Bill's take

The media always complains about how BB doesn't answer questions and is cold towards them. Maybe if they asked the right questions he would respond differently. On the big show they ask him football questions and he responds with a descriptive answer most of the time. Not always, I admit he is who he is. But how many times do you hear him say if you wanna talk about the game I'll talk about the game and then the reporters waste 10 minutes pissing him off about if he will shake mangini's hand. Duh how do you think hes going to respond. Why not ask him about the snow or how he is going to defend against leon washington the kick returner. At least ask something he will answer even if its vanilla and boring. I really can't blame him for getting agitated with the media, they should have adapted thier questioning by now so at least they can get something from him to write about.

I agree with Larry's post. As long as the questions stay the same, so will the (non) answers. Imagine how well BB would do in an election debate.

So why not ask him what role, if any, the personal stuff has in his game preparation. Is there added incentive? Will he have to contend with his own team being overly hyped, overeager? Does he expect the Jets will be? So while you're asking him about the stuff he doesn't want to answer, it's much more game preparation relevant...which is what we all want to know anyway.

I suspect you'd get the same non-answers, but it's worth a try.

I agree with Larry's post also, but think Jim is a dope. If he can't tell the difference between Larry's questions and his own, he could probably get a job in the media.

right on larry, so true you would think the mainstream media would have figured it out by now, though portraying him as an evil genius or arrogant gives the many talking heads something to talk about. Sadly they care more about the STUPID handshake instead of educating people about the ins and outs of the game because they perhaps think that joe public either isnt bright enough to talk football, or doesnt have time for the details of what counts, the actual game. A big thanks to the big show for asking him quality questions and for Mike Reiss for useful information. GO PATS!

I have learned more about football in the last few years from Bill's press meetings, than all my decades of studying football combined! Enough with Bill does not expound. He is both lengthy and detailed. I would much prefer to listen about detailed line play than about handshakes. G. Lannquist

Thanks Gary - I agree 100%. I also find BB to be quite funny but he doesn't suffer fools gladly and unfortunately that's what the press is all about. Enough with the non-football questions to BB. If you want to be entertained then watch E!

The other stupid line of media questioning when it does actually focus on the game - asking for specifics of how the team will attack or defend against their upcoming opponent, and then being shocked that Bill won't give anything away about his planned tactics.

I mean c'mon, that's like the media asking our military generals and admirals about how they are going to attack or defend enemies of our country - oh, wait, they do that too, don't they? What exactly do they teach in journalism school anyway?

Nooner, you're so right on about BB not suffering fools...I bet he picked up alot from his years with the Tuna. Now THAT GUY had some cold stares for the media during his press conferences!

Bravo, someone finally putting in back on the media to focus on the game instead of the meaningless sub plots of "As the World Turns". It seems like BB has the attitude of, "if you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all." He should be applauded and respected for this and not made out to be arrogant. The guy is a walking encyclopedia of football information and all that most media folks can muster are questions about handshakes. I got a headline for the media, how bout "save your drama for your mama"

Just want to add that Mike's comment about Jim being a dope is the funniest thing I've read all day. LMAO!

I agree with you all. The media asks ridiculous non football related questions. I also feel that asking him detailed questions about his game plan is foolish too. Do you really think BB is going to give out info. to the media that can assist the opposing team? I too enjoy his interviews on weei. For the most part they stick to the topic of football. I have learned a lot about the game from listening to him. There is definitely a reason the pats. have been so successful with him at the helm, he plans for everything, is insightful and inventive. I like his no b.s. approach

Hey, the reporters have to do their job, and one aspect of that is asking stupid questions. It's the shotgun approach, similar to asking every girl for a date: one of them may say, "Yes."

Is Mike R trying to humanize BB, or was he smiling and grinning an awful lot for this entry?

I wasn't saying that I want BB to give specific game plan details but more general stuff like for example the kick return question. He could dance around it by saying he'd: kick it real deep for a touchback or kick shorter so as not to get to the specialist or kick away from where he's positioned so that he doesn't have time to really prepare and set blocks.

It would give fans some perspective into what he calculates when making his decisions. I understand that when he is on WEEI its after the game so he has more liberty to talk about what he did. But with that in mind after the game the media could present its questions differently. Instead of asking the mundane and obvious questions like what do you think about 16-0? or did you run up the score? or why didn't you pull out the starters with the entire second half left? They could instead ask questions like on that play action where Moss was wide open what did they show you in the coverage that made you choose that play? or How is Maroney doing on blitz pick up? what has Jabar done to put himself in a position to be productive. Again I understand that the media needs the gossip and contentious stories to make headlines and X & O's won't satisfy some casual fans. But it would be really good to at least attempt asking different questions. Questions that are vague enough that he has room to speak at length without revealing his hand.