Bad case of Beli-mia

I'll remember Bill Belichick as one thing - a cheater.
If he wins the next five Super Bowls, the next three American Idols and an Iditarod, I won't think anything more of him.
Two years ago I would have told you that he rivaled Vince Lombardi as the best coach in NFL history.
Now, for two reasons, I'll tell you he rivals Barry Bonds. Firstly because he's simultaneously the biggest and most successful cheater in the history of his sport. Secondly because without cheating he still would have been one of the most successful figures in the history of his sport.
And it's the latter realization that perplexes me. What is it that makes someone's desire to succeed so high that he feels justified cheating to reach his goals?
Spygate tarnished Belichick's reputation for sure, but since all the tangible evidence has seemingly surfaced, it appears that his actions were overblown and in some cases falsely exaggerated (by The Boston Herald).
He and the organization were justly punished and like an old french fry the the scandal was swept under the rug.
Then this happens. Matt Walsh, the "third video assistant" who "doesn't know football" told Commissioner Roger Goodell that Belichick uses players on Injured Reserve in practice.
He reminds me of the people at the gas station who take six pennies out of the change tray so they don't have to break an extra dollar.
He takes every minute edge he can to get a leg up on his opponents.
Whether that means taping their signals, practicing with extra players or cutting the sleeves off his hoodies so he can throw his challenge flag a little farther, he'll do it.
And that's what I can't stand.
He's clearly a genius and without cheating his stats would undoubtedly make him one of the best coaches ever. But the cheating on his resume is the mustard on your favorite T-shirt.
That stain won't go away like the Spurs in late spring.
The only explanation I can think of is that Belichick has a sickness. Call it Beli-mia because every time he cheats I want to throw up.
When everyone said Belichick and his Patriots were in a different league, they were right - the league of cheaters.
Don't be offended by me grouping the whole team together because of Belichick's actions. After all, he preaches the team concept more than
anyone in the game. If they don't want to be cheaters they can find another team to play/work for.
That includes everyone from owner Bill Belichick to kicker Adam Vinatieri. They're all cheaters. Remember how angry you got when your sister used to always be the banker in Monopoly and somehow she would never run out of money? Multiply that anger and the importance of the game by 100 and you can understand where I'm coming from.
But with the talent that Belichick and the Patriots have, I'll never understand where they're coming from.

Kept in Beli-check

Bill Belichick obviously wasn't fazed by the Super Bowl loss as far as his composure with the media.
In his live NFL Network interview between the 13th and 14th picks of the draft, he was asked about his draft pick, the decision not to draft an offensive lineman to protect Tom Brady and of course the Super Bowl loss itself.
Not even coaching fraternity members Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick could penetrate the armor that is part of Belichick's brick wall. How could you expect to hear anything less than the fact that Mayo is a great player who likes football?
When asked why they chose Mayo over other potential players including an offensive lineman such as Brandon Albert he said they did what was best for their football team.
And finally when Billick had the chutzpah to ask Belichick about the sting of the Super Bowl loss, he said they had already moved on to 2008 and put the loss behind them.
How great would it have been if Rich Eisen asked Belichick about Spygate.
Potential dialogue:
Rich: What is your reaction to the NFL finding a middle ground to meet with Matt Walsh, your former video coordinator?
Bill: (Pause) Well we've gone through a lot of changes on our roster and our staffs since we beat the Rams in the Super Bowl and we're going to continue to do what's best for our team.
Rich: But are you concerned that he might have incriminating tapes from the past that provide further evidence that your team cheated?
Bill: The only video I've had a chance to look at recently is of Jerod and some of the other guys on our draft board.
Rich: Are you concerned that you could be fined or even suspended if further violations are revealed?
Bill: I'm concerned that we have a really tough schedule this year and if we don't draft the right players we will have a hard time getting back to the Super Bowl.

I can't wait to see what evidence Walsh provides. How great would it be if Belichick had to worry more about getting back to the sidelines than preparing for the New York Jets?