Tuesday, 31 March 2015

A Few Words From Bill Belichick After a Super Bowl Win. Very Few. - New York Times




At the coaches’ round table, the Patriots’ Bill Belichick rarely offered more than a sentence in reply to questions on topics such as the loss of Darrelle Revis. Madison Kirkman/Associated Press, via Associated Press Images for NFL



PHOENIX — The coaches’ round table is an annual ritual at the N.F.L. owners’ meeting. Reporters have an hour to meet new coaches, become reacquainted with veteran ones and try their best to draw something out of New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick.


In theory, Belichick should have had a lot to crow about this year. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in stunning fashion, and the title, Belichick’s fourth, cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished coaches in N.F.L. history. Even after losing stars like Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Browner, the Patriots will remain the team to beat next season.


Yet in his session with reporters, which began more than 15 minutes late, Belichick remained a master of efficiency, rarely offering more than a sentence in reply to a question.



Asked for his feelings on losing Revis, who signed with the division rival Jets, Belichick said, “It’s N.F.L. free agency.” Asked about what Revis meant to his team last season, Belichick said, “I don’t talk about the players that aren’t on our team.”




The Jets’ new coach, Todd Bowles, was respectful of Belichick. Madison Kirkman/Associated Press


With his forehead veins popping and his right foot twitching, Belichick shrugged when asked how he would replace running back Shane Vereen, who signed with the Giants. “I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes.”


Belichick told reporters to speak to the N.F.L., not to him, about when the report on the deflated game balls in the A.F.C. championship game would be issued. And he had no appetite to talk about his relationship with quarterback Tom Brady. “That’s been talked about ad nauseam before the Super Bowl,” he said.


The scene to Belichick’s left and right could not have been more different. One table over, reporters crowded the new Jets coach, Todd Bowles, who seemed genuinely thrilled to be there. He was happy that the Jets had made several key acquisitions, including Revis; Antonio Cromartie, another cornerback; and wide receiver Brandon Marshall. He was also respectful of Belichick.


“The Patriots are the


Rex Ryan, who is now leading the Bills, said, “New England is perched up there; they’ve won like 14 of 15” division titles. He added, “We’re coming after them.” Madison Kirkman/Associated Press


One topic of interest was the retirement last week of Chris Borland, a San Francisco 49ers linebacker who left the N.F.L. after one year because of concerns about the long-term health effects of playing football. Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid did not think Borland’s departure represented the beginning of an exodus. The league, he said, is paying a lot more attention to reducing injuries and addressing the concerns that Borland raised.


“It’s too personal to make anything about it,” Reid said. “The league has put so much emphasis on cleaning it up, protecting the players.”


Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said he had not heard directly from any players concerned about their long-term health, and he did not believe there was anything shocking in Borland’s exit. “In any line of work, if a successful investment banker wants to retire at 40, that is his right,” he said.


One player perhaps seeking to return to the N.F.L. is Ray Rice, the former
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A Few Words From Bill Belichick After a Super Bowl Win. Very Few. - New York Times
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