Patriots coach Bill Belichick shared some insight with Alex Marvez of Foxsports.com, detailing some of his thinking with the team's offseason.
A sampling of nuggets:
On the timing of the Matt Cassel/Mike Vrabel trade. "It was not just about getting new players but players we wanted to re-sign. We could have gambled and maybe gotten a little more [in trade value] by waiting, but we also would have lost time. This was a good trade for us."
On trading for Eagles WR Greg Lewis. "Lewis has always killed us. He's a good route runner and he's good with the ball in his hands. He's a smart kid who can play a lot of different [receiver] positions."
On not being afraid to sign older players. "You know what you're getting when it comes to the level of commitment of those players. They know their time is somewhat limited so you usually get a player's best shot at that point in their careers."
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What is going here ?
Why is Belichick doing all of these interviews ?!?! He never does these.
I like the addition of Greg Lewis too to complement the signing of Galloway. I was also hoping that Sam Aiken would fit in somewhere, and he still might.
Thoughts ?
I like the new media freindly Belichick. It's not as if he's giving up any trade secrets here. But it's good to understand the logic behind the moves.
Blair and Joe,
Belichick does a weekly radio show on WEEI every week during the season. He's not media shy at all but he just doesn't suffer fools gladly and there's more than society deserves in the press corps. Nothing new here but obviously BB respects Marvez.
BB appears much more open and civil over the last 12 months. Witness: this past season, he seemed to downright encourage his assistants and personnel execs to explore greater opportunities. Those off-season pix in the stands with Parcells. Now, interviews where he shares both specifics and general philosophies to a surprising extent appear with astonishing regularity.
I wonder if he was counseled to consider his legacy more carefully by his dad? sons? Bob K? a nocturnal visit from the Ghosts of Pigskin Past, Present and Future?
MikeR, do you see a change? If so, what can you attribute it to? Did the SB loss vs. Giants have a humbling effect? Spygate experience - did you pick up something you hadn't sensed before in his exclusive interview with you?
mikeinNH - I think you're on to something commenting about the infamous loss to the Giants. From the time Belichick embarrassed himself and the entire organization by not shaking Coughlin's hand to the start of last season, he seems more open, more amiable, more willing to speak to the media... but still not tolerant of stupid questions (amen). So he's experienced a maturing of sorts. A little aside, my superbowl moment of 2008-09 came before the Steelers-Cardinals game. It was watching the defending champion Giants lose at home to their arch enemies - the Eagles. Thinking about it makes me smile!
Michael E:
"but still not tolerant of stupid questions (amen)."
I remember late December MikeR asked BB something along the lines of "some might say you're better off resting certain players to better prepare if you make the playoffs". BB dismissed (even) MikeR, the same way he did when a female reporter (ESPN, SI?) asked a similar question just weeks prior.
Maturing. It may be explained as simply as that. And has the press generally evolved to meet him halfway? seems more football philosophy questions and less about injuries or overt provocations like "what do you think about the (lousy) call that went against you today"? (A: "it doesn't matter what I think" = like you're going to provoke me into saying something I'll regret, I will handle it in my way, in my time, not yours.)
BB also must have been negatively influenced all those years watching Parcells joust with the NY & Boston media. You gotta figure he abhorred Big Bill's participation in what BB felt was a circus of utter clowns.
Lastly, I shouldn't leave the late David Halberstam off the list of positive influencers. I'd like to think locals Michael Holley and MikeR contributed, too with their professionalism and integrity.
Remember, guys, for the previous 5 seasons the Pats went deep into the playoffs. By the time the season was over, BB had to scramble to get everything in order before the draft. This year, he's had time from the end of the season to get all his "ducks-in-a-row" (free agency, scouting, contract extensions, etc.)! The Pats are now set up for the draft and training camp, with a little tweaking here or there. BB has time to go on these shows and make nice with the media. This harkens back to 2002, the last time the Pats did not make the playoffs. The result over the next two seasons were back-to-back championships. Let's hope that's where we are headed.
Yup, Uncamike, in fact BB remarked the silver lining of missing the playoffs is the extra to devote to team/staff building. Not to mention the chance to hang with Parcells, Weiss, BonJovi, et al. Hey, who isn't better when we spend enough time with friends/family.
Wouldn't we all love to equate 2002 with 2008 in terms of results the following years?
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