Unlike the great Eric Mangini-Belichick cold-shoulder-fest, it seems the Patriots (and Belichick)...

Unlike the great Eric Mangini-Belichick cold-shoulder-fest, it seems the Patriots (and Belichick) still have a soft spot for McDaniels. If not, they deserve acting awards for the way they greeted him at the team buses. Our own Mike Reiss, who covers the Patriots for ESPN Boston.com, had it right when he said Belichick's postgame demeanor was something like "This sucks, but if I'm going to lose, at least it's to this guy."

Comments

I think McDaniels feels exactly the same way.

It was nice to see. Did you see the way Belichick was looking around for McDaniels after the game, that was respect and friendship on display. McDaniels elation along the sideline was caused by his great respect for the man he had just managed to beat. Belichick has won me over recently. First there was his gracious comments about Mike Shanahan during camp and now this.

by Lisa FB on Oct 12, 2009 5:44 AM MDT reply actions

I felt sort of sorry for Belichick

You could tell he was really looking for Josh, but couldn’t find him. He was probably thinking “I’m gonna get creamed for this one if I can’t find him!”

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Oct 12, 2009 8:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Belichick's face was a study in mixed emotions

disappointment at the loss, affection for Josh, pride in his prize pupil, wistful that he’s no longer in the nest. I’ve been turned around on Belichick, too. The man has a heart, you just don’t normally see it in public.

"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.

by spock on Oct 12, 2009 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions

I was hoping they would meet after the game.

At least a handshake or something. I also like the way Bill Belichick was looking around for McDaniels after the game.

I think Bill Belichick is one of the most misunderstood men in football.

by coffee on Oct 12, 2009 6:50 AM MDT reply actions

Not sure if it's true.

But I heard last night that they agreed to not publicly shake hands after the game. Then BB came to McD’s office after the game to shake hands. If it’s true, then that’s classy.

by SkinnyPB on Oct 12, 2009 8:23 AM MDT up reply actions

I think the article linked above

Mentions the office meeting. It certainly looked like BB was looking for Josh, but it sounds like McD made it out to the Pats bus to say hi to everyone.

by legendarywalton on Oct 12, 2009 9:02 AM MDT up reply actions

They agreed before the game not to do the handshake afterwards

Belichick was looking for LaMont Jordan and some of his former Patriots.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Oct 12, 2009 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions

That was my thought the whole time...

at first the camera cutting back and forth between teh two gave the impression that BB was looking for McD, but as things continued on it looked more like BB was looking for his assistant or something (maybe his red flag?? :) )

With all the post-game info about a pregame arrangement, it stands to reason that BB wasn’t searching for McD after teh game at all… It is just a case of our minds filling in the blanks without all the info…

Thanks Marima

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 12, 2009 7:41 PM MDT up reply actions

it's the cameras that were looking for something...

…anything! A “Hallmark Moment”, a full-fledged snubbing, a cold-fish handshake… something they could build another story around. Can’t have a feel-good moment involving Belichick, with a successful protege showing (gag) outward respect for him in public. It doesn’t fit the image they want to keep. Good for Josh.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Oct 13, 2009 8:25 AM MDT up reply actions

Corroboration

On today’s Doug Gottlieb show on ESPN, Brandon Christal of 104.3 The Fan reported that Bill Belichick actually walked into the Broncos locker room last night after the game and sought out McDaniels to give him a congratulatory hug. Although I’m sure the loss stung as bad as any, it sure sounds like Bill’s a proud papa, don’t you think?

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 12, 2009 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Hoodie Jr.

Too funny.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Oct 12, 2009 7:33 AM MDT reply actions