Time To Be AccountaBILL

Has anyone else used that god-awful headline yet?

Sometimes I’m envious of the sports-radio host mentality. It must just be so awesome to sit in judgment, move goalposts and criticize an outcome no matter which way it goes.

I loved Felger yesterday attempting to make the point that since all the Belichick toadies said he shouldn’t talk, that they should now be pissed at him because he is going to talk. That makes total sense. Except that I don’t care if he speaks or not. I personally hoped he wouldn’t just to infuriate the media even more, but since he’s going to, I’m certainly not going to pissed at him.

There is a ton of sarcasm and speculation over how this afternoon’s press conference is going to go. Many are taking the approach that he is not going to say anything at all, other than “we’re moving on” “we’re going to do what’s best for the football team” and “it is what it is.”

I think you’ll see more than that. I don’t have any special insight or knowledge here, but this is my guess based on how things have been handled in the past in various media situations.

First, a few things to consider:

1) This does not involve a competitive situation, so the “coach-speak” is less likely to dominate. He’s not going to fear losing any competitive edge in talking about this. Thus, he may appear a bit more “human” – a cry that has gone out among many sports radio hosts who are interested in Accountability.

2) He will be limited from a legal standpoint. He can’t stand up there and openly discuss particulars of open murder investigations. Not even to discuss the character of Hernandez.

3) Since this press conference was scheduled aside from the actual start of camp, it’s clear it is to be about the Hernandez with the aim of putting as much of it behind them as possible and moving on to the start of the season.

I expect a statement to begin, with sympathy expressed to the families of the victim(s) and basically repeating much of what Robert Kraft has already said. There will be some questions taken, but most of the answers will be limited and the legal issue being given as the reason.

Will he go into a discussion of their internal operations and how they will assess players moving forward? Perhaps in general terms, but again not specifics and nothing that can be used against him or the franchise in the future.

I do expect it to be somewhat thorough, again with the aim of being able to state, going forward “I’ve already made my statement on that particular issue. We’re here for football.”

Patriots best served if Bill Belichick addresses Aaron Hernandez’s arrest – Dan Wetzel had one of the best pieces I’ve seen on the subject thus far. Of course it takes a national guy to give the proper perspective.

Make no mistake, Belichick owes the media nothing. Perhaps he owes a little more to New England fans, but even that’s debatable. It’s not like he ever made himself out to be the sage of the region, counted on to lead the masses in times of uncertainty.

He’s the local pro football coach. He’s there to win games. He delivers, and then some, on that task. If he wants to say nothing, it’s his right.

Still, Belichick will do plenty for his reputation if he takes inquiries into such an historic story with at least a modicum of patience and perspective. Belichick is highly intelligent and, contrary to his news-conference demeanor, is mostly engaging, charismatic and interesting. The say-nothing approach is as much a coaching tactic as anything else.

Meanwhile the video of Gary Tanguay and Kirk Minihane on CSNNE last night has made the rounds. I don’t recommend watching it. These screencaps should tell you why.

Yes, this is what passes for sports “journalism” in this town, in this day and age.