Bill Belichick: The NFL's very own Fergie
A couple of summers ago, I was waiting nervously inside Gillette Stadium for an audience with someone who epitomises true NFL greatness.
I paced up and down the 50-yard line, shuffled my feet and kicked up hundreds of tiny black balls that make up your standard Astroturf field. As I killed time waiting to conduct a television interview, I took a moment to think about how lucky I was to be in that position.
Not just because I was in America interviewing a legend of the game's modern era, but more because I had been granted some rare one-on-one time with a man who is traditionally about as comfortable in front of a television camera as a cockroach on .
The opportunity was so rare that I was ushered (that should read hurriedly shoved, if I'm honest) inside the stadium to conduct the interview on the field, rather than on the adjacent practice site outside - which would have been in full view of the American media covering the New England Patriots' training camp.
Bill Belichick has enjoyed huge success as Patriots Head Coach with Tom Brady as his quarterback. Photo: AP
As head coach strolled out onto the field looking as scruffy as always, I half expected to be given a series of bog-standard answers by the man who gives very little away.
And even though I tried to go all Jeremy Paxman on him at times, I have to admit I did not uncover any mind-blowing secrets or create any earth-shattering headlines. I couldn't even get him to venture a guess as to whether quarterback Tom Brady would end up in the Hall of Fame, which I would have thought was a fairly safe bet.
But it was fascinating to spend even a relatively short amount of time with the coach who led New England to three Super Bowl titles in four seasons from 2001-2004. It was clear that he is a man who is all business - he lives and breathes American football and very little else seems to matter to him.
And this season, Belichick might be doing the best job of his career with a Patriots team that boasts a record of 10 wins and two losses heading into Sunday's encounter with the Chicago Bears - a game that can be heard live on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 live sports extra as Arlo White and Greg Brady call the action from Soldier Field.
The Patriots are a long way from being the most talented team in the NFL this season, yet they boast the league's best record. Much of that is down to Belichick's leadership and the outstanding play of Brady, but some of the success is down to some shrewd personnel moves.
Fed up with consistent soft running by incumbent starter Laurence Maroney, Belichick and turned the rushing attack over to the unheralded pairing of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.
Both men entered the NFL as free agents and the . Together, they have combined for 229 carries for 1,054 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. In Denver, Maroney has stumbled to a grand total of 74 yards on 36 attempts.
The Patriots finished last season knowing they were in desperate need of a tight end. And while some teams in their division have struggled to find an elite player at that position for many years, most notably the Buffalo Bills - New England found two in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
Those young rookies hit the ground running from day one and have combined to catch 65 passes for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns, instantly earning Brady's trust.
Belichick made the biggest headline in October when he , who . And while the New England passing attack has rarely missed a beat since (thanks in part to the return of Deion Branch from Seattle), Moss has caught just 18 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the last eight weeks.
Defensively, Belichick has made moves to get younger on that side of the ball and while this is very much a work in progress, there are signs that some youthful cornerstones are in place in the form of linebacker Jerod Mayo, cornerback Devin McCourty and safety Brandon Merriweather.
What has been clear in 2010 is that Belichick is not about to rest on his laurels and he is a long way from being satisfied with his body of work in the NFL.
Belichick has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. Photo: Getty Images
It was a classic move aimed at reminding his players not to live in the past. There would be no sense of satisfaction having already won a hat-trick of Super Bowls - Belichick wanted his team to be hungry for more glory.
When pushed on why he had made such a move, Belichick simply stated that "walls needed painting".
But it was a smart move by a coach who is the embodiment of the type of player he brings through the door at every given opportunity.
Belichick is intensely intelligent when it comes to football tactics and man motivation, he is tough to the point of being harsh and unforgiving at times and he insists that the team comes first above everything else.
It's the same way with many players who have been successful in Boston during the Belichick era. Size, strength and speed are important in today's NFL but if you land in New England, you can also get by if you have toughness, intelligence and a team-first attitude.
