Belichick Deflects DeflateGate Questions, Focused On 2015
BOSTON (CBS) -- After Patriots owner Robert Kraft stepped to the podium on Wednesday and fired shots at the NFL, Bill Belichick was all about football.
The Patriots head coach stiff-armed every DeflateGate question that was sent his way by the slew of reporters on hand at Gillette Stadium, instead putting his focus on training camp, which got underway today.
"We'll try to have a good day today and then try to have another one tomorrow and just string them along day by day. That's really where we're at. I think Robert [Kraft] took care of the other situation," Belichick said. "Tom [Brady] has already had a statement. So, [there's] nothing really to talk about there. I won't really be dealing with that at all, just trying to get the team ready and prepare for the regular season as we always do and as we did all spring. So there's no change for us on the football team."
Bombarded with more questions about the league's decision to uphold Brady's four-game suspension, Belichick gave an updated version of his famous 'We're on to Cincinnati' soundbite from last season.
"We'll get ready for the 2015 season starting today."
Of course, reporters wanted answers on Wednesday, but no matter how hard they pressed the hooded one, Belichick kept feeding them the same line. At one point, he even added a little advice.
"You heard what Robert just said. It's already been addressed. Maybe you ought to go back and look at your notes," fired back Belichick.
When asked about the reps backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to receive this summer, Belichick remained mum on the situation, saying everyone gets reps during training camp.
"It's a new season for everyone. We all have to reestablish our level of performance whether it's a coach – starting with me – player, assistant coach, anybody else. That's what training camp is for," said Belichick. "It's a new start of the year and we all have a lot of work to do, a lot of preparation. [It's] a long time before we play a game, but we all have a lot of ground to cover between now and then and that includes everybody – players, coaches, assistant coaches – everyone."
Training camp may just be getting underway, but Belichick's press conferences are already in mid-season form.
