All Things Bill Belichick: 2004 Stories


	2004 stories


	On A Number Of Programs, Smerlas Fits Bill 31-Dec-2004, Boston Globe "On this day, Smerlas mostly has Belichick on his mind. 'His knowledge of X's and O's is beyond the knowledge of even former players like us [Smerlas, DeOssie],' Smerlas said. 'He's bringing in players higher on the scale of football evolution. They're smarter and better behaved. But that's only half the story. He's in charge. He's set the parameters for coaching this team. Football players are aggressive guys with a lot of bravado. They'll eat a coach for lunch and take over the team if the coach lets them. Needless to say, that won't happen here.'" full story

	A Love Fest For Herm, Belichick 26-Dec-2004, New York Daily News "[The 'Border War'] took a civilized turn in 2001, when Parcells left the Jets' organization. These days, it's downright peaceful. The coaches, Herman Edwards and Bill Belichick, actually like each other – a lot. Is this any way to run a rivalry? … 'I respect the heck out of the guy,' Edwards said of Belichick. 'He's a Hall of Fame coach, in my eyes. If they ask me to vote, he's going in, no doubt about it.'" full story

	Off The Belichick Tree 24-Dec-2004, Fresno Bee "Fresno State's Pat Hill and Virginia's Al Groh are former assistants on Bill Belichick's 1992 Cleveland Browns staff… 'I'm not really surprised by what any of them have done,' says Belichick, the Super Bowl-winning coach of the New England Patriots. 'Outstanding group of coaches and people. I think time has shown that was a pretty capable and competent staff.'" full story

	Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award 23-Dec-2004,US Sports Academy "The United States Sports Academy announced today that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been awarded the 2004 Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award for his outstanding success at American football's highest level of competition." full story

	In The Huddle 22-Dec-2004, Sports Illustrated Kids (January 2005 issue) "Our NFL PLAYERS POLL takes you inside the helmets of 33 players on 17 teams. We asked them to vote on the hardest hitter, the hardest thrower, and everything in-between… Coach you would most like to play for (other than your own): 1. (tie) BILL BELICHICK, New England Patriots / Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts – 11%; 2. Herman Edwards, New York Jets – 9%." full story

	Dolphins Star Insists Pats Still Team To Beat 22-Dec-2004, Eagle-Tribune "While he says he always respects his opponent, there is no other franchise in the NFL [Jason Taylor] holds in higher regard than your New England Patriots, at least since Bill Belichick got this steamroller moving forward in 2001. 'They play football the way it's supposed to be played. They play a team game,' said Taylor. 'There are no Kobe Bryants on that team. Everybody has one goal, and that's winning. I respect what they do. Look around the league with guys wanting all the stats and publicity. That doesn't happen in New England… I think you have to look at Belichick. I've never played for him, but he's the leader. He's the guy that sets the tone. He brings in people that are good players who want to win. He doesn't just look at talent. We have some guys around here like that, but not enough.'" full story

	Top Coaches Achieving Personnel Bests 10-Dec-2004, NFL.com "Blaming a team's failure on the coach having total control is as overrated as quarterback ratings. No matter how much power coaches do or don't have, they must surround themselves with qualified front-office people and informed personnel people that complement their opinions. Belichick, Reid and Cowher do… If players such as New England's Troy Brown and Denver's Champ Bailey are good enough to play two positions, so are the men who coach them." full story

	Brown Inspired Pats' Belichick 09-Dec-2004, Cincinnati Enquirer "Belichick, known for his extensive library, has two copies of Brown's biography, 'PB: The Paul Brown Story.' 'The one Paul Brown autographed is the one that got ate by my dog,' Belichick said in his conference call Wednesday with Cincinnati reporters. 'What did you do to the dog?' he was asked. 'The dog's not around now…' 'What kind of dog was it?' 'A dead dog,' Belichick said." full story

	Hall Of Famer Paul Brown An Inspiration To Belichick 09-Dec-2004, Providence Journal "In a conference call with the Cincinnati media yesterday, the reverence Bill Belichick has for Paul Brown, the founder of both the Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, was on full display… 'There probably isn't one thing that we do as the New England Patriots, other than maybe a technological improvement, that he didn't do 30 years ago, or maybe more than that. Maybe 40 years ago,' said Belichick." full story

	Marvin Lewis News Conference 08-Dec-2004, Cincinnati Bengals Q: "Is there anything you borrow from Coach Belichick?" ML: "I think it's that they pick players who fit their style. Their is no question about it. On draft day they choose players who might not be the popular choice, but in two or three years they are the right choice. That's what's important. I don't think they will be swayed by some outside source. They don't choose who others feel is the best player for the Patriots, they choose the player who they feel has insight of what is important to the team." full transcript

	Sportsman Of The Year: Patriots QB Tom Brady 08-Dec-2004, The Sporting News "Belichick says he has been around only one other player with Brady's knack for treating everyone, no matter their station, with the same grace and respect. 'Roger Staubach,' he says. 'I knew Roger when I was 11 and a nothing, and he treated me like his best friend. Same with Tom. I don't care if it is the owner or the ballboy, it doesn't matter to him.'" full story

	The American Money Machine 06-Dec-2004, TIME "Belichick defines the 21st century NFL coach: tech savvy, detail oriented and passionate about personnel – a mini-CEO in his realm. New England spends inordinate amounts of time evaluating players and not just assessing athletic talent. It looks for personalities that fit into New England's system, which is not star driven." full story

	Belichick Has Risen To The Top 01-Dec-2004, Patriots Football Weekly "Let's all step back and marvel at what we are witnessing in Patriots Nation. It's only sports, but we are, after all, passionate about our teams. They affect morale. They can lift the spirit of an entire region or tear away a piece of its heart. And so we do place a certain level of importance on our teams even if their performance is far less vital than many other things in life. With that in mind, it's hard to place a historical perspective on these recent Bill Belichick-led New England Patriots because we are living in the midst of it." full story (subscribers only)

	21: The Story Behind The NFL's Longest Winning Streak 01-Dec-2004, New England Patriots "Every game of the streak is chronicled with highlights and insider sideline and locker room footage. Also included is Head Coach Bill Belichick's weekly 'Belestrator' segments from the Patriots All Access TV show where he previewed key factors to look for prior to each game. Plus, bonus content includes exclusive interviews with all the games' playmakers and never-before-seen footage from the Patriots Super Bowl XXXVIII ring ceremony at owner Robert Kraft's house." full details \| the streak

	Monday Morning QB 29-Nov-2004, SI.com "Coach of the Week: New England defensive backs coach Eric Mangini. Never met the man. Don't know much about his philosophy or his hands-on teaching. All I know is Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennel let their position coaches coach, and that the Patriots went 4-0 in November, surrendering 12.5 points per game, with a wide receiver (Troy Brown) and three former practice-squadders (Randall Gay, Omare Lowe, Earthwind Moreland) playing major minutes at cornerback." full story

	Let's Praise Old-School Patriots 28-Nov-2004, San Antonio Express-News "Leaving opponents, fans and media flummoxed along the way, the Patriots are 9-1 despite a spate of costly injuries, rolling up 96 points in three victories since a 34-20 setback at Pittsburgh halted their record streak. Bill Belichick, who has emerged as the strongest coach in the league, has fully implemented an old-school system populated by players who fit into the game plan, instead of forcing the game plan to fit them." full story

	Ravens Personnel Department's Roots Go Back To Belichick 27-Nov-2004, Ravens Insider "The Bill Belichick tree has multiple branches and a sphere of influence that extends throughout the elite ranks of the NFL and college football. And a few of the New England Patriots head coach's strongest roots are thriving in the Baltimore Ravens' personnel department." full story

	By The Numbers: Calling The Playmakers 26-Nov-2004, Wall Street Journal "Who's the best NFL coach ever? Big Game Factor says its Vince Lombardi, followed closely by the still active Bill Belichick and Joe Gibbs. This stat combines regular-season wining percentage with playoff winning percentage, thus placing a special emphasis on post-season performance rather than piling up regular-season wins, which is why active coaches like Mike Shanahan rank ahead of legends like Don Shula and Tom Landry." full story

	White-Collar Heroes: Teams' GM Becoming Big Hit With Baseball Fans 26-Nov-2004, Boston Herald "Simply put, baseball fans are rapidly shifting their loyalties from the players on the field to the men in the front office… Lucchino said last week, 'If the fans have developed a respect for us, we've earned it. Players come and players go, but the ownership in the front office remains the same and it's working hard to produce a winning team.' … But the perceived greed of the modern peripatetic ballplayer is only part of the story. The success of Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots head coach, has also reinforced loyalty to the front office." full story

	Quarterbacks Facing "The Belichick Factor" 26-Nov-2004, NFL.com "The young quarterbacks with winning records in the AFC that have the best chance to make the playoffs along with Manning have a combined 4-10 career record with 19 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and 22 sacks against the best defensive game planner in the league. Keep in mind not one of them has ever won more than one game against the Patriots coach." full story

	Brian Billick Conference Call 24-Nov-2004, New England Patriots "Is there anyone in the profession today that is performing any more brilliantly than Bill? In a historical context, I will leave that for you all to judge. The thing I admire most about Coach Belichick is the way they are winning now. This is a good, solid football team that is very veteran. They really don't do a lot. What they do is brilliant in its execution in that it is absolutely fundamentally flawless. They are at the right place at the right time doing the right things. I have never seen an entire team manage a game as well as the Patriots do, and you have to attribute that to Coach Belichick." full transcript

	Ten Things To Be Grateful For This Season 24-Nov-2004, NFL.com "8. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots: The consistency that his team has displayed over the past three-and-a-half years has been nothing short of amazing. His team wins regardless of injury or whom they are playing. There have been some who have said that today's NFL, because of free agency and the salary cap, cannot sustain a dynasty. They long for the old days when teams like the Steelers, Cowboys and 49ers ruled the NFL landscape. But I point right to [the] Patriots and their success as a counterpoint to that argument. Watching greatness unfold before our eyes is something we all can be thankful for." full story

	Patriots-Chiefs: How They Performed – Notes, Quotes 24-Nov-2004, Patriots Insider "Bill Belichick is now the Patriots' all-time winningest coach. The Patriots' win over Kansas City, which improved the team's best ever start to 9-1, also was Belichick's 54th of his career in New England. He passed Mike Holovak, who posted a 53-47-9 record between 1961 and 1968. Belichick is now 54-26 as the Patriots' head coach and 48-26 during the regular season. He also is the all-time leader in terms of winning percentage with a .675 success rate in four-plus seasons. He still needs four wins to tie Holovak for regular season wins since all of Holovak's came during the regular season. Belichick is also the only Patriots coach with a perfect postseason mark at 6-0. Raymond Berry is the only other head coach in team history with a winning record in the playoffs (3-2)." full story (subscribers only)

	Kraft Turns Pats Into Perfect Franchise 22-Nov-2004, Kansas City Star "'With me, it's first of all having good people, and that means people you're comfortable having at your dinner table,' said Kraft. 'The one thing I said when I hired Bill Belichick is, 'You can do whatever you want in personnel; just don't bring any bad apples here.' If they come into this community and do something…this team carries my family name, and it's an embarrassment to me and my family personally. I'm proud of the people Bill has brought into this organization.'" full story

