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FOXBOROUGH - Five minutes have passed and there have been no Bill Belichick sightings in the cramped and frigid press room at Gillette Stadium. Ten minutes. ... Twelve minutes. ...
Finally the media chatter dies down as the Patriots' head coach - wearing a worn gray sweatshirt and blue nylon shorts and looking like a middle-aged grunge rock fan - shuffles to the podium for his scheduled 10:30 a.m. press conference.
"Obviously, we're back to work here on the Colts," Belichick says in his trademark monotone, referring to tonight's AFC championship showdown in Indianapolis. His introductory remarks drag on for several minutes before reporters begin peppering him for real answers. Through the first 15 questions, Belichick shows about as much emotion as a robot, praising the Colts' players and personnel and breaking down some of the game's key matchups. His voice sounds like the drone of an alarm buzzer.
Then comes a blind-side tackle.
A reporter broaches the subject of the team's win over San Diego the week before, when the Patriots strutted their miracle victory in front of a crestfallen Chargers team. "Is there any procedure after the game that you want the players to follow?" Belichick is asked.
Uncomfortable pause. Slight tick in the coach's face. The genius behind the three-time Super Bowl champs suddenly seems at a loss.
"Umm...I'd say we try to handle those situations as we always have," Belichick says.
Three days earlier in sunny Southern California, of course, Belichick had been widely criticized for not having a handle on how his victorious playoff team celebrated its triumph. After stunning the Chargers 24-21, several Patriots danced wildly on the field, including defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, whose imitation of Shawne Merriman's 'Light's Out' dance on the Chargers' helmet logo especially galled San Diego. League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego's normally mild-mannered star running back, was outraged. "They showed no class at all, absolutely no class - and maybe it comes from the head coach," Tomlinson said.
That criticism came on the heels of New England's wild-card win over the Jets a week earlier, when Belichick turned a mundane post-game handshake into a full-blown controversy. As he approached Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the Patriots' former assistant coach, for what would be a strained embrace, Belichick shoved a camera into a photographer's face. It was perhaps a fitting end to a season-long freeze-out of Mangini that had been dissected more closely than Brangelina's next move.
"He's certainly not the 'Great Communicator,'" says former NFL quarterback and current CBS analyst Boomer Esiason of Belichick.
For all of the success that Belichick has amassed since taking the Patriots' top coaching position in 2000 - three Super Bowl rings, five AFC East division crowns and comparisons to Vince Lombardi - Tomlinson's remarks and Belichick's treatment of Mangini underscore what may be a growing animosity toward the 54-year-old Belichick.
He has long been viewed as equal parts abrasive and aloof - remember Belichick's head coaching days in Cleveland where he famously clashed with then-Browns owner Art Modell? - but ever since Belichick dissed the Jets with his infamous scribbled "HC of the NYJ" resignation in 2000, a darker side of the shrewd football mind has surfaced. The bizarre quotient seemed to peak last summer when Belichick's name surfaced in a messy New Jersey divorce proceeding. In court papers, Vincent Shenocca accuses Belichick of being a home wrecker, carrying out a lengthy sexual affair with Sharon Shenocca and lavishing the former New York Giants receptionist and mother of two with "large sums of money, travel by chartered jet, membership in an upscale health club, a personal trainer and a beach house rental at the Jersey shore." Belichick has been subpoenaed in the case, but has yet to give his deposition. He split from his wife of 28 years, Debby, three years ago.
So far, the divorce scandal has not derailed Belichick's quest for a fourth title and more significantly, it has not sparked dissension among the Patriot ranks. That is, not yet. After Belichick's press conference Wednesday, several Patriots tip-toe cautiously around the media land mines. Asked if he needs to take the initiative and teach his teammates how to act more professionally after victories, squeaky-clean All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady hedges.
"I think we always try to represent ourselves a certain way. That's up to Coach Belichick to talk about that with the players," Brady says. "Some of it is just raw emotion. Some of it, maybe, does go a little bit too far."
