Bill Belichick wins AP Award for Coach of the Year

[SirFozzie]

Good for him. I'm sure this will cause much weeping, gnashing of teeth, etcetera, but he probably deserves it even after Spygate.

NEW YORK -- New England's undefeated season now includes yet another achievement: Bill Belichick is The Associated Press 2007 NFL Coach of the Year.

The first coach since Don Shula in 1972 to lead his team through a spotless regular season, Belichick won the award Thursday for the second time in four years. In 2003, the Patriots went 14-2 and won their final 12 games. This time, Belichick's team rampaged through the first part of the schedule, then won a handful of close games on their way to 16-0.

That was enough to offset the major blemish on Belichick's resume: a $500,000 personal fine, $250,000 fine for the team and the loss of a first-round pick in the upcoming draft after the Patriots were caught videotaping New York Jets coaches during the season opener.

Spygate didn't stop 29 of the 50 voters on a nationwide panel of media members who cover the NFL from voting for Belichick. In a season highlighted by many strong coaching performances, Belichick beat out Green Bay's Mike McCarthy, who received 15 votes for leading the Packers to a 13-3 record and the NFC North title.

"Any time we win we're excited," Belichick said after completing the perfect regular season with a 38-35 victory over the New York Giants. "With the success we've had this season, [the Giants] game puts a certain little bit more of a degree of satisfaction in that game because of the culmination of the regular season. But, at the same time, we've got plenty of things that we need to work on."

Also getting votes were Dallas coach Wade Phillips and Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio (two each), and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy and Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden (one each).

The only other Patriots coach to win the award was Belichick's mentor, Bill Parcells, in 1994.

[Dr. Sak]

Whoever said cheaters never win obviously didn't have a vote in this award.

[Lathum]

I guess the Refs influenced this vote as well.

[Kodos]

There you go.

[SirFozzie]

Whoever said cheaters never win obviously didn't have a vote in this award.

Bobby Thomson thinks that phrase was overrated in his day, anyway.

[rkmsuf]

The best part about this season is the spelling of his name has improved 500%.

[SirFozzie]

Reading all the "Hatriots" stuff on espn and elsewhere warms the cockles of my heart. So many sad folks :)

[RomaGoth]

Nice job Bill. Now go buy another hoody for next season and at least wash the one you are wearing now. Putz.

[Dr. Sak]

Bobby Thomson thinks that phrase was overrated in his day, anyway.

If I'm not mistaken...and I could be because I can give a rats ass about baseball but stealing signs was not illegal but there were rules against filming defensive signals?

If I am wrong, just excuse this as my normal nonsensical dribble.

[Axxon]

I had one of those reading moments. I was scanning the last line quickly

The only other Patriots coach to win the award was Belichick's mentor, Bill Parcells, in 1994.

and I read it as

The only other Patriots coach to win the award was Belichick's mother, Bill Parcells, in 1994. and that struck me as odd.

I originally was planning to say "I'll never say 'cheaters never prosper' again" because, I'm still gonna say it, but I saw that I was beaten to the punch.

Anyway, of course he deserves the award AND the derision equally. There's no way I'm buying that his cheating had that much of an effect but the fact is, cheaters deserve to be mocked and scorned.

[SirFozzie]

If I'm not mistaken...and I could be because I can give a rats ass about baseball but stealing signs was not illegal but there were rules against filming defensive signals?

If I am wrong, just excuse this as my normal nonsensical dribble.

Stealing signs is and was illegal, and you're excused :)

(and there's no rules against filming defensive signals.. there's rules about having the camera where it was. We've gone over this several hundred times before.)

[Jas_lov]

Mike McCarthy was robbed! Bellichick is a great coach, but we should also recognize McCarthy's accomplishment of taking the youngest team in the league and leading them to a 13-3 record and the NFC North title. He has turned the Packers into a super bowl contender once again. Three cheers for the REAL 2007 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike McCarthy!

[Dr. Sak]

Stealing signs is and was illegal, and you're excused :)

(and there's no rules against filming defensive signals.. there's rules about having the camera where it was. We've gone over this several hundred times before.)

Whatever, however you want to say it, it still was wrong and that's the only reason I think that him getting this award is bogus. Yes the team is great, probably the best I've seen in my lifetime, but I think of them in a bad light.

