"Belichick has track record of classlessness" (1 Viewer)

[BigSteelThrill]

By Bob Cook

MSNBC contributor

Updated: 9:16 p.m. PT Sept 10, 2007

When you hear the New England Patriots are accused of sending a spy to videotape an opponent’s signals, do you think, “There is no WAY that would EVER be tolerated on a team coached by Bill Belichick?”

Thought not.

As his team gets further removed from its Super Bowl run, Belichick’s career as a Hall of Fame coach is quickly being overtaken by his career as a Hall of Fame jackass. Even though Belichick is far from being found culpable in the case of the Patriots employee wielding a video camera where none should be, the coach’s long history of poor sportsmanship means it hardly stretches the imagination to see him being **** Cheney in the NFL‘s version of warrantless wiretapping.

If this is all just a big misunderstanding, all apologies to Belichick.

If not, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell needs to go all Pacman Jones on Belichick, who is a repeat offender when it comes to the crime of sore winning and sore losing. Forget losing a draft pick or two if the Patriots are found to have violated the league rule against videotaping another team’s signals. Belichick, if he is at any way responsible, should be suspended for a bad attitude that has played out in ways that makes Terrell Owens queasy.

Not only is it no surprise that the coach who Machiavelli thinks is a little too committed to winning at all costs would (allegedly) send a spy to steal signals during Sunday’s 38-14 victory over the New York Jets, but it’s also no surprise that, as a league source told ESPN.com, this is not the first time such an accusation has been made. According to that account, the Green Bay Packers last year kicked out the same Patriots representative being investigated by the league for the Jets incident.

Sign-stealing has long been a sports pastime, and often it’s seen as crafty gamesmanship to slyly figure out the opponents’ signals. But only the sore-winning, sore-losing Belichick would be as ham-handed as to send a guy with a video recorder to stand on the other team’s sideline.

It shows the same brand of subtlety he displayed, say, brushing past someone trying to shake his hand after a loss.

Belichick has been on a particular roll since the last game of the regular season: shoving a photographer during a season-ending win over the Jets; having LaDainian Tomlinson question whether the Patriots who danced at midfield after a playoff win at San Diego took their cues on classlessness from their coach; and blowing off Peyton Manning after the Colts beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, followed by Belichick giving CBS’ Solomon Wilcots a short, prickly interview that inspired network analyst Boomer Esiason to call the coach “unprofessional.”

Then on a Sept. 2 radio show, Vikings coach Brad Childress revealed he had a tense conversation with Belichick when Childress wanted to claim a player Belichick had put on waivers in hopes of bringing him back to the practice squad. Childress said Belichick told him he wouldn’t claim a Vikings player if Childress backed off. When he didn’t, Childress said, Belichick claimed a Vikings player. “He was trying to leverage, but you always find out who is honest and straightforward,” Childress told WCCO-AM.

Of course, Belichick has a long history of manipulation. Look at how he works the weekly injury list so no one knows exactly who is hurt and how much, paranoia that runs so deep, Belichick ordered Steelers trainer John Norwig off the field in 2005 when he came to assist injured Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light. Actually, what Belichick was reported to have said was, “Get away from my [R-rated adjective] player!”

If it weren’t for the reports that the Patriots had tried this before, it would seem natural Belichick would reserve his most dastardly schemes for the Jets, given the bad blood that started in early 2000 when he quit as the team’s head coach the day he was promoted to fill Bill Parcells’ absence, continued as he and the Jets filed grievances over his attempt to go to the Patriots, and continued further as defensive coordinator Eric Mangini took the head coaching job last year, reportedly over Belichick’s objections (so much so Belichick, like an angry father of a teenage daughter dating a newly released prisoner, was purported to have changed the locks during Mangini’s courting).

Who can forget such heart-warming images of tough but fair competition as Belichick brushes off Mangini’s handshake in their first game against each other, and Mangini grabbing Belichick’s right arm like Henry VIII locked onto a turkey leg to guarantee a handshake after their second meeting?

 

[BigSteelThrill]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20715148/page/2/

 

[Pittsburgh United]

While they're shining the spotlight on Belichick, they should also make him clean up his image and start dressing like he has some respect for the NFL.

 

[Jayrod]

Great coach and a total #####.

 

[jonessed]

Great coach, major #####. I think that's been pretty common knowledge for some time now.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I don't disagree, but I find it largely irrelevant.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Who cares? Barry Bonds is a complete jerk. Doesn't mean he's not a great player. I'd much rather have a coach that is incapable of dressing himself and is considered a rude SOB instead of some polite yet incompetent coach.

