Monday, December 14, 2009

Belichick can't handle the truth

Here's the problem with New England coach Bill Belichick: He's so used to hiding the truth from the media that he simply can't believe it when somebody else has the nerve to tell it, especially if it reflects poorly on one of his own.

Belichick ripped Panther cornerback Chris Gamble Monday after Gamble ripped Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss Sunday. Gamble had told The Charlotte Observer's David Scott in the postgame interviews that Moss "gives up a lot" on routes and that "We knew he'd shut it down a little bit." (Gamble said much the same thing to The Boston Globe, which played the story up very big Monday).

Said Belichick: "My response would be that's a lot of conversation coming from a team that just lost another game."

Belichick also said Monday: "I have a lot of respect for Randy. I think he's one of our best players. If you watch other teams defend him, watch other teams play against him, they think the same way, other than these two guys from Carolina after they lost another game. I guess they don't think that way, but they haven't won a lot of games now."

Belichick was also referring to Panther safety Chris Harris, who made comments in a similar vein (although not quite as pointed as Gamble's). Gamble also said of Moss Sunday: "You can tell with his body language, that he's not going deep, he's not going to run a route. I know everybody who plays against him can sense that. If you can get 'in' him in the beginning of the game, that's what's going to happen. He kind of laid down. We didn't have to pay that much attention to him."

Here's the thing: Gamble was simply telling the truth. Moss was awful Sunday. He obviously gave up on some plays. Even on the ones where he tried, he was no factor. He caught only one pass, for 16 yards, and fumbled that one away as soon as Harris hit him. Gamble intercepted another pass intended for Moss that was thrown by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who also defended Moss Sunday.

Yes, the 5-8 Panthers are pretty terrible this season, and I'm no homer about that. I wrote about the team's "hopelessness" in today's paper and online. But I think what's going on here is Belichick and Brady know how good Moss can be. Shoot, we all do. Moss is unbelievable when he's motivated. New England desperately needs him if the Pats -- who aren't what they have been for much of this decade -- are going to make a run at the playoffs.

So Belichick and Brady are pretending nothing is wrong with Moss, because they need Moss to be 100 percent there with them when the playoffs start. That's what this is about. Gamble told the truth. Belichick is bristling because an opposing player had the nerve to tell it. That's all this is.

62 comments:

Unknown said...

Very true, Scott. Harris and Gamble weren't "talking smack." They were probably asked: what do you think of the performance by Randy Moss today? And, taking into account his one reception for 16 yards, one fumble, and a dropped pass, they said "he shut it down"---why? Out of respect, because they expect Randy Moss to play much better. Yes, they probably elaborated a bit too much, but they just spoke their heart, what they truly felt. Isn't that what we ask for out of professional sports players? They weren't being sore losers after a loss (and even if they were, the defense played well enough to win so it would be warranted (including shutting down the AFC top receiver in Moss (fumble forced by Harris, INT by Gamble))), they were just answering a question honestly.

"They haven't won many games." Bill, why don't you worry about your own da mn struggling team and your "legendary offense." Dissing the Dbs who just shut down the guy (Moss) who you're adamantly defending is stupid. The Panthers started a third year undrafted QB (who, btw, out-passer-rated Brady), shot themselves in the foot with penalties, didn't stick with the running game, and still only lost 20-10 in Foxboro. So stop trying to act so cavalierly Belchick and worry about your team who also "hasn't won many games"

Hardy said...

Winners earn the ability to talk smack - or show humility and some grace.

Losers shut up, go home and learn how to be winners.

NedT45 said...

Harris and Gamble might have shut down Moss, but they forgot about the other guy, Welker. Another big weekend for the leading receiver in the league thanks to a piss poor performance by the Panthers. Instead of gloating about shutting down Moss, they should have used that energy to atleast try to slow Welker down.

Marima said...

While Harris and Gamble were all excited about shutting down a shut-down Randy Moss, Wes Welker was running free and wild all over them.

Just maybe, in gloating over their own personal accomplishments against the number one receiver in the NFL, they forgot that their TEAM lost.

Just maybe, they might want to focus on ALL the receivers next week.

Anonymous said...