[SirFozzie]

The Real "Anybody but that CHHHEEEEEEEEEATTTER" NFL Coach of the Year, Jas? :)

[SirFozzie]

Whatever, however you want to say it, it still was wrong and that's the only reason I think that him getting this award is bogus. Yes the team is great, probably the best I've seen in my lifetime, but I think of them in a bad light.

The 2nd part of your last sentence is likely caused by the first part.

Yes, Spygate gave folks another reason to hate the Patriots, but I'm sure if Spygate didn't happen, and the Pats did what they did, there would still be this backlash.

[Jas_lov]

The Real "Anybody but that CHHHEEEEEEEEEATTTER" NFL Coach of the Year, Jas? :)

No. I think Bill Bellichick is a great coach. I said in the other thread that I don't even care about spy gate. It's not a big deal to me. I thought the writers might have taken it into account though. Not every non Patriots fan despises the Patriots and wishes they were dead, you know. What they've accomplished this year is remarkable! I just think McCarthy deserved it. That's all.

[SirFozzie]

I do think McCarthy had a great year, just that it's hard to argue with 16-0. You know what I'm saying?

[Dr. Sak]

I think a retarded monkey could've coached the Pats to at least 12 wins. So he gets the award for the other 4.

[Jas_lov]

I do think McCarthy had a great year, just that it's hard to argue with 16-0. You know what I'm saying?

Yes! They had a remarkable and historical season. Bellichick is a great coach.

[Kodos]

Cheaters should not get awards.

[Axxon]

Yes! They had a remarkable and historical season. Bellichick is a great coach.

Yes yes, he turns out to be a great coach but a pretty inept cheater. ;)

[Logan]

Cheaters should not get awards.

Shawne Merriman disagrees.

[Toddzilla]

Yes yes, he turns out to be a great coach but a pretty inept cheater. ;)Inept? He got caught red-handed and basically got off scot-free. He's a pretty damn good cheater IMO.

[Axxon]

Inept? He got caught red-handed and basically got off scot-free. He's a pretty damn good cheater IMO.

Well, that's not true. He loses a first round draft pick and that's a hefty penalty for the infraction. The only reason it appears scott free is because the team is so well run that they already have another first round draft choice and really doesn't even need either of them.

Just another argument FOR him winning coach of the year for running such a tight ship that this appears a meaningless penalty.

[Lorena]

Umm.. is there a need to bold the article? Just sayin'.

[MikeVic]

I think it's the smilies that SirFozzie posts that really push my buttons.

[SirFozzie]

I think it's the smilies that SirFozzie posts that really push my buttons.


Awwww, poor bahbee... :p :D :cool: :eek: ;) :) (just having fun)

[SirFozzie]

Umm.. is there a need to bold the article? Just sayin'.

Yeah, once a couple years back, I put my comments in, which caused confusion, and had to explain what was the article and what was my commentary so I bold the actual article to make sure I don't seem to be taking credit for what others write.

[TroyF]

Impossible to argue the award.

I hate Beli with a passion though, so it disgusts me when he gets anything.

[Synovia]

Impossible to argue the award.

I hate Beli with a passion though, so it disgusts me when he gets anything.



I don't understand the hate for the man. He pulled a man from a burning car last year (on 95). He holds "teaching sessions" for members of the press who want to learn more about formations and actual football stuff (on wednesdays I think). He wears the hoodies (and forbids his assistants from wearing suits) because he felt as an assistant on the lions (in the 70s I think) he was spending too much time trying to find decent looking suits/ties/etc on his meager income (quality control assistants make like $10K a year) and not enough watching football.

At least hes not Tony Dungy, and being a keynote speaker for an anti-gay hate group.



Troy, do you hate Elway? He was a cheater too (violated the salary cap by illegally agreeing to give the broncos a loan in the form of deferred salary).

[SteveMax58]

I think a retarded monkey could've coached the Pats to at least 12 wins. So he gets the award for the other 4.

I strongly disagree with this statement. They tried this retarded monkey experiment in San Diego and he was only able to get 11 wins.

Yes...11 & 12 wins are close...but not the same.

[Joe]

award should have gone to a coach who was able to get a lot out of limited talent

[Raiders Army]

Petrino didn't get a vote? For shame!

[Axxon]

award should have gone to a coach who was able to get a lot out of limited talent

Gruden?? I'd be down with that.

[EagleFan]

I do think McCarthy had a great year, just that it's hard to argue with 16-0. You know what I'm saying?