Throughout the 2006 season, Belichick seemed to go way too far with his Cold War treatment of Mangini, the Gang Green wonder boy who honed his coaching chops for six seasons under Belichick in New England. Round one took place Sept. 17 in the Meadowlands, with the Patriots edging the Jets 24-17. Belichick's handshake with Mangini afterward had all the warmth of a Larry Brown-Isiah Thomas dinner party.
Two months later, it was another no-look exchange between the two coaches in Foxborough, but this time Mangini wore the smile as the Jets stunned their nemesis, 17-14, on enemy turf. Belichick had refused to speak Mangini's name all week prior to kickoff and some Jets used the slight as extra motivation.
"He's definitely been dissing Coach," said Jets running back Kevan Barlow. "We showed how we felt about that on the field."
Added wide receiver Laveranues Coles: "Anytime somebody disrespects our coach, of course guys want to step up and play harder for him."
Belichick had the last laugh earlier this month, though, walking off the Gillette Stadium field with a playoff victor at the expense of his one-time protege.
"He likes Eric and wishes him the best," says Belichick's mother, Jeannette, from her Annapolis, Md. home. "If you're playing against (Mangini), of course you want to win. No doubt about that. They have a long relationship. I don't think you can make anything out of that. Whatever it was in the beginning, has disappeared, as far as I know. People like to have something to write about.
"I'm proud of Bill because I think he's a fine person. I really mean that."
Harry Carson, the Hall of Fame Giants linebacker who played under Belichick for eight seasons when Belichick was the team's linebackers coach and defensive coordinator in the '80s, says Belichick had to morph into Mr. Freeze around Mangini.
"They coached together in New England, but that becomes irrelevant," says Carson. "Mangini has a certain insight into Belichick that a lot of people don't have because he's been intimately involved with him from a standpoint of coaching. I think Bill has to throw in some wrinkles, so he's not as predictable. I don't know if there's any dislike. If you look at the relationship between Belichick and (Bill) Parcells, there's a coolness about that as well.
"You always have to have your guard up as a coach even with the other coaches around you because you don't know when they're going to coach against you."
But while bullying tactics are one thing, Belichick's historically strained relationship with the media stretches back to his first head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns. Then owner Art Modell, who now has a minority ownership stake in the Ravens, chuckles when recalling Belichick's five-year tenure.
"He was the most difficult man I've ever known in a PR sense," says Modell. "Impossible. If I would have put up with some of his nonsense and other crap off the field that led to his parting company, I think he'd still be my coach."
Belichick compiled a 37-45 record with the Browns, taking them to the playoffs just once. Along the way, he clashed with Modell, benched and ultimately cut popular quarterback Bernie Kosar, and wore out his welcome.
"He was a tough guy to deal with," says Modell. "I brought him into my office several times and did the Pygmalion effect - 'Sit up straight.' I did the 'My Fair Lady.' He just got pissed off. But I have a high regard for him. His record proves himself."
Years later, with one Super Bowl title under his belt, Belichick made another unpopular player decision when he cut safety Lawyer Milloy from the Patriots prior to the 2003 season. The move was roundly criticized and there were murmurs that the Patriots' locker room was suffering as a result. "Let me be very clear about this. They hate their coach," said ESPN studio football analyst Tom Jackson about the fallout from the Belichick decision.
New England went on to win the Super Bowl against Carolina, but Belichick never forgot the slight. According to the book "Patriot Reign" by Michael Holley, when Jackson went to congratulate Belichick after the game, the Patriot coach barked, "F--- you."
"Because he's won, he's got this environment in New England that he totally controls," says Esiason. "He grinds these (Patriot) players and they pay the price. But then they look at those three Super Bowl rings and everything changes."
If the Patriots win tonight and roll to a Super Bowl victory, Belichick would reach the hallowed ground of legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll, who coached Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl titles. It would be an honor that did not seem all that likely for a coach who has accumulated his share of negative baggage over the past two decades - everything from verbal tussles with football peers and media to an alleged affair to Mangini-gate. The Patriot championships certainly go a long way toward blocking out the unsightly headlines.
"All I know is (Belichick) might write the book on championships," says retiring Giants GM Ernie Accorsi. "At the end of every season, the Patriots are playing for the brass ring. "He's still relatively young for a coach, so who knows how far he'll go?"
