It is what it is: BB and the media

BornToRun

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Jun 4, 2011
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Sorry for the source but this collection of media tears is too beautiful not to share:

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/patriots-bill-belichick-stare-antonio-brown-question
They should know by now what kind of response they’re going to get. I understand them having to ask but don’t act so surprised when the coach who has a several decades long track record of having no tolerance for your bullshit acts in line with that reputation.
 

GoDa

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Sep 25, 2017
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Eh... Belichick does needlessly act like a prick sometimes and this looks like one of those instances.
 

kelpapa

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Sorry for the source but this collection of media tears is too beautiful not to share:

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/patriots-bill-belichick-stare-antonio-brown-question
They should know by now what kind of response they’re going to get. I understand them having to ask but don’t act so surprised when the coach who has a several decades long track record of having no tolerance for your bullshit acts in line with that reputation.
It doesn't take much effort to simply say "thanks," and walk away, which is the norm for these types of interactions. I don't think he gives a shit about the reaction he is getting, but he deserves it.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

Found no thrill on Blueberry Hill
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Sorry for the source but this collection of media tears is too beautiful not to share:

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/patriots-bill-belichick-stare-antonio-brown-question
They should know by now what kind of response they’re going to get. I understand them having to ask but don’t act so surprised when the coach who has a several decades long track record of having no tolerance for your bullshit acts in line with that reputation.
I don’t think her asking the question was bullshit. I would expect any reporter to ask it of any coach in the same circumstance. I also think Bill’s reaction was asshole-ish. That’s who he is and it doesn’t bother me that much but I also have a problem with blaming members of the media for not giving an asshole extra space just because he’s an asshole.

But I also think the media tripping all over itself on this one is pretty rank sexism. The bad “look” here is because Bill gave a mean look to a little lady. If it was a male reporter the outrage wouldn’t be nearly as vociferous and this is exactly why women are relegated to sideline jobs.
 

pedro1918

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I guess I’m in the minority who does not see this intimidating “death stare” that everyone is up in arms about. Is there a longer clip that shows him death staring a bit longer?
 

Dollar

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I guess I’m in the minority who does not see this intimidating “death stare” that everyone is up in arms about. Is there a longer clip that shows him death staring a bit longer?
Yeah, I don't really get it. When I first saw it, I thought he was just waiting for her to ask another question.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I don’t think her asking the question was bullshit. I would expect any reporter to ask it of any coach in the same circumstance. I also think Bill’s reaction was asshole-ish. That’s who he is and it doesn’t bother me that much but I also have a problem with blaming members of the media for not giving an asshole extra space just because he’s an asshole.

But I also think the media tripping all over itself on this one is pretty rank sexism. The bad “look” here is because Bill gave a mean look to a little lady. If it was a male reporter the outrage wouldn’t be nearly as vociferous and this is exactly why women are relegated to sideline jobs.
Agreed on all of that.

I also think it's quite possible that Belichick is aware his reaction might become the story and is totally fine with that---and perhaps even happy if that is how it develops. When deflategate broke he actively sought to make himself the focus, no doubt because he knew he could compartmentalize and manage it.
 

joe dokes

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I don’t think her asking the question was bullshit. I would expect any reporter to ask it of any coach in the same circumstance. I also think Bill’s reaction was asshole-ish. That’s who he is and it doesn’t bother me that much but I also have a problem with blaming members of the media for not giving an asshole extra space just because he’s an asshole.

But I also think the media tripping all over itself on this one is pretty rank sexism. The bad “look” here is because Bill gave a mean look to a little lady. If it was a male reporter the outrage wouldn’t be nearly as vociferous and this is exactly why women are relegated to sideline jobs.
This is where I am. It also wouldn't kill him to be polite once in awhile in not answering the question.
 

BaseballJones

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This is where I am. It also wouldn't kill him to be polite once in awhile in not answering the question.
I agree. It's not difficult to smile and simply say, "I'm sorry, and I know you'll understand, but I'm just not going to answer that question. I know you need to ask, but I'm just going to leave that one right there. Thanks." He doesn't HAVE to do that of course. But it really wouldn't be difficult to do once in a while.
 

DJnVa

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It doesn't take much effort to simply say "thanks," and walk away, which is the norm for these types of interactions. I don't think he gives a shit about the reaction he is getting, but he deserves it.
The reporter doesn't care.

We shouldn't either.
 