Talk about a non-story.

 

[fatboyj711]

While they're shining the spotlight on Belichick, they should also make him clean up his image and start dressing like he has some respect for the NFL.

there is a reason why belichick dresses the way he does on game day...

 

[IvanKaramazov]

The author forgot to mention that Belichick also has man-boobs.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Who cares? Barry Bonds is a complete jerk. Doesn't mean he's not a great player. I'd much rather have a coach that is incapable of dressing himself and is considered a rude SOB instead of some polite yet incompetent coach.Talk about a non-story.

Is this really the analogy that Patriot fans want to make?

 

[AB in DC]

Belichick, if he is at any way responsible, should be suspended for a bad attitude

 

[fatboyj711]

I don't disagree, but I find it largely irrelevant.

the "track record" mentioned in the article by no means makes the current allegations less surprising... so what if he doesn't like to yuck it up for the cameras and media

 

[BigSteelThrill]

While they're shining the spotlight on Belichick, they should also make him clean up his image and start dressing like he has some respect for the NFL.

there is a reason why belichick dresses the way he does on game day...

See below.

The author forgot to mention that Belichick also has man-boobs.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Belichick, if he is at any way responsible, should be suspended for a bad attitude

I never posted that.

 

[redman]

Nobody knows better than Sharon Shenocca about Bill's love of the video camera.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I guess everyone knows who Bob Cook is now.

 

[Bad_Mo]

 

[twitch]

youve got to be kidding me! This guy actually wrote an article about Belichick not shaking someone's hand, having a tense converation with another coach, being a little sneaky with the injury report, and some alleged sign stealing???! Oh, for God's sake. I think this writer needs to have his journalism license revoked.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

youve got to be kidding me! This guy actually wrote an article about Belichick not shaking someone's hand, having a tense converation with another coach, being a little sneaky with the injury report, and some alleged sign stealing???! Oh, for God's sake. I think this writer needs to have his journalism license revoked.

Really? None of those items were fabricated. All of them can be considered worthy of some varying level of controversy. I'm not sure why someone would label this a non-story.

 

[Kiddnets]

Biggest prik in the NFL.

Took Leon Hess's blood money to be the next HC of the NYJ then bails on them and acts like the team screwed him over! Bangs a married woman and sends her cash in Fed Ex boxes. Treated Mangini like a traitor for taking a once in a lifetime job. Doesn't mention Mangini by name; doesn't shake his hand; pushes a photographer out of the way like Sean Penn - Dresses like a hobo. Treats the media like scum. Tried to take Brad Childress' milk money

The list goes on and on - karma will catch up to this garbage heap!

 

[Lehigh98]

youve got to be kidding me! This guy actually wrote an article about Belichick not shaking someone's hand, having a tense converation with another coach, being a little sneaky with the injury report, and some alleged sign stealing???! Oh, for God's sake. I think this writer needs to have his journalism license revoked.

I think Chase's article from last year on it was better.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

Biggest prik in the NFL. Took Leon Hess's blood money to be the next HC of the NYJ then bails on them and acts like the team screwed him over! Bangs a married woman and sends her cash in Fed Ex boxes. Treated Mangini like a traitor for taking a once in a lifetime job. Doesn't mention Mangini by name; doesn't shake his hand; pushes a photographer out of the way like Sean Penn - Dresses like a hobo. Treats the media like scum. Tried to take Brad Childress' milk moneyThe list goes on and on - karma will catch up to this garbage heap!

 

[Black Box]

The author forgot to mention that Belichick also has man-boobs.

 

[1huskerfan]

Miss Lippi's car....is green.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

So........................................., what else is new?

 

[GroveDiesel]

The author forgot to mention that Belichick also has man-boobs.

He also eats puppies and sold information to Kim Jong Il. True story.

 

[nxmehta]

These complaints stink of

 

[Anthony Borbely]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

 

[The Jerk]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Possibly, but that doesn't justify his behavior, and he has repeatedly exhibited poor sportsmanship and a lack of professionalism, the same type of behavior that the media and this board often ridicules about players.He's fair game.By the way, you didn't hear similar comments about other three-time SB winning coaches Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh or Joe Gibbs.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

 

[redman]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Actually, I think you have it backwards. The fact that he's won Super Bowls is the only reason he has a job and anyone defending him.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

 

[Flexmaster]

I hate Belicheck and McGahee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Posting this article got my star rating attacked by Patriots fans. Stay classy New England.

