Posted by Mike Florio on February 3, 2008, 1:09 p.m.ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reports that, if it turns out that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has in possession video of the Rams’
Final walk-through practice from Super Bowl XXXVI, New England head coach Bill Belichick will be suspended for a year.
Wow.
If Walsh has a such a tape, and if Belichick knows or suspects that he does, it could have a profound affect on Belichick as he prepares for the final act in a possible 19-0 season. We’re not saying that it’ll affect his coaching in any way; it might actually make him more focused and determined. But the knowledge that this game could be his last one for 19 months, and possibly his final time on the sidelines with the Patriots ever, is likely something that not even the modern-day Bud Grant would be able to conceal.
Indeed, if Belichick knows that he’s toast, he might opt to retire before “Spygate II” hits the fan. And he’ll be carrying those thoughts somewhere in his brain throughout the day and night in Phoenix.
And given that the Patriots have issued a statement calling Saturday’s report from the Boston Herald “absolutely false,” evidence to the contrary might compel owner Bob Kraft to fire his head coach on the heels of a fourth Super Bowl win in seven seasons.
Though plenty of folks are questioning the timing of these new disclosures, the fact is that if there’s any truth to the report and that truth comes out, the guy who’ll pay the biggest price is Belichick.
Either way, this is something that needs to be investigated quickly, so that if there’s nothing to it the Pats and Belichick can have the cloud of suspicion removed.