	Implicit Trust In Coaches Is Key To Patriots' Success 22-Nov-2004, Pro Football Weekly "LB/special-teams captain Larry Izzo says the players' belief that the New England coaching staff is acting with a single-minded goal – to win every game – fosters the team's unbeatable aura. 'I think what we've done in the past to be successful is to buy into what Bill (Belichick) and the other coaches are saying,' Izzo told PFW. 'Every week, it's amazing how they identify what we need to do to win. And, you know, so far we've been pretty successful at that. But there are still some things we want to get better at. But the faith that we have in our coaches is a credit to them because they've proven it year-in, year-out, game-in, game-out that they know what they're doing – they know how to win. If we can just consistently do the things they identify each week, we'll be successful. We're not quite there yet, but we're striving for perfection. I think you can be perfect. Obviously we haven't been, but that's our goal and hopefully we'll get there.'" full source

	Belichick Takes Offense 19-Nov-2004, Boston Herald "'I am in 1,000 percent agreement with Tony Dungy. That's 1,000 percent… If preserving the integrity of the game and presenting it in the right way involves getting lower ratings, then that's what we're going to have to accept,' said Belichick. 'If that's what we have to do to, if that's the deal, then that's the deal. This can't become the XFL.'" full story

	Cowboys Get Old At Wrong Positions 19-Nov-2004, ESPN.com "Loading up with aging veteran starters can provide the leadership necessary to turn a good team into a great team. Look at the Patriots. They've patented the processes. Bill Belichick knows the value of role players and loves to fill out key positions with veterans… Older teams require bolder decisions. Belichick stays ahead of the curve because he and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli constantly churn their roster." full story

	Analyze This: Best besides Brady 18-Nov-2004, NFL.com Vic Carucci: "Bill Belichick is the most indispensable member of the Patriots, period. That includes Tom Brady and any other viable player candidate such as Adam Vinatieri, Tedy Bruschi, Corey Dillon, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour or Troy Brown. Every bit of the success that Brady and his teammates have enjoyed starts with Belichick, who not only is the greatest coach in the game today but one of the greatest – if not THE greatest – in NFL history. The Patriots' structure, strategy and philosophical approach follow his brilliantly crafted blueprint. Take it away and there are no Super Bowl victories or history-making winning streak or current 8-1 record that has set the stage for another Super Bowl run." full story

	Charlie Weis Press Conference 17-Nov-2004, New England Patriots "I have said this before and I will never say anything other than this, that I have never seen a man with as much foresight and insight as Bill. He always seems to be one step ahead. It is not just x's and o's. It is personnel. It is the whole organization. He is thinking ahead rather than just staying on an even keel. I think that gives a decisive edge over most people he is going against because there are a lot of good football people. There are a lot of people that are good at x's and o's. But, there are very few people that have the insight/foresight to look ahead and try to figure out what he is going to do before those times even come up." full transcript

	Romeo Crennel Press Conference 17-Nov-2004, New England Patriots "The thing about Bill is he is a very thorough football oriented guy. He knows football. He knows offense. He knows defense. He knows special teams because he has coached all of those positions. He is willing to put in the time to work, the study, and the effort that it has to have to get it done. I think that is one of the reasons that our team is a thorough team because that is his nature… If you give him an idea and it is sound and he thinks it is a good idea, he will go for it. If he doesn't think it is a good idea, he is not going to go for it. He is open-minded. He is flexible." full transcript

	Only Patriots And Eagles Are Consistently Good 16-Nov-2004, Providence Journal "'You're always looking for consistency,' said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick yesterday after his team's 29-6 win over Buffalo. 'With each player, each unit, and collectively as a team. That's the key to being successful. It's a long season. There's a lot of games, a lot of snaps, a lot of circumstances that you go through. You play in a lot of different elements – home and away, field conditions, you're ahead, you're behind, you're on your own 1-yard line, you're on their 1-yard line. There's so many things. To be able to consistently play at a high competitive level is what you're striving for.'" full story

	Patriots' Rushing Attack Hits A New High 16-Nov-2004, MetroWest Daily News "The Patriots rushed for 200-plus yards in a game for the first time in Bill Belichick's four-plus years as coach. How did they do it? The plan started to take shape on the first offensive possession of Sunday night's impressive 29-6 victory over the Bills… But as we've learned from the Patriots under coach Bill Belichick and coordinators Charlie Weis (offense) and Romeo Crennel (defense), there's a calculated reason for every decision they make. It comes after intense film study and research, and the latest example – carried out by the sharp execution of a talent-rich team – was brilliant." full story

	The Amazing, Enigmatic Belichick 11-Nov-2004, Newsweek "Patriots players have bought into a successful system that is revolutionizing the game in a fashion that hasn't been seen in the NFL since the Bill Walsh heyday with the 49ers back in the '80s. Walsh's revolution can be neatly summed up as the West Coast offense, while Belichick's impact is difficult to describe with any catch phrase. But in a me-first era in professional sports, he has somehow resurrected old-fashioned notions of team and made them paramount." full story

	Otis Smith Waits For Pats To Call 10-Nov-2004, Eagle-Tribune "Smith says coming to New England would be one of the only options he would consider. Not only because of the team's success, but because of Belichick… Smith says Belichick's best attribute, though, might be his ability to make adjustments during a game. 'I've played for other coaches and it's not even close,' said Smith. 'If the defense gives up a big play, he immediately goes to work on the sidelines with an adjustment so it doesn't happen again. You never see the Belichick defense get burned by the same play twice.'" full story

	Patriots Of 2004 Find Their Identity 09-Nov-2004, Providence Journal "Players – regardless of their résumé – are welcomed onto this team that has done great things. In return, they must perform when their time comes. Sunday, many players did just that. The Rams game is now a reference point for what the 2004 Patriots can do. Not what somebody else who used to wear the same number and uniform did some other year. The 2004 Patriots' season is now under way." full story

	Midseason Awards 09-Nov-2004, SI.com "Best coaching job of the first half: I started to over-think this one for a time, and then I realized New England's Bill Belichick is still the measuring stick in this league. Despite getting every opponent's A game, Belichick has had his defending champion Patriots up to the challenge seven times in eight games, with their first six victories furthering New England's remarkable NFL-record 21-game winning streak." full story

	MMQB: The Fine Fifteen 08-Nov-2004, SI.com "2. New England (7-1). The 40-22 win over St. Louis is a new chapter in the Belichick / Pioli / Weis / Crennel / Seely brilliance book. Imagine going into Rams-ville and conquering the obstacles the Pats did. Midway through the first quarter, because of injuries, the starters were Randall Gay, who started one game in college last year, and Earthwind Moreland, who I think last played an NFL snap in 2001. The nickel back was Troy Brown. That's right, the wide receiver. Don Davis, a linebacker and special-teamer, played a good chunk of the game at safety. And Marc Bulger did some damage (23-33, 285 yards), but not enough to win this game. Bill Belichick and his offensive, defensive and special-teams men – Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel and Brad Seely – then had the gumption to call a touchdown pass to linebacker Mike Vrabel and a fake field goal when the kicker threw a touchdown pass." full source

	Tips From The Pros 08-Nov-2004, Zweig White Consulting "Some of the best team builders come from the world of professional sports. A select group of managers and coaches have become household names by accomplishing great feats – not on their own, but through others… In the professional sports world, coaches and managers can plan, strategize, set lineups, cheerlead, and even throw tantrums – but they can't strap on a helmet, run onto the field, and actually make the tackles. Their primary responsibility is to put their players in a position to win, period. How can you build a team without actually playing the game? Let's take a look at some lessons from the pros." (Includes Red Auerbach, Vince Lombardi, Herb Brooks, Joe Torre, Bill Belichick) full story

	This Victory What Patriots 'Team' Is All About 07-Nov-2004, CBS SportsLine.com "Their coaches have the answers. They deal with adversity better than any staff or team in the league. 'It's probably as complete a team victory as any I've been around,' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said afterward. Notice the word 'team.' The Patriots always do." full story

	The Sporting Side Of Election Day 07-Nov-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer "Sports Illustrated's Web site, SI.com, held an Election Day fan poll last week, and asked readers to pick their favorite athlete in the clutch…When asked which coach – of any sport – you'd want calling the shots in a title game, the fans gave Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots 35 percent of the vote." full results

	Martz Raves About Belichick, And Vice Versa 04-Nov-2004, St. Louis Post-Dispatch "'Bill [Belichick] is probably the standard for the rest of us in the league, how he manages the game, his team,' Martz said at his Wednesday news conference. 'He does a great job of creating turnovers, creating opportunities for his football team to win. When they do get the opportunity, they take advantage of it.' And … 'Bill is terrific,' Martz said. 'I have great admiration for him. He's a Hall of Fame head coach, He may be as good as there has ever been. I consider him a good friend. I have a chance to talk to him more than any other head coach and I enjoy the relationship a great deal.'" full story

	Our Famous Alumni 01-Nov-2004, Lacrosse Magazine (Nov/Dec 2004 issue) "While his notoriety comes from football now, lacrosse was his best sport, starting all four years and earning captain honors while playing sparingly during his collegiate gridiron career. Although [college coach Terry] Jackson envisioned Belichick, a close family friend during his time at Wesleyan, heading into the business or teaching realm, there were signs of coaching ability early on." full story (photo courtesy of US Lacrosse)

	Those Championship Seasons: The fans, plans, & teamwork in Pats' success 31-Oct-2004, Boston Globe "For a region steeped in extraordinary devotion to the Red Sox, the New England Patriots had long been a bumbling sideshow, their haplessness snapped only by the occasional, futile title run. Then they won two NFL championships in three years. Only delusional cynics ignore the idea that these Patriots are gifts from the football gods, spiced with the ingredients of professional athletic excellence: a devoted owner, a new stadium, a dynamic defense, a golden-boy quarterback, a freon-veined kicker, a virtuoso coach, a team-first philosophy, and a knack for winning close games. In 'Patriot Reign,' former Globe columnist Michael Holley explores the organizational culture behind such magnificence." full story

	Patriots Buy Belichick's Philosophy 28-Oct-2004, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Asked after the Patriots' 13-7 win Sunday over the formerly unbeaten New York Jets how the team was able to respond to Belichick week after week, safety Rodney Harrison said, 'Concentration. Maturity. Confidence. And we don't panic. We go through a lot of situational football, so, when it is a critical moment, we don't panic. Someone always steps up and makes a play.' When he addressed his team after that game, Belichick handled the winning streak the same way as usual. 'I didn't say one word about it,' he said. That's no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to Belichick. It turns out, though, that Belichick might not be as one-dimensional and dry as he lets on." full story

	Belichick Values A Victory 26-Oct-2004, Washington Post "When he was 7, Belichick's father, Steve, longtime football coach at the U.S. Naval Academy, took him to see a Bears game against the Colts in Baltimore. When Belichick was introduced to Halas in the locker room afterward, Halas pulled out a $1 bill, signed it and handed it to the youngster, telling him that because he was the first to congratulate him for the victory, he would be suitably compensated." full story

	NFL's Longest Winning Streaks 25-Oct-2004, Pro Football Hall of Fame "On October 5, 2003, the New England Patriots defeated the Tennessee Titans, 38-30. That win began a record streak of victories by the Patriots that spanned more than a calendar year… The Patriots record winning streak reached 21 games and included wins in both the regular season and post-season highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII. New England also entered the record book when the team strung together 18 straight wins in the regular season which surpassed the mark held by the Chicago Bears in 1933-34." full story \| hof exhibit \| special section

	Superstitions Not In Pats' Game Plan 24-Oct-2004, Providence Journal "We figured this week we'd go off the board and ask what kinds of pregame rituals the players go through. Somewhat predictably, many have none. They feel they are a distraction, an impediment to focusing on what matters. 'What do you mean, do I tie my left shoe first?' asked head coach Bill Belichick when the subject was broached. 'No. There's plenty of people who do that but you're not talking to one of them. There's gotta be more to it than wearing the same underwear. I don't buy into it and I won't knowingly let [the team] buy into it. We're not doing something one week because we won when we did it two weeks ago.'" full story

