and Bill, man, he chewed Tom out, saying, 'You got 130 career interceptions,' or whatever it was, 'and half of them are on this route. You keep doing the same s--- over and over and this is what happens.' Right then you know two things about the Patriots and Bill Belichick: Everybody is treated the same, and you better get your s--- together."

Ralphwiggum · Oct 4, 2016

Great read.

Completely sucks that every retrospective we will ever read about BB will include discussion of Spygate, and even worse the DFG bullshit where even the fucking Wells report exonerated him.

E5 Yaz · Oct 4, 2016

tims4wins said:
Right, it wouldn't be Harbaugh or Parcells since they were quoted. Could be Dungy, wouldn't be surprised.

Because the first instance came up was about BB's time with the Giants, the first person I thought of was Tom Coughlin

BroodsSexton · Oct 4, 2016

Ralphwiggum said:
Great read.

Completely sucks that every retrospective we will ever read about BB will include discussion of Spygate, and even worse the DFG bullshit where even the fucking Wells report exonerated him.

Eh, I actually think that as time goes by, these events will be remembered as unfair efforts to bring him down, rather than as blemishes on his record. I could be wrong.

Shelterdog · Oct 4, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
Because the first instance came up was about BB's time with the Giants, the first person I thought of was Tom Coughlin

Coughlin or Shannahan--somebody cranky who was in the NFL a long fucking time. Coughlin is my best bet also.

kenneycb · Oct 4, 2016

I'm guessing it's not Coughlin unless there's something my cursory search is missing.

“Tom’s had a great career as a head coach and as an assistant coach – BC [Boston College], Jacksonville, New York,” Belichick said. “He’s been a friend of mine for a long time. I have a lot of respect for Tom and his family, the way he approaches his job and the way he coaches. We had a great relationship at the Giants when we were on the same staff and have had good relationships throughout our respective careers."

http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Bill-Belichick-I-have-a-lot-of-respect-for-Tom/474ca55b-dd97-4041-96db-e723b407c743

Super Nomario · Oct 4, 2016

It just says, "Coach," not "Head coach." It's probably some assistant coach we've never heard of.

Trlicek's Whip · Oct 4, 2016

Super Nomario said:
It just says, "Coach," not "Head coach." It's probably some assistant coach we've never heard of.

Exactly. Anonymous because they are still employed and not that high up the chain. And "coach" is anyone on the staff. It's likely Sal Alosi level for all we know.

wiffleballhero · Oct 4, 2016

BroodsSexton said:
Eh, I actually think that as time goes by, these events will be remembered as unfair efforts to bring him down, rather than as blemishes on his record. I could be wrong.

I think you are probably right, but this is likely to be in the real long run, maybe in the Keynesian sense of things.

Shelterdog · Oct 4, 2016

Trlicek's Whip said:
Exactly. Anonymous because they are still employed and not that high up the chain. And "coach" is anyone on the staff. It's likely Sal Alosi level for all we know.

Rob Ryan makes some sense--he's a guy you'd like to speak with because he was on the Pats' staff for a bit and you could imagine Rob and Rex talking some shit.

E5 Yaz · Oct 4, 2016

Super Nomario said:
It just says, "Coach," not "Head coach." It's probably some assistant coach we've never heard of.

The one I was referring to says "Former NFL Head Coach"

djbayko · Oct 4, 2016

It's obvious where they were going with this cover photo, but it's hideous.

djbayko · Oct 4, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
The one I was referring to says "Former NFL Head Coach"

Jesus...

Former NFL Head Coach: "Bill likes creating the image of an outlaw, the tough guy. I think he really relishes it. But who is he really? He was kind of a geeky kid. Not that athletic. A failed football player."

He might beat me in the X's and O's, but I can kick his ass in the parking lot!

Based on the sour grapes exhibited in both quotes, I wouldn't be surprised if Former NFL Coach is actually the same source and ESPN simply made a mistake.

