Is Bill Belichick like Wall Street bankers?

Posted on October 19th, 2009 by ecthompson md


Yesterday, the New England Patriots jumped on, stomped, destroyed, steamrolled and slapped around the Tennessee Titans. The final score was 59-0. The New England Patriots had already scored 35 points at halftime. Yet their head coach, Bill Belichick, continued to pour it on throughout the third quarter. Why? Greed? To send a message? What message? Is a 35-0 message too weak or wimpy?

In sports there’s something called sportsmanship. At least there used to be. This looks like the greed that we see on Wall Street. It is a kind of greed that will make you worry about your bonuses as your company is being saved by Bank of America. It is the kind of greed where you set up a scheme that is completely nonsustainable but you don’t care since you will have your money. In my opinion, this is what we saw.

Tags: Business, Economy // 4 Comments »

  • Mike

    I can sense an innate hatred that people must spew on the patriots and their coaches. What did you want the second and third stringers in the patriots to do? Not play? Not prove that they belong on the team. Through the third and fourth quarters the pats second and third teams were battling the Titans first team. Yet you need to find a reason to complaint?

  • ecthompson

    Why was Brady in the game in the 3rd quarter? The second and third stringers are fine. Look at the opening of the 3rd quarter, Brady, Welker and Moss are still in the game. The score is 45 – 0! Yet, on a 9 play drive Brady throws 6 times. Score. What was that? I don’t need a reason to complain but you bought this on yourself. Belichick ran up the score on several teams in 2007. So, expect all eyes to be looking for it. 

    Thanks for your comments. 

  • Joe White

    Some NFL players have bonuses in their contract for production, i.e  # of TD passes, # of points scored, leading the league in catches, etc

    Should the coaches and players act like these provisions do not exist and not attempt to get paid what they were contracted for?

  • ecthompson

    sure I understand modern NFL contracts. A friend of mine was cut from an NFL team after a couple of Pro bowl appearances and eight years in the league, why? Retirement money goes up after you’ve been in the league for 10 years. This same friend was picked up by another team, he made the starting roster. He was playing great. His collecting interceptions like my grandson collects Legos. When it was clear that team was not to make the playoffs,he was benched. Why? He was about to hit his accelerator. He fee collected another one or two interceptions he would’ve gotten a bonus of $200,000 or $300,000. The coach made a decision which, in the end, did not help his team win more games but instead, help the franchise save money.

    Bonuses are designed to reward players for greatness. Collecting touchdown passes in a blowout is not greatness. once Tom Brady had thrown his fifth touchdown pass for the game and Senate and a NFL record for most touchdown passes and a quarter, he would’ve been sitting on my bench.

    Thanks for your comments.

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