	Belichick: Genius At Work 24-Oct-2004, Newsday "Belichick owes much of [his] creative genius to his intense scrutiny of game films. He began studying them as a child, sitting next to his father, Steve, a former assistant coach at Navy. The elder Belichick used to take his son to the Annapolis train station on autumn Monday mornings to pick up game films of the upcoming opponent, and the two would examine the intricacies of the game. 'I think I had an appreciation for it early,' Belichick said. 'A lot of times, guys don't watch film until they get to college. But I was 10 years old and studying it. Film was important to me.'" full story

	Boston Sports Media Watch 22-Oct-2004, BostonSportsMedia.com "As for the Patriots, how crazy is it that they are going for the 'Official' league record for consecutive victories (already owning the 'unofficial' record) this Sunday against the New York Jets, and no one is saying a peep about it. Maybe it's better that way, it seems to have made Bill Belichick's press conference's even better, you need to check out today's transcript. Maybe it was because there were only hard-core football writers there, but this stuff is as informative as you're going to see anywhere. It continues to boggle my mind how media types complain about Belichick being boring and dull. They want the Bill Parcells' 'She' material all the time, yet if you take the time to read and listen, Belichick tells you 100 times more about the nuances of football than Parcells or probably anyone else does." full story

	Patriots Let Results Make All The Noise 22-Oct-2004, Newsday "They have won 20 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in NFL history. They're the defending Super Bowl champs. They're 5-0 and tied with the Jets for first place in the AFC East. A win over the Jets on Sunday at home and they're alone at the top. If ever there is a team in the NFL that has a right to feel good about itself, it's the Patriots. But they don't." full story

	The Patriots Act: CEO Belichick Has Created The Model Organization In Today's NFL 20-Oct-2004, SI.com & NPR News "Presumably Belichick is a fine coach on the field, but in a way, we don't really know. Maybe it doesn't matter. We do know that he has superb assistants. Football, like the army, is a hierarchical enterprise. Staff officers are crucial. And just as crucial, Belichick has developed a system to deal with the bureaucratic intricacies of the business of football today, where the salary cap and free agency force complicated decisions on all franchises. It is primarily Belichick's ability to manipulate personnel and finances that have made the Patriots the winner of a record 20 straight games. Management executives and academics see Belichick more as a CEO than a coach." full story \| full audio

	A League Of Their Own 18-Oct-2004, Sports Illustrated "The most amazing thing about the run is the ever-changing Patriots' roster. This is Belichick's fifth year as coach. At the beginning of every season he has had at least 10 starters who weren't in the opening day lineup the previous year, including a dozen guys in '04 who were not in the lineup that opened the season for last year's title team. This year the Pats replaced their running back, the fullback, a wideout, three offensive linemen, the tight end, two defensive linemen, two linebackers and the free safety. By comparison, the lineup for the '72 Dolphins had only three changes from 1971. In '73 Miami changed two starters." full story

	Like Wilfork, Belichick Doesn't Give Much Ground 15-Oct-2004, Providence Journal "Little about the Patriots is underrated anymore, but the nuances of a Bill Belichick news conference are still largely underappreciated. There are days when Belichick is so deadpan he'd make straight-faced comedian Stephen Wright check the coach for a pulse, but regardless of delivery, there is usually some heft to what the coach has to say when he's allowed to roam with game-related thoughts." full story

	New England Simply The Model Franchise 15-Oct-2004, St. Petersburg Times "Rams coach Mike Martz said he 'can't even fathom' winning 19 straight and believes getting to the milestone starts with coach Bill Belichick… 'One of the best things he does is he keeps everybody level-headed,' Martz said. 'It isn't a team of superstars. He has a real solid team atmosphere and he keeps their feet on the ground because he has his feet on the ground… That's how he coaches, that's why he's got it going so well.'" full story

	Go 2 Guy: Tale Of A Dogged Newshound 14-Oct-2004, Seattle Post-Intelligencer "After shaking his hand, I could tell he was in a hurry and had time for one quick question, causing me to pull out old reliable, the query that inarguably measures the greatness of a man. 'Got any dogs?' I asked. Belichick looked at me like I was out of my mind, an astute observation from a genius. But right when I thought he might go Joe Paterno on me, Belichick said: 'Yes, I've got two. They're English white golden retrievers.' Vince Lombardi, step aside." full story

	Team Takes It 'One Game At A Time' 13-Oct-2004, ESPN.com "Clichés are tired and trite, but they are also true. The New England Patriots believe in them, which is why they have managed to win one game at a time – 19 times in a row. After the Patriots handled the Miami Dolphins 24-10 last Sunday, they celebrated their NFL record by orchestrating what has become the ultimate victory cliché. Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison doused head coach Bill Belichick with a vat of Gatorade on the sidelines at Gillette Stadium." full story (subscribers only)

	Brains Over Brawn 12-Oct-2004, SI.com "What continues to impress me is that they have smart players who get it. They want to win. Some players say, 'I just want to win. And I'll sacrifice a few bucks to do it.' At least six Patriots have proven this in the last year and a half. Tom Brady saw Peyton Manning and Chad Pennington get $58 million in new bonus money before this season. They've combined to win no Super Bowls. Brady's won two… These guys know they're in a special place in time, and they're not going to screw it up. I give Bill Belichick his due in Sports Illustrated this week on the terrific coaching job he's been doing (surprise!), and I urge you to read it if you want to know how a very good team stays very good." full story

	It's Pats, Then Everyone Else 10-Oct-2004, Newsday "If the Patriots beat the Dolphins today at home…they will be the first NFL team to win 19 consecutive games. Five other NFL teams have won 18 in a row, with the 1997-98 Broncos the most recent team to accomplish the feat before the Patriots… 'It really doesn't affect me,' Belichick said. 'I am respectful of the situation … but it doesn't have a lot to do with what we are doing. It doesn't affect what our preparation is. It doesn't affect what our game plan is. It doesn't affect how we practiced. That is all determined by the opponent we are facing. It is all determined by Miami and what we have to do for this week.'" full story

	This Doctor Orders A Cliché A Day 08-Oct-2004, Detroit Free Press "ESPN interviewed [Dr. Don] Powell Tuesday for an 'NFL Countdown' segment on Belichick, who's known to be a master of the cliché. It is expected to air between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 'His use of clichés is a way of motivating his players, but also not providing fodder for the other team,' Powell said." full story

	Take Less, Win More Is Their Battle Cry 07-Oct-2004, Boston Herald "One of the reasons why the Patriots have a chance to be a consistent championship contender through the salary cap era is that they have enough players who operate under a different philosophy. Left tackle Matt Light and special teams captain Larry Izzo are just the latest examples. Both players recently came to terms on contract extensions with the Pats, giving up the chance to make bigger scores as unrestricted free agents after the season. Both followed the lead of several teammates who decided that playing for a championship organization was more valuable than a higher number on their contract." full story

	Patriots Are Best Because They're The Smartest 07-Oct-2004, Sun-Sentinel "They are the thinking person's football team, one that should change the way all people think about pro football. Their run has been borne more of brains than of brawn. They have proved how much intelligence matters in this sport, with nimble minds as valuable as robust bodies." full story

	Mike Martz On Bill Belichick 07-Oct-2004, St. Louis Rams "I think you're talking about one of the best coaches to ever coach the game to begin with, in Bill Belichick. To be able to do what he's accomplished, and put together what he's put together is remarkable in today's NFL, how things are done. I don't know if people really appreciate what he's been able to do to keep that team together. To have changes, and the injuries he's had, they just keep finding a way to win. The best thing he's done, as good as anybody in the league, is keeping his team as a team. They're connected, and they really kind of disdain that superstar mentality, and I think it works well." full transcript

	Don Shula On Bill Belichick 05-Oct-2004, NFL "It's just a tremendous job that Bill has done in New England, two out of the last three Super Bowls. And I think that's what he cares about more than the streak at this time… I know that Bill would be proud of breaking the record, but the record that he's looking for is winning the big game at the end of the year." full audio

	Patriots Tie Unofficial Standard For Victories In A Row 04-Oct-2004, New York Times "After adding a touchdown on a fumble return, the Patriots won, 31-17, in front of 72,698 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The victory was New England's third in a row to open the season, its 15th in succession in the regular season and its 18th straight victory over all, including the postseason. The Patriots joined four teams with 18 consecutive victories, although the N.F.L. acknowledges only regular-season victories in its record book." full story

	Pats Attitude Right For Continued Success 03-Oct-2004, NFL.com "Yes, their success is about talent and about excellent coaching, to be certain. But it's also about attitude. With two Super Bowl victories in the last three seasons, a winning attitude seems pretty much a given. What's truly remarkable about the Patriots is their ability to maintain a workman-like attitude these past few years, especially the past two seasons." full story

	Patriots' Win Streak 03-Oct-2004, Florida Times-Union "The Patriots are aiming for a place in NFL history today when they play at Buffalo in search of their 18th consecutive victory over the last two years. A victory would enable them to become just the seventh pro team to achieve that feat. If the Patriots beat the Bills and then the Dolphins next Sunday, they'll become the first team to win 19 in a row, including playoff games. Since the NFL officially doesn't mix regular season and playoff games in its record books, the Patriots are three shy of the regular-season record of 17 in a row set by the 1933-34 Chicago Bears." full story

	No Past Or Future For Pats – Only The Here And Now 01-Oct-2004, Providence Journal "In most cases, such statements are just lip service, a meaningless variety of sports psycho-babble. For the coaches, it's usually wishful thinking. For the players, it's baloney. But not in the case of the Patriots, who have bought into the Belichick approach, take it seriously, truly believe in it, and make it work so successfully. 'Last year is over,' said The Coach. 'I think we've talked enough about that. Right now, a streak of one division win would be what I'm looking for – one division win.'" full story

	Belichick's NFL Success Is Anything But Boring 01-Oct-2004, Democrat & Chronicle "With a 7-1 post-season record – second only to the immortal Vince Lombardi – Belichick is at the top of his game. At just 52 years old, he could spend the next 10 seasons cementing his place in football history. He may have the staying power because he's not distracted by the pursuit of airtime or headlines. It's the game, not fame that fuels him. He's happy to let his players get the publicity, just as long as they don't forget his team-first, individual-second credo." full story

	Coaching Fraternity 01-Oct-2004, Hartford Courant "For more than 20 years, Nick Saban and Bill Belichick have done things virtually the same way. Their coaching styles mirror each other, born of a longstanding friendship, both professional and personal. They are no-nonsense men, with a keen attention to detail and a genius for defense. And then early this year, the two 52-year-olds suddenly had something else in common. In the span of a month, both coaches reached the pinnacle." full story

	Pats' Belichick The Model Teams Now Want To Copy 30-Sep-2004, Providence Journal "Belichick is viewed differently now. It no longer matters that his news conferences lack the kind of inherent theater that the Tuna's did. No longer matters that he's never going to say a lot, that there's always a moat around both his feelings and how he runs his football organization. No longer matters that once upon a time he seemed to be the antithesis of the popular perception of what a coach of legend was supposed to be. Now, everyone wants a coach like Belichick, and if there's a certain irony to that, so be it." full story

	E=TD SQUARED 28-Sep-2004, Boston Globe "Why aren't we surprised that Patriots coach Bill Belichick wrote the forward to Timothy Gay's new book, 'Football Physics'? (A professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Gay demonstrates how scientific principles figured into Steeler Franco Harris's Immaculate Reception, among other great pigskin moments.) Belichick, who majored in economics at Wesleyan, writes that 'while some observers see only carnage and chaos, brilliant athletic performances and bone-jarring collisions, the science-minded see the field as a working laboratory.'" full story