 

[Kiddnets]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

 

[Davej626]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Possibly, but that doesn't justify his behavior, and he has repeatedly exhibited poor sportsmanship and a lack of professionalism, the same type of behavior that the media and this board often ridicules about players.He's fair game.By the way, you didn't hear similar comments about other three-time SB winning coaches Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh or Joe Gibbs.

Yea. Like we never hear how Gibbs, or Noll, has lost 'it' when it comes to coaching...This wouldn't have even been mentioned if the Jerks had won week 1.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

Wasnt it 7-7 two minutes before the half?

 

[The Jerk]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Possibly, but that doesn't justify his behavior, and he has repeatedly exhibited poor sportsmanship and a lack of professionalism, the same type of behavior that the media and this board often ridicules about players.He's fair game.By the way, you didn't hear similar comments about other three-time SB winning coaches Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh or Joe Gibbs.

Yea. Like we never hear how Gibbs, or Noll, has lost 'it' when it comes to coaching...This wouldn't have even been mentioned if the Jerks had won week 1.

I'm focusing on handling yourself with class and professionalism. Note that the only name you left out was the only coach of the three I listed whose entire career fit in a ten year window. Noll, Gibbs, (and I'll add) Landry may have lost a bit when it comes to coaching later in their careers and lives, but the NFL is a cyclical sport, and you can't stay on top forever, either.Nice try, but staying on topic, there's no comparison in terms of behavior.

 

[[icon]]

And the Jets management's bringing in players recently released by the Pats for secret consultations is okay?



Lotsa in here

 

[MogusMaximus]

Miss Lippi's car....is green.

 

[Chaka]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Except maybe about the whole adultery thing, which interestingly enough is getting buried IMO because of the Super Bowls. But since that isn't football related it shouldn't be used to judge his character. Right?

 

[Kleck.]

I like the guy. Huge fan.

 

[Davej626]

If Belichick didn't win Super Bowls, you would never hear complaining about anything.

Possibly, but that doesn't justify his behavior, and he has repeatedly exhibited poor sportsmanship and a lack of professionalism, the same type of behavior that the media and this board often ridicules about players.He's fair game.By the way, you didn't hear similar comments about other three-time SB winning coaches Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh or Joe Gibbs.

Yea. Like we never hear how Gibbs, or Noll, has lost 'it' when it comes to coaching...This wouldn't have even been mentioned if the Jerks had won week 1.

I'm focusing on handling yourself with class and professionalism. Note that the only name you left out was the only coach of the three I listed whose entire career fit in a ten year window. Noll, Gibbs, (and I'll add) Landry may have lost a bit when it comes to coaching later in their careers and lives, but the NFL is a cyclical sport, and you can't stay on top forever, either.Nice try, but staying on topic, there's no comparison in terms of behavior.

Different time, different game. And that is not taking anything away from those coaches.

 

[LHUCKS]

I'm going to hate him even more if he continues to give Maroney a light workload and Heath Evans all the goalline work.

 

[parrot]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

"Hey Randy, they're to trying and bump you at the line, get underneath help from the linebacker, and then over the top help from the safety... but just go ahead and run by them all and Tom will chuck it down to you, it'll be easy!" And it was.

 

[Kiddnets]

And the Jets management's bringing in players recently released by the Pats for secret consultations is okay?Lotsa in here

Are you kidding me? Since when is bringing in a cut player a secret - it was in the papers! One is legal one is cheating in case you missed the memo!

 

[Kiddnets]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

"Hey Randy, they're to trying and bump you at the line, get underneath help from the linebacker, and then over the top help from the safety... but just go ahead and run by them all and Tom will chuck it down to you, it'll be easy!" And it was.

Or - they plan on all out blitzing from the left side on this play so have Randy run right where there will be no defender and Tom will throw it there.....

 

[Ghost Rider]

In other news, water is wet.

 

[1huskerfan]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

"Hey Randy, they're to trying and bump you at the line, get underneath help from the linebacker, and then over the top help from the safety... but just go ahead and run by them all and Tom will chuck it down to you, it'll be easy!" And it was.

 

[1huskerfan]

If Belichick didn't have strange cameras pointed at the other sideline you would never hear complaining about anything.

If the Jets had only allowed 7 points instead of 38, you would not have heard anything either.

Its easy to score points when you know what the other team is doing before the snap!

"Hey Randy, they're to trying and bump you at the line, get underneath help from the linebacker, and then over the top help from the safety... but just go ahead and run by them all and Tom will chuck it down to you, it'll be easy!" And it was.

Or - they plan on all out blitzing from the left side on this play so have Randy run right where there will be no defender and Tom will throw it there.....

That sounds like a coverage my girlfriend might come up with.