Gamble and Harris were being honest. Moss shut it down. Belichick is trying to salvage his wounded star's ego. Knowing Belichick he's hating every second of it and plotting his dismissal this off season.

Anonymous said...

The right response from Harris and Gamble was "Moss is a great player. We were lucky he had a bad game."

Anonymous said...

Moss caught one pass, Pats still win 20-10. No I in TEAM. Maybe if Panthers learn that, they wouldn't suck so bad. Call me when Moss assaults team mates and pushes a ref and still gets to play for Pats.

Anonymous said...

why are Carolina DB's talking about it as if they won the game? Its pretty rare that a team would brag about shutting down a player when a) they lost and b) they got torched by another player (Welker).

Kenneth said...

Scott Fowler,

Belichick isn't the only one who "can't handle the truth". You make it very hard for me to respect your opinion. How can you say after two starts that Matt Moore simply isn't accurate enough to be quaterback around here? This kid hasn't lit it up, but he hasn't been as bad as the guy that you've supported for years up until this year. Isn't it too early to make that call? You thought it was okay for Jake to be inaccurate for 6 years.

Anonymous said...

Gamble and Harris really don't make much sense...Did they "Shut Down” Randy Moss or did "He (Randy) shut it down?" If they were responsible for shutting him down kudos to them, but if Randy "Shut It Down" (their words) what the **** did they do all day??????? Obviously not much because Welker ran all over their ass. You can't have it both ways, boyz....either you shut him down and he wasn't able to catch the ball, or you shut it down when he shut it down because you sure as heck didn't do anything else!! If Moss wasn't a threat why did you continue to double team him? Why didn't you put your focus elsewhere if he wasn’t a threat and he had already "shut it down"? You dream of being in the same league as Moss!! He has one bad game and you run off at the mouth!! You have a bad game every week and nobody gives a shit. The only way to get press coverage is by complaining about what Moss did or didn't do. Maybe you'll have a better view of Moss’ game as you sit at home watching Moss in the playoffs!

Anonymous said...

Scott...Wes Welker says "Hi".

Anonymous said...

Playoffs!

Cerebrum said...

All these Patriot fanss want to talk smack because their HC & "Golden Boy" don't know how to "motivate" Moss. Anytime a team cheats & the NFL tries to destroy the evidence then it is quite clear who the real "LOSERS" are. I'm sure Belichump & Tin Man Brady wouldn't make those comments in Fox's face or the Panther player's faces. Patriot fans need to understand the Dynasty is over & their demise is rapidly on the way. Last time I checked there is no stipulation on telling the truth when it is the truth. No wonder the Patriots are one of the most hated NFL teams in the league (P.S. It has nothing to do with winning but with their arrogant attitudes). Tony Dungy would of never attacked opposing players or teams like this. That's a coach with class.

Patriots Camera Man said...

Scott, you should be scared! Patriot nation is mad at you. How dare you tell the truth about them? Please send them an apology when lose in the first round of the playoffs. Who knew that the Patriots were so "sensitive"? Please get some ear plugs because their crying is so annoying! Who knew Moss would cough up the ball when he got "lit" up by Harris? Ha! Ha! Ha! Belichump must of sent him to Time Out during a team meeting which hurt his ity, bity feelings.

Julie said...

BB has always been a sore loser and often avoids shaking hands with the opposing coach after a loss. I don't see how he can then criticize the actions of a losing team. He comes off as very classless.

Also, Gamble & Harris weren't gloating, they were simply stating facts. I guess the truth hurts sometimes.

Anonymous said...

If you check the stats.... Moss has 9 TD's this year which equals the 9 td's from the entire Panther passing game! How many Panthers with 1,000 yds. Receiving this year?? ZERO How many Super Bowl rings in Charlotte...ZERO. You are so worried about the demise of the Patriots' Dynasty, and least we have a dynasty to speak of. I can take banter from the Steeler fans, Cowboy fans, even the old school 49er and Redskin fans, because they have wins to back up their talk. Win something and get back to us! We'll be in the PLAYOFFS (Panther fans can find the word in the dictionary) trying to win yet another Super Bowl Ring!

Anonymous said...