	The Confidence Factor, From One With Plenty Of It 26-Sep-2004, Boston Globe "There are dozens of heroes, from Mandela and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to corporate chiefs Jim Kilts at Gillette Co. and Gordon Bethune at Continental. What such leaders have in common is a belief in confidence as a system and what Kanter calls an 'egoless' management style that consists of listening, fostering open dialogue and initiative, holding others to their goals, and inviting them to believe in themselves and rise to the occasion." full story

	Heeding The Call: As A Member Of The Patriot's 'Brain Trust,' Ernie Adams '71 Strategizes For The Super Bowl Champs Fall 2004, Andover Athletics "While there are many members of the Patriots organization more visible, there are few who contribute more to the team's success than Ernie Adams '71, sometimes referred to as the head coach's right-hand man. Belichick and Adams, offensive line mates on an undefeated 1970 football team at Andover and friends who spent time in the dormitory drawing up football plays on scrap paper, are still collaborating 33 years later with tremendous success." full story (Adobe Reader required)

	Faulk Speaks About Return 22-Sep-2004, Patriots.com "Just more than a week after he returned to the Patriots following the death of his mother, running back Kevin Faulk spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about his two-week hiatus from the team…'When my mom was sick, I was going to be down there,' Faulk said. 'Coach [Bill] Belichick, being the coach that he is, he was like 'However much time you need to be down there with your family, or whatever you need, I grant you that.' That just goes to show how much class the organization has.'" full story

	Bill Belichick on Patriot Reign: Bill Belichick, The Coaches, And The Players Who Built A Champion during Patriots Monday on WEEI 20-Sep-2004, WEEI "The reason that Michael [Holley] had the access that he did was to give the fans a look at kind of how the organization runs a little bit, and some of the things behind the scenes. That was the arrangement that we had with Michael when he did the book. It was about the background, the preparation, how things work, meetings, a little bit of a week-to-week or day-to-day type of routine, kind of what the fans don't see. And it wasn't done with the idea to stir up a lot of controversy, and try to take something and manufacture it into a big story." full transcript

	Sox, Ryder Cup Team Could Learn Something From Pats 20-Sep-2004, Providence Journal "For the last 17 consecutive games, the Patriots have walked off the field winners. For nearly a year now – ever since last Sept. 28 at Washington – the Patriots have done whatever they have needed to do to win. Against good teams, and mediocre teams, and bad teams – in the snow, in the bitter cold, in the pouring rain, in oppressive heat and energy-sapping humidity – whether a season opener, or a Super Bowl, the Patriots always find a way to win." full story

	Wesleyan An NFL Footnote 20-Sep-2004, Record-Journal "When Patriots head coach Bill Belichick won a second Super Bowl in February, he joined an elite fraternity of two-time winners that includes legendary names such as Lombardi, Shula and Landry. What is in some ways almost as impressive is that Belichick has thrust his alma mater, Wesleyan University in Middletown, a small, Division III, liberal arts college, to the forefront of the football universe." full story

	Bill Belichick On 60 Minutes 19-Sep-2004, CBS News "The biggest stories in pro-football today aren't about quarterbacks or wide receivers – they're about coaches… Why has the coach become such a big star? 60 Minutes figured the best way to find out was to go to the two head coaches from the last Super Bowl, Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and John Fox of the Carolina Panthers. Correspondent Lesley Stahl reports." full video + transcript

	Building Programs Using Belichick's Blueprint 18-Sep-2004, New York Times "These days, life on the sideline is nearly as good for Belichick's boys as it is for the man who has led New England to two Super Bowl victories in three years. Four coaches who worked for Belichick in Cleveland between 1991 and 1995 have college programs in the Associated Press Top 20 this week. Belichick has become the most respected coach in the N.F.L., and his ideals and habits are also thriving in the college game." full story

	Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure Opening September 17th 16-Sep-2004, New England Patriots "Audiences will be able to help support the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation when they see Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure, opening September 17 at The Feinstein IMAX® Theatre, Providence Place… Three years ago, Head Coach Bill Belichick brought the team to the Feinstein Theatre for a special engagement of Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure because of its inspirational message of teamwork and human endurance." full story \| more

	SI Players Poll: Who Is The Best Coach In The NFL? 14-Sep-2004, Sports Illustrated "Q: Who is the best coach in the NFL? Bill Belichick 45%; Bill Parcells 9%; Tony Dungy 8%; Dick Vermeil 8%; Steve Mariucci 5%; Brian Billick 4%; Mike Shanahan 3%; Marvin Lewis 3%; John Fox 3%; Andy Reid 3%… Q: Who would you most want to play for? Tony Dungy 19%; Dick Vermeil 10%; Bill Belichick 10%; Bill Parcells 7%; Steve Mariucci 7%; Marvin Lewis 6%; Brian Billick 5%; Mike Shanahan 4%; Jeff Fisher 4%; Joe Gibbs 4%." full story

	Collector's Corner 12-Sep-2004, Providence Journal "COACHES SIGNING: Almost overlooked in the flurry of football cards on the hobby market are two series of cards that feature the autographs of National Football League coaches. The most ambitious are in a Topps program called 'Ring of Honor Coaches Cuts' in its 2004 Football set that boasts cards with the 'cut' signatures of all 38 winning Super Bowl coaches including Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick." full story \| more info

	2004 NFL Opening Kickoff 10-Sep-2004, Boston Globe "Ceremonies commemorating the Patriots' triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII were part of a one-hour live pregame special on ABC that featured musical performances from four stages at the stadium… Patriots owner Robert Kraft took the stage and was greeted by a rousing ovation from the capacity crowd. 'Fans of New England,' he began, 'exactly two years ago to the day, I stood here with you to celebrate a very special evening. On that night, we opened the privately financed Gillette Stadium and raised our first championship banner in our 42-year history. Both of these tremendous accomplishments would not have been possible without the unwavering support of you, the fans of New England. On behalf of our family and our team, we thank you very much.'" full story

	Patriots, Colts Must Forget Hype, Past To Focus On Game 09-Sep-2004, Associated Press "Forget last season's win over Indianapolis in the AFC championship game. Don't focus on the Super Bowl title two weeks later. Block out Elton John's pregame performance tonight. The New England Patriots know they must ignore the past and the pomp in their season opener against the Colts. 'All that matters is how it goes this Thursday,' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. 'That's all that matters.'" full story

	Patriots Defy Odds In Face Of Salary Cap, Free Agency 09-Sep-2004, USA TODAY "The Patriots' Prototype: In addition to talent and measurable assets such as size, speed and strength, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick outlines five keys he carefully considers when evaluating players: Toughness… Intelligence… Commitment and work ethic… Ability to take coaching… Ability to mesh into a team environment…" full story

	Coach's Roots Firmly Planted 09-Sep-2004, Boston Herald "Given how difficult it is to win a Super Bowl, it's amazing how much movement there has been among championship coaches. It's enough to give Patriots fans pause, wondering if Bill Belichick could ever add his name to the list. Forget it. Belichick has no desire to go anywhere else, and when it comes to the owners' office, the feeling is mutual. Belichick has three years left on his current contract, but it's a safe bet that Belichick's tenure will stretch far beyond that time frame." full story

	The Face You Rarely See 08-Sep-2004, Associated Press "'I have seen a more nurturing side of him,' said wide receiver David Patten, who played only six games last year because of a knee injury but had an outstanding training camp. 'He'd pull me aside and say, 'Look, man, we really hate that you're not out there with us. We miss you.' Just letting me know how much he appreciated me. Once a coach establishes how much he cares about you, there's nothing a player wouldn't do for him on the field.'" full story

	Belichick Has Strong Shot At 3rd NFL Title 07-Sep-2004, NBC Sports "Belichick has an uncanny way of not letting his team get untracked and out of focus. That many of his players are afraid of him may have something to do it. Today's athlete isn't frightened of much. But Belichick has his players on a leash. At the Super Bowl last season, many players were hesitant to even be quoted about their coach. And the topics were of the flattery variety. Belichick gets the same respect that Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry did from their players. That's why he's the best." full story

	3 B's: Brady, Belichick – Better? 06-Sep-2004, Sacramento Bee "A solemn reminder for Brady and the other Patriots, often pointed out to them during mediocre exhibition play, is that after winning their first Super Bowl to cap the 2001 season, they failed to make the playoffs the following year. But, by retooling under Belichick, who is adept at getting the most out of draft choices and free agents, the Patriots came back strong in 2003. They overcame a controversial start to the season that tested their character and ultimately drew admiration league-wide." full story

	The Coach & The Quarterback 05-Sep-2004, Eagle-Tribune "From afar, the two most important employees of the New England Patriots couldn't be more polar opposites. Brady is Hollywood. Belichick is Bedford Falls. Brady is limelight. Belichick is night light. Brady has beautiful women at his beckon call. Belichick has a beautiful mind." full story

	Two-Time Champs Focus On Next Game, Not Making History 04-Sep-2004, Associated Press "Dynasty is not in Belichick's game plan. 'Right now I'm thinking about this week's game and the opener against Indianapolis,' he said before an exhibition game at Carolina last month. 'That's long term for me.' … 'Football,' Belichick said, 'is a lot of short-term goals.'" full story

	Best Coaches In The NFL 03-Sep-2004, Forbes Magazine "Last season the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl, even though their player expenses were just $97 million, tied with the Chicago Bears at 23 out of 32 teams. That landed their head coach, Bill Belichick, in first place in our NFL ranking of player-costs-to-win ratio (each postseason win carries twice the weight of a regular season win)." full story

	Trust Belichick To Know Exactly What He's Doing 03-Sep-2004, Union Leader "After the 31-0 loss, Belichick said he made the decision to keep his starters out of the game because they played a lot in Saturday's loss to Carolina and the reserves didn't. He also said he didn't want to take a chance with a relatively short week to prepare for Thursday's season opener against Indianapolis. And he said it was important for everyone to play now to give the team the depth it needs at the end of the season." full story

	Belichick Smart To Follow His Own Advice 01-Sep-2004, NFL.com "The finest piece of journalism produced on any recent Super Bowl Sunday was the article that Patriots coach Bill Belichick wrote for the New York Times two seasons ago that appeared on the newspaper's op-ed page… Reminded about the article Tuesday, Belichick smiled as if he were as proud of that piece as he was for one of his coaching victories. And he should be. But as this season gets set to kick off, there is one point that would be worthwhile for Belichick to reread. 'XXIV. You'll notice that all your opponents know your team a little better than they did this season: They'll hit you a little harder and play a little better when you show up. Deal with it.'" full story

	Belichick Cranks Up The Tempo 27-Aug-2004, Journal Register News Service "Practice was so sloppy last week that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick felt it was time to crank up the volume – literally. For the past three days, the players have executed drills and ran formations with the sounds of Bon Jovi and Def Leppard echoing in the background. This is not some sort of 1980s rock reunion tour – it's Belichick's way of simulating crowd noise." full story

	Smiles, On Further Review 27-Aug-2004, Boston Globe "Four or five times since the Patriots captured their second Super Bowl in three years, Belichick has watched the tape not for preparation or game planning but for sheer enjoyment, a departure from the all-business, everything-must-have-a-purpose perception of the coach. 'I definitely enjoyed it,' Belichick said, a rare smile on his face. 'It has a happy ending.'" full story