Originally published on January 21, 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/490467p-413125c.html
Finally the media chatter dies down as the Patriots' head coach - wearing a worn gray sweatshirt and blue nylon shorts and looking like a middle-aged grunge rock fan - shuffles to the podium for his scheduled 10:30 a.m. press conference.
"Obviously, we're back to work here on the Colts," Belichick says in his trademark monotone, referring to tonight's AFC championship showdown in Indianapolis. His introductory remarks drag on for several minutes before reporters begin peppering him for real answers. Through the first 15 questions, Belichick shows about as much emotion as a robot, praising the Colts' players and personnel and breaking down some of the game's key matchups. His voice sounds like the drone of an alarm buzzer.
Then comes a blind-side tackle.
A reporter broaches the subject of the team's win over San Diego the week before, when the Patriots strutted their miracle victory in front of a crestfallen Chargers team. "Is there any procedure after the game that you want the players to follow?" Belichick is asked.
Uncomfortable pause. Slight tick in the coach's face. The genius behind the three-time Super Bowl champs suddenly seems at a loss.
"Umm...I'd say we try to handle those situations as we always have," Belichick says.
Three days earlier in sunny Southern California, of course, Belichick had been widely criticized for not having a handle on how his victorious playoff team celebrated its triumph. After stunning the Chargers 24-21, several Patriots danced wildly on the field, including defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, whose imitation of Shawne Merriman's 'Light's Out' dance on the Chargers' helmet logo especially galled San Diego. League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego's normally mild-mannered star running back, was outraged. "They showed no class at all, absolutely no class - and maybe it comes from the head coach," Tomlinson said.
That criticism came on the heels of New England's wild-card win over the Jets a week earlier, when Belichick turned a mundane post-game handshake into a full-blown controversy. As he approached Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the Patriots' former assistant coach, for what would be a strained embrace, Belichick shoved a camera into a photographer's face. It was perhaps a fitting end to a season-long freeze-out of Mangini that had been dissected more closely than Brangelina's next move.
"He's certainly not the 'Great Communicator,'" says former NFL quarterback and current CBS analyst Boomer Esiason of Belichick.
For all of the success that Belichick has amassed since taking the Patriots' top coaching position in 2000 - three Super Bowl rings, five AFC East division crowns and comparisons to Vince Lombardi - Tomlinson's remarks and Belichick's treatment of Mangini underscore what may be a growing animosity toward the 54-year-old Belichick.
He has long been viewed as equal parts abrasive and aloof - remember Belichick's head coaching days in Cleveland where he famously clashed with then-Browns owner Art Modell? - but ever since Belichick dissed the Jets with his infamous scribbled "HC of the NYJ" resignation in 2000, a darker side of the shrewd football mind has surfaced. The bizarre quotient seemed to peak last summer when Belichick's name surfaced in a messy New Jersey divorce proceeding. In court papers, Vincent Shenocca accuses Belichick of being a home wrecker, carrying out a lengthy sexual affair with Sharon Shenocca and lavishing the former New York Giants receptionist and mother of two with "large sums of money, travel by chartered jet, membership in an upscale health club, a personal trainer and a beach house rental at the Jersey shore." Belichick has been subpoenaed in the case, but has yet to give his deposition. He split from his wife of 28 years, Debby, three years ago.
So far, the divorce scandal has not derailed Belichick's quest for a fourth title and more significantly, it has not sparked dissension among the Patriot ranks. That is, not yet. After Belichick's press conference Wednesday, several Patriots tip-toe cautiously around the media land mines. Asked if he needs to take the initiative and teach his teammates how to act more professionally after victories, squeaky-clean All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady hedges.
"I think we always try to represent ourselves a certain way. That's up to Coach Belichick to talk about that with the players," Brady says. "Some of it is just raw emotion. Some of it, maybe, does go a little bit too far."
Throughout the 2006 season, Belichick seemed to go way too far with his Cold War treatment of Mangini, the Gang Green wonder boy who honed his coaching chops for six seasons under Belichick in New England. Round one took place Sept. 17 in the Meadowlands, with the Patriots edging the Jets 24-17. Belichick's handshake with Mangini afterward had all the warmth of a Larry Brown-Isiah Thomas dinner party.
