The "Belichick Rules"

[Mr. Scot]

From Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston: Bill Belichick's absence an insult to his peers

Belichick's absence at the once-a-year event fuels the perception that he views himself as bigger than them. Consider the NFL head coaching fraternity. Put yourself in the shoes of the 31 other coaches who entered the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom at 7 a.m., found their reserved table, then looked to the middle of the room over the next 75 minutes to see Belichick's empty.

Belichick didn't break any rules, as the breakfast -- in which head coaches make themselves available to media members -- was not required by the NFL. He won't be fined. That doesn't mean the absence wasn't disrespectful to the rest of the coaches.

So this isn't about a media snub. This is about the feeling among some coaches and executives in the league that there are "Belichick Rules" and there are NFL rules. This is why they sometimes call the league office on various issues and say, "They're not doing it in New England, so why should we do it here?" Of course, this isn't the first time a coach has played hooky at the league's annual breakfast, the one time each year when all head coaches from a conference are in the same room together with media members. Check the archives and one might find a similar story with a different "Bill" as the subject. Bill Parcells missed a few coaches breakfasts back in the day.

The other coaches mainly took the high road when asked about Belichek's absence. I'm just going to try to conduct my business in a manner that I see fit and what I think is appropriate," said Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, turning a question on Belichick's absence inward. "I don't compare myself to any of these men. The battle I fight is a man-versus-himself battle. That's the way I approach my job."

This isn't the first time Belichick has missed a coaches breakfast. In fact, there have been some years when he was a no-show for the entire NFL meetings. This year, it's a bit of a different twist. He's here and simply decided not to attend, later joking with reporters, "Sorry I missed you this morning. Alarm clock just didn't go off." When 31 other coaches are in the room, and one isn't, the empty table stands out.

As does the message it sends to his peers in the head coaching fraternity.

(copied from The Red Zone since the primary link is having issues)

It's easy to get the impression that a lot of his coaching colleagues hate his guts, and I wouldn't just attribute it to his being successful.

[Darth Biscuit]

I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that Bill Bellichick is a dick.

[Hawk]

he was busy watching tape

oops, sorry, no exclamation points, they bother panthro

[Darth Biscuit]

Tape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111!!!!111!

[thefuzz]

He is a shitty man, and for that matter sport, but he does have a very good football mind. And as long as they are in contention he will stay a Pat.

[frash.exe]

overrated pompous ass