	'Razor' Sharp Rap Trio Salute Patriots 24-Aug-2004, ESPN.com Page 3 "Fakts One is a noted Patriots fan, too. The trio's devotion to the Patriots is made clear through the intensity of 'The Razor'. No Patriot player has publicly commented on the song yet. However, Akrobatik assures Page 3 that head coach Bill Belichick heard 'The Razor' and is a 'big fan.'" full story

	Born To Win 23-Aug-2004, SI.com "Early this offseason, I told my pro football editor, Mark Godich, that I wanted to write about Bill Belichick. I wanted to find out who he is. Mark got it approved, and so I set off on my mission…most of the story made the magazine a couple of weeks ago (Aug. 16), the one with Joe Namath on the cover. But I thought: Why not let some of the stuff that didn't make it see the light of day in MMQB?" full story

	Five Questions With … Bill Belichick 17-Aug-2004, SI.com "His team will enter the 2004 season with a 15-game winning streak, and two of the past three Super Bowl trophies on display. But New England head coach Bill Belichick still has the mien of a man who has never admitted to having a carefree moment in his life. Belichick is back at work these days, and that's bad news for the other 31 NFL teams' title aspirations. He spoke Tuesday at training camp with SI.com's Don Banks." full story

	Peter King's Monday Morning QB: Loading Up 16-Aug-2004, SI.com "From Anthony Grasso, of Flanders, N.J.: 'Your Sports Illustrated article on Bill Belichick was excellent. I always rooted against Bill because I had this idea he was a mechanical robot kind of coach and would never be flexible enough to succeed as a head coach. Boy, was I wrong on both counts! He has tuned out to be maybe the best coach in the NFL and he's much, much more interesting than I ever thought. His homework is incredible but he also understands the human element better than many/most of his contemporaries. I have become a Belichick rooter now.' Thanks a lot. I found him far more interesting than I thought I would, and I left a lot of stuff out of the piece that I'm going to share in the coming weeks in this column." full story

	Patriots Have Staying Power 15-Aug-2004, San Francisco Chronicle "Bill Belichick, the New England coach, is to defense in today's game what Bill Walsh was to offense in the 1980s. He is ahead of everybody else, both in terms of his strategy and in his ability to pick players who will fit his system." full story

	Belichick Has The Magic Touch 14-Aug-2004, The Enterprise "Well, Wile E. Coyote can forget about ever coming to work for Bill Belichick. 'He shows the players cartoons,' Boston College hockey coach Jerry York said of the New England Patriots head coach during an appearance on WEEI-Radio some time ago. 'He told us, 'Wile E. Coyote has a great game plan. He's got the (dynamite) and the trap door, but he doesn't execute. The (dynamite) goes off in his hands and the Roadrunner gets away. You have to execute.'" full story

	Brady, Belichick Seem Perfect For Each Other 12-Aug-2004, Providence Journal "Belichick needs players who can execute his football philosophy. Without that player at the most important position on the field, his defensive brilliance, his organizational skills, his work ethic, and all his other coaching strengths could otherwise go for naught in an avalanche of bad quarterback decisions. As a result, both Brady and Belichick seem smart and secure enough to know the value each has in the other." full story

	Master And Commander 09-Aug-2004, Sports Illustrated "It's a short walk to the onetime bedroom of Steve and Jeannette Belichick's only child, now 52 and coach of the two-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The twin beds are made pristinely, as though awaiting military inspection. Two maritime paintings done by amateur painter Steve – hang on the walls. A high school graduation photo of Bill sits on the dresser… 'That room hasn't changed in 40 years,' Bill says when asked about it later." full story

	Patriots Adhere To Bottom Line To Stay On Top 08-Aug-2004, New York Times "With their pragmatic business sense and a strict adherence to finding – and teaching – the players who best fit their program, the Patriots have fashioned a blueprint for sustained success in the N.F.L. They enter the 2004 season with a 15-game winning streak and are well placed to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Denver Broncos did so in the late 1990's. New England, one American Football Conference general manager said, 'is our benchmark.'" full story

	Newest Patriot Appreciates Team's Frankness 06-Aug-2004, Associated Press "After trying out with the defending Super Bowl champions last week, Stubblefield signed a one-year contract Thursday. He said he considers New England coach Bill Belichick a 'a man of his word. I've been hearing it from players who've played under him, played with him in the past, and players who are playing with him now,' he said. 'These guys who I know will tell me the truth if I ask about a head coach.'" full story

	NFL Refs In Town To Brief Players On Rules Changes 04-Aug-2004, Providence Journal "Asked about the changes, Belichick said, 'We try to play within (the rules). Sometimes there's a gray area, but you have to play within them. We don't coach them. There isn't one penalty that we're coaching; if something's illegal, we're coaching them not to do it that way. Nothing's changed from my standpoint.'" full story

	Believe It: Patriots Look Better Than Before 02-Aug-2004, NFL.com "So often in professional sports, a team wins a title and the next season you can hardly recognize the club. Assistant coaches have moved on to take over their own programs, older players have retired into the sunset, up and coming stars have left for bigger paydays on other clubs, and the salary cap forces teams to cut good players. None of that has happened to the New England Patriots. They are back in tact and have gotten better during the offseason." full story

	Patriots Put Super Bowl Championship In Past 30-Jul-2004, ESPN.com "Indeed, while there are old goals, Belichick has created an environment in which not even the most senior players take anything for granted here. That every season begins as a new one, that human memory banks are meant to be annually purged, is a common theme in the NFL as a whole. For whatever reason, Belichick has managed to lift the articulation of that message to art-form status, and his players often speak in Bill-talk when reacting to questions about the past." full story

	Belichick, Patriots Ready To Defend Title 29-Jul-2004, NFL Network "Beginning the defense of a Super Bowl championship, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick joined NFL Total Access via Patriots cam and spoke with host Rich Eisen and Lincoln Kennedy about how his team is looking forward while still staying fundamentally sound." full transcript

	For Pats, It'll Be Hard Work Defending Title 28-Jul-2004, Providence Journal "In the coming weeks, it will be fashionable to wave the 2002 Patriots season around as proof that a Belichick-coached team didn't have the belly to defend. He disagrees. 'I don't think we played or coached well enough (in 2002),' he said… And now? 'We're a much better football team,' he said. 'Forget all the psychology and all that (stuff), we're just a much better football team than that one.'" full story

	Leaving A Mark: The Bill Belichick Coaching Tree, Part 2 of 2 27-Jul-2004, Patriots Football Weekly "At whatever future date Bill Belichick decides to hang up the headset, he will leave behind an unquestioned legacy. But as much as he will be remembered as the guy who brought the New England Patriots to football's zenith, he will also leave a trail of coaching knowledge that may someday be considered alongside the likes of Bill Walsh, George Halas, Tom Landry and the other great knowledge pipelines in the history of the league." full story (subscribers only)

	He Gets Top Bill-ing: GMs Tab Belichick League's Best Coach 24-Jul-2004, New York Daily News "Belichick beat out Parcells and the rest of the field by an impressive margin as the best in the business in a Daily News poll of GMs and team executives. As training camps open this week, the Daily News put together a 12-member blue-ribbon panel of key decision-makers to vote on the league's top 10 head coaches. They requested anonymity in exchange for their comments and votes." full story

	Boston's Best Mastermind: Bill Belichick 23-Jul-2004, Improper Bostonian "ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury called the [Corey Dillon] deal 'an absolutely unbelievable trade for the Patriots.' With two Super Bowl rings, Belichick could trade Tom Brady for a tackle dummy and we'd say 'We can't wait to see where he's going with this.'" full story

	Patriots Feel Super With 'Extra Ingredient' Dillon 22-Jul-2004, USA TODAY "'Whether we won 15 in a row or didn't win 15 in a row,' [Belichick] says, 'nobody cares about that now, certainly not Indianapolis.' … Still, Belichick knows the Patriots are 40-14 over the past three seasons and addressed their only major weakness, at running back, by acquiring Dillon from Cincinnati for a second-round draft choice. 'I'm respectful of it,' Belichick says of the team's recent history, 'but I don't want to dwell on it.'" full story

	Rating The NFL's Top Head Coaches, Coordinators 16-Jul-2004, Pro Football Weekly "History has shown that coaches can play just as important a role in the success or failure of a team as the players on the roster. Pro Football Weekly polled scouts, personnel directors and general managers for their opinions on NFL coaches. Below, PFW ranks the top head coaches and coordinators in the NFL today… Head coaches: 1. Bill Belichick/Patriots Two Super Bowl trophies in three seasons and No. 1 in the minds of many." full story

	ESPY Awards 15-Jul-2004, ESPN "The Detroit Pistons, fresh off their NBA title victory over the Lakers, had a strong night. They won Best Team over the New England Patriots, UConn Men's and Women's Basketball, the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Lightning, while they also took the trophy in the new Best Upset category. Pistons coach Larry Brown edged out Geno Auriemma, Bill Belichick, Bob Ladouceur and Jack McKeon in Best Coach / Manager… In other categories … the Patriots-Panthers Super Bowl [won] Best Game." news story \| espy story

	ESPY-nalsyis [sic], Part 1 13-Jul-2004, ESPN.com Page 3 "BEST COACH – Contenders: Geno Auriemma, Bill Belichick, Larry Brown, Jack McKeon, H.S. football coach Bob Ladouceur. Who Should Win: McKeon, who not only was supposed to be too old, but also followed his gut and let Beckett pitch the decisive World Series Game 6. Who Will Win: Belichick, and I can't say I disagree with the fans; he's so much smarter than every other NFL coach, it's almost unfair. Almost." full story

	The 2004 ESPY Award Nomination Special 21-Jun-2004, ESPN BEST COACH/MANAGER: "Bill Belichick – (VO) 'There's no frills about this guy. He's just a pure, good football coach.' Former defensive wizard, now head coaching genius. Fifteen straight wins and two Super Bowl titles will do that." full transcript

	New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament 17-Jun-2004, Patriots Video News "The Patriots took to the links for the team's 2004 Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament at Belmont Country Club. The PVN camera traveled the course and you won't want to miss the highlights (and lowlights) right here on a full-of-laughs Patriots Video News!" Includes Coach Belichick on the tee, on the green, driving the golf cart, raking the bunker, and holding the flag (10:25-11:12). He and his foursome from Fleet finished 22nd overall. full video

	Jim Brown, Patrick Kerney Get Acquainted 17-Jun-2004, NFL Network "Jim Brown: I'll take a guy that's tenacious, who has great heart and less ability than I would. I'll give you a name, I'll be controversial – I wouldn't want T.O. on my team. Terrell Owens' talent is unbelievable, but the oneness that he deals from would really destroy my concept of how to really go to war. Patrick Kerney: He has big-play ability and the ability to change the face of the game. Do you think that would end up deteriorating a team over the length of a season? JB: If you want an example, just look at New England two out of the last three years. (Coach Bill) Belichick is a genius. He's my partner, he's my friend and they play as a team. Look at the Lakers; that is ridiculous." full transcript

	Pats Ring In Another Title 13-Jun-2004, Patriots Football Weekly "The ring, manufactured once again by Jostens, features 104 diamonds, or a little more than five carats, which is the largest total in history. The crest is shaped in the form of Gillette Stadium with the words 'World' and 'Champions' adorning the top and bottom. Tapered baguettes and princess-cut diamonds represent Patriots fans in the stands. Two sculpted Lombardi Trophies made of diamonds create the ring's centerpiece with a Patriots logo made of red garnet and blue sapphire surrounded by 32 full-cut diamonds, which represent the 32 NFL teams, laying across." full story