Ralphwiggum

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This is the package you get when you get Bill. You get the best coach in football history, and you also get a guy who is needlessly an asshole to the media some (a lot) of the time. I'm not excusing it and it's a bad look at times, but it's useless to wish he was someone other than who he is.
 

Bread of Yaz

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It doesn't take much effort to simply say "thanks," and walk away, which is the norm for these types of interactions. I don't think he gives a shit about the reaction he is getting, but he deserves it.

Does Bill ever do pregame interviews? As best I can recall, they are rare events - and so in agreeing to do so the Pats' PR staff likely said: "You can have Bill before the game, but no questions about AB whatsoever." And the reporter's decision to breach such a wall could easily explain Bill's stare.
 

YTF

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Does Bill ever do pregame interviews? As best I can recall, they are rare events - and so in agreeing to do so the Pats' PR staff likely said: "You can have Bill before the game, but no questions about AB whatsoever." And the reporter's decision to breach such a wall could easily explain Bill's stare.
I won't pretend to know the answer to your question, but if indeed they are rare events, why that game? There is was nothing of significance to the actual game itself, nothing of interest other than the obvious. There would only be one reason for it to be that game so why would the Pats agree when anyone with a lick of sense knows that question is coming.
 

Ed Hillel

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Bill’s a gruff and grizzled old man, calling him out at this point is ageist and anyone doing so should feel ashamed.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I agree. It's not difficult to smile and simply say, "I'm sorry, and I know you'll understand, but I'm just not going to answer that question. I know you need to ask, but I'm just going to leave that one right there. Thanks." He doesn't HAVE to do that of course. But it really wouldn't be difficult to do once in a while.
Feel free to root for Pete Carroll teams
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I won't pretend to know the answer to your question, but if indeed they are rare events, why that game? There is was nothing of significance to the actual game itself, nothing of interest other than the obvious. There would only be one reason for it to be that game so why would the Pats agree when anyone with a lick of sense knows that question is coming.
Or the equally likely explanation may be that he knew he would get the question and he knew what his response would be, and so the next person who asks the question thinks twice. She did her job and he did his, just like she tweeted. He's not stupid and knows it will keep coming up. National TV is probably the best place to draw your line.
 

E5 Yaz

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Allow me to translate: if you want Belichick to act in a way more akin to that of a media-friendly coach such as Pete Carroll, then you're wasting your time and would be better off rooting for Pete Carroll teams.

I didn't think it was that hard to understand; but you apparently needed help.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Allow me to translate: if you want Belichick to act in a way more akin to that of a media-friendly coach such as Pete Carroll, then you're wasting your time and would be better off rooting for Pete Carroll teams.

I didn't think it was that hard to understand; but you apparently needed help.
It wasn't hard to understand. I just thought it was ridiculous to take my comment that it's not really that much to ask that once in a while BB respond with a modicum of kindness, and take it to "you should go root for Pete Carroll's team then".
 

E5 Yaz

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It wasn't hard to understand. I just thought it was ridiculous to take my comment that it's not really that much to ask that once in a while BB respond with a modicum of kindness, and take it to "you should go root for Pete Carroll's team then".
We love him. He's perfect. But we want him to change?
 

8slim

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BB can needlessly be a prick sometimes, but in this case it really was nothing. An extra half-second is a "death stare"? Clearly people who think so never saw my father look at me when I brought home a bad report card.
 

Ralphwiggum

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It wasn't hard to understand. I just thought it was ridiculous to take my comment that it's not really that much to ask that once in a while BB respond with a modicum of kindness, and take it to "you should go root for Pete Carroll's team then".
But it is too much to ask. He’s not going to do it, so wishing it is a waste of time. This is who he is. He’s in year 20 here, how do you not know this?
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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We love him. He's perfect. But we want him to change?
Seems like this is difficult for you to grasp so I'll try to explain. BB can be the same guy - same quality coach, same quality GM, everything - but be a LITTLE nicer from time to time. I'm not asking him to answer questions he doesn't want to answer. He doesn't owe anybody any of that. But he's more than capable of being a little nicer from time to time, and I think it would be good of him to improve in that area a little.

But apparently this means I really should be a fan of another team or some other such nonsense.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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But it is too much to ask. He’s not going to do it, so wishing it is a waste of time. This is who he is. He’s in year 20 here, how do you not know this?
I do know this. Do you think he's INCAPABLE of being a little nicer from time to time? I don't. I just think this is what he chooses to do. I wish he'd choose nicer in public a little though. He obviously doesn't need to, nor do any of my wishes need to come true. But I don't think it is wrong for me to want people to act nicer towards each other from time to time.
 

