It is what it is: BB and the media

[RetractableRoof]

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.

I agree with you... but I'm also inclined to believe that this was a time that it cost BB or the Patriots. I believe that the media frenzy that ended up sending AB out of town was exacerbated by BB's style with the media. I also believe that the local media is enjoying the fact that the unrelenting media circus/spotlight shown on AB essentially is what forced him out. If BB was the type to offer to the media "hey, most everything AB has done has been related to his professional conduct. We've decided to give him a chance and let him decide if being in our organization is valuable enough for him to make different professional choices. We think most players deserve a chance to grow as professionals." I think a small portion of the frenzy goes away and it dims some of the bright lights on AB off the field - maybe he doesn't make the group text decision. In this case the local media did their "how dare BB not answer our questions", and the pressure just increased.

That said, AB is 100% responsible for his actions/choices, etc. If he keeps his social media mouth shut, he's still likely playing football in Foxboro. He gave the media the ammunition they needed, and got it with both barrels. I just think if BB is a different sort AB is still hanging on by a thread.

I also think BB treated the most recent sideline reporter the way he has treated countless others over the years. If she is a guy, there is no outcry - and it is sexism that people are trying to defend the poor woman (who has already tweeted a solid and professional response to the outcry) who BB was a meany to.

Note: to be clear - I don't care that that BB's style may have cost them here... I'm just thinking about the topic. I hope BB doesn't change a bit, it is who he is and watching the media blow their top that he doesn't bow down to them is part of the fun.

 

[InstaFace]

I don't for a second think that AB's tenure with the team was the slightest bit influenced by a media frenzy. If he hadn't sent those threatening texts, he'd likely still be on the roster, having had a banner day against the Jets secondary. That's what cost him his job. Every other bit of tabloid-fodder was something they were, seemingly, prepared to let play out for a while, to "ignore the noise".

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

One thing that's weird is that his social media when he got released was all hugs and kisses and thank yous. Then he has his tirade a few days later.

Do you think he thought when he got released, "oh, cool, I get $9 million for doing nothing!" Did he really not understand the Patriots wouldn't pay him. I'm imagining a phone call with Rosenhaus where Drew has to tell him what the Patriot's position is going to be. That must have been some call.

In addition to his additional less desirable qualities, I think he might not be the sharpest tool in the box.

 

[BigJimEd]

I'm not seeing how BBs approach to the media had anything to do with ABs time here.
AB was a big story before coming here. Biggest story in NFL.
Then the lawsuit dropped. Huge story. Would be a huge story no matter what Belichick said or didn't say.
That lawsuit was going to bring out the other stories. Those people weren't going to hold off telling their story due to what BB said or didn't.
After the stories came out, AB was going to strike back. BB playing nice with the media isn't going to stop AB from fighting back from what he feels was an attack.

 

[Rough Carrigan]

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.

I sorry but I'm with a previous poster. I like seeing it.
So often reporters do a lousy job. They ask dumb questions that won't give readers any insight even if the coach answers in the most solicitous manner possible.

And a significant source of reporters complaining about Belichick is that he doesn't help them do their job. Parcells loved being at the podium and occasionally sparring with them and provided lots of copy for them. There are other coaches around the league who one suspects sort of suck up to them. These other coaches seek press approval, wanting to have the baying hounds howling for their job start barking as late as possible.

There was a recent story about some ex Patriot player, I forget who, it was someone who wasn't there a long time. And the guy noted that the Patriots looked at every possible media source, everything, to find info about the team they were about to play. Everything. They were looking for a stray mention that X's foot is getting better when X wasn't even mentioned on the injury list, stuff like that and under the breath mentions of plays or coverages, whatever. They were looking for anything they could use.

So, as a corollary of that, they try very hard to not give other teams anything they can use. And as a result Belichick doesn't play games at the podium. He doesn't help anyone write their column. He doesn't curry their favor. If you give them a choice between master of the podium Bill Parcells and a guy who looks less comfortable than the subjects of most hostage tapes, Bill Belichick, no fan would want the former.

 

[InstaFace]

yeah yeah yeah but couldn't he say nothing while, ya know, smiling? maybe throw in some meaningless words of positivity? start wearing a hat so he can tip it as he takes his leave?

 

[Mystic Merlin]

yeah yeah yeah but couldn't he say nothing while, ya know, smiling? maybe throw in some meaningless words of positivity? start wearing a hat so he can tip it as he takes his leave?

Or do what Andy Reid - who seems to be Teflon - does, which will require him to grow a mustache and add a homey twang to his delivery.

 

[DJnVa]

[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!

They should stop white knighting for a reporter who said she didn't have any issues with BB.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

They should stop white knighting for a reporter who said she didn't have any issues with BB.

She knows what's what. Belichick does the same shtick to 600 men in a row for years and there's no story. Or there is a story but it's reported with humor -- the gruff hoodie story we've seen a zillion times. Reiss is hilarious about it sometimes. He does it to a woman and they come out of the woodwork like she's a pet. She's a reporter of substance in a male dominated world. (Her piece on Joe Cardona was really good and worth finding.) Same shit she's been dealing with for 20 years, I would bet. That she felt the need to tweet what amounts to "thanks, but no thanks" is just too bad.

