Mora: Great players buy in to what Belichick sells

Published: September 22nd, 2011 | Tags: Jim Mora, "A Football Life: Bill Belichick", Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

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The NFL Films series “A Football Life: Bill Belichick” is a serious fix for any football junkie. There’s little question.

Belichick has put his stamp on NFL history in more ways than one, including the “Patriot Way” philosophy of running a football organization. When it comes to the magic that takes place behind closed doors deep inside Gillette Stadium, former NFL coach and current NFL Network analyst Jim Mora — who has spent his adult life around the game — comes away impressed with how Belichick manages people.

“He’s one of the greatest football coaches ever. What I am so impressed with (by) Bill Belichick is the way everyone buys in on his team to what he says. They’re all on the boat with him. The key to that is having a guy like Tom Brady or Mike Vrabel or Tedy Bruschi, your leaders, so that when a young guy comes in — or a Corey Dillon comes in or Randy Moss comes in — he can absorb those personalities into (that) culture, because the great leaders and great players have completely bought in to what he’s selling. Because it’s worked for him. His players have great faith in him, great faith in every decision he makes.”

NFL Network analyst Heath Evans has been in the Patriots locker room — as well as others — and chalks up the difference to a disciplined, single-voiced structure in the organization.

“I’ve been in too many locker rooms that don’t it,” explains Evans. “His rules are his rules. You also know that his word is the end source. There is no struggle for power in this organization. We’ve all been around owners or even offensive coordinators who would sometimes undermine a coach. You can’t do that there. … When you have that structure, you create a winning atmosphere.”

And now for a shameless plug: “A Football Life: Bill Belichick” part II airs Thursday night on NFL Network at 10 p.m. ET.

Follow The NFL Network on Twitter @nflnetwork.

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Marvin Lewis: Belichick too smart to add Ochocinco

Published: January 24th, 2011 | Tags: Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals, Marvin Lewis

And now for the latest cannon-shot from Marvin Lewis over Chad Ochocinco’s bow.

If things weren’t already personal, they feel that way now. We’ve been hearing some pretty sweet jabs from Lewis in recent weeks. It’s almost as if he knows Ochocinco won’t be back, and he’s finally letting out everything he’s been holding back for so long. Errrrr, wait. That would seem to be exactly the case.

Lewis, coaching the North team at the Senior Bowl this week, was asked by Ian R. Rapoport of The Boston Herald about what type of fit Ochocinco would be with the Patriots.

“Belichick’s smarter than that,” Lewis replied, laughing.

Boom!

In case you’ve been distracted by whatever you consider more important and aren’t up on the storyline, Ochocinco has openly Twitter-flirted with the idea of playing for the Patriots and Raiders. Oh, and now the Jets, too (along with Terrell Owens).

Makes sense. The Jets could stand to use an upgrade in outspoken receivers in case Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes leave.

Ochocinco did get wind of Lewis’ latest shot, and of course challenged him to a cage match. Seems like a pretty logical solution.

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Irvin: Belichick is best coach of all-time

Published: January 16th, 2011 | Tags: Bill Belichick, Bill Belichick, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, New England Patriots, NFL GameDay Morning, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp

Is Bill Belichick the best NFL coach of all-time?

NFL Network’s Michael Irvin thinks so, and as Belichick moves up the list in several coaching categories, it’s a conversation that only gains merit.

“I think Belichick is to the contemporary fan what Vince Lombardi was to the historians of this game,” Irvin said. ”That’s what Belichick is. He’s a wonderful coach. I’ve said it [before]: The best of all-time, in my eyes.”

If the Patriots win Sunday against the Jets, Belichick will improve to 16-5 in the playoffs, tying him with Steelers great Chuck Noll (16-8) for the fourth-most playoff wins by a head coach in NFL history. Belichick has the second-highest playoff winning percentage (.750), trailing only Lombardi (9-1, .900). He also currently holds the mark for most seasons with 14-plus wins (four) in the regular season.

Do you agree with Irvin?

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