Belichick basks in team’s glory

Bill Belichick hates to compare any of his Patriots Super Bowl teams, but he clearly has a soft spot for this year’s champions, who rallied from a recordsetting deficit to defeat the Falcons, 34-28, in overtime in Super Bowl LI.

“This is a good football team, a tough football team,” Belichick said yesterday morning. “I have so much respect for the way they competed every single day, every practice. It wasn’t always perfect, but the effort was there. They always worked to get better, even down to our last practice of the season last Friday.

“Coach (Bill) Parcells once said the mark of a great champion is the ability to get off the mat, and that’s what they did (Sunday) night. Even though the score was against us, we never felt the game was out of reach. We were moving the ball, creating plays, we just didn’t have enough points on the scoreboard for a while.”

Even though the Patriots trailed by as many as 25 in the third quarter (28-3), there was a sense among the players that all it would take was one big play. For the second time, Dont’a Hightower, provided the spark.

Hightower’s tackle of Marshawn Lynch just before the goal line played a key part in preserving the 28-24 victory over Seattle two years ago in Super Bowl XLI. It was his stripsack of Atlanta’s Matt Ryan in the fourth quarter Sunday that played a large part in fueling the fourthquarter comeback.

“It was a huge play by Dont’a, we needed a play along those lines,” Belichick said. “High has been a versatile player for us for the five years he’s been here. He’s played inside linebacker, outside linebacker, on the line and that’s what (Alabama) coach (Nick) Saban said we were getting — someone who will be on the field on every down.”

Following the victory, Belichick talked about how satisfying it was to be able to share this with his family.

“It was a tremendous feeling being able to embrace (sons) Steve and Brian (both of whom are on the staff) and (daughter) Amanda was able to come down after her game on Saturday (Holy Cross women’s lacrosse coach),” Belichick said. “I’m sure my mom was watching the game back home and my dad had a seat on the 50-yard line.”

Belichick refused to entertain thoughts of retirement, shifting the focus to the team and organization.

“My thoughts are just my commitment to the team,” Belichick said. “This organization, what Mr. Kraft did, what he’s done for me, what a great partner he’s been, I just want to do the best I can for the great players and coaches I’ve had the privilege of working with.

“I’m not really thinking about last year, next year. I’m just trying to live in the moment and do the best I can for this football team.”