12 + 81 = 7

Anonymous said...

Sure we win another Super Bowl ring, EA Sports "Madden" counts right? Does it involve "Camera" angles?

Chet West said...

I wonder if the same comments that Gamble applied to Moss are typically applied to Peppers by opposing offensive tackles?

Anonymous said...

Do you know the reason why it is that anytime you yell "OK, who pooped in their panties?", Bill-'ill-check. That's because Bill is always full of poop.

Anonymous said...

I think Wes Welker just caught ANOTHER pass.

Anonymous said...

The only thing Belichick has a hard time handling is wearing three rings on the same hand.
Short, slow, white wide receiver says "Hi".

Anonymous said...

Has Steve Smith assaulted any team mates today? Has any Panther assaulted anyone at a restaurant or strip bar today? How's the steroid market in Charlotte nowadays?

Anonymous said...

Hey, Pats fans....your coach sounds like Butthead every time he talks....no matter how many rings he has.

Anonymous said...

Wes Welker just burned another Panther. Bill Belicheck just polished his second Super Bowl ring.

Anonymous said...

...and Bill Belichick still sounds like Butthead.

Unknown said...

Lotta talk.....who is 8-5? And going to playoffs? 'nuff said. GO PATS!

Anonymous said...

Butthead has 3 rings and just beat your Panthers. I'll take Butthead any day over your soft coaching staff. Enjoy the offseason, baseball starts soon. Oh, sorry not in Charlotte, maybe Fort Mill or Atlanta, right? PANSY ASS!

Anonymous said...

Scott, I generally like your columns but you are way out to lunch here. When you are 5-8 and no hope in sight, a team should shut its mouth and spend a lot more time reviewing film and practicing. That would require a organization with the guts to get into their players azz. Give me a break, how can you defend this crap? I don't care if they were asked by 50 reporters...THE TEAM LOST!! Shut up and TRY to improve your own team, but that would require these players to stay out of the strip clubs and focus on their jobs. I have been a Panther Fan since the inception, and I still am, but worry about ourselves not Moss or any other team. Maybe this version of the Panthers are more worried about their fantasy team. Get Real and learn what it takes to win.

Anonymous said...

The Panthers should just shut up until they can quit being an embarrassment to the city of Charlotte and all football fans in general. Cris Gamble? who the hell is Cris Gamble?

Anonymous said...

Ever since the Patriots were busted for video taping opponents they have made a steady decline. This says one thing about Coach "Belachick", he's only good when he's cheating. He and the Patriots will always be questioned if they really cheated to win those games. It is easy to win when you know what the other team is doing. I lost all respect for him, I couldn't believe how arrogant he was when he got caught.
As for the Moss comment from Gamble I didn't agree but the media will always twist the context to get attention. He said nothing more than the commentators but were easier targets.
Obviously Moss quit his routes or Gamble would have been no where around him. Gamble is an embarrassment most times he is on the field and should have never been drafted but he is the typical Hurney/Fox lost cause where we have wasted picks. If we can learn anything from the Patriots it is how to handle and acquire draft picks. They find ways to make players seem better than they are trade them for high picks to teams where they fall on their butt.
Belachick should learn to respect other coaches and teams instead of being an arrogant a**hole when the media puts a mic in his face.

Anonymous said...

As a Panther fan I did feel that Brady's comments were much more accurate and what I was thinking. I took what he said about Gamble being beat on some plays as a general comment that every player gets beat because that player is human. I'm not a fan of Gamble either so in my opinion Brady's remark was very generous because Gamble lives up to his name every time he steps on the field.
I am a Panther fan, but the Patriot fans that come on here and brag about rings give the more classy Patriot fans a bad rap. How many years did it take for the Patriots to win one of those rings again? And remember that Dynasty you speak of has been proven as cheaters.
Take nothing from Welker he earns every catch he makes and every yard he runs. Brady is great also no one can say otherwise or say they wouldn't want him playing for their team.

Anonymous said...

How do you know your team is in trouble? When you WIN a game and yet find yourself on the opposing team's local newspaper website more than 24 hours later. We know the Panthers aren't good this year. When will you realize that the Pats aren't either? Wes Welker is great, but imagine how much more effective he would be if Randy Moss gave even HALF the effort.