But based on the talent level they were practially expected to win probably 14-15 games. Can't say the same about the Packers. I don't know if Belichick does much more than show and and say "go win it Tom".

[EagleFan]

I strongly disagree with this statement. They tried this retarded monkey experiment in San Diego and he was only able to get 11 wins.

Yes...11 & 12 wins are close...but not the same.

But that experiment in San Diego wasn't with the Patriots roster.

[SFL Cat]

Would still love to see whoever plays the Patriots in the playoffs knock them off.

[Axxon]

Would still love to see whoever plays the Patriots in the playoffs knock them off.

I really think that Indy can do it but I don't think they will.

[Joe]

Would still love to see whoever plays the Patriots in the playoffs knock them off.

Jax will do it. Mark it.

[SteveMax58]

But that experiment in San Diego wasn't with the Patriots roster.

I was really just being sarcastic in general...but I'm not so sure I wouldnt rather have San Diego's roster than New England's.

With the exception of Brady & Moss(when he feels like playing)...I dont think New England has any other hands down better players than San Diego on a positional basis. On the flipside...San Diego wins with LT & Gates hands down, and the rest are reasonably debatable.

[molson]

I think a retarded monkey could've coached the Pats to at least 12 wins. So he gets the award for the other 4.

Not sure if that's true, but I would absolutely pay money to see your theory proven or disproven.

Good to see Bellichick win - I figured the Coach of the Year Award (in all sports) should just be re-named the "Surprise Team of the Year Award, Accepted on Their Behalf by the Coach", because that's who always gets it. Coaches on great teams are never considered.

[TroyF]

I don't understand the hate for the man. He pulled a man from a burning car last year (on 95). He holds "teaching sessions" for members of the press who want to learn more about formations and actual football stuff (on wednesdays I think). He wears the hoodies (and forbids his assistants from wearing suits) because he felt as an assistant on the lions (in the 70s I think) he was spending too much time trying to find decent looking suits/ties/etc on his meager income (quality control assistants make like $10K a year) and not enough watching football.

At least hes not Tony Dungy, and being a keynote speaker for an anti-gay hate group.



Troy, do you hate Elway? He was a cheater too (violated the salary cap by illegally agreeing to give the broncos a loan in the form of deferred salary).

I don't need reasons for hating someone. They just rub me the wrong way. I thought he was classless in the loss to the Colts last year. I thought he was classless in the way he left the Jets. I think he's classless in his dealing with the NFL injury list.

I just don't like him. I'm glad he pulled a guy out of a burning car. I hope he saves future zoo goers from tiger attacks. But that doesn't mean I have to cheer for the guy, does it?

I really didn't mind the cheating so much as his comments after it. And then his response to it by running up the score against anyone he could the first half of the season as if his being a cheater was some character flaw of other teams.

He's a great coach. He gets the most out of his talent. He's a master gameplanner. He is one of the only NFL coaches who knows how to deal with fourth downs. He deserves his coach of the year award. And I still don't like him. I'm pretty sure he's ok with the fact I don't like him, why aren't you?

(BTW: Real classy bringing up others who aren't even involved in this subject. I guess it was OK of Beli to act like an asshat last year after the Patriots lost because of that. My mistake.)

[molson]

Bellichick's just not a likeable guy. I think that's hard for some Pats fans to see (which is pretty reasonable - you'd worship the guy too if he coached your team to that kind of success).

And Pats fans have liked him since before this current run. He was Parcells' right hand man for the AFC Championship Run in '96. That was a big season in New England and came came after a pretty bad decade of sports in Boston. And even when he moved on to the Jets with the Parcells, I think a lot of people thought Bellichick might be back someday.

[Crapshoot]

Meh - not a Pats fan, but its pretty hard not to respect Bill - he's very very good at what he does.

[wade moore]

Anyway, of course he deserves the award AND the derision equally. There's no way I'm buying that his cheating had that much of an effect but the fact is, cheaters deserve to be mocked and scorned.

I'm with Axxon here.

[Lorena]

Awwww, poor bahbee... :p :D :cool: :eek: ;) :) (just having fun)

SirFozzie, I understand you're "just having fun", but

Reading all the "Hatriots" stuff on espn and elsewhere warms the cockles of my heart. So many sad folks :)

calling people "sad folks" makes you sound like a major asshole.

