Bill Belichick was happy to conjure just about every excuse for the 1-12 Cincinnati Bengals ahead of their matchup with the New England Patriots in Week 15. They are a good team, he said. And he went on for 345 words during his opening statement in his Wednesday press conference to explain just how misunderstood the Bengals are.
When it came to talking about that Cincy team, Belichick was an open book. But there was a number of topics that were off limits this week, most notably Spygate 2.0. The Patriots production team was caught recording the Bengals’ sideline in Week 14 in the press box in Cleveland. New England issued a lengthy statement to admit they broke NFL rules but also claimed they did so by accident. The footage was for a documentary series about a scout — and it was not for the team’s use. Either way, it’s a violation.
If that hadn’t taken over the conversation, the Patriots offense would be the main topic of discussion. The unit looked in improved in a Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs — but it has a long way to go if they’re going to win another Super Bowl, which is the unfair bar set in this region.
With that in mind, here’s what Bill Belichick wouldn’t say this week.
About that scout that was in the press box … why didn’t he stop the illegal videotaping?
What he said: “He was doing his job. That’s what he was doing, he was doing his job. Like we all tried to do. That’s what the football team, the football staff and the coaching staff did last week was try to do their job for Kansas City, and then Cincinnati, and then Buffalo next week and that’s it.”
What we think he’s thinking: The scout was busy watching the game, and the production team was filming in a different part of the press box. It’s not the scout’s job to babysit a producer. It’s their job to know the NFL rules, which they broke. And if the Patriots’ story is true, that producer made a tremendously ignorant mistake. The producer’s alibi, however, is comically similar to the one the Patriots used to use during Spygate — which only makes it worse for New England.
Belichick has stated the football team is very different than this video content production team. But where was the disconnect when it came to filling in that production team on NFL rules?
What he said: “I don’t have anything to add to it. I don’t know how many times I need to say that.”
What we think he’s thinking: It’s not clear why the production team didn’t know the rules. That was a massive oversight — and one Belichick can’t be happy about.
Will the offense get their act together this week, as Tom Brady seemed to promise?
What he said: “Every week we try to prepare to play our best on Sunday. That’s what we’ve always done. I don’t see it any differently. You’d have to ask Tom about that, I don’t know.”
What we think he’s thinking: They’d better. Cincinnati is 1-12.
Why aren’t the Patriots getting more recognition in Pro Bowl voting?
What he said: “Honestly, I wasn’t even aware of that. So, I mean, I’ll take your word for it, but I don’t know. That’s not something I followed.”
What we think he’s thinking: The Patriots care about Super Bowls — not Pro Bowls. Still, it seems like guys like Stephon Gilmore, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins wouldn’t mind a little recognition — which is much deserved.
Why isn’t N’Keal Harry playing?
What he said: “N’Keal has made progress in every area. There’s a lot of ground for him to make up based on when he came back off of injured reserve in midseason. He’s working hard at it, he’s improving, but as I said, he’s got a way to go. We’ll try to utilize our team and our players the best way we can based on all the circumstances that are involved in each and every game.”
What we think he’s thinking: He’s not ready for playing time. And it’s unclear when he will be ready. He’s got to be a lot better than what he’s shown. But the Patriots drafted him at 32nd overall — surely, they believe he can be a lot better.
