While I agree with some comments made, I would like to clear up the issue about the Pats cheating. It was a big time dissapointment for not just Pat fans but any lover of the NFL, it taints the entire League, just like Pro cycling, I mean when are we going to stop hearing about all the doping scandals, it effects everybody. This is why I was dissapointed. BUT, in saying this, I can't by any means discredit what the Pats have done THIS season, I can question the previous seasons if I want, but I can't this season. They were caught in the very first quarter of the very first game.
So, while I agree with Asator with the honor thing, I personally don't think it ties into this season.
I am not a Belichik fan, but I will say that I too would have had a hard time swallowing defeat. The Pats had an amazing run, and to lose in the Superbowl after all the record breaking/setting that was accomplished all season long....I guarantee I would have acted similar. I am a sore loser, why, because I am not accustomed to losing, call me arrogant if you want but that's the truth. Same with Belichik, he is not accustomed to losing, what does the press want? He went out and shook Coughlins hand, Coughlin came out and shook his hand, do they want him to present the trophy to the Giants, or maybe he would be a better guy if he wore the GIANTS superbowl champion hat. Yes he should have stayed the extra second of the game, but in his mind and my mind, the game was over.
I am not defending Belichik I am just saying I empathise with the man.
Not used to losing?
He coached the Browns from 91-95 where they didnt do much
but lose. I mean, his last year they went 5-11 and the season ended with Modell taking the team and "getting out of Dodge".
In 1996 The Pats lost the Super Bowl to the Packers while Belichick was assistant head coach.
Then he spent 2 years with the
Jets. And when Bill Parcells quit as head coach and Belichick was promoted, he resigned. But he didnt resign the way most people would. No, he wrote a note to the press on a napkin. A note. "I resign as HC of the NYJ.". Now that is class.
So, if you look at what Belichick did before the Pats, he should be as used to losing as he is to winning.
I think this article just about sums it up. Talking about how he left the field with one second on the clock.
Of all the shameful and shameless things Belichick has done in the course of his career, that one second of disgrace should follow him around for the rest of his life.
Because this can't just be shrugged off as gamesmanship, as Belichick's apologists have done on Spygate, and it can't be characterized as a personality conflict, as they have done to justify his treatment of Mangini, and it can't be explained away as a shy, socially awkward man's bungling attempt to extricate himself from a bad situation, as I mistakenly did with his infamous "I hereby resign as HC of the NYJ" note of eight years ago.
No, this was simply a public hissy fit by a spoiled punk who couldn't accept defeat. There was nothing fluky or controversial or questionable about the Giants' 17-14 win. In fact, it was the kind of game Belichick should have admired, even if for once he came out on the wrong end of it. Instead, he acted as if he were the victim of some particularly heinous crime.
By walking away before the game was over, maybe Belichick thought he was diminishing Coughlin and the Giants, the way he tried to diminish Mangini and the Jets last season. But all he did was diminish himself and the players who had fought so hard for him all season. He brought shame upon an organization that had brought him nothing but glory. Regardless of whether they would be willing to admit it, he embarrassed his owner, his players, his assistant coaches and his fans.
http://www.newsday.c...,5972113.columnBut, this is just my opinon. And in the words of Mr. Gump, "Thats all I have to say about that."
So who's ready for the 2008 season?