Indy festival

Page 3 of 28 -- -- Kieth Thursday, Lynnfield, Ma

ADVERTISEMENT

A: Well, if sportswriters are two steps away, then how many steps away are college basketball coaches and that whole world?

During weeks 4 or 5 I heard an NFL analyst say that Pats need to define who they are. I didn't understand where he was going with that. In other words the Redskins have that "Fun and Gun" offense, The Bucs are known for their formidable defense. I have no complaints for the Pats thus far except for the penalties. The offensive isn't scoring points like crazy but they played some great defenses this year. My main concern this season was pass protection for Brady and the o-line is playing with plenty of heart and I hope it continues. The line picked up that Dallas blitz and if I recall I think they got Brady once.

-- Stan Nelson, Boston, Ma

A: Jones was there for taking, but the Pats passed.

I have followed Belichick as closely as anyone can follow a coach since 1986 and I want to politely correct you on something. In last week's mailbag (and I believe in another mailbag earlier in the year) you said that Al Groh was the NY Jets defensive coordinator under Parcells and Belichick was the assistant head coach/secondary coach. Belichick was also the defensive coordinator for the Jet's those years. He called every play for the Jet's and did every defensive game plan. The only time Belichick was not Parcells' defensive coordinator and I'm sure you know this was the 1996 Pat's Super Bowl team. That year he was only the secondary coach. This was because Parcells hired him in late Feb. and didn't think it was fair to strip Al Groh of coordinator duties at that time.

-- Jerry Cohen, Ny Ny

A: Jerry, from 1997 through 1999, Bill Belichick's official title was assistant head coach/secondary. It was the same title, as you correctly point out, he held with the Patriots in 1996. You're right, he did call the defensive signals and game plan, but his title was not defensive coordinator. I am wrong about Groh, who was the Jets' linebacker coach at the time.

Everyone that follows this mailbag knows you are a big Tom Donahoe fan. Fair enough. I think any football fan knows Donahoe has been a good GM. A very good GM, that's highly debatable. Here's my question and I don't think it's ever been asked of you in any mailbags. You own a team and need to hire a GM to run your organization. Be in charge of the draft, free agency, salary cap, hiring a coaching staff and everything else that is football related. Who are you hiring, Tom Donahoe or Bill Belichick? Forget about Belichick being the coach. Just as a GM, which man do you want running your organization?   Continued...