FOXBOROUGH - I don't get it.
You are recognized as the best coach in the National Football League. You have won three Super Bowls and the Patriots have been anointed as the model of how to run a successful franchise.
You have staked your reputation on being a shrewd, relentless competitor who never - ever - lets emotions cloud your judgment.
You are usually one step ahead of the pack.
And that's why I don't understand why you authorized one of your staff members to videotape the early moments of last Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
C'mon, Bill Belichick. You are smarter than that.
Belichick finds himself embroiled in a controversy over the league's seizure of equipment used by Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella along the New England sideline in the 38-14 win over the Jets. The story that has been dubbed "Videogate" dominated the conversation at Gillette Stadium and around the league yesterday, and it's not hard to understand why.
The Patriots are favored to win it all again, and a rare misstep by their resident genius is headline news. The fact the opponent in question was the Jets, coached by Belichick's former apprentice, Eric Mangini, who had the audacity to leap from the mother ship to New England's division rival, only adds to the drama. Mangini was here from 2000-05 and was a member of Belichick's inner circle. Mangini knew all his boss's tricks - including, most likely, his videotaping tendencies. Do you believe it's a coincidence the Patriots were busted on J-E-T-S soil? I think not.
New England's embattled coach tried to sidestep the controversy yesterday during his daily press conference. He was asked if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave him a timetable on when he would take action regarding the video. He was asked if he had contingency plans in place in case he was suspended. He was even asked if he was embarrassed by the negative publicity his actions have caused.
"Any questions about the Chargers?" Belichick asked.
Sunday night's game against San Diego should be fueled with emotion. The Chargers are still hot over Patriots players celebrating at midfield after their playoff win last season. Ellis Hobbs performed Shawne Merriman's trademark "Lights Out" dance on the Chargers' logo, prompting San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson to refer to the Patriots as "classless," and intimating it started with their head coach. LT has happily chimed in on New England's latest flap, saying, "I think the Patriots actually live by the saying, 'If you're not cheating, you're not trying.' "