	Ring Around The Corner 12-Jun-2004, Patriots Football Weekly "The Patriots will receive their Super Bowl rings on Sunday night in a private ceremony at the home of owner Robert Kraft. A small sampling of comments from players and Head Coach Bill Belichick shows that the team is going to use the celebratory evening to officially close the door on the 2003 campaign. 'I think that really is the last thing to talk about in terms of the '03 season and the ring is symbolic of what the team accomplished and that's what we all play for,' Belichick said. 'It's a prize that you work hard to get so it will be exciting to see it and have it. But at the same time that will be a short window for us to enjoy it and we've got the '04 season upon us.'" full story

	Jim Brown Still Building His Powerful Legacy 05-Jun-2004, Providence Journal "Belichick met Brown when Belichick was head coach in Cleveland. Since, Belichick has done several speeches and appearances for Amer-I-Can. The bond between the two men remains strong. 'He's been an unbelievable force,' said Brown. 'After five minutes with Bill, we became friends. We have the same desire to win, the same work ethic. We think the same. He is a special person and a lot of people don't understand how special he is.'" full story

	Raiders' New Defensive Coordinator Cites Dad, Belichick As Mentors 27-May-2004, Pro Football Weekly "I asked Ryan what it was like to learn under the guidance of his dad, leader of the stingy Bears and Eagles defenses in the 1980s, as well as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, acknowledged in a lot of circles as this generation's defensive mastermind. Very different, those two mentors. Ryan, a distinctly pompous and at times surly old-school character who ruffled as many feathers in his various stops as any coach in recent memory. Belichick, a reticent, reserved thinker who prefers a hooded sweatshirt on the sideline and low-cost, blue-collar players who buy into his team philosophy. But there are similarities too. 'I think they are the two greatest defensive minds in the history of the league,' the younger Ryan offered." full story

	New Punter Already A Hit With Pats Fans 26-May-2004, Patriot Ledger "Miller, a former college teammate of linebacker Tedy Bruschi at Arizona, said the Pats' recruiting pitch was low-key. 'I sat down with coach Belichick in West Palm Beach,' he recalled, 'and he didn't have to say much. It was kind of like 'Jerry Maguire' – 'You had me at hello.'" full story

	Patriots Visit The White House 10-May-2004, Patriots Video News Bill Belichick: "Short speeches make long friendships. I learned that a long time ago." full video

	Remarks By The President 10-May-2004, The White House THE PRESIDENT: "You've got a great head coach, obviously. You can't win Super Bowls 66 percent of the time in a three-year period unless you've got a great coach. (Applause.) Congratulations." full story (includes audio, video & photos)

	Steinbrenner Aims To Put All His Houses In Order 03-May-2004, New York Times "Steinbrenner described meeting the New England Patriots' coach, but in trying to recall his name, he waved an index finger in the air and said, 'Beli … Beli … Belichnikov!' When reminded that the coach is Bill Belichick, Steinbrenner shouted: 'Belichick! Great man! Great leader!'" full story

	Belichick Analysis Gives DVD Extra Points 25-Apr-2004, Boston Globe "Two of the added features reveal insight and a technical advance. As you watch the three postseason games, an icon appears on the screen. Click 'enter' on your remote and a new window appears with coach Bill Belichick breaking down the play in depth and from multiple angles. Belichick picked five plays he considered key in each game and he's in his element in explaining the 'hows' and 'whys.' … For those of us who wonder 'how he does it,' check Belichick's pregame address to the team on Super Bowl morning. It's 4 1/2 minutes long and a must-view." full story

	'Time' Bestows Another Title On Belichick 16-Apr-2004, USA TODAY "Whatever the public perception is of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, TIME magazine believes that winning two Super Bowls in three seasons makes him a hero and an icon. The newsmagazine will affirm that Friday by naming Belichick as one of its 100 Most Powerful and Influential People for the issue on newsstands Monday. Readers also will discover that the coach's reserved reputation is misleading. 'He's not as dull as people think,' said CBS broadcaster Phil Simms, who played quarterback for the New York Giants when Belichick was defensive coordinator. 'Heck, he goes to Bon Jovi concerts!'" full story

	Being A True Patriot Has Its Rewards 30-Mar-2004, NFL.com "'It's an organizational-wide philosophy,' Pioli said. 'In a large part it is the players, but we've got coaches that believe and understand that they have a role. I understand that I have a role. Our scouts know that they have a role. And all of us work, collectively, toward the same goal. Bill's a perfect example of that. He is, in my opinion, the best coach in the National Football League and he doesn't perceive himself that way and he doesn't force himself (on others) that way. It's part of our culture.'" full story

	Football Digest's 2003 NFL Awards: Coach of the Year 22-Mar-2004, Football Digest "'He's hands-down the best coach in the league, whether I like what he's doing or not,' Patriots cornerback Ty Law says. 'If you had asked me [the same question] at the beginning of the year, I'd say, 'Hell, no. How can you cut Lawyer Milloy?' But he changed my mind. He's done an outstanding job. In my opinion, he's Coach of the Year. He can get rid of me, I don't care. He's still the best coach in the league.'" full story

	Belichick Checks In 16-Mar-2004, NFL Europe "Following a solid performance in last Saturday's scrimmage, the Berlin Thunder returned to the field Monday morning for a two a day practice in the mist of a persistent rain… Making a brief appearance during the morning session was Super Bowl winning Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots. Belichick was on hand to witness the progression of New England's five allocated players sent over to NFL Europe this year." full story

	'Super' Guest Visits Red Sox 14-Mar-2004, Boston Red Sox "Red Sox manager Terry Francona had more than just his regular staff of coaches in the dugout for the first few innings of Sunday's exhibition game against the Orioles. For it's not every day you can have the coach of the defending Super Bowl champions on your bench. When Francona saw Bill Belichick sitting in the dugout before the game, he made sure the Patriots' coach knew there was no time limit on his visit." full story + photo

	No Single Approach To NFL Free Agency 29-Feb-2004, Associated Press "'Football is the ultimate team sport. No matter how many 'stars' you have, you're not going to win games without team chemistry,' Robert Kraft, the team's owner, said this week. 'Bill Belichick manages a roster like a stock portfolio. He's always trying to upgrade the bottom of a roster, like you try to upgrade your bottom five or six stocks.'" full story

	Built To Last 09-Feb-2004, Sports Illustrated "The defending champs…have a franchise quarterback in Tom Brady, who's 26 and a sterling 6-0 in playoff games. The coach, Bill Belichick, is 51 and shows no signs of burnout. Because of the emphasis Belichick puts on developing young talent, the 53rd player on New England's roster is better than most other teams' 40th player. 'Individuals go to Pro Bowls,' vice president for player personnel Scott Pioli said last week. 'Teams win championships. We keep that in mind with every player we bring on this team.'" full story

	Red, White And Two 09-Feb-2004, Sporting News "For a moment, he stepped out of type. For a moment, he displayed emotion that he usually masks so well. For a moment, Bill Belichick reacted just as you'd hope he would, considering his Patriots had just won a second riveting Super Bowl in three years, pulling it out with the cool ruthlessness that reflects everything strong and enviable about their coach. For a moment, Bill Belichick smiled and celebrated and relished the pure joy that accompanies these rare and wondrous moments in sports." full story

	Fight To The Finish 09-Feb-2004, Sports Illustrated "After giving a bland breakdown of strategic priorities during a team meeting last Saturday night, Belichick mesmerized his troops by holding up the Lombardi Trophy that New England had won two years earlier and placing it on a table. The room went silent for a few seconds, and then Belichick finished by saying, 'Look, guys, this is what we're playing for. Let's put this week in perspective: It's not about the parties; it's the trophy. Only 37 teams can say they've owned this. You guys can be the 38th.'" full story

	Belichick Cements 'Genius' Status With Win 08-Feb-2004, Associated Press "The New England coach earned his second NFL title Sunday, guiding the Patriots to a 32-29 victory that wasn't sealed until Adam Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left. Only then did Belichick allow himself to acknowledge the remarkable winning streak that carried the team from October to February. 'You win 15 games in a row and that culminates in a Super Bowl championship – I can't say enough about the players,' Belichick said. 'They've been in so many tough situations and they've always managed to come through and come out on top. It's been an unbelievable team and been a real thrill for me to coach them.'" full story

	The Classy Belichick Is Keeping His Last Laughs To Himself 08-Feb-2004, Plain Dealer "When Letterman asked him if he saw the Janet Jackson incident, Belichick said the Patriots were in the locker room and that 'nobody kept us abreast of it.' It broke his Cleveland record for funny lines (zero). It's just another case of Belichick getting the last laugh. Over and over at Cleveland's expense he's done that, without ever ripping his media critics for shallow personal attacks. We're guilty as charged. But he has been all class." full story

	Sunday Q&A: Bon Jovi Provides Rock To Build On 08-Feb-2004, Star-Ledger Q: "Are you surprised your friend Bill Belichick won another Super Bowl?" Jon Bon Jovi: "No. Belichick has four rings and as we know, he didn't receive those other two on the Giants for free. He made Cleveland into a playoff team. The Jets were contenders. As a head coach, he's proven to the world that he doesn't stand in anyone's shadow." Q: "What if he decided to coach in the AFL?" Jon Bon Jovi: "I'd have the first dibs on his contract." full story

	Savoring Victory Is Alien To Belichick 07-Feb-2004, Providence Journal "So what if he was on Dave Letterman's Late Show, dined with former President George Bush and has been widely hailed as the best coach in the NFL after directing his team to its second dramatic Super Bowl win in three years? The Mr. Spock detachment that Bill Belichick has remains intact." full story \| more

	Belichick Super On Letterman 06-Feb-2004, Boston Globe "When Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks, people listen. Belichick's appearance Wednesday night on David Letterman's 'Late Show' drew one of the largest local audiences for the show. The Belichick edition of Letterman, which also featured supermodel Cindy Crawford, pulled in a 6.8 rating (that's about 150,320 viewers) for local CBS affiliate Channel 4. The show also garnered a 22 share, which means that nearly a quarter of the TVs in use were tuned to Letterman." full story \| full video

	Selfless Patriots Show How It's Done 04-Feb-2004, Washington Post "'I think I've coached close to 500 games, and I've never been in one that drained me as much,' Belichick said on the morning after. 'The feeling at the end was great, but the process was tough on the heart.' NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said: "This is one of those moments after a Super Bowl game where you're still catching your breath with excitement. You know you've seen a very special sporting event.'" full story

	Shula Sees More Super Wins For Belichick 04-Feb-2004, NFL.com "After leading the New England Patriots to two Super Bowl victories in three seasons, Belichick seems poised to move ahead of the pack. [Don] Shula, for one, wouldn't be surprised if he did. 'He's got an opportunity to maybe go ahead of everybody,' said Shula…'He's still a young guy (at age 52). He's got a great future ahead of him after early accomplishments.'" full story

	Master Of The Plan 03-Feb-2004, Boston Globe "At yesterday morning's news conference, Belichick would not touch any questions about coaching greatness or dynasties. This is a man who lives by the mantra 'it is what it is.' But his New England Patriots are world champs and Belichick has a fourth Super Bowl ring, to go along with the two he won in New York as Giants defensive coordinator and the one he won two years ago as the architect of New England's improbable victory in Super Bowl XXXVI… Belichick is 2-0 in Super Bowls as a head coach." full story

	Winners Are One Of A Kind 02-Feb-2004, Boston Globe "'Here's all you have to know about our team,' Belichick said. 'We won all those games in a row, and not one person wants to take credit for it. Not one guy. Brady credits the offensive line. The coaches credit the players. Ty [Law] got three interceptions in the AFC Championship game, and he says the pressure from the defensive line made it possible. How cool is that?'" full story