As a result, the Patriots have always been one of the most intelligent and disciplined teams in the league during Belichick's reign. And they have rarely been reliant on one player - even when Brady was lost for the season in 2008, they managed to scrape together 11 wins by rallying around a back-up quarterback with no starting experience in Matt Cassel.
This is a team that has built a tradition of winning and these Patriots appear ready to make another Super Bowl charge, proving just how far great coaching and a star quarterback can take a team in the NFL.
Belichick really is the NFL's version of Manchester United's Alex Ferguson. Both are gruff, grumpy, not the most media-friendly guys and not afraid to ship out problematic players for the good of the team. And both have been hugely successful.
Week 14 on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 live sports extra
We have a double-header on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 live sports extra from 1745 GMT on Sunday. Nat Coombs and I will bring listeners coverage of a fascinating encounter between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings before handing over to Greg and Arlo in the Windy City.
The Vikings have been a much tougher proposition in recent weeks under interim head coach Leslie Frazier but there are concerns over the health of Brett Favre, who is battling a pretty serious shoulder injury. That will not be good news against a New York defence that has already knocked five quarterbacks out of games this season. This might be the week Minnesota turns to the more mobile and considerably younger Tarvaris Jackson.
I think the Giants will edge a close encounter in Minneapolis, while New England will continue their AFC East-leading pace with a big road win against the Bears. That should be another hard-fought game, but I think Brady and the Patriots will have too much class in the end.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Dec 2010, JH wrote:Belichick, along with the Patriots front office do an immense job finding players that fit their scheme. I still question the decision to send Seymour to the Raiders, but at 10 - 2 who am I to argue?! Allthe more incredible when you look at their defensive rankings!
A word on Danny Woodhead, I was living in Nebraska when he was at Chadron State and went undrafted to the Jets. The kid is a humble being, two time NCAA DIV 2 Heisman equivalent winner. All time leading NCAA rusher, but got overlooked because of his size. The boy hs passion and heart and it shines through. Tremendous article on him on si.com yesterday, well worth a read.
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Dec 2010, Swoosh11 wrote:You would have to rate Belichick as one of the greatest coaches ever to grace the NFL, in a similar bracket to Lombardi et al. in my book at least.
His biggest achievement is simply making the Pats greater than one single player. Anyone doesn't toe the line, and he is gone. See Randy Moss. The team spirit he creates from this and the desire it gives players to player for him is superb. No-one player is bigger then the team ethos means they can cope with losing anyone, just look at the season they had with Cassell at QB. Could anyother team in the NFL afford to lose a QB of Tom's calibre? Nope. The Colts would be broke without Manning. BB puts the team above any player, a true great.
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Dec 2010, dave wrote:Come to think of it, yes Bill Belichick does remind me of Alex Ferguson, not just in the way he seems to troop off the field as quickly as possible straight after defeats but also by the number of mentees he has raised having managed them in his playing or coaching teams - Keane, Bruce, Robson, Queiroz, Maclaren, Hughes for Ferguson; McDaniels (recently sacked by the Broncos), Mangini for Bellichick. And no mentee has really yet to live up to their mentor's name. Anyway, as long as Bill is at the Patriots, cannot see the Patriots falling off the top of their perch in the AFC East - just as Man United is now Ferguson's team, the Patriots are Bill's team and even when Brady retires, I'm sure they'll find someone who can replace him - Matt Cassel comes to mind.. Remember Drew Bledsoe anyone?
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Comment number 4.
At 9th Dec 2010, porkchopexpress wrote:Really didn't expect the Patriots to be able to do it this year but the fact they have is testimont to Belichick's ability, and it doesn't hurt to have Brady pinging the ball around!
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Comment number 5.
At 9th Dec 2010, wilsonatmd wrote:He's also known for skirting the rules- Remember the infamous "Spygate" scandal a couple of years back? Belichick got a $500,000 fine for that, and he'll probably be tainted somewhat because of it.
