New England Patriots: Should We Admire Bill Belichick For Being Coy?

After the New England Patriots lost to the New York Jets in the divisional round of the playoffs this year, the media foolishly ran to head coach Bill Belichick for answers.

It may as well not even have showed up to the press conference.

This sparked the usual firestorm of criticism directed at Belichick's evasive style and tight-lipped demeanor with the media. The way it is so critical of his diversion tactics, you could easily confuse him for a Russian spy in 1970.

It would be easy to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of being an NFL head coach, but Belichick never lets it get to his head. He always stays humble and quiet. He expects his team to do the same.

He adheres to the words his quarterback said after they beat the Jets, 45-3 in December. Brady said, “When you win, say little. When you lose, say less.”

It would be easy to just let the leash off his players, hold no one accountable and let all the players fly off the handle. But it's better for everyone if they stay quiet.

The way that the media paints Belichick as an evil genius, it makes it seem as though these diversion tactics are meant spitefully. Sure...because Belichick has a bone to pick with the media for whatever reason.

His "white lies" are stained with the ink of the media's pen.

Belichick's only doing what's best for the football team, something he has done ever since he arrived in New England.

Another thing he's done well since arriving in New England? Winning. Keeping his players focused on the task at hand is the best way to do just that.

There was nothing to look forward to after the Patriots lost to the New York Jets in the playoffs. He could have easily thrown Patrick Chung under the bus for making the call on the botched fake punt. But he didn't. He's had every opportunity to stray from his coy nature with the media.

Why? Because he was just doing what's best for the football team. It wouldn't have made a difference at that juncture if he said that Chung was responsible for the failed attempt.

“We just made a bad mistake on the play,” said Belichick after the loss. When he was asked who was at fault for the play, Belichick responded, “I'm not going into that.”

Exoneration was at his fingertips. All he had to do was say a name, a one-syllable, five-letter name as to whose fault it was on the fake punt.

If he had, though, the media would have been calling for Chung's job. Over one play. And I don't want to hear anyone compare this to the Buckner play—that was a routine ground out.

Every move the evil genius makes is for the greater good of the football team. Admirable, indeed.