[Axxon]

SirFozzie, I understand you're "just having fun", but

Originally Posted by SirFozzie View Post
Reading all the "Hatriots" stuff on espn and elsewhere warms the cockles of my heart. So many sad folks :)

calling people "sad folks" makes you sound like a major asshole.


I do recall though the Hat Riots that he speaks of. They were sad times, oft referred to as the Fedora Fracas or the Chapeau Commotions or the Stetson Strifes. Bad times indeed and I'd say that the capped compadres of their day were indeed "sad folks" until things settled down.

[Radii]

Meh - not a Pats fan, but its pretty hard not to respect Bill - he's very very good at what he does.

+1, its deserved(despite the fact that I would have rather seen McCarthy win it), and its really impossible to complain about most any award that goes the Pats way this year.

[SirFozzie]

SirFozzie, I understand you're "just having fun", but calling people "sad folks" makes you sound like a major asshole.

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3179438

I reiterate. So many "Sad folks"

[MikeVic]

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3179438

I reiterate. So many "Sad folks"

It takes more than just despising the award selection for someone to become a "sad folk" in my opinion. If you called everyone a sad folk that disagreed with you on something, no one would be happy folk. ;)

[jeff061]

For all the moronic baseless hatred for the Pats, I never had problems understanding the hatred/dislike for Belichick. If he was in any other situation I wouldn't like him either.

Still, he's one of the best coaches ever. Period.

[Ragone]

I see it alot like Phil Jackson.. he had tons of talent on the floor with the 90's bulls that made him look good but he only won the award once out of all those years..

[miami_fan]

I see it alot like Phil Jackson.. he had tons of talent on the floor with the 90's bulls that made him look good but he only won the award once out of all those years..

This was the first name that popped into my head as well. I wonder if this represent an end to the practice of voters punishing coaches for having the best talent.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I don't understand the hate for the man. He pulled a man from a burning car last year (on 95). He holds "teaching sessions" for members of the press who want to learn more about formations and actual football stuff (on wednesdays I think). He wears the hoodies (and forbids his assistants from wearing suits) because he felt as an assistant on the lions (in the 70s I think) he was spending too much time trying to find decent looking suits/ties/etc on his meager income (quality control assistants make like $10K a year) and not enough watching football.

At least hes not Tony Dungy, and being a keynote speaker for an anti-gay hate group.



Troy, do you hate Elway? He was a cheater too (violated the salary cap by illegally agreeing to give the broncos a loan in the form of deferred salary).

You forgot the part about his divorce and banging that secretary (former secretary) from the Giants.

[DaddyTorgo]

You forgot the part about his divorce and banging that secretary (former secretary) from the Giants.

so what? we're supposed to hate on him because of something that happened off the football field and wasn't related to the game or his job?

can we start crucifying everyone who's ever gotten a divorce / cheated on their significant other now??

bill clinton?? rudy guliani? anybody here on the board who is divorced / has cheated???

give me a break

[Suburban Rhythm]

so what? we're supposed to hate on him because of something that happened off the football field and wasn't related to the game or his job?

can we start crucifying everyone who's ever gotten a divorce / cheated on their significant other now??

bill clinton?? rudy guliani? anybody here on the board who is divorced / has cheated???

give me a break

Simply a response to his what a wonderful person Belichek is post. How were those things related to him winning coach of the year?

[bhlloy]

Teams with way more talent haven't managed to get to 16-0. Even before the salary cap era. I think he deserves it. I couldn't give two shits about his "character" - it's not the Lady Byng award. They could easily change the award criteria if they wanted to evaluate character.

[Cringer]

Congrats to Belichick. I wish McCarthy had won it but that's mainly because I am a Packer fan. :D

As for the hate towards Belichick I find it funny. I like the guy. I will always wonder if he ever takes time to actually enjoy what he has done, but I like the guy.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Bellichick's just not a likeable guy. I think that's hard for some Pats fans to see (which is pretty reasonable - you'd worship the guy too if he coached your team to that kind of success).

I like Belichick (only 1 "L" dammit). I completely understand why most find him unlikeable.

[Lorena]

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3179438

I reiterate. So many "Sad folks"

You don't get it, seriously. I can certainly understand why you're so elated, I mean hell, when the Chargers went 14-2 I was stoked, but I wasn't a pompous ass about it. Someone says "It's the smilies that push my buttons" and you post more smilies just to piss 'em off? C'mon man, just have some class is what I'm saying.