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Comment number 6.
At 9th Dec 2010, dave wrote:wilsonatmd.. To be honest, Alex Ferguson is not much of a saint either especially with the referees.. People will choose to remember what they want though. Being a Pats fan, I like to remember him as a coach who got the best out of everyone and one who put the me back in team.
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Comment number 7.
At 9th Dec 2010, Sir-Alex-Ferguson wrote:Great article, but when will you stop ignoring the Atlanta Falcons? They are currently tied with New England with the best record and have a great coach, QB, and offense.
And who do you think will get to the Super Bowl?
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Comment number 8.
At 9th Dec 2010, Retirethenumber17shirt wrote:Neil,
"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
OK, so you get to go all Paxman and I get to go all Terry Jones. I don't dispute that Big Bill is as good as it gets or has ever got, but the methods are questionable and the fine was huge.
Even the geniuses get it wrong too, case in point the defeat to the Browns, where they were woeful. The Browns won by monstering Brady at every opportunity.
Julius Peppers has already put paid to one QB this season in Matt Stafford and will be coming at Brady like a freight train on Sunday. You still think the Pats are all that, or do you want to hedge your bets on that big road win?
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Comment number 9.
At 9th Dec 2010, Gmen wrote:Good article and it points out his greatness as a head coach. Just to add that he was also a great defensive coordinator when he designed the defensive scheme to thwart the offensive power of the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl 25 when the Bills outscored their playoff opponents something in the area of 85-10 or something like that in 1990-91. Immense.
But, remember, this is not his first coaching gig. He failed miserably his first time around in Cleveland. It's all about the personnel you build around you and having players that buy what your selling. And he's got that.
Bill is a fine product of an even great coach- Bill Parcells who turned out the likes of Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis who are leading the Chiefs renaissance, Sean Payton who changed the fortunes of the Saints, Tom Coughlin who led the Giants to the improbable 2007 run, and Tony Sparano who took a 1-15 Dolphins team a few years back to playoffs the next year and has made them competitive ever since.
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Comment number 10.
At 10th Dec 2010, plushpuppy8 wrote:Yes, he is a great coach. And I think the Patriots are one of the best organized franchises which reflects well on him but also on the owner of the Patriots. They consistently get the best out of their players.
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Comment number 11.
At 13th Dec 2010, eddie-george wrote:I think it is a fair point that Belichick is from the great Parcells stable, but he's far and away the best of that group, and has quite possibly now eclipsed his mentor.
I've seen the argument bandied around that this year is BB's finest, and that's a pretty big call. 2001, when BB benched Bledsoe for Brady, and went and stifled the greatest show on turf was utterly against the odds (how much did last night's win reopen old wounds for Mike Martz). 2007 would have ended in the perfect season if not for David Tyree's still ridiculous catch with Rodney Harrison on his back. Is 2010 better than either of those years?
Statistically, the defense is not good - 2nd worse passing defense, 14th against the run, and 27th overall in ypg - and especially given this is supposed to be a QB-centric league, you'd think that would spell disaster... Offensively, 32 points per game speaks for itself, and obviously not turning the ball over is critical.
One thing that has helped is that because there is no obviously dominant team in the league, the extra coaching and management ability of Belichick is probably going to make a bigger difference than usual. And where it has really come to fruition is that BB - a defensive guru originally - has ruthlessly picked apart pretty much every opposing defense. Against the Steelers, Jets and Bears, three of the best defenses in the league, we've put up 39, 45 and 36 points respectively. (the 36 was worth double given the weather).
If any side in the play-offs figures how to keep Brady off the field, we might have troubles - and I fear that could happen against a team like the Saints with their own outstanding QB and a very bright head-coach. But unless that happens, and we win in North Texas next year, I'll probably buy it that this is BB's finest year. Even more than usual, he has bucked NFL conventional wisdom over what you need to win in this league.
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