	The Mastermind 01-Feb-2004, Akron Beacon Journal "Consider that Newsday said Belichick is 'one win away from his second Super Bowl championship and further affirmation of his stature as one of the greatest strategists in NFL history.' The guy who got run out of Cleveland on a rail now is riding high in New England. What happened to change him? Belichick would say nothing. This is the same guy, after all, who took his TV and radio money and divided it among his assistant coaches, and who worked out a deal with a clothing company to give all his coaches a hefty line of credit." full story

	Incremental Analysis, With Two Yards To Go 01-Feb-2004, New York Times "The academic paper that David Romer began writing two years ago did not look like something that could determine the outcome of a Super Bowl. Sure, it was an analysis of whether professional football teams punt more often than is rational, but it seemed intended mainly for the amusement of sports fans who happen to be professors… But when his conclusion – teams punt too much – began getting attention last summer, a reporter asked Bill Belichick, the coach of the New England Patriots, about the paper. 'I read it,' he said." full story

	Being Bill Belichick 01-Feb-2004, Charlotte Observer "Welcome to the ready-for-anything, no-nonsense world of Bill Belichick. Working in the cauldron of the NFL, Belichick, 51, has come from a less-than glamorous football background to the brink of a second Super Bowl championship in three seasons. As the neighborhood kids can attest, Belichick's 29-year NFL career can be credited to work ethic, attention to detail and an occasional twist of innovation, all coming from an intellectual mind that misses nothing." full story

	Belichick, Barkley Proof That Opposites Attract 31-Jan-2004, Houston Chronicle "'I like to call Bill up every couple of weeks, especially during the season, to check in, see how things are going and to try to keep him loose,' Barkley said. 'Like a lot of people, he's a very different guy from the way he's portrayed in the media. Everybody thinks he's stiff and boring. But the guy I've come to know has a great sense of humor and can really relate to all sorts of different individuals. Just think about it. He has to be able to do that or he wouldn't be such a great coach getting ready to win his second Super Bowl in three years.'" full story

	Is Belichick A Genius? 30-Jan-2004, Star-Ledger "It is perhaps the most overused word in sports. And never has the word genius been worn out on the sports pages more often than in reference to Bill Belichick. In just the past two weeks, pundits have described him as a 'coaching genius,' a 'schematic genius' and a 'game-planning genius.' One newspaper called Belichick a 'certified defensive genius,' as if he had to complete a night school course to earn the label, but 'no fashion genius,' as one style columnist noted." full story

	Belichick Does Just Fine By Himself 30-Jan-2004, The Oregonian "Belichick, 51, has been criticized all week for being himself. It's not enough that he's coached New England to its second AFC championship in three years. It's not enough that the Patriots have won 15 consecutive games this season. And that he's 6-1 all-time in the postseason. We want Belichick to be someone else." full story

	The Cat 'N' The Pat 29-Jan-2004, TIME (February 2, 2004 issue) "Wide receiver Dedric Ward calls Belichick 'the wizard, a guy you never see but know he always has a hand in what's going on.' Says a colleague: 'He's thinking about the next game plan as soon as he's on the plane. Everyone else has to take a nap, or is all about a few cocktails. He uses every possible moment to prepare.'" full story

	Belichick Was Raised To Be A Coach 29-Jan-2004, The Detroit News "'I hung around like any kid would with my dad,' said Bill Belichick. 'As I got older, my dad gave me the opportunity to start doing some things from a football standpoint. I didn't start by breaking down films. More like writing down the down and a distance and trying to get that right. One thing led to another, and a lot of the coaches at the Naval Academy were very supportive and tried to encourage me and give me things to do. They were little bitty things. But as time went by, there were projects. I would say it was definitely where it started.'" full story

	Author, Author: Belichick Receives Raves 29-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "Two years ago, he was the winning coach in the Super Bowl. Sunday he'll be back on the sideline going for a second ring. And last year? Bill Belichick wasn't coaching. He was a member of the loathsome media. Belichick wrote a Super Bowl Sunday column that appeared on the op-ed page of the New York Times." full story

	Chicago Writer: Belichick Has Always Been Worth Watching 29-Jan-2004, Eagle-Tribune "On Nov. 15, 1976, [Terry] Bannon, then 23, covered the Packers-Bears game at Lambeau Field. When he took his seat in the press box, he found himself next to a 24-year-old 'assistant coach' with the Detroit Lions. The young coach's name was Bill Belichick. Belichick, says Bannon, told him he was there to scout the Bears, whom the Lions would play a week later. Bannon got an idea. He wanted to observe Belichick – armed with a stopwatch, binoculars, a notepad and a pen – and ask him questions as the game went on. Belichick said, 'Sure.'" full story

	Coaches As Problem Solvers 29-Jan-2004, York County Coast Star "I was happy to learn that our Bill attended Philips Andover and Wesleyan. He spoke of his education at these two schools in this manner – 'There was a common thread, these schools taught me how to think, how to solve problems.' So we are looking at the coach's foundation – a solid education, one in which he was aware of what he was getting. Is there a clearer statement about the mission of the school than the responsibility to teach students how to think and solve problems? Pass the pretzels, I am sticking around for more of this guy." full story

	For Bill, Difference Is Then … And Now 29-Jan-2004, New York Daily News "Suddenly it is Belichick's operation in New England, top to bottom, that is the envy of everybody else in his sport. Suddenly, in these past three years, he has changed his place in football history. Eight years after they didn't think he could coach in Cleveland, he comes to this Super Bowl as the top coach in the whole business. Win or lose on Sunday." full story

	Bill Belichick, CEO 28-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "Belichick happens to run a football team, but his job description is much the same as any leader or manager: He has to recruit talent, lay out a vision, and motivate his staff to execute on that vision. 'He's done a brilliant job,' said Stuart Sadick, who recruits executives for a living as managing partner of the Boston office for Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., a search firm. [Jack] Welch and Sadick were two of the people we consulted to evaluate Belichick as a manager. Our other consultants were chief executives themselves or academics who study organizations and leadership. It helped that all were Patriot fans." full story

	A Friendship Formed By Fate 28-Jan-2004, Navy Sports "From afar, the Bellino-Belichick connection seems to be one of give and take. When the head coach sought someone to counsel the Pats rookies, he turned to the old Boston-bred halfback. And for each of the last three summers, Bellino has showed up to address those first-year players on a variety of topics. At the same time, Belichick responded when Bellino asked the coach not long ago to join him at a Lawrence, Mass. center to cook and serve meals to the homeless. 'He dug right in,' Bellino says. 'He does things low key.'" full story

	Follow The Belichick Highway 28-Jan-2004, Plain Dealer "'I'm not sure it would have been my first choice for how I liked my head coach to present himself,' [Patriots owner Robert] Kraft said of watching Belichick in media situations. 'We chatted about that. In the end, I'm not into lipstick and powder. I'm into substance and substance is winning football games.' Belichick proved Kraft right and everybody else wrong." full story

	Pioli And Belichick A Nice Team 26-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "[Rodney] Harrison and [agent Steve] Feldman still were wearing shorts the following morning when they stepped off the red-eye into the crisp March air of New England. 'It was about 30 degrees outside,' Harrison recalled. 'I said, 'What am I doing here?'' He was picked up by a team scout in a sedan. The scout took Harrison and Feldman to lunch – at the Ground Round. 'Yeah, they really wined and dined me,' Harrison said. 'No Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in my future. Right to the Ground Round. And you know what? I didn't mind. I liked it, in fact. There was no b.s. about it.'" full story

	More Than A Coach 25-Jan-2004, Eagle-Tribune "While many people rail against Belichick for his aloofness and desire to turn away when the cameras are on, his friends, including his family, know better. As for his friendships with some of the outrageous personalities, including Bon Jovi, Daly and Barkley, Steve Belichick says they must bring more to the table than a big name or some talent. 'People that know him, people that are his friends know he's a nice guy,' said his father Steve. "And his friends are the same way. He doesn't care about that other stuff. I think that's why his friends like him so much.'" full story

	Belichick, Bon Jovi In Perfect Harmony 25-Jan-2004, New York Daily News "They met 15 years ago, when the New Jersey-born Bon Jovi, a die-hard Giants fan, attended practice. Belichick was the defensive coordinator. In 1990, on the night before a memorable Monday night game in San Francisco, they attended a ZZ Top concert together. A friendship was born." full story

	Billy Ball: Belichick Might Be The Best At Teaching Complicated Schemes In One Week Or Less 25-Jan-2004, Newsday "'I would say my confidence really came that first year in Baltimore,' Belichick said. 'I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. I was getting paid nothing because I wasn't worth anything, but they had a small staff because Marchibroda didn't have enough people really to do all the things he wanted done. Even though I was the low man on the totem pole – by a lot – there were still things that he needed done … I think he maybe … felt confident giving me other responsibilities, things like running the scout team on offense.'" full story

	Who Knows The Real Bill Belichick? 24-Jan-2004, New York Daily News "You don't know the other side to the Bill Belichick story. You don't know the 'other Bill,' as his friends like to say. The Bill, a child of the '60s, who can recite verses from any Beatles song. Who listens to Bruce Springsteen, U2 and, if he's in a playful mood, The Jerky Boys, on those long nights in his office. Who counts among his best friends Jon Bon Jovi, the rock star. Who fancies himself as a 'closet drummer' and a 'classic-rock kind of guy,' at least according to Bon Jovi. Who knew?" full story

	Steel-Trap Mind: Belichick's first NFL boss recalls his dedication 22-Jan-2004, Patriot Ledger "Marchibroda's special teams coach, George Boutselis, suggested a 23-year-old kid, fresh out of Wesleyan University. Played some ball himself, albeit in Middletown, Conn. Dad was a longtime assistant at Navy. Maybe a little of the old man had rubbed off on him. What the heck, Marchibroda figured. And that's how he came to interview a very young, very inexperienced Bill Belichick." full story

	Belichick's Boldness Belies His Blather 22-Jan-2004, Newsweek "Rest assured he will not provide a single genuine insight, not into his team's offensive approach, its defensive plan or anything else that he regards as proprietary information. Knowledge, he believes, is power and only gives aid and comfort to the enemy." full story

	Dr Z's All-Pro Team 22-Jan-2004, SI.com "COACH OF THE YEAR: Belichick, and I gave him the award three weeks ago. If Carolina wins the Super Bowl, then our column does an official volte face and … no, I won't do it. John Fox never had to labor under the weight of all those crippling injuries." full story

	Committee Of 101 Announces Six NFL Award Winners For 34th Annual Salute To Professional Football 21-Jan-2004, Kansas City Chiefs "The recipients, selected by a national media committee of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters, were announced today by the Committee of 101… The coaching awards went to Bill Belichick of the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots as AFC Coach of the Year and to Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys as NFC Coach of the Year." full story

	Two Super Bowl Head Coaches With A Giants Connection 21-Jan-2004, New York Times "They worked together one year for Art Modell, and Accorsi had great respect for Belichick. 'We were on a scouting trip for Cleveland one time, and Mr. Modell flew us to four schools in one day in bad weather,' Accorsi said. 'When we got to our hotel, I just wanted a beer and something to eat. I heard Bill arguing with the motel clerk because there was no VCR in the room so he could watch film.'" full story

	Belichick TSN's Coach Of The Year 20-Jan-2004, Sporting News "[The New England Patriots] finished the regular season as the best team in the NFL, a product of exemplary coaching. New England was managed so well that Bill Belichick was a runaway winner of the Sporting News Coach of the Year award in voting by head coaches." full story

