Bill Belichick wasn’t physically at the NFL Combine last week. But his passion for the game was one of the biggest topics emanating from Indianapolis. Scores of NFL prospects praised the Patriots’ head coach for his hands-on approach, with one even acknowledging the Hoodie was nicer in person than he had expected.
There’s been a lot of consternation about Belichick’s commitment level. The coach who’s known for pushing “no days off” spent the start of a recent free agency period in Barbados and has been giving his team, well, more days off. His absence at the NFL Combine was cited as another example of Belichick losing his passion at 70 years old (he’ll turn 71 in April).
But Belichick skipping the combine could be an example of an experienced coach and executive using his time wisely. Belichick’s longtime confidante Mike Lombardi said on his podcast last week that players are no longer as accessible at the combine, due to many of the drills taking place at night.
“The way they’ve set the schedule up [now], the scouts are going to waste a lot of time there,” said Lombardi. “You’re better off leaving the coaches back there and working on something else.”
Belichick has been working this offseason, meeting with players at pro days and traveling to Las Vegas for the Shine Bowl, one of the premier exhibition events featuring top college players. One of those prospects, Louisiana Tech cornerback Myles Brooks, told reporters he was impressed with Belichick’s attention to detail.
“That’s something that you didn’t get in college,” he said. “In college, they kind of beat around the bush a little bit. But the Patriots, they treat you like grown men. They come to you and tell you what you need to do and if you’re not doing it, move around.”
Another Shrine Bowl participant, Charlie Thomas, said Belichick stopped practice after a botched punt drill.
Coaches who don’t love the game probably wouldn’t stop practice at the Shrine Bowl to work on special teams.
Though Belichick wasn’t at the scouting combine, he participated in video interviews with players. Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who could be available when the Patriots pick at No. 14 overall, was impressed. “Coach Belichick, you know what type of franchise program they have over there,” he said. “So, it definitely would be awesome being in that system.”
Another top receiver prospect, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, remarked how the Patriots personally reached out to him via text.
Belichick, who routinely skips the coaches’ photo at the league meetings, disdains NFL showmanship. The combine, fit with a nearly weeklong schedule and primetime workouts, is now a made-for-TV event.
Belichick may not want to participate in that. But it doesn’t mean he’s not putting in the work.
Just listen to the prospects.