Two months later, it was another no-look exchange between the two coaches in Foxborough, but this time Mangini wore the smile as the Jets stunned their nemesis, 17-14, on enemy turf. Belichick had refused to speak Mangini's name all week prior to kickoff and some Jets used the slight as extra motivation.
"He's definitely been dissing Coach," said Jets running back Kevan Barlow. "We showed how we felt about that on the field."
Added wide receiver Laveranues Coles: "Anytime somebody disrespects our coach, of course guys want to step up and play harder for him."
Belichick had the last laugh earlier this month, though, walking off the Gillette Stadium field with a playoff victor at the expense of his one-time protege.
"He likes Eric and wishes him the best," says Belichick's mother, Jeannette, from her Annapolis, Md. home. "If you're playing against (Mangini), of course you want to win. No doubt about that. They have a long relationship. I don't think you can make anything out of that. Whatever it was in the beginning, has disappeared, as far as I know. People like to have something to write about.
"I'm proud of Bill because I think he's a fine person. I really mean that."
Harry Carson, the Hall of Fame Giants linebacker who played under Belichick for eight seasons when Belichick was the team's linebackers coach and defensive coordinator in the '80s, says Belichick had to morph into Mr. Freeze around Mangini.
"They coached together in New England, but that becomes irrelevant," says Carson. "Mangini has a certain insight into Belichick that a lot of people don't have because he's been intimately involved with him from a standpoint of coaching. I think Bill has to throw in some wrinkles, so he's not as predictable. I don't know if there's any dislike. If you look at the relationship between Belichick and (Bill) Parcells, there's a coolness about that as well.
"You always have to have your guard up as a coach even with the other coaches around you because you don't know when they're going to coach against you."
But while bullying tactics are one thing, Belichick's historically strained relationship with the media stretches back to his first head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns. Then owner Art Modell, who now has a minority ownership stake in the Ravens, chuckles when recalling Belichick's five-year tenure.
"He was the most difficult man I've ever known in a PR sense," says Modell. "Impossible. If I would have put up with some of his nonsense and other crap off the field that led to his parting company, I think he'd still be my coach."
Belichick compiled a 37-45 record with the Browns, taking them to the playoffs just once. Along the way, he clashed with Modell, benched and ultimately cut popular quarterback Bernie Kosar, and wore out his welcome.
"He was a tough guy to deal with," says Modell. "I brought him into my office several times and did the Pygmalion effect - 'Sit up straight.' I did the 'My Fair Lady.' He just got pissed off. But I have a high regard for him. His record proves himself."
Years later, with one Super Bowl title under his belt, Belichick made another unpopular player decision when he cut safety Lawyer Milloy from the Patriots prior to the 2003 season. The move was roundly criticized and there were murmurs that the Patriots' locker room was suffering as a result. "Let me be very clear about this. They hate their coach," said ESPN studio football analyst Tom Jackson about the fallout from the Belichick decision.
New England went on to win the Super Bowl against Carolina, but Belichick never forgot the slight. According to the book "Patriot Reign" by Michael Holley, when Jackson went to congratulate Belichick after the game, the Patriot coach barked, "F--- you."
"Because he's won, he's got this environment in New England that he totally controls," says Esiason. "He grinds these (Patriot) players and they pay the price. But then they look at those three Super Bowl rings and everything changes."
If the Patriots win tonight and roll to a Super Bowl victory, Belichick would reach the hallowed ground of legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll, who coached Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl titles. It would be an honor that did not seem all that likely for a coach who has accumulated his share of negative baggage over the past two decades - everything from verbal tussles with football peers and media to an alleged affair to Mangini-gate. The Patriot championships certainly go a long way toward blocking out the unsightly headlines.
"All I know is (Belichick) might write the book on championships," says retiring Giants GM Ernie Accorsi. "At the end of every season, the Patriots are playing for the brass ring. "He's still relatively young for a coach, so who knows how far he'll go?"
Originally published on January 21, 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/490467p-413125c.html