BroodsSexton · Oct 4, 2016

djbayko said:
It's obvious where they were going with this cover photo, but it's hideous.

or

BigSoxFan · Oct 4, 2016

djbayko said:
Jesus...

He might beat me in the X's and O's, but I can kick his ass in the parking lot!

Based on the sour grapes exhibited in both quotes, I wouldn't be surprised if Former NFL Coach is actually the same source and ESPN simply made a mistake.

I'd like to throw Bill Cowher's name in the speculation ring.

JimBoSox9 · Oct 4, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
The one I was referring to says "Former NFL Head Coach"

Who are we kidding? It's Tony Dungy.

Norm Siebern · Oct 4, 2016

It's either Dungy or Don Shula, who despises Bellichick.

Ed Hillel · Oct 4, 2016

tims4wins said:
Right, it wouldn't be Harbaugh or Parcells since they were quoted. Could be Dungy, wouldn't be surprised.

Also your user name is fantastic

Dungy wouldn't swear like that and Cowher has too much respect for Bill to have done that. I also have little doubt Cowher pushed lines himself, given his "meh" response to Spygate.

Herm Edwards? Shula? Jim Harbaugh? Schotty?

I actually wonder if it might be Parcells and he's named earlier as a form of source protection.

TomTerrific · Oct 4, 2016

Norm Siebern said:
It's either Dungy or Don Shula, who despises Bellichick.

Given Shula's assorted comments over the years about BB, this is where my money is

Reggie's Racquet · Oct 4, 2016

djbayko said:
It's obvious where they were going with this cover photo, but it's hideous.

The guy sticking his tounge out is Einstein.

djbayko · Oct 4, 2016

Reggie's Racquet said:
The guy sticking his tounge out is Einstein.

I'm aware. Hence, the "it's obvious" part of my post

djbayko · Oct 4, 2016

BroodsSexton said:
or

or

Sorry, the answer we were looking for was:

But we also would have accepted:

Or

Ferm Sheller · Oct 4, 2016

It was Josh McDaniels and he doesn't want to be identified for obvious reasons.

baruch20 · Oct 5, 2016

Im almost certain it's Parcells. Parcells always had a love/hate thing for BB's superior intellect and BB left Parcells at the altar in NY. Parcells has said all the right things publicly for many years now but I'm pretty sure it is still stuck in his craw

Mugsy's Jock · Oct 5, 2016

My first instinct was Shula, but he's been pretty out there with his Belichick criticism/envy/fear and feels too arrogant to request the cloak of anonymity.

I'd guess it's somebody working for a network or for the league. Cowher-Ditka-Edwards-Jimmy Johnson-Mariucci-Bilick?

Or, of course, Mangini.

lexrageorge · Oct 5, 2016

baruch20 said:
Im almost certain it's Parcells. Parcells always had a love/hate thing for BB's superior intellect and BB left Parcells at the altar in NY. Parcells has said all the right things publicly for many years now but I'm pretty sure it is still stuck in his craw

Except Parcells and Belichick have patched things up over the past few years. I don't think Parcells will every be happy about BB leaving the Jets, but by by their public comments they both seemed to have moved on. And Parcells never once made a comment about Spygate, and he would have no reason to be anonymous.

Doubt it's Mangini for similar reasons. That article linked above is a worthwhile read.

There were a couple of coaches that complained openly when the Patriots were taping video signals from the sidelines the couple of seasons preceding 2007. Mike McCarthy in 2006 is the one I recall, but he's obviously not a former head coach. And he seemed more peeved that the league was not enforcing the restrictions that were outlined in the now infamous commissioner's memo that came out prior to the start of that season. His beef seemed more with the league than with Belichick per se. So, while it's not McCarthy, I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the coaches from that era.

Mike Martz was supposedly bitter about the Super Bowl loss. Dungy, Edwards, Sparano are other possibilities.

tims4wins · Oct 5, 2016

Why would some Parcells quotes be attributed to him and some not? That makes no sense

2016 Belichick Thread: Cheater de Force

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