 

[Jimbodandy]

I don't for a second think that AB's tenure with the team was the slightest bit influenced by a media frenzy. If he hadn't sent those threatening texts, he'd likely still be on the roster, having had a banner day against the Jets secondary. That's what cost him his job. Every other bit of tabloid-fodder was something they were, seemingly, prepared to let play out for a while, to "ignore the noise".

I think that the 11-day AB tenure and BFB's gruffness are connected only in the sense that each is perceived as a chink in the armor. Luckily for those who like to see the Pats succeed, their "ignore the noise" maxim fits both situations. If Bill felt compelled to address either situation in a statement or suddenly started chatting up reporters on the weather, it would be perceived as weakness and give oxygen to the fire.

We have all seen that Bill will talk at length about football shit, which makes sense as head football coach. But he's not interested in frenzies and optics and "I have to ask" questions. Fine, you have to ask. I don't have to answer, and I don't have to be polite. Any football questions? No? Then go fuck yourself.

Works for me.

 

[joe dokes]

I sorry but I'm with a previous poster. I like seeing it.
So often reporters do a lousy job. They ask dumb questions that won't give readers any insight even if the coach answers in the most solicitous manner possible.

And a significant source of reporters complaining about Belichick is that he doesn't help them do their job. Parcells loved being at the podium and occasionally sparring with them and provided lots of copy for them. There are other coaches around the league who one suspects sort of suck up to them. These other coaches seek press approval, wanting to have the baying hounds howling for their job start barking as late as possible.

There was a recent story about some ex Patriot player, I forget who, it was someone who wasn't there a long time. And the guy noted that the Patriots looked at every possible media source, everything, to find info about the team they were about to play. Everything. They were looking for a stray mention that X's foot is getting better when X wasn't even mentioned on the injury list, stuff like that and under the breath mentions of plays or coverages, whatever. They were looking for anything they could use.

So, as a corollary of that, they try very hard to not give other teams anything they can use. And as a result Belichick doesn't play games at the podium. He doesn't help anyone write their column. He doesn't curry their favor. If you give them a choice between master of the podium Bill Parcells and a guy who looks less comfortable than the subjects of most hostage tapes, Bill Belichick, no fan would want the former.

This has nothing to do with him "giving anything up" or helping them do their job. I'm all for the secrecy. And for some (Volin is the obvious one) every Felix Unger-like snort is cause for criticism.

Two people who are great at their jobs. When offered help, one says, "No thank you." The other says "No fuck you." As someone else said, it just makes him marginally harder to like. (And it doesn't matter if I like him. But my Elvis glasses aren't so finely tuned that I can have no reaction at all when he acts like a schmuck, or when Tom Brady sells criminal-quack-doc magic potions.)

 

[Kliq]

[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.

While it is a female-majority position, there are male sideline reporters in prominent positions. Evan Washburn, Jay Feely and Steve Tasker have all been sideline reporters recently for CBS. There are a ton of them in the NBA.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

While it is a female-majority position, there are male sideline reporters in prominent positions. Evan Washburn, Jay Feely and Steve Tasker have all been sideline reporters recently for CBS. There are a ton of them in the NBA.

Here's a great BB story from Rich Cimini:

View: https://twitter.com/JeaneCoakley/status/1176242902885949440?s=20


So, does Steve Belichick disappears for a couple of hours to meet with Reiss?

 

[ifmanis5]

BB talking up the Redskins QBs today. Hot Take, wonder if the team actually buys that one.
View: https://twitter.com/JPFinlayNBCS/status/1179019665206579200

@JPFinlayNBCS

Bill Belichick says the Patriots are focused on being ready for all 3 Redskins quarterbacks. He adds 'they all look pretty good'

 

[loshjott]

WaPo: The R*dsk*ns would be a lot of fun if they were as good as Bill Belichick says they are

 

[Reverend]

WaPo: The R*dsk*ns would be a lot of fun if they were as good as Bill Belichick says they are

Now that is a fucking headline.

Does so much work, so efficiently.

 

[DavidTai]

If you run into the Washington Post wall, here's the same thing from MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-redskins-would-be-a-lot-of-fun-if-they-were-as-good-as-bill-belichick-says-they-are/ar-AAI7M5J

 

[DJnVa]

WaPo: The R*dsk*ns would be a lot of fun if they were as good as Bill Belichick says they are

Heh.

Belichick said McCoy and Keenum are “very efficient at getting the ball into the hands of very good skill players” — which is true, in Keenum’s case, if one includes the hands of the opposing team’s defensive backs.

Belichick similarly talked up the Dolphins’ personnel ahead of New England’s trip to Miami in Week 2.

The Patriots managed to overcome Miami’s abundance of talent to eke out a hard-fought, 43-0 win.

 

[lexrageorge]

The Pats and Brady have yet to beat Colt McCoy (0-1), so there's that.