Bill Belichick Already Showing Saltiness Ahead Of Brady - Manning XVII
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's almost always amusing to watch Bill Belichick smack down confident reporters who spent hours crafting the perfect question only to get smothered. But the coach also induces eye-rolls at times when he goes out of his way to shut media down. Like "Alright Bill, you can't even give them that?" Like the time he wouldn't even throw a reporter a bone about his Christmas list.
Not that it's a problem; Bill can do and say whatever he wants with the media. He's built up far too much credit to make his curmudgeon-y behavior an issue. But his latest sour grape moment came Monday when asked about Peyton Manning, the Patriots' upcoming opposing quarterback, who stole Bill's line when he said Denver was "On to New England."
Apparently not amused that his now-iconic line has become synonymous with moving on, when asked about Peyton's quote theft Bill said, "I haven't really given it any thought at all ... Is that going to be the big story for the week?"
Then Reiss responded "No," and Bill said, "OK, good." Then New England Salt backed its truck out of the room.
There's no doubt that Bill had given literally a shred of thought about it. But he couldn't resist snorting and grunting at Mike Reiss's question. Sorry Mike, he's a little more worried about the Broncos running game and stopping Peyton's wobbly balls than some silly line-stealing.
Hopefully Belichick's added salt is a product of the last time the Patriots faced a Peyton Manning-led offense in the playoffs - it was ugly. But the Patriots defense is so much better than it was back then - and Peyton is physically so much worse as a passer - that it probably won't go the same way it did two years ago. It's a good sign that the coach isn't taking anyone's crap this week.
Angry Bill is the best Bill. The Patriots have a better chance of winning this Sunday than they did in 2013, but that won't stop Bill and Tom from looking back on that game in anger - and Peyton borrowing Bill's line isn't going to make them any happier.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