Unknown said...

You really shouldn't say too much after losing another game. Coach B had the correct response. Grant it the defense has been the strong point of the team this year, but you couldn't stop an average, at best, run game. You still gave up 20 points which is not overly impressive, and let them convert on a repeated basis on 4th an whatever. Comments like this show why John Fox will be gone after this season. There is no discipline in that locker room. Not many coaches would have stood for stupid comments like that. Moss may have given up for a game, but last time I checked he is still going to the hall of fame, and can dominate a game on any given night. Carolina needs to do something before they start talking sh#t.

Anonymous said...

There is no defending two mediocre defensive backs commenting on the play of another team's player after yet another loss. Funny it took two guys to handle Moss even though he wasn't trying. Lucky for us he wasn't If the best we can do after this disappointing season is find solace in our ability to make Randy Moss quit on a few plays then it is indead a sad day for the Panthers. I'm not a huge Bilichick fan, but I he and Brady did the right thing coming to the defense of Moss. They didn't initiate this attack, and in the end they won the game....we didn't....again!

Anonymous said...

Lets see: Chris Gamble, Chris Harris, Randy Moss - which one of these players will be going into the Hall of Fame? The true funny part about all of this is, half of the people on this blog probably have Randy Moss on their fantasy squad.

Thorrez said...

I don't get it.

Given the question "How was it defending against Moss?"

If your team lost and you made mistakes yourselves, are you not allowed to tell the true and saying "it was easy, as he didn't try" if that is the case?

What should he respond: "I'm sorry, as I am not a pro bowler and just lost, I am not allowed to speak. Maybe if NE plays and losses to Denver, you could ask Champ Bailey?"

Yes, we lost. Yes, we did not come close to find an answer to Welker. Yes, your are obviously a better team than we are. Still, that does not change the fact that Moss had a really bad game (and Yes, we should have utilized that to focus on Welker but failed to do that as well).

Agreed?

Anonymous said...

Panthers lost. SHUT UP GAMBLE!!!

Anonymous said...

Scott Fowler are you freaking kidding me????? Instead of calling out the overpaid, under-performing, big mouthed Panthers DB and Safety who have not stopped anyone this season, you go off on Bill Belichick?? Why are you so concerned about what Randy Moss needs to do to help the Patriots in the playoffs? Are you writing for New England?? Why are you not worried about what the sorry Panthers need to do in the offseason to get wins next year?? I would suggest the Panthers start by off-loading a stupid overpaid DB who cant keep his big mouth shut after a game but feels he achieved something because an elite receiver in the league didnt burn him for 90 yds and a TD down the sideline. If the Patriots have a problem with RM let them take care of it internally. RM not giving 100% on every play is no secret in the league so you did not reveal anything Gamble. Take care of your own business! And keep your mouth shut after another loss man! Saying that b/s after a win would have been ungracious. Saying that after a loss shows your ignorance. RM is still a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer and a difference maker in this league.

Anonymous said...

This is a joke, right? A pair of defenders on a team that LOST is trying to make noise about a player on the winning team? And said team is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and a certain hall of famer?

So what, that Randy Moss only had one catch? THE PANTHERS LOST, are out of the playoffs and may be making major changes in its personnel and coaching staff as soon as the season ends. This is like the ugly guy in the room trying to find faults with a successful, handsome relative who shows up a few minutes late to the party.

At the end of the day, Carolina, your team is still a joke. Just be an adult about losing yet again.

Aaron said...

The most important point here is that our beloved Panthers players shouldn't be saying anything about the opposing team after losing to them whether or not there's any truth in their assessment. Winning gives you the privilege of talking trash - a privilege our players don't deserve after this wretched season. For once, I side with Belichick.

coachlang3 said...

Alot of fans on both sides are talking too much. I am a Pats fan. I do think Moss was not giving his all on Sunday. I think what Harris and Gamble said was true to a point. But they shouldn't have said it. Moss got double teamed and shut down. Wes Welker was not double teamed and exploded like usual. Pats won, Cats didn't. A coach and the QB defend their teammate. Maybe BB went a little overboard, but there's alot of frustration up there right now. The Pats still won though.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Scott. That was a really good piece.