Kliq

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Can people take their petty banter elsewhere? Maybe set up a new thread to discuss BB's bedside manner? We need this thread to be dedicated to one thing and one thing only: Celebrating the delicious tears of Patriot enemies and their fans.
 

Ralphwiggum

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I do know this. Do you think he's INCAPABLE of being a little nicer from time to time? I don't. I just think this is what he chooses to do. I wish he'd choose nicer in public a little though. He obviously doesn't need to, nor do any of my wishes need to come true. But I don't think it is wrong for me to want people to act nicer towards each other from time to time.
I think he’s either incapable or he thinks this this is the best approach to winning football games. Either way he’s not changing so it is a waste of time wishing for it.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I think he’s either incapable or he thinks this this is the best approach to winning football games. Either way he’s not changing so it is a waste of time wishing for it.
It doesn’t really take up much time or energy to wish for it. But I appreciate your concern for my time management.

As an aside, do you really think that if he were just a little nicer in public from time to time that that would actually impact the patriots win loss record? Do you really think he believes that?
 

Leather

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It doesn’t really take up much time or energy to wish for it. But I appreciate your concern for my time management.

As an aside, do you really think that if he were just a little nicer in public from time to time that that would actually impact the patriots win loss record? Do you really think he believes that?
I think it's more fun to root for people that you like on a personal level. I'm with you there. It's why nobody likes Curt Schilling anymore.

But here's the thing: I think BB wants to spend as little time talking to the media as possible, because it A) takes up time for no appreciable benefit to the team; B) it has the risk of causing distraction; and C) it sets a good example for his players. And ultimately the best way to achieve that is to set and maintain consistent expectations from all media members about what he is willing to discuss. I don't think he relishes being short and appearing rude to reporters, he simply realizes it's the only way to be consistent. He starts being polite to one reporter, he's got to do it to all reporters, and now instead of spending 2 minutes answering questions about Sunday, he's spending 5 minutes, and having to answer questions about why he said X to one reporter yesterday but now is only saying Y to another reporter today. That's all unnecessary when your stock answer about certain matters is "I'm not talking about that."
 

Over Guapo Grande

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It doesn’t really take up much time or energy to wish for it. But I appreciate your concern for my time management.

As an aside, do you really think that if he were just a little nicer in public from time to time that that would actually impact the patriots win loss record? Do you really think he believes that?
He is perfectly nice and engaging. If you ask him football questions. This isn't rocket-surgery. After almost 20 years, media should know not to (a ) ask about injuries (b ) ask about people no longer on the team -- and the whens/where/whys/hows of each.
 

Salem's Lot

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Am I the only one that enjoys that he’s a dick to the media? Look at the clowns that cover this team, If all that they are going to do as a profession is spew hot take garbage about the subject they cover, then they reap what they sow.
 

Seels

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I literally don't care how he engages with the media. He could go complete heel and tell them to get fucked. I care about what happens on game day and everything else is irrelevant. People are haters because they're tired of the Patriots. Nothing more to it.
 

Jimbodandy

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The reporter doesn't care.

We shouldn't either.
Word.

My head coach is not exceeding polite to random people who have no ability to help him win and ask him questions that they know in advance that he won't answer. Why should we care about that?

If someone asked me to do shit for them at work--shit that they know that I won't or can't do--I would hope that they're not surprised when I'm rude to them. I will be, because they're being rude to me.
 

PedroKsBambino

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It doesn’t really take up much time or energy to wish for it. But I appreciate your concern for my time management.

As an aside, do you really think that if he were just a little nicer in public from time to time that that would actually impact the patriots win loss record? Do you really think he believes that?
I'd guess he believes that if you answer substantively each time that periodically you'll inadvertently say something that will itself become a story/become a distraction. And so, the best way to avoid that is to simply not say anything at all, almost ever.

As to your question about record, I have no idea. But I'm totally confident Belichick has thought more about whether it would than you and I put together and I trust his judgment on what best positions them to win football games. As I cited above, he picks his moments---he had a press conference about deflategate because he thought that him talking about it was the best approach. Usually, he doesn't---but he clearly IS choosing when to and when not to. So I'm not going to challenge his judgment on it too much
 

Mystic Merlin

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His shtick is also designed to focus attention on himself and away from the players or other coaches. If you keep the Volins of the world focused on tripping you up or showing you they’ll ask the hard questions at the risk of incurring Bill’s wrath or something, it is beneficial in Bill’s eyes or at least preferable to players getting asked ‘what do you think Bill meant by that’ ‘do you agree with Bill’, I think.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I'd guess he believes that if you answer substantively each time that periodically you'll inadvertently say something that will itself become a story/become a distraction. And so, the best way to avoid that is to simply not say anything at all, almost ever.

