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PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: Belichick mum on contract
Bill Belichick - No burnout (GREG DERR/The Patriot Ledger)
By ERIC McHUGH
The Patriot Ledger
Bill Belichick’s contract remains classified information, although he makes no secret of the fact that he likes coaching the New England Patriots.
The last official word on Belichick’s deal came in 2003 when the team announced he had signed an extension that would carry through the 2006 season - a campaign that ended with Sunday night’s 38-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game. Absent any updates, that would seem to make Belichick a free agent, although the general consensus now is that he is tied to the team for at least another year.
In an interview yesterday with WEEI-AM, Belichick declined to address his situation. ‘‘I never talk about contracts,’’ he said. ‘‘I wouldn’t want to get on that streak now.’’ After the question was rephrased, Belichick said with a laugh, ‘‘I’m here.’’
In seven seasons with the Patriots, Belichick has won three Super Bowls, although his club lost in the divisional round last year and blew a 21-6 halftime lead against the Colts on Sunday. Instead of making plans for Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Belichick plans to take some mental health days.
‘‘I think all of us need a little bit of a break - players, coaches,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a long season. It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 20-some weeks ...I think there’s got to be a time when you start to recharge and cleanse your mind and start fresh, put out a new canvas.’’
Despite the grind, Belichick, 54, said he is not headed for coaching burnout, even though he just completed his 32nd consecutive NFL season.
‘‘I love what I’m doing,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t really worry about the pressure. I just try to go out there and be competitive and do a good job and win. It’s disappointing after (Sunday’s) game, but in the big picture, do I love football, do I love what I’m doing, do I love this team, the organization, the support Mr. (Bob) Kraft (the owner) has given us and the players and their effort and their cooperation? Yes to all of those. I love to come to work every day.’’
Looks like the Patriots don’t have to worry about losing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, 30, to the Raiders. Oakland last night chose Lane Kiffin, USC’s 31-year-old co-offensive coordinator, to succeed Art Shell as head coach. McDaniels had been rumored to be on the Raiders’ wish list.
Before the Raiders made their decision, Belichick told WEEI that he didn’t know if he would be losing any assistant coaches. ‘‘There was a lot of turnover in the coaching fraternity again this year, so I don’t think anything would surprise me,’’ Belichick said. ‘‘... I’m sure if something pops up, it’ll probably pop up within a week or so, and if it doesn’t, maybe the storms will blow over.’’
The Dallas Cowboys also are in the market for a coach after Bill Parcells retired yesterday.
Also speaking on WEEI, quarterback Tom Brady said he doubted that linebacker Tedy Bruschi would retire. Without mentioning the players by name, Belichick made a passing reference to Bruschi’s status and that of receiver Troy Brown, also a candidate for retirement.
‘‘Maybe they want to play another year or don’t want to play another year,’’ Belichick said, speaking in general about players after any season. ‘‘The day after the (last) game is not the day to talk about that, but in due course those things come up.’’
Brown had a big 27-yard catch on fourth down in the second quarter of the AFC championship, but he also was involved in two plays that hurt the Patriots. First, his offensive pass interference penalty late in the second quarter nullified a first down at the Colts’ 19. At the time, the Patriots were up, 21-3, and threatening to break the game wide open. After Brown’s penalty, another on tight end Benjamin Watson (illegal motion) and a sack, the Patriots wound up punting from Indy’s 49.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots failed to convert a critical third-and-4 when Colts safety Bob Sanders flashed in front of Brown and batted a pass away. The Patriots punted, and Indy drove down for the winning touchdown.
Belichick said Kevin Faulk got ‘‘banged up’’ on special teams, which is why the running back saw little action in the second half ... As coach of the AFC runner-up, Belichick will direct the AFC squad at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Feb. 10. Belichick last coached the all-star game after the 1998 season when he filled in for Parcells while they both were with the New York Jets ... Patriots left guard Logan Mankins, who opened the scoring Sunday by recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, was the first Patriots offensive lineman to score since tackle Tom Ashworth caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Brady against Tampa Bay on Dec. 17, 2005.
Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Bill Belichick - No burnout (GREG DERR/The Patriot Ledger)
By ERIC McHUGH
The Patriot Ledger
Bill Belichick’s contract remains classified information, although he makes no secret of the fact that he likes coaching the New England Patriots.
The last official word on Belichick’s deal came in 2003 when the team announced he had signed an extension that would carry through the 2006 season - a campaign that ended with Sunday night’s 38-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game. Absent any updates, that would seem to make Belichick a free agent, although the general consensus now is that he is tied to the team for at least another year.
In an interview yesterday with WEEI-AM, Belichick declined to address his situation. ‘‘I never talk about contracts,’’ he said. ‘‘I wouldn’t want to get on that streak now.’’ After the question was rephrased, Belichick said with a laugh, ‘‘I’m here.’’
In seven seasons with the Patriots, Belichick has won three Super Bowls, although his club lost in the divisional round last year and blew a 21-6 halftime lead against the Colts on Sunday. Instead of making plans for Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Belichick plans to take some mental health days.
‘‘I think all of us need a little bit of a break - players, coaches,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a long season. It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 20-some weeks ...I think there’s got to be a time when you start to recharge and cleanse your mind and start fresh, put out a new canvas.’’
Despite the grind, Belichick, 54, said he is not headed for coaching burnout, even though he just completed his 32nd consecutive NFL season.
‘‘I love what I’m doing,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t really worry about the pressure. I just try to go out there and be competitive and do a good job and win. It’s disappointing after (Sunday’s) game, but in the big picture, do I love football, do I love what I’m doing, do I love this team, the organization, the support Mr. (Bob) Kraft (the owner) has given us and the players and their effort and their cooperation? Yes to all of those. I love to come to work every day.’’
Looks like the Patriots don’t have to worry about losing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, 30, to the Raiders. Oakland last night chose Lane Kiffin, USC’s 31-year-old co-offensive coordinator, to succeed Art Shell as head coach. McDaniels had been rumored to be on the Raiders’ wish list.
Before the Raiders made their decision, Belichick told WEEI that he didn’t know if he would be losing any assistant coaches. ‘‘There was a lot of turnover in the coaching fraternity again this year, so I don’t think anything would surprise me,’’ Belichick said. ‘‘... I’m sure if something pops up, it’ll probably pop up within a week or so, and if it doesn’t, maybe the storms will blow over.’’
The Dallas Cowboys also are in the market for a coach after Bill Parcells retired yesterday.
Also speaking on WEEI, quarterback Tom Brady said he doubted that linebacker Tedy Bruschi would retire. Without mentioning the players by name, Belichick made a passing reference to Bruschi’s status and that of receiver Troy Brown, also a candidate for retirement.
‘‘Maybe they want to play another year or don’t want to play another year,’’ Belichick said, speaking in general about players after any season. ‘‘The day after the (last) game is not the day to talk about that, but in due course those things come up.’’
Brown had a big 27-yard catch on fourth down in the second quarter of the AFC championship, but he also was involved in two plays that hurt the Patriots. First, his offensive pass interference penalty late in the second quarter nullified a first down at the Colts’ 19. At the time, the Patriots were up, 21-3, and threatening to break the game wide open. After Brown’s penalty, another on tight end Benjamin Watson (illegal motion) and a sack, the Patriots wound up punting from Indy’s 49.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Patriots failed to convert a critical third-and-4 when Colts safety Bob Sanders flashed in front of Brown and batted a pass away. The Patriots punted, and Indy drove down for the winning touchdown.
Belichick said Kevin Faulk got ‘‘banged up’’ on special teams, which is why the running back saw little action in the second half ... As coach of the AFC runner-up, Belichick will direct the AFC squad at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Feb. 10. Belichick last coached the all-star game after the 1998 season when he filled in for Parcells while they both were with the New York Jets ... Patriots left guard Logan Mankins, who opened the scoring Sunday by recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, was the first Patriots offensive lineman to score since tackle Tom Ashworth caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Brady against Tampa Bay on Dec. 17, 2005.
Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Tuesday, January 23, 2007