Anonymous said...

The truth is had Jake D. been the QB this would have been a blow out even with a "broken" finger.

Would either Manning have sat with a "broken" finger? Please ...

Hope all the whiny fans and Jake haters are happy. New England SUCKED badly could have been an easy win and their coach knows it.

Anonymous said...

Wonder why these guys don't call out Peppers for his lack of effort? I guess it's just easier to look at the other team (who won by the way) than to own one's own pitiful effort.

Michael T.

Anonymous said...

Gamble is a typical Buckeye .All talk, no titles

Anonymous said...

And meanwhile, Steve Smith did not catch another pass after 4:56 in the second quarter. The only other time Smith touched the ball the rest of the game was on the lateral from Mushin Muhammed at the end of the first half.

I swear, talking about being self-deluded about yourselves. At the end of the day, the Panthers lost. This is like someone bragging he landed a punch in the fight while being taken out in a stretcher.

Dr. Horrible said...

Just a creation of the Northeast media. Yes, Gamble and Harris are absolutely right. Yes, BB is just trying to focus the heat anywhere but on his team (and maybe motivate Moss a little along the way). The real question, though, is why are Gamble and Harris' statements even newsworthy? Anyone with eyes knows Moss wasn't even close to trying. There's your story: not what is said, but what was (not) done. I suppose it's easier for the Boston rags to gin up a controversy than report the uncontroversial truth, though.

TruePantherFan said...

Yah know what all you whiny Patriots fans, deal with your reality. Yes, Panthers stink this year. Yes, Peppers is overpaid for the way he plays. Yes, we have serious QB issues, hence why Smith has caught so few passes this year. Yes, your Wes W. shredded our D up. HOWEVER that doesn't take away from the fact that your "glorious" multiple superbowl champin pats beat a team whose only won 5 games, with their backup qb in by 10 points (and you can thank the Refs for the 1st 7 and you know it.) 2, we shut down one of your star receivers, because when the pressure gets on he quits like a big baby. Nobody is saying he doesn't have the potential to be great he's shown it, but like us he sucked Sunday, period. And if it hadn't been for Wes W, I doubt you would have even gotten 20 points. ( Just how bad did you all loose to the Saints again? They only beat us by 10 in a good game) Awesome. Deal with it. You brought your C+ game, and it showed. We know we suck, you should just accept that Gamble and Harris told the truth.

coachlang3 said...

Hey TruePantherFan,

Doesn't matter how much we or you lost by to the Saints, we both lost to them, however, the awesome team you have which "only" lost to them by ten while we got our arses kicked by them, also lost to the Pats by "only" ten. Still two losses.

The point is, the Panthers have their own quitter in-house in Peppers but you don't hear anyone jacking on him do you?

Anonymous said...

big cat here, look i agree the pats beat us,but the comments made by gamble n harris were true. Sometimes the truth hurts deal with it. Now with that said, i have 1 more important thing to say over half of you pat fans wasnt never fans or even cared about them til they started winning n so u decided to jump on the pats bandwagon.

Anonymous said...

When Bileacheat watches the game film will he come out and admit the refs pretty much gave them the game? I doubt it. Pats should have lost period.

Neal Giordano said...

Anyone on this blog still spouting about "Spygate" or calling Pats fans bandwagon fans is just plain stupid.

We get it. The Pats used a camera on the sideline. They also went 17-1 AFTER that Jets game, so no camerawork there.

And bandwagon? Please. No Panthers fan should EVER talk about bandwagon fans. Your stadium is half-empty when your team isn't winning (which is most of the time) and I always have choice seats when the Patriots visit. Many Pats fans have been through the tough years, and are STILL around. Many of you can't say the same.

The Patriots are in an off couple of years. At least they compete for the playoffs. Panthers are lucky to finish at .500, while hanging on to a QB who will never regain his touch.

Take off the rose-colored glasses. Some of you are major hypocrites. Oh, yeah...like your two DB's "speaking the truth", so is Belichick. You haven't won many games. Truth hurt?

Anonymous said...