	New England Embracing Belichick As A Native Son 20-Jan-2004, Providence Journal "Sunday evening, after the Patriots knocked off the high-flying Indianapolis Colts, the 51-year-old Belichick stood on a podium in the middle of the field… When it came time for him to speak, the Gillette Stadium crowd drenched him with warm and sustained applause, and Belichick, almost sheepishly, thanked the crowd and quickly passed the AFC Championship trophy to his right as if he didn't want to appear too caught up in himself or his team's accomplishments." full story

	Belichick Finally Allows Kid In Him To Emerge 20-Jan-2004, Providence Journal "Just when you think Bill Belichick is really computer-generated, a brilliant football mind created somewhere in the depths of Gillette Stadium, programmed to talk only in clichés and football-speak, there is a glimpse of something else. The sense that beneath all of the game plans and all of the chessboard machinations, the public persona of this great NFL coach, there is a personal side just trying to get out." full story

	Belichick Leads Patriots To Another Super Bowl 19-Jan-2004, Associated Press "In four seasons as New England's coach, Belichick is 44-25, including 5-0 in the playoffs. In the last three seasons, his 39-16 record, including those five playoff wins, is the best of any NFL coach. 'All the credit goes to the players,' Belichick said in his typical, self-effacing manner. 'We've got a good football team and I'm fortunate to be coaching a lot of great players.' And they're fortunate to have him as their coach." full story

	Two Short Yards For Tom Brady, One Giant Statement From Bill Belichick 19-Jan-2004, New York Times "The buttoned-down academician came out ready to make a statement that was less about genius and more about guts. When conventional logic dictated retreat, Bill Belichick gave his team the chance to put a bold first foot forward, to search in the snow for a few Indianapolis mouths to smash." full story

	Invincibility Of Belichick Enhanced By His Invisibility 19-Jan-2004, USA TODAY "'You didn't have to be a personality in the old days,' Steve Belichick said before noting that television called an audible on that. 'It changed the whole picture. Now you have to be a storyteller or have a TV presence in order to get hired.' Not anymore. Not after Steve Belichick's boy changed the rules of sideline engagement." full story

	Belichick's Brilliance Shines Through Snow 19-Jan-2004, USA TODAY "Bill Belichick is the best coach in professional football – yes, the Tuna included – and he is making it look ridiculously simple. It is not that easy, of course, but that is a testament to the man whose career, at one point, appeared in serious jeopardy after getting fired in 1995 from his first job as an NFL head coach in Cleveland following a five-season record of 36-44. Belichick learned from his mistakes, and now the rest of the league is paying for it." full story

	Defensive Game Plan Overwhelms Colts 19-Jan-2004, ESPN.com "There is a reason Belichick is regarded as the preeminent defensive innovator of this NFL generation and, in the New England Patriots' 24-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game here Sunday afternoon, it was again on display. Against an Indianapolis offense that had scored 79 points in two playoff wins, and with quarterback Peyton Manning performing as if he had perhaps invented the forward pass, Belichick unveiled his latest masterstroke design." full story

	Stoic Belichick Proves He's Patriots' Mr. January 19-Jan-2004, Associated Press "Bill Belichick stood on the sideline, his arms stuck in the pockets of his drenched sweatshirt and his expression serious. Sure, the New England Patriots were seconds away from advancing to the Super Bowl. But they haven't won it yet and the public perception of a team without big names doesn't concern him." full story

	Pats Defense Already In Championship Form 18-Jan-2004, NFL.com "Let's face it, the Pats have faced – and conquered – their most daunting task on the way to Super Bowl XXXVIII. They shut down Peyton Manning. Wait a second. 'Shut down' doesn't even begin to describe the magnitude of their accomplishment. They smothered, humiliated, harassed and otherwise did whatever they pleased to the man who received half of the NFL's MVP award and universal acclaim as the hottest quarterback on the planet." full story

	A Bill Of Goods 18-Jan-2004, Plain Dealer "So, does even Belichick think he could have achieved the same success in Cleveland – had Modell stayed and kept him aboard – as he has with the Patriots? He pauses pensively before answering, 'Good question. I don't know.' The truth is, we will never know. No matter how many Super Bowls Belichick wins, his time in Cleveland was what it was – merely a steppingstone to greater times for him." full story

	Kraft's Faith In Belichick Never Wavered 18-Jan-2004, San Francisco Chronicle "'I think, sometimes, people get lost in the lipstick and powder and don't look at the substance,' Kraft said. 'In anything I do, when you see things so differently … you always are looking for the core. In '96, when we went from 6-10 (in 1995) to the Super Bowl, the defense carried it, and a lot of that was the secondary, where he spent a lot of time. I got a chance to interact with (Belichick) and see him." full story

	Belichick Has His Work Cut Out 17-Jan-2004, New York Daily News "Their mission: Figure out a way to slow down an offense that is scoring like a team from the Arena League. Belichick and Crennel worked into the wee hours, cooking up a game plan that will be tested today in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. There was a sense of deja vu for Belichick and Crennel: Suddenly it was January 20, 1991, and the two coaches were on a red-eye flight, San Francisco to Tampa, formulating a game plan for Super Bowl XXV. It was one of the most exhilirating – and tiring – nights of their careers." full story

	For Belichick, An Economy Of Thought 16-Jan-2004, New York Times "Raised in the shadows of the United States Naval Academy, where his father was a football coach, Belichick went on to attend Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., the prep school of President Bush and his father. He graduated from Wesleyan with an economics degree. That education, at two of the country's most elite schools, helped lay the foundation for Belichick's emergence today as one of the best theorists in the N.F.L." full story

	The Great Escape 16-Jan-2004, New York Post "Yesterday, in an exclusive interview with The Post, Belichick recalled [the day he resigned as HC of the NYJ] and those damning words from [Steve] Gutman and delivered his most revealing public words about the subject since it occurred… 'All the things I said then, frankly they've all come true,' Belichick said. 'Every aspect of the organization that I commented on, it looks to me like that's the way I saw it then and that's the way it turned out.'" full story

	Better Than Rest At Playing Close To The Vest 16-Jan-2004, Miami Herald "A pair of straight-faced coaches – New England's Bill Belichick and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy – have made feigning a strategy, not just a personality: …'Total poker face,' New England linebacker Willie McGinest said of Belichick. 'He doesn't try any of that drama stuff. Not him. He probably knows it wouldn't work much anyway.'" full story

	The Anti-Red Sox 15-Jan-2004, Newsweek "The Patriots…are not the Red Sox. In fact, they have become the anti-Red Sox, with absolutely every miracle breaking their way. Close game, fourth quarter, the Patriots – once upon a time the league Patsies – now have the opponent right where they want them. The tandem of quarterback Tom Brady and the NFL's current-ranking genius, coach Bill Belichick, has proved practically unbeatable in close games. Since Tom Brady took over just two seasons ago, he has already led the team – shades of John Elway – to 13 fourth-quarter comeback victories and is undefeated – 7-0 – in overtime games." full story

	Coaching Staffs Will Be Busy Counteracting 15-Jan-2004, ESPN.com "Belichick, quite simply, is arguably the premier defensive mind of this generation. Little known is that Dungy-designed defenses have surrendered the fewest average points per game, a paltry 17.8, for any head coach since the 1970 merger. And so the mind games, the meticulous preparation for a matchup of teams on emotional highs and playing with incredible efficiency, is something akin to a Mensa meeting." full story

	Bill Belichick – NFL Coach of the Year 13-Jan-2004, New England Patriots "Bill Belichick was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press on Jan. 4. Belichick's Patriots are the winningest team in the NFL over the past three seasons and he holds the highest winning percentage of any head coach in Patriots history. In 2003, he led the team to its second division title in three seasons and set a franchise record with 14 regular-season wins to lead the NFL, earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Belichick and his staff used 42 different starters, a feat made necessary due to five opening-day starters ending the season on injured reserve. Despite the changing personnel, the Patriots remained consistently ahead of their opposition, winning 15 of their last 16 games (including playoffs), including a franchise-record 12 in a row to end the regular season." full story not available

	Confidence Man 11-Jan-2004, Yahoo! Sports "In Belichick, the low-key, white-hot Patriots have the game's best coach… Belichick's actions in the 2002 Super Bowl – 1:21 remaining on his own 17, he gave Brady the ball and the quarterback delivered – proved he trusted Brady. The decision still is paying dividends. Martz's, however, casts doubts." full story

	No Time Like Present: Wait Is Over As Pats Set To Tackle Titans 10-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "It has been one year since Belichick challenged himself and his assistants to become better coaches. Belichick was named coach of the year last week, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis have become head coaches-in-residence, and Eric Mangini has guided a secondary with All-Pros Harrison and Ty Law, and rookie starter Eugene Wilson. And they're still not satisfied." full story

	Man Behind The Scenes Never Seen 09-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "'Let me ask you something,' Bon Jovi said, beginning to laugh. 'Have you ever seen him wear his bling-bling? Really. Have you ever seen him wear any of his Super Bowl rings?' The answer would be no. 'You see all these old coaches wearing their rings. They could have won them in the 1970s and they're still wearing them. I work with Jaws [Ron Jaworski] and he wears his NFC Championship ring like it's his wedding band. And he won that thing 23 years ago! You're more likely to see Bill's boys wearing his ring than him.'" full story

	Defense Should Dominate Titans-Patriots Rematch 08-Jan-2004, SI.com "Bill Belichick recently credited every player on his team for the Patriots' success this season, a compliment that was deservedly earned. On a 53-man roster, with 45 active players for each game, Belichick has had 42 different starters at some point in the season. The Patriots start by looking for players who are dependable, smart and self-motivated, then cross-train them so they are prepared to fill in a variety of positions. The result has been nothing short of miraculous: six rookies started this season, several veterans have played multiple positions, and contributions came from short-term free agents such as J.J. Stokes and Dedrick Ward. Fourteen players carried the ball on offense, with the same number credited with sacks on defense. It is not surprising that Belichick was named NFL Coach of the Year." full story (scroll down to Coaches Corner)

	Belichick Named Coach of Year 04-Jan-2004, Boston Globe "Belichick was honored yesterday as the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. 'If you had asked me at the beginning of the year,' Ty Law said, 'I'd say, 'Hell, no! How can you cut Lawyer Milloy?' But he changed my mind. He's done an outstanding job. In my opinion, he's coach of the year. He can get rid of me, I don't care [Law's contract needs restructuring]. He's still the best coach of the year.'" full story

	Belichick Top Coach 03-Jan-2004, Patriots Football Weekly "The Patriots may be about team accomplishment rather than individual awards, but after the Pro Bowl voters snubbed at least one Patriot, the Coach of the Year voters looked to Foxborough and selected Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick as the NFL's top leader in 2003." full story

	Belichick Named AP NFL Coach Of The Year 03-Jan-2004, Associated Press "Bill Belichick owns three Super Bowl titles and Saturday, after his best coaching job, he won The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. In a year of masterful coaching throughout the league, Belichick led the New England Patriots to the NFL's best record, 14-2. The Patriots, fighting off injuries almost from the outset of the schedule, won their final 12 games, setting franchise records for winning streak and victories in one year. They did so in great part because of Belichick's brilliance as a game-planner, motivator and in-game strategist." special section

	Ira Miller's All Pro Team 01-Jan-2004, San Francisco Chronicle "Coach of the year: Bill Belichick, New England. This guy really knows what he's doing. A lot of outsiders thought he was nuts to let safety Lawyer Milloy go on the eve of the opener, but Rodney Harrison proved a very capable replacement, even though many in the league believed him washed-up. New England allowed the fewest points in the league while shuffling players in and out of the lineup because of injuries." full story

| home | about | books | drafts | honors | merchandise | off the field | press conferences |
| quotes | search | schedule | stats | stories | super bowls | tv & radio |

2004 stories