I did an interview this morning with Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, who called about this year's vote for NFL Coach of the Year.
I'm one of the 50 voters who takes part in the Associated Press All Pro team, which includes the Coach of the Year award, and it's probably neatest awards thing I take part in.
I read Banks' article on SI.com, and it is interesting to say the least, with plenty of varying opinions on Belichick.
After reading the article, it really is starting to make me think about the vote I will ultimately cast the day after the regular season.
First of all, I will not hold Spygate against Belichick in this year's voting. The fact that it happened in the first half of the first game makes it obvious there is nothing tainted about his accomplishments this season. My initial reaction when talking to Banks was that Belichick has a team that is simply loaded with a great cast, with guys like Randy Moss and Wes Welker putting them over the top.
But I also can't ignore the job that Mike McCarthy is doing in Green Bay and that Romeo Crennel is doing with a Browns team that I didn't think would win four games this season. At this point, I'm leaning toward McCarthy because he's done a phenomenal job with such a young roster and an old quarterback. And I'm not discounting Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has done a mangificent job with a team ravaged by injury and confronting the usual challenges associated with defending the Super Bowl championship.
If Belichick had lost just one game, this would not be gnawing at me so much. But there is an extremely strong likelihood that Belichick is going to become the first coach to go 16-0, so that's where I'm having the problem.
And that's where I want to hear what you have to say about the debate.
Fire away.
Comments (8)
give it to mccarthy,belichick has enough trophys anyway.
Of course it's Belichick, and I can sum up the reason in two words.
Randy Moss. The guy was a pariah, universally viewed as a highly talented, but ultimately selfish player. Now, he's Mr Team Guy, model citizen, and why is that? Because he drank the Belichick Kool Aid, like everyone else in the locker room. BB created a Robo team in his own image, and oh yeah, they're going 16 and 0.
End of story.
Yes Belichick.
Duh
He loses six players and two coaches every year and keeps winning.
You've met the guy... what do you think?
My opinion? The vote isn't for GM of the year.. it's for coach of the year.
Need I explain further?
No. He committed a flagrant act of cheating and received the worst penalties in the history of the NFL.
Whether or not it had any effect on this season is subjective. We KNOW that he's a cheater, who's to say he isn't still cheating in some other way? Who can say that every super bowl ring he has isn't tainted?
The word Character comes up a great deal regarding NFL players, it should be the same for coaches.
"Belichick has a team that is simply loaded with a great cast."
How much did Belichick have to do with building that cast?
You have to consider the answer to that question in order to decide how to vote.
Well how often does a team have a perfect season. Many teams in years past have been talented. Last year San Diego was a 14-2 team. This year they have underachieved with the same on field talent and different coaching. It still takes effort to go out and win every game. Most teams usually have a week in which they fail, despite being heavy favorites. If NE does stay perfect, then Belichick deserves the credit for keeping his team motivated and consistent throughout the season.
I would have to go with Romeo. As BG said, four games was in the forecast for the Browns, and now they are on the verge of the playoffs playing in a division that includes some good teams (Steelers, Bengals, Ravens - all SB contenders, or at least should be in every fans eyes). To be two wins away from possibly winning the division is incredible for a franchise that has been sorry since its return to Cleveland. BTW, they are not even playing the QB that started the season opener for them - he has been traded away and they are going with garbage-man Derek Anderson - and he has been magnificent.
As for New England, Bellicheck is a GREAT coach, no question about that. And to use the Yankees as an example, just because you have the talent doesn't mean you are going to win it all. But, that team has been the model franchise for almost a decade, the browns have been the model of how NOT to run a franchise for that same period of time.