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Today in Journalism, Part 2

No chore in journalism, and perhaps no human endeavor period, is more difficult than getting Bill Belichick to say something when he doesn't want to. Bitching about this fact only makes reporters covering the Patriots' coach look like McGroryesque whiners.

A far better approach would be to consider the question from Belichick's point of view. What percentage was there for the coach in saying word one about Adam Vinatieri this week? None, that's what. The only consequences of addressing the topic would be either negative or disastrous.

If Belichick said the Pats could get along without Adam very well, thank you, he'd come off as a complete jerk. And while Belichick is the opposite of superstitious, he knows better than to tempt fate by dissing a talented player on the other team before an important game.

Now suppose Belichick had gotten all warm and fuzzy about Vinatieri, waxing nostalgic about Adam's game-winners in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. How do you suspect that would've gone over with his current kicker, rookie Stephen Gostkowski?

There will be a smidgen of pressure on Gostkowski Sunday night. He hasn't yet been placed in a win/lose placekick situation, but sooner or later it'll happen-maybe against Indy. Kicking is 600 percent confidence. It couldn't be good for the kid's serenity to hear his coach slobber over his old kicker. Oh, gosh, Bill thinks he made a mistake when they let Adam go. Yeah, that worry will help Bruce with that 47-yarder into the wind. The kicker needs no noise about Vinatieri. In an extremely wise move, the coach has apparently had Gostkowski practice somewhere in the Yukon this week.

Belichick clammed and stayed clammed because it was in his best interests to do so. If he appeared tense and peevish, maybe, just maybe, the Colts, not reporters' questions, were responsible.

I'm sure they were. Belichick talks up every opponent. Now and then he really means it, and with the Colts, he really, really means it. The coach regards Indianapolis' offense as the top challenge of his career as a defensive strategist. He's pumped, he's apprehensive, and most of all, he's preoccupied.

It gives me no pleasure to write what follows. It's a message to my former colleagues. To imply Belichick is freezing out reporters in response to stories about his personal life is despicable. Come on, gang, you're better than that. Show a little class out there.

posted by Michael Gee @ 9:14 AM