Belichick shut down the media with one simple line: Im focused on Seattle.
After validation from owner Robert Kraft, Belichick took to the podium. He was prepared for Super Bowl questions but to his dismay, the media could only focus on one thing: Deflate-Gate. Belichick has answered questions concerning the scandal for the past week; At this point, he’s tired of it. When the first reporter asked him about the new reports, he simply gave this answer:
“Right now, the only thing I’m focused on is the Seattle Seahawks. That’s what we’re going to talk about. I’ve discussed everything else at length and there will be another point in time for it. But this week, it’s all about the Seattle Seahawks.”
Belichick repeated that statement 3 times. It seemed as though no one was concerned about his team making it to the Super Bowl; Only what his thoughts were on a situation he no longer has control over. One thing we can all take away from this press conference, if you’re not talking Seattle, Belichick doesn’t have an answer. Its the Super Bowl, its time to talk strategy and winning.
Belichick knows he’s facing an incredible team and there’s one thing he’s focused on that people don’t pay much attention to… Seattle’s kicking game.
They’re strong in all three phases of the game. Everybody talks about their offense and their defense – which are outstanding. I don’t think they get enough credit for how good they are in the kicking game. I think we saw that last week against Green Bay with the fake field goal and how well executed that was (and) the onside kick. Without those two plays, you know, I don’t know. But they made them and they made them in the kicking game.
Belichick also made sure to mention that the togetherness of this team didn’t happen overnight, this team has stuck together throughout the season.
I think our team has shown all year that we have a great chemistry and a feeling of togetherness. I think that these guys have supported each other well and worked well with each other through months, really, of challenges – all the different teams that we played, all the different ups and downs that we’ve had during our season – which every team goes through. I’m very proud of the group.
The Patriots owned this press conference. This wasn’t the media frenzy we’ve seen within the last week. Kraft set the tone and made sure the media know this was HIS team and HIS guys.
“Tom, Bill, and I have been together for 15 years. They are my guys, they are part of my family. And Bill, Tom, and I have had many difficult discussions over the years, and I have never known them to lie to me. That is why I am confident in saying what I just said. And it bothers me greatly that their reputations and integrity, and by association that of our team, has been called into question this past week.”
With Kraft backing his guys, it shows him pulling away from his personal relationship with Commissioner Goodell. Kraft also went further to say that if the Wells report finds the Patriots innocent, the NFL owes them an apology. One that would be very well deserved.