Colts Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton References Spygate When Discussing Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's been a relatively quiet week in New England and Indianapolis in terms of trash talk, as the upcoming playoff game at Gillette Stadium between the Patriots and Colts draws closer.
Now, though, there is something.
It's admittedly not the type of bulletin-board material that jumps off the page, but any time an opposing coach references Spygate, it's going to make the news.
The offender this time was Pep Hamilton, the Colts' offensive coordinator who previously spent three years with the Jets from 2003-05. Hamilton was asked on Thursday about the challenges he faced when he was with the Jets and had to try to beat Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
"I do know for a fact that it was always a 60-minute chess match," he said, according to the Indy Star's Stephen Holder. "It was ever-changing looks and disguises and they always tend to find ways to figure out some of your signals."
Hamilton went on to say that Belichick "will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Football League," but it's likely the Spygate wisecrack which will make a few more headlines.
The reference, of course, is to the Patriots' videotaping opposing teams' coaches, even after being told to stop by the NFL. Former Patriots assistant Eric Mangini, then the head coach of the Jets, blew the whistle on the practice in Week 1 of the 2007 season, and the controversy fueled debate for the remainder of the season. It's a topic that still generates plenty of discussion, as Mr. Hamilton proved on Thursday.
Earlier this week, Belichick was asked on a conference call with the Indianapolis media for his observations on Hamilton.
"He does a good job of misdirection," Belichick said. "He's done a real good job with the offense and they can attack you and hurt you in a lot of different ways."
Belichick was referring to the running and passing game, but you can now add "Spygate digs" to the list.