As to your question about record, I have no idea. But I'm totally confident Belichick has thought more about whether it would than you and I put together and I trust his judgment on what best positions them to win football games. As I cited above, he picks his moments---he had a press conference about deflategate because he thought that him talking about it was the best approach. Usually, he doesn't---but he clearly IS choosing when to and when not to. So I'm not going to challenge his judgment on it too much
Maybe you’re right. Or maybe he just gets irritated and doesn’t GIF how his irritation shows.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Maybe you’re right. Or maybe he just gets irritated and doesn’t GIF how his irritation shows.
He definitely does not give a f, that is for sure. Whether he gets there strategically or just emotionally, don't know for sure. But I'm betting on him being pretty in control most of the time.
 

Reverend

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One of the deals Patriots players get is that the organization won’t talk shit about them. It’s part of what the players love about him, and I can totally see that contributing to the overall team culture that contributes to winning.

That was a loaded question, even beyond the regular inquiries about AB. So I can imagine there’s a little “and fuck you for inviting me to talk smack” along with the usual no comment.
 

InstaFace

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Can people take their petty banter elsewhere? Maybe set up a new thread to discuss BB's bedside manner? We need this thread to be dedicated to one thing and one thing only: Celebrating the delicious tears of Patriot enemies and their fans.
Alternatively, you can view certain fellow SoSH posters as part of "the nation", and enjoy their tears as well.
 

Brand Name

make hers mark
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Did my job and moved a bunch of the Nation’s Tears matters here.

This thread is for media and dealing with BB. The other BB thread will now be used for coaching discussion, playcalls, transactions, roster decisions, etc.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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LOL, f*cking boo-hoo-la-doo:

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/media_must_stand_firm_against_patriots_culture_of_intimidation_under_bill_belichick/s1_13132_30073838
"The culture of media bullying by a head coach is perhaps most popularized in the NFL by Belichick’s mentor, Bill Parcells. It’s been carried down the coaching tree to Belichick and some of his associates, most notably Nick Saban, who served as defensive coordinator for Belichick’s Cleveland Browns teams in the early 1990s. Saban had his own brusque dismissal of a reporter’s question on-camera last fall when he rudely rebuffed ESPN’s Maria Taylor when she inquired about Alabama’s quarterback situation."

Ah, yes... "culture of intimidation" that's been spawned in dark basements and dingy motels like mob interrogations.

"The culture of football is slow to change in a number of ways, but reporters should still insist on pressing these coaches, whether they feel they are above it or not. And if the NFL cared so much about media availability, the league would crack down on its most celebrated coach the way it often threatens to do with players."

So to fight the "culture of intimidation", the NFL should "crack down" on Belichick with his employer's blessing.

The meek shall inherit the earth with a press pass and a laptop.
[Quoting SSF from another thread because I think it goes here.]

Oh, look, another man writing about how Bill Belichick and Nick Saban were allegedly mean to female reporters. How chivalrous!

If this had been a male sideline reporter, this is non-story. What's that you say, there haven't been any male sideline reporters since Arman Katayan? That's what we give to the girls so they don't try to actually get a foot in the door on the football patriarchy?

Right, yes, that's a problem I think. The day that women decide they've had enough and that there are more of them than us and fuck us is a day that I hope comes in my lifetime.

Bill's an asshole. But the one thing you can say about him is that he's an equal opportunity asshole. I'd be more disappointed if he acted like he owed her some special courtesy because she's a she, which in the end is really what all these male knights in shining armor making this a story are complaining that he didn't do here.

There's a story here. But it's not the story that everyone is telling. It's the story about men being angry that a talented and extremely well-credentialled journalist wasn't treated like she's some delicate flower because Bill treated her like one of the boys.
 

lambeau

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The equal opportunity asshole must not intimidate based on the reporters age, sex, or mental disability,
especially when old and white discussing firing a mentally disabled employee for intimidating a woman.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
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This is a candy store problem.
In the real world, you ask someone a question and sometimes he gives you a frosty look. You move on and it means nothing.
Totally agree that this isn’t a big deal. That I wish he’d be a little nicer sometimes doesn’t mean I think this is some major issue. As someone upthread said, I just think it wouldn’t kill him to not answer a question in a little kinder way.

No biggie.