This is the coach that preaches keeping things in house. Why didn't he take the high road and keep his mouth shut like he tries to teach his players. Besides, his team won, but didn't play great considering they were at home facing a backup QB. Keep it up and he may be looking at a pretty bad record too! He's a sore sport anyway. Take a look at his interviews after a loss. Just remember Pats fans, there was a day when you guys were horrible. What goes around, comes around!

Anonymous said...

Some of you Panther Fans are a disgrace. No matter win or lose you are always talking negative about some of the players/team. If Gamble would have gotten beat by Moss, You would have said something about that. Why are you guys always jumping on the players when they make a comment about another team? First, it was Marshall against Williams/Dallas and now it's against Gamble. Is it the Defense fault for all the losses??? You guys are just Panther Haters!!! Go find another team to hate..

Anonymous said...

Boston area fans are hilarious anyway. The Celtics are the only true blueblood team from there. Pats-Sox-Bruins, all freaking jokes until this decade.

Pats don't pull out of it until they get a coach willing to cheat and the sox just got lucky.

Yo Sox fans-- Yankees have 27 WS titles. You guys have been owned for years and always will be.

Unknown said...

It looks to me that New England can still when a game even if you shut down Moss. Maybe the Panthers game plan should have been to shut down the Patriots and put Gamble on Welker since he makes players shut it down. As Herm Edwards would say YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!

Anonymous said...

It certainly looked to me like Moss quit. But the Panthers need to look at their own house before ripping on someone else. The fact of the matter is, the Panthers are losers. The players and coaching staff quit a long time ago. Unless I read the score wrong, the Patriots didn't need Moss to beat the Panthers. My feeling is that you don't have the right to call somebody a quitter, when your whole team quit the season several games ago

Deemer said...

All I have to say is that the Panthers havec some nerve to talk about any player unless they are talking about themselves! Not sure if Gamble and Harris have watched any game film lately but if they had, they would have noticed that "The Panthers" have given up in a majority of there games this season! There coaches have given up, by starting Jake for as long as they did. There fans have given up on there team, this is evident by how full, or empty B of A stadium is each week! Im not a Moss fan, however, I do understand that someone as passionate as him will get frusterated! Start playing well Panthers, cause on paper you have good players to win games. Stop giving up and earn your paychecks!!!

Anonymous said...

Gamble and Harris were just telling the truth, but they shouldn't have said it anyway....they lost...and they got beat all day by Welker...and even if they had won we would still have a losing record on the year...but you know what? Belichik is a head COACH! Gamble and Harris are PLAYERS! If players talk you kinda expect that. Players talk junk all the time...so what? If Brady wants to come out and say what he said, fine. He's right. In fact, bring out the whole Pats team,and Randy Moss too, to talk junk about Gamble and Harris. Who cares? They opened their mouths and they can take it. But a coach should be above that junk. What a little girl. What makes me even more mad is the fact that our coach is an even bigger girl. All he said in response is "We lost." You can't stick up for your guys?? Come on man. Belichick is a classless, whiney, cheating BUM!! He needs to grow up and Fox needs to go away. Any coach that won't stand up for his players to another coach doesn't deserve the job. I hope the rumors about Cowher are true cuz we need a guy with his attitude around here. I grew up in western PA watching the Steelers and let me tell you he won't be on the sidelines clapping his hands when guys screw up....he's gonna be in their earhole! Say what you wanna say about him only winning one Superbowl. We need a tough guy coach like Cowher or Singletery. Players don't respect Fox and why should they? We need sombody who's gonna get these guys motivated and playing hard....and yes somebody did call Peppers out...in the media...his name was Jon Beason, who by the way had the BS charges dropped.

Josh said...

Give me a break, Scott. Gamble and Harris should have kept their moronic mouths shut- they just lost. Who cares if Moss gave up or not- I'm saying the same thing as Belichick if the team we just beat is talking that way. The Panthers suck, badly and they make themselves look even worse with comments like those made by the DBs. Gamble of all people should keep his mouth shut, tight. For every interception he makes there are 5-6 plays that he gets burned on by no-name receivers. The guy is overrated and so is Harris for that matter.

Anonymous said...
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